11 Best Moisturisers for Mature Skin, According to Experts

Jan 26, 2024

By Lisa DeSantis

On the hunt for the best moisturisers for mature skin? You've come to the right place.

No matter your skin type, moisturising is an essential step in every routine. It keeps skin hydrated, plump, and glowy — not to mention it can be a mentally soothing way to bookend your day. So what’s the catch? As is the case with most skin care products, moisturiser isn’t one-size-fits-all — and finding the right formula for you can be a challenge. Every skin type has different needs, which can vary based on season or location. But another factor that plays a major role in determining which moisturiser your skin needs is your age.

With each yearly trip around the sun, your body — and your skin — change in a myriad of ways. Because of hormone fluctuations and cumulative environmental exposure (think UV damage), mature skin is more likely to need a solid skin care regimen to look its best, explains dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, of Austin, Texas, founder of the Foy x Dr. Collins skin care line.

“Your skin goes through a lot of changes,” says Cynthia Rivas, an aesthetician and skin care expert in New York City, “and it’s important for your skin care to support the aging process.” Mature skin tends to sag because it’s losing elasticity and collagen, so laxity and lines are more prominent. Another trademark of aging skin is dryness. “The skin gets thinner and less resilient due to the decrease in functional collagen and elastin, and bruising becomes more likely as blood vessels also become more fragile,” explains Dr. Collins.

During perimenopause and beyond, there’s a change in hormones as well as reduced oil production and slowed cellular turnover, explains Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto. Women typically experience this in their mid-40s. All of these changes contribute to overall dryness and dullness—and because of this, your skin craves richer formulations.

From the best moisturisers for mature skin to foundation and concealer, you want to look for beauty products packed with plumping and smoothing ingredients.

A great moisturiser for mature skin should include “strong hydrators like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and vitamin A derivatives or peptides,” says Dr. Collins. Hyaluronic acid (sometimes seen on a label as HA) is best known for holding onto water and plumping the skin, while vitamin A (retinoids) and peptides are antiaging all-stars thanks to their ability to boost skin cell turnover, which has a smoothing effect on skin.

“The skin needs support to protect against transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which is water escaping from the skin,” says Dr. Yadav. That's where a moisturiser comes in. Nourishing and hydrating ingredients found in moisturizer formulations will help to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from losing hydration.

To find the best moisturisers for mature skin with these recommended ingredients, we asked top dermatologists and estheticians about their personal favorites. Read on to find your moisturiser match.

Highly recommended by derms, this rich cream is packed with skin-loving ingredients. “In addition to being rich in fatty acids and ceramides, it also contains cholesterol, another type of lipid that helps lock moisture into the skin,” explains Dr. Yadav. “These ingredients help mimic and repair the natural skin barrier,” says Dr. Collins.

If you struggle with rough skin, you’re going to love this creamy texture that delivers a much needed dose of hydration. Antioxidants go to work to repair, and plant oils leave behind a dewy radiance on skin that often dulls with age.

“It’s practically impossible to beat the value of this formula,” says Dr. Yadav, who loves it for its accessibility, budget-friendly price point, and basic yet effective formula. It has three essential ceramides to protect against transepidermal water loss, she points out, which is essential for replenishing aging skin. Since the jar is so generous, Dr. Yadav recommends extending your application from the neck down, as perimenopausal skin isn’t exclusive to the face.

Thanks to an antioxidant-rich formula that includes vitamin C and vitamin E, this daily moisturiser is ideal for both providing protection against environmental aggressors and giving you a radiant glow from within. Plus, did we mention that it also contains hyaluronic acid to keep your skin well-hydrated all day long?

This cream might be one of the more expensive in our roundup but the results justify the price tag. The revolutionary face cream uses skin rejuvenating TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex) technology, which unlocks the code to tissue repair, reducing signs of ageing and boosting radiance and firmness. It's no wonder it has so many A-list admirers.

This bestseller has youth in its name for a reason, plus it’s one of Riva’s go-tos. It’s packed with brightening vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and a copper tripeptide growth factor which work overtime together to firm skin and help reduce lines and wrinkles.

Although derms often emphasize the texture of mature skin, it’s not uncommon to experience discoloration too. Dr. Collins recommends this formula for nighttime use, due to its ceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and skin-brightening niacinamide.

Dry skin and irritation tend to go hand in hand. To soothe and hydrate, this nourishing formula has colloidal oatmeal and beta glucan. It’s especially helpful during the cold months when it’s windy and cold outside but you’ve got the heat cranked up inside–the two extremes are sneaky saboteurs that can leave your skin feeling chapped and angry.

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Rich creams aren’t for everybody. That’s where this lightweight gel moisturizer comes in. It melts into the skin and plays well with makeup, without a heavy or sticky feeling. Hyaluronic acid and peptides hydrate and leave you with an all-day glow.

Unfortunately acne doesn’t take the hint that we’re getting older and tends to overstay its welcome. To combat breakouts and nourish aging skin, Los Angeles esthetician Taylor Lewin says to “look out for ingredients that are non-pore-clogging but also provide skin-boosting benefits.” Odacité’s Green Smoothie Quenching Crème is loaded with greens and botanicals, making it deeply hydrating, but it is lightweight and nongreasy, so it won’t bring on new bumps or irritate existing ones.

Antioxidants have the power to mitigate damage brought on by everyday stressors like pollution, blue light, and more. By applying a cream that’s rich in the free radical fighters—this one has resveratrol — you’re helping to heal and protect your skin. Derms always say that antioxidants are SPF’s best friend, and this cream pairs perfectly with sunscreen. Use it morning and night for best results.

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