3 Essential Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips for Menopause and Beyond

What cleansers and moisturizers are best for aging skin?

Cleansers and moisturizers come in different forms, like creams, gels, or a foaming combination of the two. You can find this information on the product box or container. Gels have more water, so they’re lighter. Creams have more oil, so they’re thicker. 

Here’s what to look for based on your specific skin type.

Best anti-aging skin care products for your 40s

Retinol and antioxidants are key anti-aging ingredients to add to your regular skin care routine. They’re available in different formulations, like creams and serums. And you can find them in most pharmacies:

• Retinol can help increase skin firmness and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. There are over-the-counter (OTC) retinols and prescription-strength retinoids. Dr. Waldman noted that OTC retinol works as well as prescription retinoids, but they take longer to work. Retinol can cause skin irritation, especially when you first start using it. Start slowly, applying it every other night, then working your way up to nightly use. Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream is a great place to start. 

• Antioxidants, like vitamin C or niacinamide, can help boost collagen and reduce sun damage. An easy way to incorporate antioxidants into your routine is to use a vitamin C serum in the morning after washing your face. Try CeraVe Vitamin C Serum, which includes hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin. 

Best anti-aging skin care products for your 50s

Hormone changes during menopause can make your skin feel dry, thin, and dull. Hydration and skin rejuvenation become even more important during menopause and in your 50s. Here are some ingredients that can help:

• Hyaluronic acid or glycerin can help increase skin hydration. One option is The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid, which combines both hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help lock in moisture. 

• Peptide cream can help increase skin’s collagen and repair the skin barrier. CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream and Olay’s Collagen Peptide Moisturizing Creams both help repair and moisturize your skin. 

• Glycolic acid and lactic acid can gently exfoliate your skin. Dr. Waldman recommended exfoliating 1 to 3 times a week. Skip retinol on exfoliation nights to avoid irritation. Finding the best exfoliator for your skin may take some trial and error. Gentle options include Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator and Paula’s Choice 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant.

Skin care in your 60s and beyond

In your 60s and beyond, skin loses moisture more easily. And it can feel especially dry and irritated. In addition to regularly moisturizing your skin, these tips can help prevent skin dryness and irritation: 

• Keep showers brief and use warm (not hot) water.

• Use a fragrance-free, moisturizing cleanser.

• Apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of bathing to help lock in moisture.

Get plenty of sleep

There’s a reason people call it “beauty sleep.” Regularly getting a good night’s sleep is key to keeping your skin healthy and youthful. A lack of sleep has been linked to signs of premature aging, like fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and loss of skin firmness (elasticity).

Healthy skin tip: Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. If you’re having a hard time doing that, improving your sleep hygiene can help you regularly get a good night’s sleep. 

Choose healthy foods

Having too much sugar in your diet can lead to health problems like diabetes. And it may also wreak havoc on your skin and lead to “sugar sag.” When blood sugar levels are constantly high, the extra sugar can damage the collagen and elastin in your skin. This process is called glycation and it can lead to sagging and wrinkles. 

Healthy skin tip: Limit foods with added sugars. To nourish your skin from within, prioritize a diet rich in whole foods, protein, and vegetables. 

Manage stress

Long-term stress has been linked to signs of premature aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. When you’re stressed over long periods of time, stress hormones rise. Over time, these hormones break down the collagen and elastin in your skin. Stress can also interfere with your skin’s renewal process.

Healthy skin tip: It’s impossible to totally avoid stress, but there are stress-reducing strategies that you can work into your daily routine. Breathing exercises and mindfulness are two easy options.

Stop smoking

Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs and overall health. It also damages your skin and can lead to signs of premature aging. Tobacco smoke can break down collagen and elastic fibers, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Smoking also increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.

Healthy skin tip: Quitting smoking can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Getting support can help you kick the habit for good. 

Limit your alcohol intake

Too much alcohol can have a negative effect on your skin. Studies show that people who drink heavily (more than 8 drinks a week) have increased wrinkles and under-eye puffiness. Alcohol can also cause blood vessels in your skin to get bigger, leading to a permanently red face. 

Healthy skin tip: If you choose to drink alcohol, stay within recommended limits. This generally means no more than 1 drink per day. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

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