Aging skin

[Gypsikissed]

What are the favorites for my over 50 sisteors?

[BrendaC1971]

I swear by Skinfix barrier+ Triple Lipid Activating Serum With Plumping Peptides and Niacinamide 1 oz / 30 ml Skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream Refillable Barrier Moisturizer with Ceramides 1.7 oz/50 mL Skinfix barrier+ Triple Lipid-Boost 360° Hydrating Eye Cream 0.5 oz/ 15 mL  I have sensitive, rosacea prone skin. I’m unable to tolerate retinols but if you can, use ‘em!

[WinglessOne]

@Gypsikissed  Assuming you’re asking about skincare: are there specific skincare issues/concerns you want to address? Even those of us over 50 don’t all have the same skin type/behavior, sensitivities, allergies, or issues. 😉 

My favorite ingredients/products to address my particular skin issues: 

Vitamin A (the retinoid family) - this includes tretinoin and other Rx retinoids, but also OTC retinol, retinaldehyde (aka retinal), etc. I use Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream mostly for hyperpigmentation/uneven skin tone, but it also helps control the hormonal acne I’m getting more of lately. Vitamin A can also address lines/wrinkles and uneven skin texture. I also tested a bottle of Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL  and it seemed effective, or at least not ineffective. I think I prefer Avene’s because it also contains evening primrose oil, an ingredient that makes my mostly-dry combo skin feel plush. 

Kojic acid, arbutin, & vitamin C - 3 antioxidants that also address hyperpigmentation, among other things. All 3 are found in Hyper Skin Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL (uses a stable derivative of ascorbic acid). 

Niacinamide - does many good things for skin, including balancing skin texture and brightening a dull complexion. It’s in a lot of skincare products, but sometimes I use a standalone serum: either Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 0.67 oz/ 20 mL or COSRX Niacinamide 15 Serum. 

Azelaic acid - helps control acne, reduces hyperpigmentation (especially dark marks left by acne), soothes inflammation, and acts as an antioxidant. My skin is quite reactive/inflammation-prone and loves this ingredient. My favorite product is Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster for Redness Relief 1 oz/ 30 mL. I also like Peach Slices Redness Relief Azelaic Acid Serum, though not as much as the Paula’s Choice product. 

Colloidal oats, heartleaf (houttuynia cordata), centella asiatica, & licorice root - more skin soothers that tame irritation for me. My favorite products are The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 5/150 (I use it to remove makeup, but also sometimes as a 5-10 minute soothing mask), Abib Calming Facial Soap Heartleaf Stone (my usual PM cleanser), e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser (my occasional AM cream cleanser that contains oats), Abib Mild Acidic pH Heartleaf Fit Sheet Mask, COSRX Pure Fit Cica Serum, and a licorice root serum made by It’s Skin that was reformulated for worse a couple years ago (current version contains essential oils my skin hates) so I won’t name it here. I’m still working through my stash of the previous formula. 

Hypochlorus acid - the anti-everything ingredient: anti- viral, bacterial, fungal, and inflammation. Helps reduce my skin irritation, keep yeast under control on my face and neck (we all have yeast on our skin; "fungal acne" is a type of folliculitis caused by yeast overgrowth or infection), and reduce the eye infections I'm prone to. My favorite product is SkinSmart Antimicrobial Wound Therapy, which is the same stuff as the far trendier Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Hypochlorous Acid Spray for Breakouts & Redness 4 oz/ 120 mL at a much lower price point.

Lots of hydrators - hyaluronic acid, PCA/sodium PCA, carrageenan, trehalose, urea, polyglutamic acid, peptides, and a bunch more I’m forgetting right now. My skin wants aaalll the hydrators. 😄 My favorite hydrating serums are #The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum 1 oz / 30 ml and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity . I also like to use hydrating mists between steps of my routine; my faves are Timeless HA Matrixyl 3000 w/Cucumber Spray and COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner. 

Ceramides, squalane, and petrolatum - my skin’s favorite moisturizing ingredients. Petrolatum’s the most occlusive (water loss preventing) topical skincare ingredient available. I use either CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, or Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer based on the weather and my skin’s condition that day or night. On very frigid windy days, or anytime my skin needs maximum moisturization, I apply a thin layer of a petrolatum ointment (my fave is Aquaphor Ointment, but CeraVe Healing Ointment is also nice) as a moisturizer. 

Broad spectrum sunscreen - UV rays can cause and worsen wrinkles, excessive dryness, acne, and skin irritation, among other things. I apply a generous amount of sunscreen to all skin exposed to sunlight and reapply throughout the day, all year long, regardless of weather or season. I rotate through several different sunscreens. I’m currently using some by La Roche-Posay, Supergoop ( Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA +++ 1.7 oz/ 50 mL is an old reliable fave), Native, Round Tree Labs, and Trader Joe’s. Oh, and The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 ml is quite nice if you like a dewy glowy skin look. 

[FiftyShadesCray]

Peter Thomas Roth instant FIRMx eye tightener is INCREDIBLE! Don’t overwork it when you apply or it turns kinda cloudy with a powdery finish and you have to take off and start over.  Just gently tap in around the under eye area. It does what it promises.