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The 10 Best Moisturisers To Support Mature Skin Types
Comforting creams to keep your complexion feeling happy, nourished and healthy.
Even if you have a minimalist approach to skincare, a skin hydrator is usually a non-negotiable - whether it's a moisturiser for dry complexions or an oil-free version. A good face cream not only delivers much-needed hydration, it also provides protection from the elements while ensuring a smooth, soft base for make-up.
The best moisturisers for mature skin
- Best for daytime: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler SPF50, £24.99
- Best for lifting: Shiseido Vital Perfection Concentrated Supreme Cream, £87
- Best for combination skin: Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturiser, £52
- Best for very dry skin: Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream, £49
- Best for oily skin: Paula's Choice Resist Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator, £39
If you're looking for a moisturiser for mature skin, remember that older skin types are varied too. One can still experience oiliness, dehydration and sensitivity at any age. And, agein skin is just as healthy (if not more so) than its younger counterparts; you won't find us vilifying wrinkles or age spots here, but rather, we're looking for ways to support the skin at every phase of life.
What are common skin changes that occur as you age?
According to Dr Carlos A. Charlos, co-founder and chief medical officer of 4.5.6 Skin, with age comes the gradual loss of collagen which leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and increased pore size. 'Additionally, UV-induced hyperpigmentation becomes more prominent over time,' says Dr Charlos. 'Both the loss of collagen and the hyperpigmentation that becomes more prominent over the years are mostly a direct result of long term UV light exposure.' This is why using an SPF every single day is the best way to maintain skin health.
It goes without saying that your genetics also play a part. 'In lighter skin tones with less inherent melanin to provide some natural UV light protection, fine lines and wrinkles are more prominent as the skin ages,' offers Dr Charlos.
Meanwhile, darker complexions with more melanin will provide some inherent but (very) minimal protection against sun rays - so SPF is still essential - therefore these fine lines and wrinkles from UV-induced collagen loss are less common. That said, the robust melanocyte in melanin-rich skin can still lead to hyperpigmentation caused by UV rays.
When should you start using a moisturiser for mature skin?
Collagen production starts dwindling from your mid-20s onwards, but it's important to look at the skin holistically.
4.5.6 Skin CEO and co-founder Noelly Michoux agrees. 'Using a moisturiser for older skin in your 20s can be beneficial, but it’s not enough without an overall skin health strategy,' she tells ELLE. For her, this means 'healthy, antioxidant-rich nutrition as a primary tactic, mental well-being and stress management as a secondary tactic, and targeted skincare that protects and supports the function and health of my skin as the third tactic'.
Your skin's needs changes as you age too, so prioritise your specific concerns (whether that's blemish prevention or brightening pigmentation) by paying attention to the ingredients list rather than relying on generic blanket 'anti-ageing' labels.
What ingredients should you look for in a moisturiser for mature skin?
'Look to things that increase the rate of skin cell turnover as well as those that can help build collagen,' suggests Dr Charlos, who name-checks bakuchiol, retinoids and antioxidants such as vitamin C.
How to build a skincare routine for mature skin
Like most skin experts, Michoux prefers to keep it simple. 'I avoid harsh cleansers that strip my skin of its natural oils, which can lead to irritation and accelerated ageing. I stick to a routine that includes gentle cleansing, nutrient-rich hydrators and targeted treatments for hyperpigmentation which is actually a form of ageing in darker skin tones,' she shares, stressing the importance of using adequate sun protection from an early age. A balanced diet, a good night's sleep and daily movement will help to nurture healthy skin from the inside out, too.
Ahead the best moisturisers for mature skin
Multiple weights of hyaluronic acid promise to perk up slack skin and keep it feeling hydrated without any heaviness. The in-built high sun protection means streamlining your skincare routine has never been easier. Just cleanse, add a serum if you prefer, and finish with this moisturiser.
Ever a trailblazer in skincare innovation, this plush cream is infused with Shiseido's proprietary SafflowerRED, Sculpturist and ReneuraRED technology to simultaneously lift, improve elasticity and nourish. In short, if it's subtle definition you're after, massaging this in upwards motions, daily, can help.
Fresh is always on the cutting-edge of plant-derived science. This lightweight cream uses ethically-sourced lotus flower which acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from daily stressors and minimising the appearance of lines. Meanwhile, polyglutamic acid retains water for improved moisture levels. The skin-plumping texture works beautifully under make-up and doesn't suffocate combination skin types.
When the temperatures dip and your skin feels extra dry, turn to this sumptuous cream. It's loaded with glycerin, shea butter and emollients to transform sandpaper-y skin silky soft. Grape skin-derived resveratrol helps encourage collagen production for a smoother texture.
Many moisturisers targeting mature complexions have a heavier texture to offer respite for dry skin, but don't forget that oily types need plenty of care, too. Paula's Choice gel-lotion formula feels refreshing during long days, and contains niacinamide which helps to balance sebum production, and vitamin C which provides brightening benefits all while protecting from environmental aggressors.
If you have easy access to a tube station and can count at least two Pret-A-Mangers in your vicinity, chances are, you spend your time mainly in the city, where pollution is at an all-time high. 4.5.6 Skin's magnifying moisturiser wears nicely under make-up and contains vitamin C to protect from environmental aggressors. Meanwhile, zinc, cannabis oil and allantoin keeps inflammation at bay.
Clinique's cream-mask hybrid is loaded with peptides to strengthen the skin's natural barrier, adenosine (a naturally occurring biomolecule) to ease redness and irritation and a generous amount of hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration. You'll wake up looking fresher than when you snoozed.
Kate Somerville DeliKate® Recovery Cream
A cocktail of ceramides, honey, cucumber and tea extracts offer respite to post-procedure complexions and skin that's going through an irritated, sensitive phase. There are no clogging oils in here, but the texture is extra creamy, so use it in the evenings if you're prone to a greasy T-zone (or apply on just the dry patches).
Dry skin should make Curel their first port of call for no-frills formulas that deliver maximum hydration while caring for the skin barrier. This Japanese skincare brand is known for its elegant textures that leave behind a lit-from-within, supple effect, too.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol and HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin Renewing Water Cream
Retinol's line-smoothing prowess is unmatched, but it is also known for its undesirable side effects such as peeling and irritation. Enter: Elizabeth Arden's thoughtful formula, which pairs the active ingredient with barrier-strengthening ceramides, hydrating glycerin and firming peptides. It's a sensorially pleasing product, too, as the airy texture sinks in beautifully. Expect to see a glowing, refined complexion.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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