The Only Skincare Products To Buy If You’re Over 40, From $4 To $287
by Audie Metcalf
There is an est. 498 categories of skincare products that we’re apparently supposed to be using, lest we look like shriveled up witch-apples by the time we’re 40.
We have oily skin, but we are also aging/dehydrated. We have wrinkles and pores but also weirdly get pimples if we use thick night creams. We try retinol and our skin cracks into a Triscuit. It’s a confusing world.
Do not feel bad about not knowing how to navigate this world. It is intentionally designed to make you feel confused. And do not conflate this article with some ham-fisted idea that reads something like “skincare for dummies.”
For you are not a dummy.
Skincare is a $135 billion annual industry, and that number is up 60% in the last ten years. It doesn’t explode that way unless it constantly creates new “essentials” for us to try and make sense of, year after year.
But….you do need skincare products. Some of them even work! And it’s not ok to still be using some random acne scrub if you’re 38 years old and dry as a husk.
So, buckle up. This is a lot of info. But it’s sort of like Game of Thrones. Once you really invest in the characters and their arcs and desires, something that once felt utterly overwhelming to keep track of (because how many white men with beards can one person remember), suddenly feels effortless and second nature.
We’ve broken out our favorites into categories, and then given our top pick for drugstore, moderately priced, and luxury.
M A K E U P R E M O V E R S
Removing your makeup isn’t the same as cleansing your face. Don’t confuse the two.
This typically is a step you’ll only do at night, and it doesn’t have to be anything heinous or laborious.
DRUGSTORE:
Bioderma
Swipe on a cotton round. There’s a version for almost all skin types. Takes off eye makeup. Boom, you’re done.
Price: $17
MODERATE:
Clinique cleansing oil
We love a luxurious oil. One single squirt of this takes everything off, including eye makeup, and because it’s so lovely, it actually makes us want to do this step.
Price: $34
LUXURY:
One Love Organics Enzyme Cleansing Oil
So, nothing beats this “clean” oil. It removes face and eye makeup like a dream, but most importantly, it smells like a coconut daiquiri.
Price: $42
C L E A N S E R S
First, it must be said that it’s perfectly acceptable to splash water on your face in the morning and call it a “cleanse.”
But the evening is a different story.
Once we’re past the age of 25, we must do more than just remove our makeup. According to our friend Candace Marino, aka The LA Facialist, aka our go-to skin expert, cleansing in the evening is actually the most important step in your routine. “No matter what anyone says, you have the time to cleanse. A double cleanse is better, and triple cleanse is best! Taking five minutes at night to take care of your skin is time well spent, and you’ll reap the benefits for your entire life.”
If the phrase “triple cleanse” just broke you out in hives, here’s a hack: when you get home at night, just head straight to the bathroom, throw that hair in a top knot scrunchie, and do your evening ablutions right then and there.
DRUGSTORE: La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
It’s a powerhouse. It works for almost all skin types. It leaves your skin smooth, not tight. It’s a solid choice.
Price: $16
MODERATE: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
It’s a cult classic for a reason. There’s no one who has tried this cleanser who doesn’t love it. Also the perfect packaging for travel.
Price: $38
LUXURY: true Botanicals Renew Nourishing Cleanser
First, scent will make you collapse. Second, it’s clean. Third, your skin has never felt more squeaky clean but balanced. Fourth, a single pump dispenses the perfect amount for your whole face. We love this cleanser.
Price: $48
T O N E R S
Toners tend to fall under the, “do we really need this?” category of skincare. Our answer: if it makes a difference to your skin, then yes.
And whether we’re in need of hydration or exfoliation, we’ve noticed our skin gets dully and cranky when we stop using our daily toners.
DRUGSTORE: Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner
If you love that little fresh, bright feeling post-cleanse, the witch hazel in this toner tightens pores, has anti-inflammatory properties, and has an overall calming effect on the skin.
Price: $11
MODERATE: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Pro tip: products with exfoliating properties like this create cell turnover. And cell turnover is what keeps us all young and fresh and dewy. This one is far and away our favorite for that.
Price: $34
LUXURY: Augustinus Bader Exfoliating Toner
This is a 3-in-1 toner, exfoliator, and essence. In one. This line has also been crowned the “best skincare in the world” for its proprietary TFC8, which addresses fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, redness, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, even cellulite. And oh yes. It works.
Price: $97
M I S T S
Think of them like a toner, but one you can use again and again throughout the day because of the gorgeous spray application.
After cleansing, after toning, after makeup, after working out, before bed—it’s more “self-care” than “skincare.”
DRUGSTORE: Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Mist
Do you “need” a mist? I guess not. Does spritzing a gentle cloud of roses on your skin 4-17 times a day enhance your mood. SURE DOES!
Price: $8 for 4oz, $11.50 for 8oz
MODERATE: True Botanicals Nutrient Mist
Clean, smells like a botanical garden, and creates a moist canvas for the rest of your skincare routine. This is our daily go-to.
Price: $24
LUXURY: Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence
If you’re a truly dry husk, we’ve never used anything more moisturizing.
Price: $116 for 4.1oz
S E R U M S
So the real question is: what in the hell do serums even do?
Welp, according to Candace, they’re "power products” consisting of “high concentrations of active ingredients in smaller molecules that are able to penetrate the skin and go to work at a deeper level where they can create change.”
AKA, concentrated little work horses of nutrients for your skin. They can be used to “target” specific concerns like skin tone, pigmentation, aging, redness, and because they have smaller molecules than moisturizer, they can penetrate the skin more deeply.
You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you definitely can, quite easily. Something to note here is that serums should not be used without a moisturizer, or they can have a drying effect.
DRUGSTORE: L’Oréal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Two words: hyaluronic acid. You’ll see a theme on this list. It knocks back wrinkles and helps your skin retain moisture. And this is the best of the bunch from the drugstore by a mile.
Price: $33
MODERATE: Maelove’s The Glowmaker
Every dermatologist yells at us to use Vitamin C. Daily. It encourages collagen growth and makes your skin glow upon application. And this is the only one we use. Period.
Price: $30
LUXURY: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
Is it pricey? Yes. Has it basically replaced all the other “magic” potions that were rattling around in our drawers because it made our skin look wildly smoother and more plump after using for only a month? Yes.
Price: $120
R E T I N O L
Ok technically, retinols are usually also serums, but as we age, it becomes one of THE most important steps in our skincare routine. Hence why they need their own category.
They can be pretty strong, so we always recommend starting with a gentler formula, and working your way up from 1-2 times a week to 3-4, once your skin can tolerate it. Does that sound scary? It shouldn’t. These will CHANGE your skin.
DRUGSTORE: Versed Gentle Retinol Serum
If you know you want to dip a toe into retinol but you’re scared and sensitive, start here.
Price: $22
MODERATE: Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment
Almost immediately absorbs, enhances hydration, minimizes wrinkles, refines pore size, and uses licorice and oat to minimize any redness. It’s kind of a must-buy on this list.
Price: $62
LUXURY: PCA Skin Retinol
If you’ve tried retinol in the past, and have given up after your skin went angry and red and irritated and flaky, try this one. It’s formulated for extremely sensitive skin. All the benefits. None of the sadness.
Price: $115
D A Y C R E A M
If you have a moisturizer you adore, keep swiping. But if you find that you’re still too dry, too oily, too bored, we have our 3 favorite holy grail moisturizers. You’re about to find your favorite.
DRUGSTORE: Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre
There’s a reason every single makeup artist on earth uses this for runways, red carpets, movies. It leaves your skin so soft, and so moisturized, we’d pay twice the price. Luckily we don’t have to.
Price: $29
MODERATE: j.lo blockbuster wonder cream
Threw you for a loop, didn’t it! This cream has an amazingly unique texture, whereby it sinks into the skin almost instantly and provides beautiful hydration for skin that tends to get T-zone shiny midday. It’s not greasy or sticky, but will give you that (ahem) J.Lo glow.
Price: $59
lUXURY: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
The name sort of says it all, doesn’t it? There is no more moisturizing cream, that also works perfectly under makeup, than this cream. There’s a reason a pot is sold every 2 minutes around the world.
Price: $100
N I G H T C R E A M
You can technically use any of the above creams at night, too, but if what you truly desire is rich hydration that does something to your skin overnight—make it plump, dewy, and glowy—try one of these.
DRUGSTORE: Weleda Skin Food
If you love a rich, emollient, almost glossy finish, this is the cream for you. Beloved by celebs and makeup artists, it’s heaven on truly parched skin.
Price: $19
MODERATE: Fresh lotus anti-aging night moisturizer
This is that night cream where you put it on, and dream of waking up with better skin the next morning. But this cream actually does it. Packed with antioxidants, we use it only twice a week to be sure it maintains its potency.
Price: $54
LUXURY: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
If you know, you know. If you don’t know, it’s difficult to put into words how utterly different this cream is compared to almost anything else on the market. See its remarkable powers HERE and then try it for yourself. You won’t go back.
Price: $300
S P F
Yes. It’s essential. Stop not doing it.
These are hands-down the best.
DRUGSTORE: Everyday Humans Resting beach Face
Such a lovely texture. Just try it. And use a full teaspoon for your face.
Price: $24
mODERATE: EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
A cult fave for a reason.
Price: $32.50
LUXURY: Supergoop! Matte Screen
This one doubles as the best makeup primer we’ve ever used so if you’re still not fully on the SPF train, just tell yourself you’re buying a primer. Because you are. (But it will also protect you from skin cancer so everybody wins).
Price: $38
E Y E C R E A M
There are few eye creams we’ve tried that have, how do we put this, ah yes…worked.
But whether your issues are fine lines or dark circles, for our sensitive, thin undereye skin, there are no better eye creams we’ve tried than these 3.
DRUGSTORE: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
All we can you tell you is that when we forget to use this, or don’t pack it on a trip, we notice a big difference. Try it. It works.
Price: $31
MODERATE: Paula’s Choice Anti-Aging eye gel
If you’re looking for the mother lode of brightening, anti-fatigue, and wrinkle fighter, you’ve found your girl.
Price: $37
LUXURY: True Botanicals Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream
For dramatically more moisturized undereyes, this is the best eye cream we’ve tried. Its coffee, turmeric and licorice extracts are unmatched for dark circles and puff. We buy it in bulk.
Price: $78
L I P B A L M S
Lip balm can become a bit of an addiction. We need it, all day everyday, to keep our lips moisturized.
But when you find the right one, you actually use it less, because it’s doing its job and deeply hydrating. Spoiler alert: nothing does it better than the third one.
DRUGSTORE: Lanolips Strawberry Multi-Balm
Tastes like strawberries. Feels like the balmiest balm that ever balmed. One for the bag the car the kitchen the purse.
Price: $13.50
MODERATE: Glossier Balm Dotcom
If you’re looking for immense hydration with zero stickiness, you’ve found it. The only difficulty is deciding on a flavor. Rose has our heart.
Price: $12
LUXURY: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster
There’s those two words again. This lip “booster” feels like a cross between the creamiest balm and the most powerful ointment you’ve ever felt. Packed with peptides that stimulate collagen, and bursting with “filling spheres” to plump your lips, it’s actually difficult to fully describe its magic in words. Not unlike the matrix, you have to….see it for yourself.
Price: $47
M A S K S
Masks are more than a relaxing accompaniment to some candles and a bath. Like serums, they’re powerhouse products that you can slap on whenever you’re in need of an extra boost of radiance, moisture, or clarity.
And fine, they’re kinda fun, too.
DRUGSTORE: Bioderma Sensibio Mask
Truly the greatest mask for extremely dry AND sensitive skin. Nothing feels more soothing or hydrating than this.
Price: $26
MODERATE: Fresh Umbrian Clay mask
Our favorite clay mask for instantly knocking back shine, and minimizing the look of pores. And it will never, ever make your skin feel dry.
Price: $58
LUXURY: True Botanicals Resurfacing Moisture Mask
We’re not entirely sure what witches brew lies within this little tub, but we do know that we put it on, wait 20 minutes, and its lactic acid sorcery gives our skin that post-facial glow. We use it weekly. And we’re hooked.
Price: $65
S H E E T M A S K S
Though there are 5,000 sheet masks lining the shelves of your local CVS, all with cute patterns and fun names and fruity smells and very compelling prices, these 3 deliver serious moisture, glow, and radiance.
DRUGSTORE: CosRX Snail Mucin Sheet Mask
This is a slimy mask. A slimy, slimy, slimy mask. We can’t overstate that enough. And we love it. And for the price? How can you not try it?
Price: $25
MODERATE: Avène soothing sheet mask
If you’re feeling reactive and sensitive and dried out, this mask will surge your skin back to life. Soothing is the key word.
Price: $42
Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Sheet Mask
This dry sheet mask features a “bio-mimetic vector delivery system,” which apparently allows for a prolonged release of actives, and powers them into the skin. This powerful burst of moisture allows the effects of this mask to last for up to eight hours. So slap it on before any event, and you will glow. You’ll also feel a bit like Cinderella in that after 8 hours, your carriage melts back into pumpkins and your gown becomes rags, but who cares? You have another mask waiting for you. For the next ball.
Price: $22
S C R U B S
As we age, our cell generation slows down, and old skin cells start piling up on the surface of our skin – this creates the dreaded patchiness and texture.
No matter your skin type, exfoliating is key to revealing that cherub-cheeked, freshly scrubbed look. Yes, even if you’re a dry husk, you must exfoliate. It can be super low key. Fun, even.
DRUGSTORE: La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub
The granules are so fine, like the tiniest grains of pearly sand. Shocking that a product so sophisticated could be found at the drugstore.
Price: $20
mODERATE: Clinique 7-day scrub Cream
Did you use this in junior high? Yes. Is Clinique still amazing for those of us with sensitive and reactive skin? Yes.
Price: $25
LUXURY: Lancer Method Polish
Only for the true scrub aficionado, this is bursting with pomegranate and pumpkin enzymes for a hallucinagenic, resurfaced clean. It also HEATS UP on contact. If you like that sort of thing. Yes, the price is difficult, but we only use it twice a week and the tube lasts an entire year. So.
Price: $80
E X T R A S : T L D R
Ok, look. You don’t “need” any of the following 16 products. So we didn’t consider them canon.
Think of the above as the RLSTN and E of Wheel Of Fortune and the below as Q, K, and P. And if you’re old enough to even get that reference you are definitely reading the right article.
Best budget face oil: If you long for Vintners Daughter but also like paying your mortgage, we like this one even better. TRY NOW.
Best “French pharmacy” body cream: We only remember to use this because the smell is totally intoxicating. TRY NOW.
Best resurfacing pads: These are intense but you’ll see a diff after one use. Wow. TRY NOW.
Best exfoliating mask: This burns a little. Your face might go beet red for a bit. And we are never, ever without it. TRY NOW.
Best serum you aren’t looking for: Its name says it all. TRY NOW.
Toner for dry skin: And the dispenser is the best on the market. TRY NOW.
Clean toner: This is also excellent if you’re highly sensitive. Not the most practical bottle, buttttt, still. TRY NOW.
Lip product that will make you rethink injections: It’s branded as a “lip mask” but we smear it on 387 times a day. TRY NOW.
Best cotton pads, no really: They’re just so much better. You’ll see. TRY NOW.
A must-have device for aging skin: This seems like a scam but it makes the process go twice as fast and work twice as well. TRY NOW.
Hand SPF: If you’re not wiiiild about the crepey hand skin and age spots beginning to emerge on the top of your hands, wear this daily. TRY NOW.
Best shaving cream that isn’t even a cream: Its a bar. And it’s spectacular. TRY NOW.
Best razor: Not even a contest. TRY NOW.
Best body wash: Such a beautiful sud. And we can’t begin to get enough of the scent. And it’s clean, to boot. TRY NOW.
Best body scrub: The granules are teeny tiny it feels delicious. The only issue is that all the scents are perfect and it’s impossible to choose one. TRY NOW.
Best drugstore body lotion: It has a magic ingredient for aging skin. TRY NOW.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
