How To Build A Skincare Routine For Mature Skin

With all the skincare products on the market, it can be very overwhelming to know where to begin. I started addressing skincare in my 40’s and then have taken it up several levels in my early 50’s. This post is meant as an overview to skincare and what to look for if you have never had a skin care regimen before. I will show you how to build a skincare routine, especially if you have mature skin.

Part two of this skincare series will include my exact morning and evening skincare routine. I have made some subtle changes in 2024, so I will be updating my routine to include those.

What Does A Skincare Routine Include?

A skincare routine typically includes cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sun protection. The order of products and specific products you use will depend on your skin type and your skincare goals.

Cleansing: removes dirt, and makeup from the skin. Choose a gentle cleanser for you skin type to avoid any irritation. I like to use a cleansing balm to remove stubborn eye makeup, then followed up with a gentle cleanser. We will get more into that later.

Toning: removes any impurities. Many women like to use toners, but I personally do not use a toner.

Moisturizing: Restores hydration of the skin. The type of moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type. You may need a day moisturizer and a heavier one for night time. This may also vary seasonally.

Sun Protection: Protects the skin from the sun’s UV rays that cause burning, premature aging, and potentially skin cancer. This is the most important aspect of any skincare routine in my opinion. For my favorite sunscreens, check out this post.

Serums: Serums contain different types of skincare benefits. We will get into the specific types and what they do later on. Many contain anti-oxidants that neutralize free radicals which are unstable atoms that damage cells.

Retinol: Considered the gold standard of anti-aging, retinol is a form of Vitamin A that is used to treat acne and has been proven to improve and prevent fine lines and wrinkles over time. There are various forms of retinol, which I will cover later. Some are prescription and some are available over the counter.

Hyaluronic Acid: This is a humectant, which means it binds water, helping your skin retain moisture. This in turn gives the skin a more supple appearance. Our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid as we age, so this is a great ingredient to add to your skincare routine.

Vitamin B3 & Peptides: These stimulate collagen and elastin production, which naturally decreased as we age. These can prevent lines and sagging and are used to treat redness, and hyperpigmentation.

Where To Begin?

If you don’t currently have a skincare routine or don’t know where to start, keep is simple. Start with one component and then add on as you feel comfortable. This is not a sprint, but a slow and steady routine that will give you results with consistency and time.

Start With Cleansing:

Find a cleanser that you like and make sure to remove all of your makeup every evening. Even if you don’t wear makeup, cleansing your skin before bed will remove dirt and oil from the skin. My favorite makeup removing balm is the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm. I have tried several others, but this one works the best.

For a gentle cleanser, I alternate between the CereVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and the Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Gel Cleanser.

Choose A Moisturizer:

Choosing a daily moisturizer will depend largely on your skin type. I have dry skin, so I have several moisturizers that I use for morning and evening. I also use different moisturizers depending on the weather and time of year.

You can spend $$$ on high end products, but in my experience that is really not necessary. My favorite budget moisturizer is the e.l.f. Holy Hydration Face Cream. It contains useful skincare ingredients and is a good daily use product.

For a nice and light moisturizer, I also recommend the CeraVe PM Moisturizing Lotion. I use the PM version, because it does not contain sunscreen. Finally the Olay Regenerist Micro -Sculpting Cream is a wonderful and affordable night cream.

Wear Sunscreen Every Day:

the best mineral sunscreens for mature skin

If you only do one thing to enhance and protect your skin, this is the one you need to commit to. All the other efforts you make are in vain if you don’t wear sunscreen. I have done several posts on sunscreens, and I will link them here:

My current favorite sunscreen is also a tinted moisturizer by DRMTLGY. Read this post for my full review.

What’s Next?

Now that you have the overall big picture about skincare products and what they do, it’s time to start building your personal skincare routine. After you choose a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen you are ready to start adding some more anti-aging tools to your skincare routine.

We will dive deep into those in the next post, and I will share my morning and evening skincare routine with you. If you have questions I will do my best to answer them. Just leave them in the comments down below. I’m not an expert, but I have a routine that works well for my skin. Always check with your dermatologist if you are unsure and need medical advice.