The best skin care products for you will change as you age.
They say “age ain’t nothing but a number” but as two longtime, 40+ beauty editors, we know that no matter how young we feel inside, our faces tend to keep track of the years. The good news? With consistent use — along with healthy lifestyle habits like a balanced diet, regular exercise and plenty of sleep — the right skin care products for your age can help turn back the clock. Or at the very least, they can make your skin look firmer, brighter, plumper and more youthful overall.
Aging is influenced by many factors, including genetics and sun exposure, but hormonal changes also play a massive role for women. According to the National Institute on Aging, most women enter perimenopause between the ages of 45 and 55. During this time, estrogen levels plummet and, as a result, our skin goes haywire. "We produce less collagen and elastin," explains Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "There is also less connective tissue as well as thinner epidermis and dermis. This leads to reduced hydration and compromised barrier function, loss of elasticity and resilience." In layperson's terms: Skin becomes thin, dry, fragile, dull and wrinkled. Not fun.
According to Dr. King, most women over 40 should focus on three skin care goals: Prevent environmental damage, maintain hydration and boost collagen production. While skin does change over time, you can adapt your skin care routine to help slow the process. Starting in your 40s, Dr. King recommends adding proven anti-aging ingredients like retinol, peptides, niacinamide and antioxidants such as vitamin C — along with deeply hydrating products to keep skin healthy and resilient: "For most of us, our skin becomes drier as we age, so we need to look for formulations that are more moisturizing and offer more support to the skin barrier."
So start with essential, foundational products in your 40s, then gradually incorporate more targeted treatments as you age. You may also have particular skin concerns that require specific items. Dark spot correctors? Moisturizers formulated for extreme facial dryness? Under-eye creams that target bags? We’ve got you covered. Ahead, you’ll find the best skin care products for your 40s, 50s and 60s — and beyond. The following products are somewhat interchangeable. And remember: There are no hard and fast rules in skin care — the most important part of any anti-aging regimen is that you like the products and consistently use them.
Update, August 29, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our top picks for the best anti-aging skin care products remain unchanged.
In your 40s, your skin care priorities should be to focus on preventing damage and protecting your skin. It’s still relatively youthful, so the goal is to maintain hydration and radiance while preserving as much collagen and elasticity as possible. Think of SPF as your best friend, alongside products that support firmness and long-term skin health.
Benefits: Reduces dark circles, firms skin, helps with fine lines | Key ingredient: Retinol | Size: 0.5 oz. | Skin type: Normal, oily, dry, combination
In your 40s, the under-eye skin starts to, shall we say, act up, forming dark circles, puffiness and fine lines and generally thinning and becoming crepey in ways it never did before.
RoC happens to be the premier name in over-the-counter retinol, and its eye cream is highly rated with nearly 40,000 five-star Amazon reviews. It also happens to be the best eye cream for dark circles we've tested. It's a good beginner retinol, gentle (as retinoids go), but still excellent for improving the appearance of both fine lines and dark circles. It's also dermatologist-recommended. I wish it contained antioxidants and other nourishing ingredients, but for the price, it cannot be beat. —Jennifer
Benefits: Keeps skin hydrated, maintains natural moisture barrier | Key ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, Ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin | Size: 13.52 oz. | Skin type: Normal, dry, sensitive
Face washes, especially the foaming kind, can sometimes strip moisture from our skin along with dirt and makeup. This non-foaming cleanser has everything to keep things hydrated: ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin and La Roche-Posay’s famous prebiotic thermal water. With over 30,000 five-star reviews, this face wash has become a holy grail for many. It’s silky, gentle and fragrance-free, yet effective enough for sensitive skin. —Marie
Every skin care expert I've ever spoken with recommends adding vitamin C to your skin care routine — no matter what your age. That's because this antioxidant super ingredient has the power to brighten your complexion, smoothing skin tone, lightening age spots and even helping to even rough texture.
There's an entire worldwide web of vitamin C-serum-heads debating individual products' pH levels and the inferiority of C-derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate over the gold-standard L-ascorbic acid. However, once you get DEEP in wonky skin-care Reddit, you find the consensus: For an affordable, high-quality vitamin C serum, this one by Timeless can't be beat. It's lightweight, absorbs quickly, is less sticky than other top brands and contains the right percentage of the main ingredient, combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid. Timeless's version also boasts more than 6,000 exuberant 5-star reviews on Amazon, all repeating something along the lines of this one: "OMG!! Someone finally did Vitamin C RIGHT, and they’re NOT charging 100’s of $$ per ounce!!" —Jennifer
Benefits: Skin cell turnover, smooths complexion, evens skin texture | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, chamomile, retinol, resveratrol, green tea extract | Formulation: Wipes | Size: 30 treatments plus five bonus | Skin type: Normal, combination
Exfoliating and creating cell turnover is essential for keeping your face healthy and glowing and avoiding that drab, dull look that happens to skin as it ages. This popular chemical exfoliator (our No. 1 favorite exfoliator) does its magic via a two-step process. You use the first pad, which is soaked with five different AHA and BHA acids to lift away dead skin cells, then follow up with the second pad, which has retinol to fight wrinkles and lines.
While it's a celebrity favorite, you don’t have to take Sydney Sweeney’s word for it. When I use these regularly, my skin looks phenomenal, as if I’ve gotten a facial every single day. One time, my husband even asked me what I was doing with my face. I asked him why, and he said that I looked younger (kind of rude, TBH). The improvement in my complexion is noticeable enough that when I stopped using the pads, I actually stopped getting compliments (also rude).
If you feel like you can’t be bothered to do a two-step product, which I understand, I’m here to tell you that it’s completely worth the extra couple of minutes to get that glow. There are also three types of peel pads, including "Ultra Gentle" for dry and sensitive skin and "Extra Strength" for oily skin, which is good for dark spots. —Marie
Read more: The best face exfoliators of 2025
Benefits: High-level broad-spectrum sun protection (SPF 50+), hydrating, soothing | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, 2% niacinamide, bisabolol and allantoin | Size: 1 oz. | Skin type: oily, normal/combination, dry/mature, sensitive
Remember: Sun protection is essential at every age, so get yourself a solid sunscreen, like this one from Korean beauty-inspired brand Savor Beauty. It’s mineral-based, with 12% zinc oxide and a non-nano formula that makes it a reef-safe sunscreen pick.
The reason, however, I'm recommending this particular formula for women in their 40s is that it's also ultra-hydrating. Sometimes zinc formulas can feel drying, but not this one, as it contains moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid. It also has niacinamide to improve tone and texture, plus soothing antioxidants like bisabolol and allantoin. Overall, a true win for aging skin. —Marie
Benefits: Collagen boosting, wrinkle softening, complexion smoothing, redness reducing, brown spot diminishing | Formulation: Flexible silicone mask | Skin Type: All, but especially good for older skin | Device specs: 132 red and near-infrared bulbs
OK, let's just get this out of the way upfront: Wearing an LED face mask makes you look both ridiculous and terrifying, like a Jetsons-era zombie out for Astro's blood. These devices work when targeted, long-wavelength LED red light penetrates different layers of your skin, stimulating collagen production and sending your skin's natural healing process into overdrive along the way. For any kind of results, you have to use the masks consistently, for 10 minutes per day, every day, and in that 10 minutes you will for sure freak out anyone who encounters you, including your spouse and even your cat.
But here's the good news: These suckers WORK. Within days of using CurrentBody's Light Therapy Mask, my skin looked tighter, particularly around my cheekbones. Within six weeks, the wrinkles on my forehead appeared less deep and so did those around my mouth. Within two months, my complexion was clearer overall.
CurrentBody's version is my favorite of all the LED masks I've tried for a multitude of reasons. For one, it's powerful, with 132 bulbs (30% more than many popular masks) that deliver both red and near-infrared light enabling it to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. This mask is FDA approved. It's also clinically proven to significantly reduce wrinkles in 28 days. Additionally, it's more comfortable than many I've tried, made of a smooth, highly-flexible silicone that's easy to use and clean. However, while comfortable, the mask doesn't quite fit as snugly as I'd like, especially around the chin and jaw. This didn't seem to impact the results, but as many customers note, the fit is a little ... odd.
Last, a few safety notes: LED light masks are considered safe when and if you follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions — including protecting your eyes during use. Also important: Not everyone is a candidate for LED light therapy — for example, people with photosensitivity should avoid these devices, as should those with specific diseases like lupus and those taking certain medications. It's a good idea to consult with a dermatologist before purchasing and trying any LED light mask — including CurrentBody's. — Jennifer
Benefits: Hydration, plumps up skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, helps reduce "crepey" appearance | Formulation: Cream | Size: 3.52 ounces | Skin type: Dry, dehydrated | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sea buckthorn water
First things first for the over-50 crowd: You need hella hydration and this moisturizer happens to be my favorite (and the best face moisturizer we've tested).
A favorite among the K-beauty crowd, this face cream packs and seals moisture into dry, dehydrated skin to prevent further hydration loss. I love this moisturizer for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula and antioxidant ingredients. The texture is perfectly rich without being too heavy and the product itself absorbs fast.
Bonus points: In addition to hyaluronic acid, this cream contains vitamin tree water (also known as sea buckthorn), which is filled with vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids that help strengthen the skin barrier and increase hydration even more. The midrange price point is the cherry on top. —Marie
Read more: Best face moisturizers of 2025
Benefits: Lightens hyperpigmentation and dark spots | Size: 1 oz. | Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Azelaic acid, bioactive brightening complex, bio-retinol and niacinamide
This serum from Naturium is definitely a multipurpose product. It focuses on calming the skin and improving tone and texture — it’s not even marketed for or even named as a corrector for dark spots, but it still does the job, and does it well (well enough to win a spot on our best dark spot corrector list). Its main ingredient is azelaic acid, another key ingredient on dermatologist-recommended lists. Azelaic acid is known for being effective against melasma, eczema and acne, which makes this product a great pick for someone who is acne-prone and constantly dealing with acne scars.
Fans boast about its life-changing ability to clear rosacea, fade melasma and stop hormonal acne dead in its tracks. At about $22, this is a great buy, especially if you’re still dealing with any "ghosts of breakouts past" (stubborn hyperpigmentation from old zits). —Marie
Read more: The best dark spot correctors of 2025
Benefits: Sun protection, hydration, disguises skin imperfections | Formulation: Thin cream | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1 ounce | Water-Resistant: No | Reef safe: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
At age 50, I started developing a bit of hyperpigmentation on my face and redness around my nose and chin, which means I now look better in makeup than I do without. Still, I despise foundation. It always feels too thick and too "done" for my everyday life, like I'm cosplaying (Kosplaying?) as a Kardashian at camp pickup. But once I came across this excellent tinted moisturizer (with bonus SPF!), I knew I'd finally found the complexion-smoothing solution this no-makeup makeup girl will actually use.
If you're searching for a light coverage foundation that will leave your skin dewy and noticeably luminescent like you got the best sleep of your life; with the kind of glow that suggests you actually drink all the water you plan on drinking and chase it down with a green juice, then Ilia's Skin Tint is for you. As a moisturizer-makeup-sunscreen hybrid, it's made for lazy people. It also comes in 26 shades and contains skin-fortifying ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, so you're treating your face while protecting it. —Jennifer
Benefits: Reduces dark circles, firms skin, helps with fine lines | Key ingredients: Retinol, cotton wool extract, marine kelp | Size: .5 oz. | Skin type: Normal, oily, dry, combination, sensitive
Regardless of age, puffy eyes, dark circles, loss of elasticity, and crow's feet are all things most people deal with — but they get more intense once you hit your 50s. This highly concentrated eye cream by Murad works by using a unique triple-action retinol technology. First, a fast-acting retinoid immediately targets puffiness and wrinkles, while a controlled, time-released retinol keeps it going while minimizing any irritation. Finally, a retinol booster works with the retinol to increase cell turnover even more.
Ingredients like marine kelp and cotton wool extract keep the delicate skin around your eyes hydrated while the powerful retinol does its work. It's no surprise that you get fast results with this eye cream. In two weeks, your eyes look brighter and the wrinkles are more relaxed. Youth in a bottle, indeed. —Marie
Benefits: Brightens skin and dark spots, reduces appearance of sagginess and fine lines, gives skin a "glow" | Vitamin C potency: 15% | Skin Type: Any, but may be too harsh for the most sensitive skin | Dosage: A few drops in the morning | Size: Just over 1 ounce in combination of serum and powder | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I started using Drunk Elephant's C-Firma Fresh Day Serum when I turned 50, and I love it for all sorts of reasons — including the fact that after six weeks of twice-daily use, it both lightened dark spots on my cheeks, noticeably tightened my skin and consistently gave my complexion a pretty, brighter glow.
But what makes C-Firma highly effective (and truly, at 51, all I want is highly effective) is the unique way it's packaged: The formula arrives in two parts — a liquid serum along with an accompanying vial of pristine vitamin C powder. You mix the two just before your first use, maximizing the stability of the vitamin C molecules and thus ensuring freshness. Once mixed, the product remains potent for three to six months, depending on how you store it (i.e., preferably in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet).
And there's more to love: C-Firma contains ferulic acid and vitamin E, which boost its efficacy. It comes in an easy-to-use/easy-to-travel bottle with a convertible pump. It's lightweight and absorbs quickly, though the texture may feel a bit sticky for some. Finally, it's potent — it may even sting your skin a bit.
At $79, C-Firma is not exactly a steal, but the formula (plus the effect on your skin) is top-notch. My first bottle lasted four months with twice-daily use, so a little goes a long way. —Jennifer
Read more: The best vitamin C serums of 2025
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, wrinkle-smoothing, collagen-boosting | Formulation: Cream | Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, retinol and sea buckthorn berry | Size: 1.6 oz. | Skin type: Mature, dry, sensitive, eczema-prone
Retinol and bakuchiol are two key ingredients for any firming product, which is why this potent cream comes highly recommended by dermatologists (it's also one of our best skin tightening creams of the year). Both ingredients help increase collagen production, though bakuchiol is often touted as a natural alternative to retinol, as it has fewer side effects and tends to be less irritating.
Bakuchiol and retinol actually work well together — really well. In fact, research shows that bakuchiol can actually enhance the effectiveness of retinol while helping to stabilize it.
Alongside that power duo, this cream also contains sea buckthorn berry, which reduces inflammation in the skin, is rich in antioxidants and hydrates the skin. Users describe having firmer-looking skin that’s also brighter and more moisturized, and even-toned with fewer noticeable wrinkles. —Marie
Benefits: Reduces wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, evens skin tone and texture | Key ingredients: Growth factors, Hexapeptide, tripeptide, polypeptide, copper tripeptide | Size: 1 oz. | Skin type: normal, oily, combination, dry, sensitive
Growth factors have been around in skin care for a long time, but they’re still not as well known as, let’s say, retinol or hyaluronic acid. For the unfamiliar, growth factors are proteins that communicate to different cells in the human body. They’re famous for their wound-healing powers, but they can also stimulate collagen and improve hydration, elasticity and firmness — all things beneficial to over-60 skin.
World-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond, whose celeb clients include Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Katy Perry, created an at-home version of his $4K Instafacial treatment with the Metacine Instafacial Collection. The Instafacial Plasma, a red-hued serum, is chock-full of growth factors and peptides and, over time, mimics the results of his in-office treatment, resulting in glowing, smooth and youthful-looking skin. (It’s meant to be used in tandem with the Instafacial Emulsion, which contains retinoids, peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.)
Now, growth factor products typically aren’t cheap, and this one is definitely a splurge, but they’re incredibly effective. After investing in this, you probably don't need to use anything else. —Marie
Benefits: Wrinkle-reducing, strengthens skin | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, calendula, echinacea and hibiscus extracts, shea butter, retinyl palmitate | Size: 1.69 oz. | Skin type: dry, dehydrated, mature
When it comes to daily skin care routines, we tend to focus more on the p.m. — what we use in the evenings and overnight to repair our skin. However, a good day cream with potent ingredients can work wonders, especially in one's later years.
This day cream is from Annemarie Börlind, a pioneer in natural beauty (the German company has been around for 60 years!). It is an especially good choice for older skin because it’s part of the LL line, which contains vitamins and antioxidant botanical extracts that stimulate skin renewal, protect it from free radical damage and encourage optimal skin cell function. —Marie
Benefits: Wrinkle-smoothing, firming | Key ingredients: Glycerin, Chlorella extract | Size: 1.69 oz. | Skin type: All
First of all, let me remind everyone that if you aren’t currently applying skin care below your neck, you better start! (At least if you’re worried about wrinkles, which if you’re reading this article...). Most any product for your face will work for your neck, but the targeted, concentrated ingredients in many neck creams make them more effective for caring for the area. That's because the skin on your neck and décolletage is thinner than your face and therefore more prone to crepey-ness, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and more.
Shiseido’s Neck Contour Cream is part of the brand’s legendary Benefiance line, which focuses on all aging concerns. By using this regularly I've seen less noticeable wrinkles, more hydration and firmer skin.
No wonder it boasts decade-long admirers, including one who said they "accidentally brushed my hand against my décolletage and couldn't believe how soft my skin is." While the cream contains added fragrance, most users love the calming scent. —Marie
Benefits: Increases hydration, reduces wrinkles, brings out radiance | Key ingredients: 10% hydroxy acid complex (glycolic and lactic), aloe, chamomile and evening primrose extracts | Size: 2 oz. | Skin type: Dry, normal, mature
SkinCeuticals is one of the best brands for aging skin, and if you’re over 60, its award-winning Renew Overnight Dry Moisturizer is a perfect addition to your skin care roster. The cream is specifically formulated to address issues like dryness, fine lines and a dull complexion, making it an excellent choice for mature skin.
One of Renew Overnight’s standout ingredients is a 10% concentration of hydroxy acids, including glycolic and lactic acids, which are key for sloughing off dead skin cells and encouraging new ones to come on through. This makes your face look brighter and more radiant and reduces the look of fine lines without the harshness of an exfoliating scrub which might be too intense for thinner, older skin.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who still have oily skin, you can skip this thick, hydrating cream. But those of us whose skin is parched and in need of some serious T.L.C. can look forward to locked-in moisture while we snooze. —Marie
Once you hit your 50s, new skin care issues emerge: Changing estrogen levels may make your face drier than it's ever been. You might experience a rougher texture, enlarged pores and an increase in dark spots. As you lose collagen, you'll probably start to see more sagging around the eyes and jawline. This is the moment to invest time in a consistent routine filled with trusted products made with high-quality ingredients.
Thinning skin becomes especially apparent once you hit 60, and so, on top of trying to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and build collagen, you're looking for products that will firm and tighten skin. Women in their 60s may also want to treat hyperpigmentation, even skin tone and smooth rough texture.
Brace yourself. Collagen drops 30% during the first five years of menopause, which is likely why women really start noticing wrinkles as they approach or enter menopause, says Dr. King. "Collagen is one of the major components of the skin, providing strength and volume. It gives skin its structure and is sometimes described as the scaffolding for the skin," she says. After menopause, the loss is more gradual, with women losing about 2% every year for the next 20 years. Without that beautiful collagen, you're more prone to fine lines, dryness, age spots, larger pores, jowls, loose and sagging skin and other annoying stuff.
Let’s cut right to the chase — sunscreen is the most important beauty product you can use, no matter if you’re 10 or 100. Protecting the skin from UV rays is vital, as Dr. King explains, because “this is the single most important extrinsic factor that ages our skin and increases risk for skin cancer.” (For more sunscreen recommendations, read about the best sunscreens of 2025.)
Dr. King says that inconsistent use of good quality sun protection is the biggest mistake she sees people make with their skin care routines. Dermatologists like Dr. King emphatically recommend using an SPF product every single day, no matter the season. Second to sunscreen is a quality moisturizer. If you're on a budget or pressed for time, using just a daily sunscreen and nightly moisturizer will make a big difference in the quality of your skin.
Here's an example of an effective night and daytime skin care routine, culled from interviews with dozens of dermatologists:
Face cleanser
Antioxidant serums — specifically, a stable form of vitamin C
High-quality sunscreen, SPF 40 or higher
Optional: Toner, hyaluronic acid, additional serums, moisturizer
Face cleanser
A resurfacing exfoliant with acids AHA/BHA, 2-3 times per week
Antioxidants — specifically, a stable form of vitamin C
Eye cream
Prescription retinol, 3-4 times per week
A heavier moisturizer to seal in moisture levels
Optional: cleansing balm for a double cleanse, hyaluronic acid, toner, serum, face oil, dark spot cream
An at-home device to help support collagen production
Short answer: Yes. It’s normal to be dedicated to certain skin care products. Change can be hard after all! But as with any relationship that’s no longer serving you, it might be best to move on. "Our skin generally becomes drier with age, and acne and oily skin usually decrease," says Dr. King. "So we may no longer need products to combat oily skin and acne as much as we get older, and we may need more moisturizing and hydrating products." (P.S. If you’re perimenopausal or in menopause and notice that your skin is way more dry than it has ever been before, you know what she’s talking about.)
Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
