As we age, our skin loses hydration, collagen and elasticity, which is why moisturizing becomes even more important over time. Choosing the best moisturizer for aging skin based on your individual needs and concerns can be a tricky endeavor. We’ve found the nine best moisturizers to hydrate the skin on your face and body and replenish what aging skin craves.
Key Ingredients To Look For
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most popular hydrators that keeps your skin hydrated and plump. Found naturally in the skin, HA attracts and holds water, making it an effective ingredient for those wanting to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ceramides
Ceramides strengthen the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss. Also known as lipids or fats, ceramides act as a glue that keeps skin cells together, healthy and intact.
The connection between these cells creates a natural skin barrier to keep moisture in and environmental pollutants and sun exposure out. When the skin barrier is weakened or damaged, it leads to visible signs of aging, sensitivity and a dull complexion. However, restoring lipids to your skin boosts hydration, which in turn improves the skin’s softness and suppleness.
Peptides
As skin ages, collagen production slows down. Peptides act as a signal within the skin cells to produce new collagen, elastin and keratin, supporting a stronger skin barrier and resulting in firmer-looking skin. Adding peptide products into your routine will give your skin the look of increased strength and elasticity.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is a powerful, well-tolerated ingredient that actively improves aging facial skin by reducing fine lines, fading the look of hyperpigmentation, and boosting elasticity. It strengthens the skin's moisture barrier and protects against environmental damage, promoting a brighter, more even complexion.
Squalane & Nourishing Oils
One of the best ways to lock in moisture and improve softness is with nourishing oils. Some of the more common oils used for the skin on the face and body include argan oil, jojoba oil and rosehip oil.
Squalane is a lighter oil that helps soften the skin and support the moisture barrier. Its moisturizing and emollient properties help replenish what's lost. Squalane also works well with actives like retinol by slowing its penetration, which decreases irritation.
Best Moisturizers for Aging Skin
For the Face
1. Bakuchiol + Niacinamide Moisturizer
Bakuchiol is a natural retinol alternative that helps minimize the visible signs of aging without irritating the skin like traditional retinol can. Excellent for mature skin types, this gel-cream moisturizer combines bakuchiol and niacinamide to visibly firm the skin and minimize the look of large pores.
2. Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator
If you’re dealing with dry skin that’s lost its bounce, this lightweight gel-cream deeply hydrates and preserves moisture in the skin. Formulated with our Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex, panthenol and rhubarb — which is rich in polyphenols — the ingredients in this hydrator will help to rejuvenate the look of your complexion.
3. Hibiscus Instant Line Filler
Worried about wrinkles and fine lines? This will be your skin’s secret weapon. Not only does hibiscus increase elasticity and keep skin looking hydrated and supple, but botanical peptides diminish the look of wrinkles and expression lines. The unique applicator lets you dispense the cream where you want it, and a gentle massage will have you seeing results both right away and in the future.
4. Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream for Face & Neck
Monoi is a Tahitian oil that hydrates the skin and helps improve the appearance of rough, dry skin texture. This rich cream also contains our Natural Retinol Alternative for a lifted and tightened appearance you’ll notice by morning. Plus, it’s also designed for the skin on your neck, which can show age prematurely, as it’s sometimes left out of your skin care routine.
5. Radiant Protection SPF Fluid
We can’t talk about aging skin without shining a light on sunscreen. Every good skin care routine should include an SPF product, and this one is formulated with both bakuchiol and niacinamide. It’s intensely hydrating and nourishing and will leave your skin with a dewy finish.
Product Picks
For the Body
6. Hibiscus Ultra Lift Neck Cream
Most of us focus on the aging skin on our faces, but the skin on our bodies is not immune to this fact of life. Let’s start just below the face on the neck and chest. This area is actually more fragile than the face because the skin is thinner with fewer oil glands and less structural support. The Hibiscus Ultra Lift Neck Cream is designed to hydrate the skin, increase the look of elasticity, reduce the look of wrinkles and tighten the neck area.
7. Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream
Beauty sleep is a real thing, and adding an ultra-rich body cream to your nighttime routine allows it to do the work overnight. Full of deeply hydrating oils like jojoba and monoi, plus our Argan Stem Cell Complex, the Monoi Age Corrective Night Body Cream visibly firms and tightens the look of your skin. You’ll wake up with softer and more youthful-looking skin from head to toe.
8. Coconut Firming Body Lotion
Crepey skin on the thighs, a saggy neck and dark spots on the backs of the hands are all signs that the skin isn’t what it used to be. The Coconut Firming Body Lotion is light enough to use, even on the stickiest warm days, and leaves the skin on the body feeling firmer, tighter and smoother.
9. Mangosteen Replenishing Hand Cream
It’s often said that your hands can give away your age. And while we’re not trying to hide anything — getting older is a privilege — loose skin and age spots on the backs of our hands aren't a given if you treat the area with a little TLC. This silky formula gently resurfaces the skin on the back of your hands, leaving them looking even in tone and texture and feeling silky, soft and supple.
Product Picks
Why Aging Skin Needs More Moisture
Our skin’s natural ability to retain water and produce protective oil declines with age. As water from the skin evaporates more quickly, the skin barrier becomes vulnerable, which accelerates the appearance of fine lines.
Our cell turnover also slows down, leaving skin looking dull and accentuating the appearance of wrinkles. All this leads to dryness, fine lines, crepey skin and a loss of firmness — not exactly a recipe for a healthy-looking, glowing complexion.
The solution to this problem? Adding moisture to the skin on both the face and body. By supporting the skin barrier and adding products with ingredients that infuse and preserve moisture, we can turn back the hands of time — or at least slow them down!
Your Aging Skin Moisturizers Questions Answered
What is the best moisturizer for aging skin?
The best moisturizer for aging skin contains hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides and niacinamide to improve dryness, firmness and fine lines.
What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizer for aging skin?
Look for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, niacinamide and nourishing oils like squalane, jojoba or argan oil to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.
Is lotion or cream better for aging skin?
Creams are ideal for dry or mature skin because they're richer, while lotions are lighter and better suited to normal, combination or oily skin types. The best lotion for aging skin depends on your preference and can change with the weather, as a lighter option is often preferred in warmer months.
Can moisturizer reduce the appearance of wrinkles?
While moisturizers can't erase wrinkles entirely, they can plump the skin, improve hydration and make fine lines and wrinkles appear less noticeable over time.
Are you dealing with aging skin that needs extra moisture? Visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner for help finding the best products for your particular skin.
