Lifestyle Anti-Aging Skin Care Products for Seniors 9/6/2022 | By Donna Brody Are you thinking about using anti-aging skin care products? Seniors Guide writer Donna Brody checked in with a local skin-care products representative to learn basic recommendations from some well-known cosmetic brands on serums, moisturizers, and makeup. For years, I have avoided the cosmetics aisle in my favorite department store because the number of products seemed endless and the possibilities overwhelming – and I’m sure I’m not alone. It was easier to believe that less is more, so I subscribed to the theory that wearing very little makeup was a good thing and was keeping my skin from looking aged and damaged. After talking with Melody Osborne, beauty lead manager of the Clinique and Estee Lauder counters at a local Belk department store, I discovered that an anti-aging skin care routine involves quite a bit more than just choosing a shade of foundation or lipstick to enhance your appearance or make yourself look younger. Actually, applying makeup is an optional or final step in a daily beauty routine. Both Clinique and Estee Lauder (Clinique’s parent company) offer a line of anti-aging skin care products that can be used with or without makeup. Similarly, L’Oréal Paris details a daily regimen on its website that closely resembles Estee Lauder’s and Clinique’s, as does Proctor and Gamble’s Olay line on its website. According to Osborne, several steps are necessary to obtain healthier and younger-looking skin. She noted that there is a misconception that Clinique products are designed for younger people and the Estee Lauder line is geared for older women and men. Actually, she said, Clinique products can be used by people of any age, young or old, but they are geared to those with sensitive skin or allergies. Clinique products are fragrance free. Estee Lauder products do tend to be a bit more expensive, she said, which may be why younger buyers are more attracted to Clinique. Daily steps in anti-aging skin care Cleansing To achieve anti-aging skin care (or perhaps for any age!), you should wash your face upon waking up in the morning and in the evening before bed. Each company offers its own cleansing products from micellar waters to oils, powders, and cream cleansers. “As skin matures, it loses moisture, nutrients and natural oils, resulting in skin that looks – and feels – dry,” according to the L’Oréal Paris website. “A cream cleanser can help replenish moisture to the surface of your skin for a fresh look.” Related: The trendy Coastal Grandma look Clarifying and toning The second step, clarifying or toning, is sometimes called exfoliating. Osborne indicated that this is an extremely important step as it removes the dead skin cells that still might remain on our skin after cleansing. She demonstrated with clear tape on newly washed skin. Peeling back the tape revealed a definite residue. This residue, she said, is what leads to breakouts or dryness. Some companies suggest the exfoliating step should only be done a few times a week, so make sure to check the product instructions. Applying a serum Step three in the anti-aging skin care process is the application of a serum. Serums are designed to revitalize the skin with quicker results. “Serum helps replenish the skin’s protective moisture barrier and helps it look more radiant,” according to the L’Oréal website. The Olay website agrees, “Popular serums are made with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which hydrates your skin, or nourishing nutrients and antioxidants, like Vitamin C or E. Find the right one for your skin needs and use it at this step.” Osborne notes that serums are excellent at helping to reduce dark spots and redness. She also indicated it is necessary to wait at least 10 seconds after applying a serum before moving to the next step. While waiting, she suggests applying eye moisturizers, another important step. Moisturizing the skin After applying the serum and waiting the recommended amount of time, move on to the final step, applying a moisturizer. Moisturizers for anti-aging skin care are designed to repair signs of aging, but there are different ones for morning and evening use. Morning moisturizers should include a strong sunscreen for protection throughout the day. “Daily exposure to harmful UV rays further compromises skin’s ability to retain moisture, leaving it looking dehydrated and lackluster,” according to L’Oréal. Of course, harmful UV rays can also cause unsightly sun damage and, worse, skin cancer. Nighttime moisturizers don’t need sunscreen and are designed to repair signs of aging, Osborne noted. Olay further explains, “At night, your skin goes into repair mode, so you want a night cream that nourishes and moisturizes your skin. Retinol is a super ingredient for this as it leaves your skin visibly smoother and glowing, making fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable”. Following these anti-aging skin care steps in the morning and the evening may help you achieve healthier and younger-looking skin. What about makeup? The time to apply makeup, when desired, is after the moisturizer step. Osborne strongly stressed the use of a primer before applying foundation, especially on older skin. “A primer,” she noted, “is especially good for older women because it fills in all the nooks and crannies. It creates a blank slate for the foundation.” Primers and foundations can be mixed and matched to achieve the desired glowing complexion. She added that Estee Lauder and Clinique have makeup for all skin types, noting that the sheerer lines are better for older people. Clinique also has a line of lip balms with varying amounts of color that also moisturize and might suit someone better than the traditional lipstick they are used to wearing. Read More Donna Brody Donna Brody is a former community college English instructor who retired to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She enjoys freelance writing and has self published three romance novels. Besides writing and traveling with her husband, she keeps busy visiting her seven grandchildren.