The best anti-aging skincare secrets from an esthetician

In my never-ending anti-aging quest, I‘m becoming more and more dependent on my esthetician. I’m always tapping her for the best skincare products for over 50 and double-duty products. I recently asked my esthetician about some dermatologist recommended skin care products for aging skin and asked about the tips and tricks to having youthful skin, so I thought I’d share them here.

I like to read magazines on the beach and I’m always turning down the corner of the page because I come across products I want to try. So what do I do? I jump online and order them. Tighten your chin and neck? Sure. Soft, baby butt skin? Of course. A water additive that makes your skin younger? You bet! And I’m a sucker for what’s deemed the best anti-aging serum. As I age, I’m now in the market for the best moisturizer for aging skin over 60 – I’ll be there too soon! Or, trying to find the best anti-wrinkle cream that really works.

But I’m still not looking 30 again so I’m starting to wonder what anti-aging treatments work and which ones don’t. Now that I’m in this whole midlife thing, I want to find the best anti-aging serum for the 50s and moisturizers dermatologists recommend.

I recently scored a Groupon for a dermaplane facial and found this esthetician incredibly honest in her assessment of some products and anti-aging tips and tricks. Not everyone will agree with these tips, especially if you’re a cosmetics producer or salesperson. But for now, I’ll take her advice and see if I’m missing anything in these anti-aging secrets from an esthetician.

The best skincare products for over 50

1. Eye creams (most) are just a marketing gimmick. A lot of eye creams will tout that the skin around your eyes is thinner than on the rest of your face. True. But if you have normal skin and specific eye issues, your regular moisturizer will work just fine. It’s important to apply it lightly around your eyes no matter what. I’ll use up the eye creams I have now and try this to see if I notice a difference. As part of my nighttime routine, I’m always in search of the best anti aging night cream for 50s.

2. Your body doesn’t need most supplements. I’ve said this before. A lot of research shows that you should be getting key vitamins and minerals from daily life and the foods you eat. So all of these anti-aging supplements for skin, hair, nails, really aren’t doing anything. I am a firm believer in the sun’s provision of Vitamin D (in small amounts) and I do notice a difference when I use a Vitamin C cream on my face. But for now, I think I’ll ditch the dozen bottles of extraneous vitamins and metabolism-boosting teas I’m taking.

3. Say no to neck creams. I recently caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed that my neck was looking particularly raggedy. They say you can often tell a woman’s age by her neck, and I remember my grandmother once telling me that’s why she always wore turtlenecks. Granted, I’ve always read, and been told, to take care of your neck as you do your face, but mea culpa, I rarely cleanse or put any moisturizer on my neck. So I did get sucked into buying an expensive neck cream. But my esthetician says my regular daily and evening moisturizers will do the trick just as well. In the meantime, I’ll keep using my new pricey cream and if my neck outshines the skin on my face in terms of youthfulness, I’ll let you know!

4. Collagen can’t be rebuilt topically. I specifically asked this question because how easy would it be to just put a cream on your face every day and skip the painful, and often expensive, collagen-building treatments like microneedling and lasers. Sigh. But she told me that those topical creams can’t build collagen so far beneath the skin’s layer. I do drink a collagen powder daily mainly for my joints but I do believe it has an impact on my skin and hair as well. 

5. Water, water, water. This is kind of a no-brainer but it is the cheapest and most accessible secret to anti-aging. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it’s mostly water. So drink drink drink to replenish and retain that youthful glow!

I recommend you actually write down a list of questions to ask your esthetician before your next procedure. I jot down questions on my phone as I think of them and then just run through that list when I’m in her office. These secrets above won’t apply to everyone, and I’m sure there will be much debate, but as long as I’m making an effort to take the best care of my skin daily, I can’t go wrong.

For the record, I’m now trying out what I hope is the best anti aging regimen for 50s skin. I’m doing a mix of ZO Skin Health (the real Dr. Obagi line) and Eminence Organics – I love the smell of these products. If you want to find out about the specific products I’m in love with from these lines, leave me a message below!

Tips for caring for aging skin

Anti-aging skincare involves a combination of good habits, products, and lifestyle choices. Here are some tips to help you maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin:

1. Protect Your Skin from the Sun: UV rays from the sun can accelerate aging and cause wrinkles, age spots, and other skin issues. Always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours when outdoors.

2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Dehydrated skin can appear dull and more prone to wrinkles.

3. Use Gentle Cleansers: Avoid harsh cleansers that strip your skin of its natural oils. Opt for gentle, hydrating cleansers that won’t disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier.

4. Moisturize Regularly: Moisturizers help to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Look for moisturizers containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides.

5. Incorporate Retinoids: Retinoids, such as retinol, are potent anti-aging ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin texture, and stimulate collagen production. Start with a lower concentration and gradually increase as your skin tolerates it.

6. Use Antioxidants: Antioxidants like vitamin C and E help protect your skin from free radical damage, which can lead to premature aging. Look for serums or moisturizers containing these ingredients.

7. Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. During sleep, your body repairs and regenerates cells, including skin cells, which can help maintain a youthful complexion.

8. Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Foods high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can help support skin health and combat aging.

9. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can accelerate aging by causing dehydration, dullness, and collagen breakdown. Limit alcohol intake and avoid smoking to maintain youthful-looking skin.

10. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to premature aging by triggering inflammation and hormone imbalances. Practice stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to promote overall well-being and healthy skin.

Remember, consistency is key when it comes to anti-aging skincare. Establishing a daily routine and sticking to it can help you achieve and maintain youthful, radiant skin over time.