We’ve all heard the phrase “aging gracefully” — but what does that even mean when it comes to your skincare? We all know there’s no escaping the ticking of the clock, so let’s focus on how one cares for aging skin to ensure its life-long health and vibrancy. Keeping your skin well-moisturized is critical when you’ve reached the well-earned milestone of your fourth decade (and beyond.) Keep reading as we dish on how to choose the best moisturizer for aging skin.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Aging skin tends to experience many changes, most notably a decrease in moisture. Fortifying it with a moisturizer that is especially formulated for its developing needs is a real game changer.
Good to Know: Some products designed for aging skin can be terribly aggressive and harsh; stick with gentle formulas and be sure to spot test whenever you are trying out a new skincare product.
Recommended Products: Youth Fairy Retinol Moisturizer.
Moisturizer for Aging Skin Benefits
They help restore proper moisture balance and maintain proper hydration levels.
It may seem obvious but moisturizers for aging skin moisturize - and often intensively. As the skin ages, it loses the ability to produce enough natural oils to sufficiently lubricate the skin. Lower frequency of cell turnover and changing hormones can also influence the skin’s moisture balance and lead to dryness. Choose a moisturizer that’s designed with this in mind; look for ingredients that are known to restore both moisture (oil) and hydration (water) to your skin.
They minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Fine lines and wrinkles are some of the most common signs of aging. Moisturizers for aging skin can often help to minimize their appearance when the right ingredients are included in their formulas. Ingredients that encourage cell renewal, encourage collagen production, and work to protect the skin from further elemental damage can all be integral in minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and more importantly, preventing new signs of damage from appearing. We’ll talk more about these ingredients below.
They protect the skin from environmental stressors.
It’s hard to fight it– simply by existing, the skin naturally encounters harmful UV rays and free radicals, often at a frequency that is directly proportional to its age. (FUN FACT – Most signs of aging are actually a direct result of exposure to these things, not aging itself!) Antioxidants are your best friend when it comes to fighting these environmental stressors. Anti-aging moisturizers that include antioxidants will help restore your skin’s protective barrier and shield your skin from further damage.
They can help refine the skin’s tone.
Similar to how commonly used ingredients can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by encouraging cell turnover, they can also help promote even skin tone. When old cells are replaced with new, discoloration and dark spots (damaged skin cells) inadvertently become lighter and less noticeable, leaving skin smoother and more evenly toned.
They can restore a sense of radiance to your complexion.
With added moisture, sustained hydration, and refreshed cells, skin can’t help but have a glow about it. And while radiance is often associated with youthfulness, it’s actually a much greater indicator of skin health. So take good care of your skin, and glow at any age!
Best Ingredients for Aging Skin
For aging skin, you will want to craft a skincare routine full of ingredients that will not only deliver increased moisture but also protect your complexion from deterioration and damage. Opt for botanically-based formulas with proven ingredients you can trust… and pronounce! Some of our favorites for aging skin include:
Retinol
This highly active ingredient is a form of vitamin A and is one of the most studied skincare ingredients. Its ability to encourage collagen production, stimulate cell turnover, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is second to none. But its power cannot be overstated, as higher concentrations of retinol can lead to irritation in many users. When using retinol, stick to milder, plant-based derivatives that are more easily tolerated.
Squalane
The vegan alternative to squalene, squalane moisturizes the skin while imparting antiaging effects. An emollient that mimics our skin’s natural oils, it is ideal for all skin types, including aging skin with decreased oil production.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
We love this berry-derived oil because it is so rich in antioxidants and fatty acids; it literally does everything you need to hydrate, nourish and protect your skin.
Green Tea
An antioxidant that soothes and helps defend the skin against free radicals and UV damage, green tea provides protection against visible signs of aging. It also helps to reduce pre-existing signs of damage and can effectively minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is lauded for its many benefits and adored by antiaging enthusiasts for its antioxidant prowess. It boasts soothing, protective, and healing properties that can rejuvenate the skin and restore a youthful appearance.
Peptides
Compounds that pump up the volume on your skin, peptides literally pep and plump your complexion. The result is a juicier appearance with more inconspicuous fine lines, wrinkles, and pores for a photo finish!
Jojoba Oil
A nourishing emollient that preserves hydration and keeps your skin perfectly moisturized, jojoba oil is known to work well for all skin types and has been used in beauty routines for generations.
Best Moisturizer for Aging Skin
Now that you know which ingredients to look for, we’d like to introduce you to a moisturizer for aging skin that ticks all the boxes: Fleur and Bee’s Youth Fairy retinol moisturizer. Perfect for beginner retinol users, it is also a clean and vegan alternative to traditional, harsher retinol products. A low, yet very effective, dose of retinol (0.03%), plus soothing ingredients such as vitamin E and green tea, leave your skin smoother and brighter without any irritation. Firm your skin and minimize the visible effects of aging with 18 nourishing actives, including sea buckthorn oil, jojoba oil, and squalene. Volumize and hydrate with a blend of peptides and humectants for a youthful and radically healthy complexion.
When to Use
As Youth Fairy is a retinol product, you’ll want to avoid sun exposure after application. It is also recommended to gradually introduce a new retinol product to your routine every other day, until your skin adjusts. We recommend using Youth Fairy in the evenings and opting for a glow-promoting moisturizer during the day.
How to Use
Apply Youth Fairy just as you would any other moisturizer.
- Start with a gentle cleanse to rid the skin of any impurities.
- Then apply any toners or water-based products for proper absorption of these small-molecule formulas.
- Next, apply Youth Fairy on your face, neck and décolleté. Use upward strokes to help lift your skin as you massage it in.
As you can see, there is no reason to give up a youthful glow as the clock keeps ticking. There are many science-backed and time-tested ingredients found in Mother Nature that work wonders for your skin. Regular and consistent use of a gentle retinol moisturizer will result in smoother, more even skin tone, no matter what your age or skin type.
