It’s made with squalane, which is an impressively lightweight ingredient for how hydrating it is. That’s why dermatologists often recommend it for oilier skin types—it’s an effective emollient (meaning it traps water and softens skin) that can reduce dryness and flakiness, but doesn’t feel as heavy as other rich, moisturizing ingredients sometimes do.
Size: 1.7 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing jojoba and camellia seed oils, anti-inflammatory astragalus extract
Best Brightening Formula: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer
If dullness is top-of-mind for you, try Sunday Riley’s bestselling vitamin C cream. It won a Healthy Beauty Award in 2022 for its just-thick-enough texture, citrusy scent, and, as its name would suggest, lingering afterglow.
“It imparted an instant subtle radiance, and my complexion just looked a little prettier and glowier from using it. It’s also super hydrating,” our tester said at the time. It left such a lovely finish that they felt confident going without additional face makeup on some days.
Size: 1.7 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating hyaluronic acid, lutein (a source of antioxidants)
Best SPF: Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen SPF 50
Hyaluronic acid—the star ingredient in this Healthy Beauty Award–winning Tatcha face sunscreen—works as a humectant (meaning it attracts moisture to the skin) and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Not only is it super hydrating, but it also helps skin appear plumper. Our testers love that the formula has a smoothing effect on skin and a sheer finish (a big deal for a mineral SPF!).
“The product totally lives up to its name,” one SELF tester says. “It’s silky smooth and feels so soft and hydrating on my skin. I’ve tried plenty of ‘sheer’ mineral sunscreens that still leave a white cast, but this one actually goes on clear. It also delivers on its pore-perfecting promise.”
Size: 1.7 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Calming and firming niacinamide, hydrating squalane
Best for Rosacea: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
If your cheeks are prone to redness and sensitivity, you might be dealing with rosacea. This cream can calm down the symptoms you’re dealing with while improving your skin’s texture.
“It hydrates really well and helps smooth out fine lines,” Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Radiant Derm in Fort Wayne, Indiana, previously told SELF. It has a combination of ceramides and fatty acids that help strengthen your skin barrier, and vitamin E to soothe inflammation.
Size: 1.6 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Smoothing dimethicone, glycerin
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Another great option for oily skin, this lightweight gel keeps your skin looking matte throughout the day, Dr. Gohara says. She points out that it uses hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump fine lines, as well as dimethicone, a silicone that “gives a silky finish while sealing in moisture.”
Size: 1.7 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin
The SELF Team Pick: Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Cream
One of our testers, a woman in her 50s, gave this cream a perfect 10 out of 10 when she reviewed it for 2023’s Healthy Beauty Awards. She noted its soothing effects: “It feels amazing when it goes on—very cooling, like it immediately calms irritation and inflammation. The hydration was lasting and kept my skin looking fresh and supple,” she said.
It contains a cocktail of moisturizing ingredients, like squalane, glycerin, vitamin E (which is also a source of antioxidants), ceramides, and jojoba oil. You can use it in the morning and at night, and one jar lasts a while—multiple Nordstrom reviewers mentioned that “a little goes a long way.” Just note that this cream contains fragrance that may irritate sensitive skin.
Size: 1.6 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Calming green tea leaf extract
More great options
Finding the right moisturizer can take some trial and error. Luckily, there are more excellent products you can try—check out even more expert- and editor-approved face creams below.
Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisturizing Cream
Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, previously recommended Youth to The People’s Deep Moisturizing Cream to SELF as a night cream for mature skin—but it’s also a great daytime option for dry skin. It contains aloe, which can help calm sensitive complexions, as well as shea butter, squalane, and some other top-notch moisturizers.
Size: 1, 1.7, and 5 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E
Tula 24-7 Moisture Intense Ultra Hydrating Day & Night Cream
Packed with derm-approved ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter, and peptides, Tula’s 24-7 Moisture Intense Ultra Hydrating Day & Night Cream is perfect for dry skin that’s showing signs of aging. It won a 2023 Healthy Beauty Award for its rich (but not too heavy) formula that kept our tester’s skin quenched all day. “The consistency is perfect, and I love the way my skin feels after I apply it,” they said. “It’s very smooth—almost silky—but strong enough to really keep me moisturized.”
Size: 1.48 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing camellia seed oil, vitamin E, and jojoba oil
CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream
It’s more common to see retinol in night creams than in ones you’d use first thing in the morning, since it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. But it appears alongside effective sunscreen ingredients in this CeraVe moisturizer, which makes it suitable for A.M. use, Dr. Ibrahim says. For the complete routine, use CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream, a well-loved product among derms.
Size: 1, 1.7, and 5 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Barrier-strengthening ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Attitude Oceanly Phyto-Age Face Cream
Here’s another sensitive skin recommendation from Dr. Vasile. She notes that it has a gentle formula (it’s made without added fragrance) and contains peptiserudes, which can “boost skin’s appearance.” In other words, you can expect plumping, firming results. It also contains trusted sources of hydration like shea butter, jojoba oil, and glycerin. Plus, it’s not like other creams—it’s a solid stick that you glide onto your skin (so you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks).
Size: 0.3 and 1 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing glycogen
FAQs about moisturizers for mature skin
What happens to your skin as you age?
Over time, your skin loses collagen and elasticity, which can cause it to look duller and less firm, Dr. Vasile says. As that happens, you may notice more visible fine lines, dark spots, and dry patches. The exact changes will vary from person to person and can happen as early as your 20s, although most people see age-related changes in their skin in their 30s and 40s, Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, tells SELF. Your genetics, lifestyle (including habits like smoking and regularly using sunscreen), and environment can all play a role in your skin’s appearance as you age.
The onset of menopause can cause further changes, Dr. Vasile says. As SELF has previously reported, estrogen decreases during menopause, which affects your skin’s collagen production and its ability to retain ceramides (the lipids that provide structure to your skin’s outer layer, keeping moisture in and irritants out). Due to these hormonal changes, your skin may start to feel thinner, drier, or more sensitive, Dr. Vasile says.
What should you look for in a moisturizer for mature skin?
If you’re thinking about changing up your moisturizer to address signs of aging, make intense hydration your priority. “Hydrated skin will look more plump, brighter, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Vasile says. Dr. Ibrahim recommends looking for ingredients like squalane, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, which provide immediate moisture, and ceramides, which strengthen your skin barrier and prevent water loss. As SELF has previously reported, glycerin and hyaluronic acid are other great hydrating ingredients that can keep your skin feeling soft and healthy all day long.
For concerns around texture, hyperpigmentation, and your skin’s overall appearance, Dr. Ibrahim recommends products that’ll encourage cell turnover to help your skin look smoother and more even. Retinol is the most popular option, but the plant-based compound bakuchiol can have a similar effect with less risk of irritation, he says.
If dullness is your chief concern, make sure your moisturizer contains antioxidants like vitamin C. In addition to giving you a glow, vitamin C can help prevent free radical damage that comes from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution (these can also contribute to hyperpigmentation).
Have super sensitive skin? Skip products that contain fragrances and dyes. Above all, don’t forget to use SPF, either as part of your face moisturizer or as a separate step in your morning skin care routine—that goes for all ages.
Related:
Get more of SELF’s great product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).
