Skin in our 60s acts much differently to skin in our 30s or 40s, so you’ll want to pin down a routine that reflects that change. Collagen reserves naturally dip, elastin begins to fragment, oil production slows and the skin barrier becomes more delicate. The result? A complexion that’s often drier, less bouncy and more prone to sensitivity. You might even notice an uptick in uneven texture and tone, too.
“By our 60s, the skin has undergone significant structural and hormonal changes,” explains Dr Conal Perrett, consultant dermatologist at The Devonshire Clinic. In post-menopausal women in particular, declining oestrogen levels accelerate thinning and a loss of elasticity.
Add to that a lifetime of UV exposure and, as Dr Susan Mayou at Cadogan Clinic notes, concerns like pigmentation, uneven tone and visible blood vessels often come to the fore.
Rather than leaning on harsh exfoliants or oil-controlling formulas, this shift suggests that skincare in your 60s should prioritise comfort and resilience. Think: barrier repair, consistent hydration and ingredients that better support collagen over time.
If you’re looking to simplify your wake-up and wind-down routines (without compromising on that all-important skin glow), these are the five components dermatologists think are actually worth your money.
Read more: 10 best anti-ageing serums that target wrinkles, dark spots and dullness
1. Broad-spectrum SPF
If there is one product that remains non-negotiable at every age, it is sunscreen.
“UV exposure is responsible for up to 80% of visible skin ageing,” says Perrett. Even in your 60s and beyond, protecting skin from UVA and UVB damage slows further collagen breakdown, pigmentation and texture changes.
Mayou stresses that sun protection is not redundant once lines have formed.
Ongoing protection helps maintain skin quality and reduces the risk of precancerous changes. A broad-spectrum SPF 50 at least, applied daily and year-round, forms the foundation of any effective routine.
Heliocare 360 gel oil-free SPF 50
When beauty editor Lucy Partington tested Heliocare’s 360 gel oil-free SPF 50 in her guide to the best face SPFs, she praised the formula for its quick absorption. “It is initially sticky on application but that subsides quickly, and I found it to be lovely to layer under make-up,” she wrote.
Buy now £24.8, Boots.com
2. A gentle retinoid
Retinoids remain the gold standard for improving skin texture and supporting collagen production.
“These stimulate collagen, improve fine lines and support cell turnover,” says Perrett. However, he advises choosing gentler, well-formulated options in your 60s to minimise irritation.
Mature skin can still benefit significantly from vitamin A derivatives, but strength and frequency need to be adjusted.
Mayou notes that contrary to popular belief, retinoids are not “off-limits” after a certain age; instead, they should be introduced gradually and used consistently. In this decade, tolerance matters more than intensity.
Naturium retinaldehyde cream serum
Naturium’s retinoid serum earned the top spot in beauty expert Lucy Partington’s guide to the best retinol creams and serums, chiefly because of its effective yet gentle performance. She found the formula to be “one of the most affordable” on the market and loved how “it absorbed quickly and didn’t cause any dryness or irritation, despite using it every night.”
Buy now £35, Spacenk.com
3. A hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid
As natural oil production decreases, hydration becomes a priority.
Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water within the skin, helping it appear smoother and more supple.
Mayou says that hyaluronic acid can soften fine dehydration lines and improve comfort, especially in skin that feels tight or fragile.
Perrett describes it as particularly effective when layered under a moisturiser to enhance plumpness. Applied to slightly damp skin and sealed in with a nourishing cream, it can noticeably improve texture and luminosity.
Vichy mineral 89 hyaluronic acid booster serum
In my own review of the best hyaluronic acid serums, I concluded that Vichy’s mineral 89 serum was the best of the bunch, pipping others to the post with its affordability and lightweight feel. I described it as an “instant drink of water” for dry skin, adding that it’s a team player when combined with other skincare serums, moisturisers and SPFs. It neither pills nor causes make-up to separate.
Buy now £28, Boots.com
4. A barrier-supporting moisturiser
With age, the skin barrier weakens, making it more vulnerable to irritation and moisture loss. This is why replenishing lipids becomes essential.
Perrett highlights the importance of ceramides and barrier lipids, which help repair and maintain the skin’s protective layer. Without this support, dryness and inflammation can worsen.
Mayou recommends rich moisturisers containing ceramides, fatty acids or hyaluronic acid to restore comfort and resilience. Mature skin generally benefits from cream or balm cleansers and nourishing moisturisers rather than foaming or mattifying products.
“Over-stripping the skin at this stage often worsens dryness and inflammation rather than improving radiance,” Perrett explains.
Aestura atobarrier 365 cream
Korean beauty brands often prioritise skin health over quick results, and this couldn’t be truer of Aestura’s atobarrier cream. After testing it as part of her guide to the best night creams, skincare expert Louise Whitbread remarked that the atobarrier formula is “a great option to sandwich with stronger ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C in your serums and exfoliating acid, to reduce redness and leave skin feeling plump and soft.”
Buy now £26, Sephora.co.uk
5. An antioxidant such as vitamin C
Oxidative stress from pollution and UV exposure contributes to dullness and uneven tone. An antioxidant serum can help counteract this.
“Antioxidants such as vitamin C combat oxidative stress and improve brightness and pigmentation irregularities,” says Perrett. Vitamin C also supports collagen formation, adding another layer of benefit.
Mayou says that niacinamide can be useful in mature skin routines, helping to reduce redness, improve tone and strengthen the barrier.
Used consistently in the morning, antioxidants defend against ongoing environmental damage and enhance overall radiance.
Olay super serum
Dubbed the best vitamin C serum overall in beauty writer Louise Whitbread’s round-up, Olay’s super serum was not only commended for its affordability, but for the improvements it made to Louise’s overall skin texture. “My complexion was immediately smoother,” she said.
Buy now £19.99, Boots.com
What to stop using
Alongside adding the right products, dermatologists frequently see women over 60 holding on to products that no longer serve their skin.
Harsh foaming cleansers designed for oily or acne-prone skin, high-strength exfoliating acids used too frequently and alcohol-heavy toners can all compromise a fragile barrier.
Long-term reliance on mattifying or spot treatments may worsen dryness.
The focus should move from “combatting age” to supporting skin health. Mature skin responds better to nourishment and steady stimulation than to aggressive routines.
The biggest misconception
One of the most persistent myths, says Perrett, is that it is too late to make a difference.
“Skin remains biologically active well into our later decades,” he explains. While no product can reverse time entirely, collagen can still be stimulated, pigmentation improved and barrier strength restored.
Mayou agrees that tailored, consistent care can lead to meaningful improvements in hydration, tone and resilience. Stronger is not better; consistency is.
Read more: Best moisturisers for mature skin, tested by a beauty writer in her 50s
