From retinol and vitamin C to moisturiser and laser treatments, leading dermatologists and aestheticians reveal the non-negotiable skincare steps they recommend for healthy, glowing skin after menopause

Going skin deep with aestheticians, dermatologists and beauticians is part of my job as a beauty editor so I’m lucky to have some of the best names on speed dial – or should I say zoom! Having worked with many of them for years, I trust their advice when it comes to knowing how to care and nurture your skin, help make it glow and, most importantly, look young and healthy.

Once we turn 50, our skin undergoes so many changes; there’s a loss of collagen so skin can look hollow and saggy and then there’s everything from ageing spots, mid-life acne and pigmentation. The biggest impact and most important consideration for skincare in women over 50 is changes after menopause. Declining estrogen levels can cause decreased skin thickness, increased water loss in the skin, which can also become dry and sore. So caring for it is vital.

Below, I asked the experts to hand out their one piece of skincare advice that they believe you should use in your beauty regime if you want to achieve the perfect complexion as you get older. Note: most all pointed to wearing SPF too as a top priority but that should go without saying!

RETINOL

Dr Tom Kamal, aesthetic doctor and founder of The DRTOM Clinic.

“If your skin can tolerate it, retinol is my number one recommendation. It’s the gold standard for stimulating skin renewal and bringing through fresher, healthier, more youthful-looking skin.”

LASER REGENERATIVE TREATMENTS

Dr Tego, medical and aesthetic doctor SkinMenu.

“If I could recommend just one non-negotiable for your skin at 50 and beyond it would be laser regenerative treatments. By this stage, collagen production has declined significantly, cell turnover has slowed, and years of cumulative sun exposure and environmental damage begin to show as fine lines, uneven pigmentation, rough texture, and loss of firmness. Laser technologies stimulate collagen and elastin production, helping the skin repair itself from within while improving tone, texture, and overall skin quality.”

SPF

Dr. Frank Agullo, Clinical Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Agullo Plastic Surgery.

“For a woman around 50, my list of non-negotiables includes daily sunscreen, broad-spectrum and SPF 30+, worn every single morning no matter the weather. Ultraviolet light is the largest preventable, visible cause of aging.

SERUM

Karina Freedman – Master aesthetician and founder of KarinaNYC.

“One piece of skincare advice I always give women over 50 is this: never skip a finishing serum as a last step of your routine. I like to call these beautiful elixirs “glow drops.”

“As hormone levels change, the skin naturally becomes drier, making it much harder to maintain a healthy, radiant glow. A high-quality oil-based finishing serum, infused with vitamins, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid, helps replenish moisture, visibly plump the skin, and protect it from environmental stressors and UV-induced free radical damage.”

ANTIOXIDANT PRODUCT

Dr. Cheryl Karcher, dermatologist

“Apply an antioxidant in the morning. Vitamin C helps defend against environmental damage, brightens the complexion, and supports collagen production.”

SIMPLIFY YOUR ROUTINE

Ros Simmons, beauty therapist at Curated Beauty London.

“Simplify your routine down to a handful of well-chosen products and use them consistently. In your forties, oestrogen declines and the skin barrier may get thinner and more reactive, so adding in more actives tends to cause irritation rather than improvement.

“A 12-step routine can look impressive on the shelf. But skin repairs and finds its balance through the products you stick with, not the number of steps you take. Too many steps bring pH clashes and an over-worked barrier. Fewer products, used properly, bring calm instead.

“Simplify, and the actives you do use, whether that’s antioxidants, hydrators or retinoids, can do their job without fighting each other for space.”

ORAL CERAMIDES

Lily Shapiro, founder of ATIKA Nutritional Dermatology

“Nobody talks about them but they help to rebuild the skin barrier on the structural level. That means skin can actually hold hydration, tolerate actives like retinol better, and keep pathogens out. “People talk about hyaluronic acid and other humectants, but you can’t fill a bucket with holes in it. Oral ceramides seal those holes. For women over 50, this is particularly critical.”

MOISTURISER

Dr. Carol Eisenstat, physician and founder of LineEraserMD.

“Moisturiser matters more at 50 than at 30 because oestrogen loss guts your skin barrier. Look for ceramides. You’re not adding glow, you’re replacing what menopause took.”

PERSONALISED SKINCARE

Dr Anna Andrienko, Dermatologist and Aesthetic Doctor at DrDucuClinics.

“Don’t underestimate professional treatments and personalised skincare. At 50, skincare is less about chasing trends and more about understanding what your skin actually needs. Treatments such as targeted lasers, skin boosters or regenerative approaches can complement a good home routine when recommended by a qualified professional.”

MICRONEEDLING

Dr Nicole James, cosmetic doctor @doctor.nicolej

“If you’re consistent with the basics, women over 50 can greatly benefit from implementing a treatment like microneedling into their skincare routine. This causes micro-tears into the skin to help build collagen and it can help to soften wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin.”

LED MASK

Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme Physician and Medical Director of Adonia Medical Clinic.

Red light LED therapy is a fantastic addition to an anti-ageing routine. It helps stimulate collagen production, improve skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines, supporting healthier, more resilient skin with consistent use.

And finally, a handy tip……whilst skincare tends to be targeted at the face, there’s other areas to care for too.

DON’T OVERLOOK THE SKIN ON THE HANDS!

Dr. Jessica Weiser, dermatologist and founder of www.weiserskin.com

“Hands are a commonly overlooked area for both sun protection and skincare…Hands are frequently washed and exposed to other forms of chemicals (even as basic as dish soap and water) often multiple times throughout the day. So even when people are diligent with applying sunscreen or moisturizer, most of these products get washed off inadvertently and not properly reapplied. Hands are also susceptible to fat loss causing hollowing with prominence of both veins and tendons.

“Aging on the hands shows up in multiple forms: sun spots and pigmentation, crepiness with wrinkling, hollowing with prominent veins and tendons, and also cancerous and precancerous lesions.

The best way to keep hands looking youthful is to first and foremost apply sunscreen with reapplication. Sunscreen should be applied daily in the morning and before each sun exposure throughout the day (ideally every 2 hours but this is challenging for many people). Additionally, the skincare products used on the face, neck, and chest should also be used on your hands.”