Our 40’s and 50’s is a time when our skin starts to change in ways I’m sure you’ve definitely noticed! Between hormonal shifts and a natural slowdown in collagen production, our skin is going through some major transitions right now! You’ve likely noticed your skin is all of a sudden a lot drier than ever before. Loss of firmness and fine lines are a given (why do our faces suddenly appear to droop?!) skin can definitely appear more dull and lacklustre and then there is the lack of “plumpness” (synonymous with younger skin of course).
At BC we are often asked what skin really needs at this stage and the truth is simpler than you might think! While we can’t defy ageing, we can absolutely support our skin to help it look and feel healthier, smoother and more radiant too, you just need the right ingredients, consistency and a more targeted routine for mature skin. Keep reading to find out what your skin really needs, as recommended by the BC Pros.
Firstly, why does skin change so much in your 50s?
One of the biggest reasons skin changes in your 50s is hormonal fluctuation, particularly during and after menopause. Oestrogen levels decline significantly, and because oestrogen plays such an important role in keeping skin firm, hydrated and resilient, the changes can become quite noticeable.
Skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin, meaning it may start to feel thinner, drier and less bouncy than before. Cell turnover slows so radiance declines and the skin barrier becomes more fragile, often leading to increased sensitivity and dehydration too! Great!
This is why skincare in our 50s is less about aggressive treatments and more about supporting the skin properly with hydration, nourishment, barrier repair and ingredients that help restore comfort, firmness and glow.
So what does skin in your 50s actually need?
1. Intense moisture (not just hydration)
One of the most common complaints during this decade is dryness. Even people who previously had oily or combination skin often notice their complexion suddenly feeling tight, dehydrated or uncomfortable. This is because a drop in estrogen often leads to a decrease in natural oil production and mature skin retains moisture less efficiently than it once did.
It’s essential to look for skincare rich in Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Squalane and nourishing oils and butters as these ingredients help replenish moisture, support the skin barrier and restore softness and comfort.
2. Support for collagen and firmness
We lose about 1% of our collagen every single year starting in our 20s! Eek. But that process accelerates significantly during menopause. This leads to a loss of elasticity and sagging and skin that begins looking thinner seemingly overnight!
This is where ingredients like Marine Collagen, Peptides, Retinol and Vitamin C are paramount! They can make a real difference by helping support firmness, elasticity and smoother-looking skin over time.
3. Barrier repair and skin comfort
Many women notice their skin becomes far more reactive in their 50s. Products that once worked beautifully may suddenly feel irritating or sensitising. This is usually a sign the skin barrier needs support. Rather than over-exfoliating or using harsh actives, focus on products that calm, replenish and strengthen the skin. Again products rich in ceramides should be your go-to.
4. Gentle exfoliation for radiance
Cell turnover slows down as we age, which can leave a layer of dead skin cells on the surface. This is why skin can start to look "grey" or dull. Exfoliation is therefore essential, however, mature skin is also thinner, so harsh scrubs are a no-go! Look for gentle exfoliators that smooth and brighten skin without stripping the skin barrier. Enzyme exfoliators are the best!
5. Brightening agents
If you’re seeing "age spots" or uneven pigmentation (very common as we start to reach our 50’s), it’s likely the result of sun exposure from years ago finally coming to the surface. This is when Vitamin C will become your best friend! Other natural ingredients like Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), MADEWHITE™ (Madecassoside), Tranexamic Acid and Arbutin can make a significant difference in fading dark spots too.
6. Targeted Eye Care
You’ve hopefully been slapping on the good stuff around your delicate eye area for a few decades now as our eyes are the first place to start really showing signs of ageing so preventative skincare is imperative from as young as our 20’s, but the skin around our eyes often shows the most significant change in our 50s, from hooded lids to deeper "crow’s feet". This is why come your 50’s you need so much more than just a basic eye cream. you’ll want to look for a treatment that offers a "lifting" effect.
7. SPF
No matter your age, daily sun protection is essential! In your 50s, it becomes even more important to help protect your skin from further visible signs of ageing, so don’t be complacent, apply that SPF daily (and yes even in winter).
The best skincare ingredients for women in their 50’s
I’ve already mentioned the ingredients we know are essential for mature skin but here’s a little breakdown of the top 7 so you can see their immediate benefits;
Marine Collagen
Helps support firmness, softness and elasticity while improving skin comfort and hydration.
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Boosts collagen, smooths wrinkles, clears pores, and improves skin texture.
Hyaluronic Acid
One of the best ingredients for mature skin because it helps attract and retain moisture, leaving skin looking plumper and smoother.
Vitamin C
Brightens dullness, supports collagen production and helps restore radiance to tired-looking skin.
Ceramides
Essential for strengthening the skin barrier and preventing moisture loss.
Peptides
Help support firmer, smoother-looking skin by encouraging collagen production.
The skincare routine and products we recommend in your 50s
Step 1: Gentle cleansing
Avoid harsh cleansers that leave skin feeling tight after washing.
Creamy, nourishing cleansers are ideal because they cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier.
We highly recommend: Pevonia Power Repair Hydrating Cleanser
It’s a global-best seller for Pevonia and for good reason! It’s perfect for all ages, especially older women worried about dryness, dehydration, ageing and sensitivity! It’s gentle, creamy and effectively removes impurities while keeping your skin hydrated, soft and refreshed all at the same time! What’s more its formulated with marine collagen and marine elastin to support skin’s elasticity, suppleness and resilience.
Step 2: Vitamin C serum - day
A nourishing and brightening serum becomes incredibly important during our 40’s and 50’s!
Look for formulas with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and antioxidants to help replenish moisture and support skin vitality.
We highly recommend: Pevonia ‘C’ Complexe with Oxyzomes
Just two pumps of this beautiful creamy serum (with the most divine citrus scent) equals radiant looking skin instantly! Oh, and it feels a-mazing too thanks to its combination of vitamin c and hydrating dynamo hyaluronic which quite literally drenches skin with repairing antioxidants.
Step 3: Hydrating moisturiser
This is where richer creams really shine. Mature skin often needs creams that provide hydration, lipid and anti-ageing support to help strengthen, smooth and comfort the skin.
We highly recommend: Phytomer Expert Youth Wrinkle Plumping Cream
This luxurious cream is a powerhouse of marine biotechnology, designed to smooth fine lines, plump the skin, and support firmness throughout the day. Formulated with Red Vegetal Coral and Brown Algae, it works beautifully under makeup and helps defend against visible signs of ageing, all while keeping skin supple and radiant. I personally LOVE it!
Step 4: Consistent SPF
SPF remains non-negotiable. A huge amount of visible ageing comes from cumulative UV exposure, so protecting the skin daily is one of the best investments you can make.
We highly recommend: Hubislab Post Rays UV Protect Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++
This amazing multi-tasking sun block provides complete UV and antioxidant protection for ageing or stressed-out skin! Its non-irritating, has an SPF of 50+ and protects the skin against UV radiation, preventing dryness, dullness and signs of premature ageing including hyperpigmentation.
Rich in peptides and collagen it keeps skin nourished, healthy and elastic and the invisible matte formula applies smoothly and stays on all day.
With zinc oxide as its main ingredient, there is zero irritation, so it is ideal for all skin types including those with extremely sensitive and/or ageing skin.
Step 5: Anti-Ageing Serum – night
Night-time is when your skin naturally goes into repair and regeneration mode, making it the perfect time to introduce more intensive nourishing and rejuvenating ingredients.
Look for serums containing retinol (Vitamin A), peptides and restorative ingredients that help support collagen production, improve texture and soften the appearance of fine lines over time.
We highly recommend: Hubislab MineExo Peptide Ampoule
This intensive serum harnesses advanced Exosome Technology and a potent peptide complex to deeply hydrate, firm, and rejuvenate stressed or ageing skin. Also packed with antioxidants like retinol, Vitamin C, and E, hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed collagen, it does it all! It boosts collagen, reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, and strengthens the skin barrier. It really is outstanding!
Step 6: Nourishing Night Cream
We all know moisturising in the morning is essential, after all a good day cream acts as a protective barrier, locking in hydration, smoothing the skin, helping sunscreen apply more evenly, and even boosting the staying power of your makeup! But often as we age that moisturiser we use in the day, isn’t enough at night. Night creams tend to be richer in texture and packed with higher concentrations of active ingredients to promote renewal without the interruption of external aggressors. In fact, a good night cream will not only sooth and calm skin while you sleep, but also deliver lasting moisture while addressing common skin concerns such as moisture loss and skin ageing! They also help by improving cell turnover and lock in all the goodness of the serum you just applie!
Night creams in your 50’s should focus on nourishment, comfort and skin barrier support while helping improve firmness and visible signs of ageing
We highly recommend: Phytomer Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream
Beautifully silky and ultra-comforting, this skin-replenishing formula is enriched with marine extracts that help detoxify, firm, and deeply nourish the skin overnight. It literally cocoons skin while you sleep working to reduce signs of fatigue, improve elasticity and bring back your glow by morning, seriously!
It’s formulated with the best in marine ingredients including D-Tox Microalgae (designed to promote the elimination of free radicals, toxins, and pollutants detoxifying the skin while you sleep), and Marine Mannitol (an active ingredient which helps to re-oxygenate tired and "asphyxiated" cells) as well as Laminaria Digitata Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract and Jojoba & Sunflower Seed Wax to deeply nourish, revitalise and strengthen the skin! Both my colleagues and I simply love how it makes our skin look and feel when we wake (I’m talking glowy, plumper and just more youthful looking!)
The biggest skincare mistake people make in their 50s
The biggest skincare mistake so many of us make in our 50’s is trying to treat our skin the same way they treated it in their 30s and 40s. But what worked previously may now feel too harsh, drying or aggressive. Skin in our 50s generally responds much better to consistency, nourishment and barrier support than overly complicated routines packed with strong actives! Remember more isn’t always better. And with the right care, your skin can still look incredibly luminous, healthy and vibrant for decades to come.
