Coming of Age: The Best Men’s Skincare Routine For Your 50s And Beyond

When should I start getting Botox®? Is it time to incorporate retinol into my skincare routine? What is a “mommy makeover”? How about a “daddy do-over”? Do I really need to, as the saying goes, sacrifice my ass for my face? Should I swap my hyaluronic acid fillers for something a bit more permanent?

When it comes to beauty and aesthetics, there is no such thing as one -size -fits-all. But there are some tried and true principles that will keep you looking and feeling your best. In this series, Coming of Age, The AEDITION answers your most pressing questions about the best treatments, procedures, and practices — from surgery and skincare to health and wellness and everything in between — to consider at any age.

Upon entering your fifties, the body’s naturally occurring protein structures (think: collagen and elastin) and hydrating agents become increasingly scarce. But experts agree that men are becoming increasingly aware of the options available to help minimize the effects of aging. “Men today who are in their fifties and beyond typically didn’t seek a dermatologist's care when they were younger and are looking to reverse what they didn’t take care of in the past,” explains Amy Spizuoco, DO, a board certified dermatologist in New York City. “It’s all about treating what they didn’t treat earlier in their lives.” From sunspots and acne scars to dilated pores, treatment options are abundant — and it all starts with having the right ingredients in your skincare regimen.

The Best Men's Skincare Routine for Your 50s & Beyond

By the time you reach this point in your life, you’ve hopefully assembled a skincare routine that works for you. For the most part, you’re going to want to continue with the potent products you introduced in your forties and certain products can even carry over from your twenties and thirties, too (as we’ve said, some things get better with age!). But there is one important addition we suggest adding to your arsenal: a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based sleep mask. With that in mind, here’s what your skincare regimen should look like:

Morning Routine:

• Gentle Cleanser
• Antioxidant Serum
• Eye Cream with Caffeine
• Moisturizer with Peptides
• SPF 30+

Nighttime Routine:

• Gentle Cleanser
• Eye Cream
• Retinol
• Moisturizer with Peptides
• Sleep Mask with Hyaluronic Acid

While a good skincare routine is the foundation of good skin. Skincare can only do so much at this point. As you continue to age, you may consider aesthetic treatments to correct past damage caused by the sun and environmental aggressors so you can create a more youthful appearance (more on that below!).

The Best Skincare Ingredients for Your 50s & Beyond

Using the right ingredients in your skincare regimen is more important now than ever. Continue to be diligent with your sun care routine (that means using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every single day — no excuses), and be sure your A.M. and P.M. routine is focused on moisture and cell turnover (i.e. the two things that deplete with age). Here are some tips on what to look for on the label:

Sleep Mask with Hyaluronic Acid

“I love sleep masks,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board certified dermatologist in NYC. “They give your skin a boost of hydration that will slowly absorb as you sleep.” After all, they don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. These rich formulas are great to use once per week (or as needed) to restore moisture, smooth, and plump the skin. We like the Olay Luminous Overnight Gel Mask because the gel texture is surprisingly lightweight and doesn’t make a mess of your pillow. Another plus? It pairs super-hydrator hyaluronic acid with the soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits of vitamin E.

Retinol

Yes, we’ve covered the many benefits of topical vitamin A in previous articles, but its age-defying benefits cannot be overstated. If you haven’t gotten around to adding a prescription-strength retinoid or over-the-counter retinol (consult with your dermatologist to determine which one is best for you) to your routine yet, it’s not too late. If you’re brand new to retinol, start with 0.5 or one percent concentration twice a week and work your way up. If you’ve grown to tolerate a lesser-strength product, now may be the time to upgrade. Our pick? The Sobel Skin Rx 4.5% Retinol Complex Night Treatment.

If You’re in the Market for a Professional Treatment…

In addition to the laser, chemical peel, and and Botox® treatments that you might have been trying in your thirties and forties, dermatologists recommend considering hyaluronic acid-based fillers, like Juvéderm® and Restylane®, to add volume back into the cheeks, camouflage under eye circles, and soften the lines that appear around your nasolabial folds.

As you continue through your sixties and seventies, Dr. Engelman suggests a ‘mini’ facelift with threads. Also known as a thread lift, the procedure swaps surgery for temporary sutures that are used to subtly lift the skin. It offers a natural and refreshed look that lasts for six months to a year.

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