Skin Care

The Right Skin Care for Every Age

Still using that oil-free cleanser your mom gave you when you were 13? To look flawless and fabulous at every age, it's time to rethink your skin routine. Here, your decade-by-decade anti-aging arsenal.

by Hayley Mason

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If you're in your 50s "Moisture, moisture, moisture," says Waldorf. This should be your main concern in your 50s. Loss of tone, hollow eyes and sagging are your biggest issues, and creams and serums can only do so much. If you're looking for more dramatic results, in addition to using powerful products that contain peptides, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy or amino acids, consider talking to your derm about laser treatments and other non-invasive or invasive skin rejuvenation options.

Your ideal regimen:
Step 1: Use a cream cleanser that will hydrate skin while it cleanses.
Step 2: Choose a moisturizing cream that contains SPF to keep skin hydrated and protected. Because ingredients like retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, daily use of sunscreen is a must.
Step 3: For day, apply a peptide-rich serum under your SPF daily to help build collagen. Look for one that also contains antioxidants to fight free radicals or hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. PCA Skin pHaze 25 ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum, $102, contains all three ingredients.
Step 4: At night, apply a retinoid before your moisturizer. Your moisturizer should contain phytoestrogens to help with hormonal aging, such as Ilike Phytoestrogen Moisturizer, $68.
Step 5: Though it sounds too simple (and inexpensive) to be true, a simple petroleum jelly is a great way to lock in the moisture from your moisturizer, which is more important now than ever. One thing to note, petroleum jelly prevents water loss but doesn't attract moisture, so you can't actually skip moisturizer altogether.

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Older comments

These are sound, useful tips. I've seen many women use Vaseline to moisturize and they have had lovely complexions.

by GigiSD Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 07:28PM Report as inappropriate

feel old now.................

by Zeaundra Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 01:54PM Report as inappropriate

Would not use Vaseline on my face except to protect my hair line when coloring my hair.

by storrevillas Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 09:08PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with no vaseline on your face, maybe a dry patch!

by trishsterette Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 08:45AM Report as inappropriate

Nice routine.

by EricaC123 Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 05:15AM Report as inappropriate

great very informative thank you

by Nicole2814 Friday, January 4, 2013 at 06:54PM Report as inappropriate

This is really informative. I think it's too general though. I'm in my early thirties and I still have combination skin. Not everyone in their 20s, 30s, so on will have the same skin types!

by luckygal79 Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:41AM Report as inappropriate

thanks

by aishak55 Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 05:21PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for sharing!

by robyne00 Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 05:30PM Report as inappropriate

time to add retinoids and peptides into my skincare routine.

by lilas Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 04:14PM Report as inappropriate