7 Pro Beauty, Skin-Care, and Makeup Tips for People Over 50

As we get older, so many things about ourselves change—our perspective on life, priorities, goals, and we may even develop an unwavering desire to live in leggings (just me?). Another thing that also majorly changes as we age? Our skin. Mature skin, in particular, has different needs. So, it’s important to allow our beauty routine to evolve with us to ensure we’re satisfying those needs and keeping our skin feeling healthy and looking glowy. To help with that, below, we rounded up some of the best beauty, skin-care, and makeup tips for people over 50 that we’ve learned from the pros. 

1. Moisturizing concealer equals a more natural finish

Concealers are heroes in our makeup collection. They’re always there to save the day by helping us look wide-eyed and bushy-tailed even when we’re lacking sleep or a pimple pops up. Because as we age our skin gets drier and loses elasticity, finding the perfect concealer that doesn’t crease or cake can be tricky.

According to Tarryn Feldman, a makeup artist based in Nashville and Los Angeles, the secret is to stay away from matte and powdery concealers and opt for a creamy concealer with moisturizing ingredients—think oils and hyaluronic acid—which will help achieve a more natural finish. Some MUA-approved concealers for mature skin include Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Tarte Shape Tape. 

2. Lightweight foundation is the way to go

Similarly, choosing the right type of foundation for mature skin is also key for a natural finish. Makeup artist Sharandy Osei-tutu previously told Well+Good that foundations that are moisturizing and lightweight, and say things like “hydrating,” “luminous,” or “buildable coverage” on the label are ideal. Specific foundations MUAs love for mature skin include Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, and Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation. 

3. Avoid salicylic acid at all costs

Although salicylic acid is touted as a super skin-care ingredient recommended for fighting acne, it’s not recommended for mature skin. If you’re over 50, dermatologists advise avoiding salicylic acid as it can be quite drying. There is a caveat though: Oily skin at any age can benefit from it. For normal-to-dry mature complexions, however, Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist and founder of PFRANKMD, previously recommended using a trio of skin-care products in its place: sunscreen, hydration, and an antioxidant serum. 

4. Add vitamin K to your skin-care routine, stat

Vitamin K is the lesser-known skin-care ingredient derms say every woman over 50 should use under their eyes. Vitamin K helps minimize the appearance of dark circles and reduces the appearance of under-eye sagging, wrinkles, and puffiness. And, bonus points: It also helps lock in moisture. 

5. Use these four skin-care ingredients daily

In addition to vitamin K, dermatologists also recommend that folks over 50 incorporate four key skin-care ingredients into their routine: zinc oxide (or titanium dioxide, which both serve as sun blockers preventing sunspots and wrinkles), retinol (which helps stimulate cell turnover and boost collagen production), hyaluronic acid (for locking in moisture), and vitamin C (for synthesizing collagen). 

6. Opt for gentle skin-care gadgets

Because mature skin is thinner due to decreased collagen and elastin production, dermatologists recommend steering clear of skin-care devices that feature aggressive scrubbing or harshly pull and tug on the skin. Devices such as the BeautyBio GloPro Microneedling Facial Regeneration Tool and the NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device get a dermatologist stamp of approval for skin over 50.

7. A minimalist skin-care routine is best

While one may think that more skin-care products are needed to keep a mature complexion looking healthy and feeling good, the opposite is true. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology, previously told Well+Good that one common mistake people make is using too many products in their skin-care routine. “As we get older, our skin doesn’t moisturize itself as well, and as a result, its natural protective barrier is impaired,” he says. “It’s for that reason that our skin can get more sensitive as we accumulate wisdom.” 

Instead, he recommends keeping your skin-care regimen minimal to avoid irritation. “A good sunscreen, a mild retinoid or retinol at night, and a solid moisturizer with hyaluronic acid or ceramides are really all that anyone needs,” he says. 

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