Best High-Performing Skincare for Mature Skin
Mature skin, typically defined as skin that is 50 years or older, undergoes a variety of physiological changes requiring specific skincare considerations. With age, the production of collagen and elastin diminishes, leading to thinner skin, wrinkles, and sagging. The rate of cell turnover slows, causing a buildup of dead skin cells that result in a dull, uneven complexion. Sebum production decreases, making the skin drier and more susceptible to fine lines. Hormonal changes, especially in post-menopausal women, exacerbate skin dryness and thinning. Additionally, accumulated environmental damage from UV radiation and pollution leads to oxidative stress, further accelerating skin aging by damaging DNA, lipids, and proteins.
What are some key ingredients to look out for that work for mature and perimenopausal skin?
Retinoids (Vitamin A Derivatives): Retinoids are powerful anti-aging compounds that stimulate collagen production and enhance cell turnover, making them highly effective in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and improving skin texture. Common types of retinoids include retinol, retinaldehyde, and prescription forms like tretinoin. These compounds work by increasing cell proliferation and removing dead skin cells, which leads to smoother, firmer skin. They are typically applied at night due to their photosensitivity, and users are advised to start with lower concentrations to build tolerance gradually, minimizing potential irritation.
Peptides: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, which are crucial for maintaining skin's structural integrity. Palmitoyl pentapeptide and copper peptides are commonly used in skincare for their ability to signal the skin to produce more collagen, thus improving firmness and elasticity. These ingredients help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin look more youthful and plump. Peptides can be found in serums and moisturizers and are typically suitable for use both morning and night.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants such as Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin E (tocopherol), green tea extract, and resveratrol are essential in protecting the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. These ingredients help to neutralize free radicals, preventing cellular damage and premature aging. Vitamin C, in particular, is renowned for its skin-brightening properties and ability to boost collagen synthesis. Antioxidants can be applied in the morning to protect the skin from daily environmental aggressors, often found in serums and moisturizers.
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a potent humectant known for its ability to attract and retain moisture within the skin. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, providing intense hydration and plumping effects. This results in a reduction of fine lines and an overall smoother, more supple skin texture. Hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types and can be used daily. It is commonly found in serums and moisturizers, providing immediate and long-lasting hydration.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that improves skin elasticity, enhances the barrier function, evens skin tone, and reduces dullness. It helps to manage acne, reduce inflammation, and minimize pore appearance. Niacinamide's anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for sensitive skin, and it can be incorporated into both morning and evening skincare routines. It is often included in serums, creams, and lotions, offering a range of benefits for mature skin.
Ceramides: Ceramides are lipids that form a crucial part of the skin's barrier, helping to retain moisture and protect against environmental damage. They are essential for maintaining skin hydration and integrity, especially as the skin ages and natural ceramide levels decline. Ceramides help to restore the skin barrier, making it more resilient and less prone to dryness and irritation. They are commonly found in moisturizers and are beneficial for dry and sensitive skin types.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): AHAs, like glycolic acid and lactic acid, and BHAs, such as salicylic acid, are chemical exfoliants that help to remove dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover and improving skin texture. AHAs work on the surface level to exfoliate and brighten the skin, while BHAs penetrate deeper into the pores to clear out congestion and reduce inflammation. These acids are effective in reducing fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and acne, making them ideal for mature skin. They are typically used in serums, toners, and peels, with lower concentrations recommended to avoid irritation.
By focusing on scientifically-backed ingredients such as retinoids, peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, and appropriate exfoliants, one can effectively manage and mitigate the signs of ageing, and there’s no better way to do this than with our roundup of trusted high performing skincare for mature skin.
Shiseido Vital Perfection Supreme Cream
This cream uses Sculpturist Technology to lift and sculpt the skin, ReneuraRED Technology for fast and lasting results by enhancing the skin’s responsiveness and self-regeneration, and SafflowerRED to nourish and improve skin barrier function. Its rich, silky texture provides intense hydration, making the skin smooth and supple without feeling heavy. Suitable for all skin types, this dermatologist-tested cream also features a luxurious scent, enhancing the overall skincare experience.
Available at Shisheido from £82.
Cellcosmet Cell Lift Cream
Cell Lift Cream is a premium anti-aging treatment specifically designed for mature skin. This cream utilizes a high concentration of active stabilized bio-integral cells (30%) to intensively revitalize and rebalance the skin. It features the Expert Hyaluron Complex and Volufill Complex, which provide immediate smoothing, plumping, and intense hydration, helping to restore volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The inclusion of Ferméclat Peptide Complex and Vitamin C enhances skin firmness and brightness, while micro-exfoliating NAG (a natural amino sugar) smoothes the skin’s surface. This combination of advanced ingredients results in firmer, more hydrated, and visibly rejuvenated skin, making it an excellent choice for those experiencing signs of aging, such as sagging and loss of firmness.
Available at John Bell & Croyden for £490.
Filorga Global Repair Advanced Cream
Inspired by post-operative aesthetic medicine, this cream uses a patented repair factor combining different lipids to support the skin's natural repair processes. It works on three skin levels—surface, structural, and cellular—to target ten signs of aging, including wrinkles, firmness, radiance, elasticity, and density. Key ingredients like camellia oil, Damask rose extract, and French peony extract provide intense nutrition and improve skin radiance. Clinical studies show significant improvements in skin firmness, quality, and appearance within just seven days, with continued enhancements over 28 days. The cream’s fine, melting texture ensures comfort and is formulated with 94% natural origin ingredients.
Available at Filorga for £99.50.
Cellderma Collagen Restore
This cream leverages a unique blend of six clinically proven peptides and a patented form of resveratrol to enhance skin rejuvenation and luminosity. The peptides, including acetyl hexapeptide-8 and palmitoyl tripeptide-1, work by stimulating collagen production and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant derived from red grapes, not only combats oxidative damage but also acts as a potent pigment corrector, visibly brightening the skin within two weeks. The formulation is further enriched with sodium hyaluronate, squalane, and apricot oil, which provide deep hydration and help to plump the skin.
Available at Cellderma from £114.95.
MZ Skin The Rich Moisturiser
This moisturiser is enriched with multi-molecular hyaluronic acid, which delivers both immediate and long-lasting hydration by penetrating various skin layers. It also features bio-identical human collagen to plump, firm, and lift the skin, enhancing its youthful appearance.
Key ingredients include a gold-infused peptide complex that reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and antioxidant-rich cotton stem cells which protect against free radical damage and UV exposure. Additionally, encapsulated microalgae help modulate melanin production, reducing pigmentation and evening out the skin tone. Six natural oils and extracts further improve absorption and skin nourishment.
Available at MZ Skin from £120.
Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Moisturiser
This moisturizer features a blend of turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties, and noni fruit extract, which is rich in antioxidants. These ingredients work together to combat hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and dullness, providing a more even and luminous complexion.
The formula includes nutrient-rich oils like desert date and rosehip, which offer essential fatty acids and vitamins that nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Aloe vera and shea butter are included for their soothing and moisturizing benefits, making the cream suitable for sensitive skin types. Additionally, the product utilizes a proprietary liposome technology that enhances the delivery and effectiveness of these active ingredients.
Available at SpaceNK for £59.
Teoxane RHA Serum
his serum is designed to form a moisture-locking barrier on the skin, which helps to plump and smooth the complexion while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. The RHA technology ensures prolonged hydration and improved skin resilience.
Key ingredients in the serum include a blend of antioxidants and amino acids, such as vitamin B6, zinc, and copper, which work together to nourish and revitalize the skin. This powerful combination not only hydrates but also enhances skin firmness and tone, making it particularly beneficial for combating the signs of aging, such as dullness and loss of elasticity.
Available at Teoxane for £85.
Voya Dream Crème Restorative Night Cream
This cream is rich in argan oil, which nourishes and softens the skin, and is blended with extracts of algae and baobab. These ingredients work together to firm the skin, increase collagen production, and enhance the skin's ability to repair itself, making it look more youthful and radiant by morning.
The formulation includes Laminaria Digitata (seaweed) which improves skin firmness and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, while the argan kernel oil provides intense moisture, leaving the skin feeling smooth and nourished. The cream also contains other beneficial ingredients like almond oil and glycerin, which are known for their moisturizing properties and ability to create a protective barrier on the skin.
Available at Voya for £66.
Emma Hardie Midas Touch Revitalising Cream
Designed to deeply moisturise and rejuvenate mature skin, this cream combines vitamin E for protection against free radical damage with natural oils like evening primrose and rosehip to provide intense hydration. This cream improves skin softness and suppleness while targeting signs of aging such as fine lines and dullness. Its lightweight yet nourishing formula makes it suitable for daily use, both morning and evening, ensuring continuous skin revitalisation and a healthy glow.
Available at Emma Hardie for £50.
Hydropeptide Power Lift
An ideal choice for mature skin, Hydropeptide Power Lift Advanced Ultra-Rich Moisturizer offers potent hydration and anti-aging benefits. It combines four peptides, including SYN-AKE and Idealift, to reduce fine lines and enhance skin firmness by improving structural integrity. The formulation also features 21 plant-based hydrators such as pineapple ceramide and shea butter, which help prevent moisture loss and strengthen the skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid ensures deep hydration, keeping the skin soft and supple, while Lumiskin brightens the complexion and reduces melanin production.
Available at Hydropeptide for £94.
Seabody Glycan Enrich Moisturiser
This ultra-rich moisturiser features time-released microencapsulated MaraFucoidan, a bioactive derived from brown seaweed, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. Additionally, it includes vegan algal oils, ceramides, squalane, and vitamins B, C, and E, which work synergistically to deeply hydrate, firm, and rejuvenate the skin. The inclusion of niacinamide helps to enhance skin barrier function and improve overall skin texture.
Available at John Bell and Croyden for £72.
EviDenS de Beauté The Rich Cream
This rich cream is formulated to provide intense hydration and comfort, making it ideal for addressing the common signs of aging. It includes advanced ingredients such as La Foux Spring Water, known for its moisturizing and refreshing properties, and a blend of squalene, jojoba oil, and meadowsweet, which offer emollient, protective, and restorative benefits.
The Rich Cream also contains the QAI Complex, which has anti-aging properties that help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while glycosyl trehalose and black sugar provide additional moisturizing and protective benefits. This combination of ingredients works to replenish moisture, enhance skin suppleness, and protect against environmental stressors.
Available at Harrods for £280.
Curél Replenishing Night Cream
This cream features Curél's most concentrated ceramide formula, which is essential for maintaining skin hydration and preventing moisture loss. The inclusion of ceramides helps to reinforce the skin’s natural barrier, keeping it elastic, supple, and firm.
Additionally, the cream is enriched with ginger root extract, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, which helps to reduce the visible signs of aging and improve skin firmness. Allantoin is included to soothe the skin, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
Available at Curél at Boots for £25.
Cultured Biomecare Biome Calm Cream
This soothing moisturiser is formulated with a range of advanced bio-technology ingredients that support skin health by reinforcing the skin barrier and maintaining microbiome diversity.
The cream contains fermented mushroom extract, known for its cooling and calming properties, which helps to reduce irritation and redness. Additionally, it includes fermented hyaluronic acid, providing four times the hydration power of regular hyaluronic acid, ensuring deep and lasting moisture. The inclusion of prebiotic inulin and fermented micro-algae supports the skin's natural renewal processes and promotes a balanced microbiome, essential for maintaining healthy, resilient skin.
Available at Cultured Biomecare for £60.
Elemental Herbology Cell Active Moisturiser
This moisturiser includes hyaluronic acid, which maintains hydration and plumps the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also features Liftonin, a botanical complex sourced from oak apple and millet, which firms and strengthens the skin, enhancing its structural integrity.
Additionally, Lanablue, a hydrating blue-green algae, is included for its proven ability to reduce wrinkle depth and stimulate collagen synthesis, providing deep hydration and rejuvenation. The combination of these ingredients works synergistically to improve skin tone, firmness, and overall radiance, making it particularly beneficial for mature skin that needs extra care and support.
Available at Elemental Herbology from £52.80
Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar
Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar is an exceptional skincare product, particularly suited for mature skin due to its deeply hydrating and reparative properties. This product is a unique ointment-to-serum that provides intensive moisture and nourishment, designed to soothe and repair the skin barrier. The nectar features a proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex, rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and natural moisturizing factors, which help to plump, hydrate, and brighten the skin.
Key ingredients include 30% glycerin, hyaluronic acid for hydration, peptides, and upcycled silk amino acids to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and vitamin C along with Rumex Occidentalis extract to brighten the complexion.
Available at Harrods for £64.