When we asked Los Angeles board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin about the ever-increasing role that moisturizers play in skin care routines, she explained that as we age, the skin begins to produce less oil naturally.
“Moisturizing can help replace these oils and trap water in the skin, helping to maintain your complexion and combat signs of aging like dark spots, dryness, and sagging,” Amin, who works at California Dermatology Specialists, said. Aside from just supplying vital hydration, Amin said that many formulations contain additional active ingredients that can be helpful in addressing concerns with mature skin such as volume loss, thinness, sun spots and fine lines. “[Ingredients like] ceramides help to prevent moisture loss and strengthen the skin barrier,” she said while also mentioning ingredients like niacinamide, antioxidants and peptides, which can support skin’s collagen, along with retinol, a dermatologist-recommended staple for promoting collagen production by way of increasing cellular turnover. Amin, along with other skin care experts (plus reviewers who claim to have maturing skin) suggested the upcoming list of moisturizers that fit every budget, need and concern.
1. Merit Beauty: A Lightweight, Priming Moisturizer
One of our favorite beauty brands is Merit, and its skin care line is just as good as the makeup. This priming moisturizer works to improve the skin barrier and boost elasticity without feeling heavy. Merit uses a signature combination of peptides, spermidine, and barrier polysaccharides in this product (as well as the Great Skin Serum). Simply put, that's a whole lot of moisturizer heavy hitters, and legions of loyal reviewers love this formula. Promising review: "First time using this product and it definitely won't be the last. The Great Skin is light and hydrating, and it pairs perfectly with The Minimalist but it's also amazing on its own. I love the texture, it really nourishes my skin and gives it a more radiant look. Plus, there's no fragrance, which is a huge win for someone with sensitive skin like mine." — Emmanuelle D. $19+ at Merit Beauty
2. Amazon: A CeraVe Night Cream with a Peptide Complex
Dr. Azza Halim, a Florida-based physician with a focus in aesthetic medicine, suggested this night cream by CeraVe because it contains a unique peptide complex to support skin elasticity and niacinamide for soothing. And like all of CeraVe's dermatologist-beloved formulations, the thick cream contains three essential ceramides, which help ensure a strong skin barrier. $15 at Amazon $15+ at Ulta
3. Amazon: A Deeply Hydrating Retinol Cream
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin called RoC's Retinol Correxion max hydration cream an "ultimate miracle worker to nourish and rejuvenate [the] face and neck." She considers it to be very hydrating for dry skin — thanks to the inclusion of two popular humectants, hyaluronic acid and glycerin — and it includes peptides to support the skin's natural collagen. The main active is retinol, which accelerates cellular turnover to promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and lack of elasticity. $28+ at Amazon $38 at Ulta
4. Amazon: A Double-Repair Prebiotic Moisturizer
"[This] is made with niacinamide to help with fine lines, appearance of large pores, and dark spots," Amin said of this popular heavier-weight moisturizer by French pharmacy staple brand, La Roche-Posay. It features the brand's signature prebiotic thermal spring water, which is rich in antioxidants, three ceramides that mimic the lipids in the skin's natural barrier. $25 at Amazon $25 at Dermstore $26 at Ulta
5. Sephora: A Lactic Acid Dewy Cream
According to Amin, in addition to antioxidants like vitamin C, which help to protect the skin from environmental factors and free radicals while brightening the complexion, alpha hydroxy acids can be a beneficial ingredient for mature skin. Based on this suggestion, we selected the Dewy Deep Cream by Dr. Dennis Gross, a rich and silky moisturizer that gives skin a bouncy, glowy finish and a smoother, brighter complexion. Its base includes nourishing seed oils and extracts and reviewers with mature skin claim that their skin "has never looked better." Promising Nordstrom review: "Game Changer. I'm 58 yrs young and let me tell you this is the BEST moisturizer I have ever used. I won't mention other high end brands that I've used but one of them is over $200.00. My skin has never looked better. I'm gifting it to my friends that's how much I love it! My skin literally glows after using it & it's the first time my husband noticed/said anything after I have used a product. His comment was 'Babe, your skin looks beautiful'. Dr. Gross nailed it on this one!" — KelAHill $77 at Nordstrom $77 at Dermstore
6. Amazon: A Multi-Use Cream for Thin, Fragile Skin
This all-over moisturizer is formulated specifically for mature skin that's thin, crepey or prone to damage. It contains ceramides to help strengthen skin and make it more resilient, retinol to help with loss of firmness, antioxidant-rich niacinamide and glycolic acid, a chemical exfoliant that can help improve the look and feel of skin. Promising Amazon reviews: "I finally found a moisturizing treatment cream for MATURE, THIN SKIN! I didn't think there was one. This cream is perfect for the tender thin skin of an elderly person with bruises and scratches. It feels so awesome on my bruised arm that I want to sing after applying it. The cream is of perfect consistency; not too thick so that it's difficult to squeeze out of the tube, not too thin so it runs like water. The cream gets absorbed quickly and leaves the skin feeling supple and smooth. I also noticed that the crepe-like skin on the upper arms seemed smoothed to look better; a great side effect! Love this product!" — Bella's mom $30 at Amazon
7. Amazon: A Regenerating Retinol Cream
This rapid wrinkle repair cream by Neutrogena was another former recommendation. It uses an accelerated retinol complex to promote cellular turnover — a process that can lead to greater collagen production, better skin texture and a reduced appearance of fine lines. It also contains a hydrating dose of hyaluronic acid and can be suitable in treating crepey skin. Note that if you're new to retinols, they do have the potential to cause mild flaking and irritation in the first couple weeks of use. They can also cause skin to be more sensitive to the sun, so it's important to wear sunscreen. $25 at Amazon (Regularly $38) $25 at Walmart $41 at Ulta
8. Amazon: A Famed Ceramide Cream
If you're not looking for any active ingredients in your cream and just want a really solid moisturizer that will effectively stave off dry skin, Amin suggested CeraVe's classic moisturizing cream, a versatile product that's been recommended to us more times than we can count. It’s a rich, non-greasy and fast-absorbing cream that releases a steady stream of moisturizing ingredients, including essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It’s also fragrance-free, so it’s great for even the most sensitive skin types. $17 at Amazon $7+ at Ulta
9. Sephora: A Luscious Cream with Age-Defying Ingredients
Garshick previously suggested Charlotte Tilbury's Magic cream, which she said "works to boost moisture and improves radiance of the skin, offering both immediate and long-term improvements." It's a luxe formulation of hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamins C and E and more, and according to Garshick it can plump skin and potentially reduce the appearance of fine lines. $69+ at Sephora $69+ at Charlotte Tilbury Trial size: $32+ at Nordstrom
10. Amazon: A Fragrance-Free Sculpting Cream
According to Halim, the fragrance-free Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting cream contains hyaluronic acid, amino-peptide fragments, and niacinamide, which all work together to hydrate and firm the skin. It can be a good affordable option for anyone looking to infuse their skin with trusted ingredients for a more supple complexion. HuffPost contributor Marsha Badger recently tried this cream and says it feels like a luxury cream and is great for dry winter skin. $25 at Amazon $24 at Target
11. Dermstore: A Clinical Ceramide Treatment Cream
Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology, previously shared with HuffPost some of her favorite anti-aging creams, and this ceramide treatment cream by SkinMedica was among them. Although it was initially formulated to heal post-procedural skin, either from laser or chemical peels, it can also do wonders for extremely dry or compromised skin. It's been formulated with a unique collagen-promoting peptide blend aimed at targeted fine lines and, of course, ceramides, which are the essential building blocks of a healthy and hydrated skin barrier. $72 at Dermstore
12. Sephora: A Restorative Day Cream for Menopausal Skin
This intensive and restorative day cream by Clarins is New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick's former pick for anyone with deeply dehydrated and menopausal skin. She said it incorporates organic harungana, which works similar to retinol while also being gentle on the skin. "It also contains the anti-pollution complex to protect the skin from changes related to pollution and blue light," she said. $140 at Sephora $140 at Ulta $140 at Nordstrom
13. Amazon: An Antioxidant Moisturizer
"Antioxidants like vitamin C help to protect the skin from environmental factors and free radicals, while brightening the complexion," Amin said about antioxidants and their potential place in moisturizers for mature skin. "Skincare Junkies Megadose face moisturizer combines antioxidant, anti-pollution, and anti-aging benefits into a silky lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog pores," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose previously said of this dermatologist-developed cream. She explained that it contains a blend of coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, green tea and vitamin C — all of which work together to protect skin from premature skin aging and support collagen production. "Ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a seven-molecular-weight blend hydrate and plump [skin]," she added. Murphy-Rose recommends using this every morning as a daily moisturizer, along with sunscreen. $68 at Amazon $68 at Skincare Junkie
14. Amazon: A Lightweight Pro-Collagen Cream with SPF 30
For an UV-protective option, we found the Elemis Pro-Collagen marine cream, an SPF-containing version of the original formula, which still contains "botanical and marine extracts combine in this potent formula to firm your skin and deliver antioxidants," according to the brand. It has a lightweight texture that layers well under makeup, an emollient shea butter base to boost skin's level of hydration and plenty of promising reviews to support its compatibility with mature skin. Promising Dermstore reviews: "As a mature lady a good moisturizer is important. I find Elemis pro collagen products amazing with great results and they feel really good on the skin." — Maggie M "I appreciate the lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly into my skin, making it an excellent base for makeup. I love that I've noticed the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles diminishing while the firmness and elasticity of my skin is improving. I appreciate the inclusion of SPF 30 protecting my face against harmful UV rays. Lastly, I love the hydrating properties, leaving skin feeling rejuvenated without feeling heavy or oily." — Theresa H. $145 at Dermstore Trial Size: $52+ at Sephora Trial Size: $57+ at Amazon
15. Sephora: An Elasticity-Boosting Peptide Cream
According to Halim, Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide cream is rich in nine different peptides, growth factors, and amino acids to support skin’s resilience and texture. This well-known rich and fast-absorbing cream also contains pygmy water lily stem cell extract and folic acid ferment, both of which claim to promote more elasticity, bounce and serve as an excellent source of antioxidants to prevent premature skin aging. $24+ at Sephora $24+ at Ulta $24+ at Amazon
