If you’re over 55 and exhausted by skincare routines that look more like a chemistry experiment than self-care, let me say this plainly: your skin does not need 12 steps.
At 68, my goal is not to look 30. My goal is to look healthy, rested, and confident in my own skin — without wasting time or money.
This is the morning skincare routine I currently use, why it works for me, and the products I'm relying on.
Step 1: Gentle Cleanse (30 Seconds, No Scrubbing)
In the morning, I’m not trying to strip my skin — I’m trying to wake it up.
I use a facial oil or hydrating cleanser that cleans without foam, tightness, or squeaky-clean nonsense.
Why this matters after 55: Foaming cleansers remove the natural oils mature skin desperately needs. If your face feels tight after washing, that’s not “clean” — that’s damage.
Medicube's Zero-Foam cleanser is a hydrating, non-foaming cleanser designed to protect the skin barrier, while meticulously cleansing it to perfection. The price point is terrific and one tube last month snad months since you barely use a pea-sized amount to cleanse your entire face. Win-win!
Step 2: Hydration, Not Hype
This is where most women overdo it.
I use one hydrating serum, for my face and one for my eye area - nothing harsh, nothing trendy.
I apply it to slightly damp skin, then move on.
Why this works: Hydrated skin looks smoother, plumper, and healthier — even if wrinkles don’t disappear. You’re treating the quality of your skin, not chasing miracles.
I use a very simple hydrating serum that delivers moisture with fermented Centella, helping skin feel calm, and refreshed. Skin1004 Centella Intensive Ampoule serum feels like a drink of water on my skin. It leaves no stick,y residue on my skin (which I hate) and absorbs almost immediately. I've been using it for a while now. It lasats forever and comes at a great price also, so check it out!
And don't forget yoiur eyes for heaven['s sake! The moisturizer and serum for your face doesn't belong around your eyes! I use Olay Super Eye Serum. It has Vitamin C, Caffeine, and Niacinamide. I've paid much, much more (and much less) for eye creams, eye serums, etc etc. I've continued to purchase this one because I can tell a real difference when using it. It's that simple.
Step 3: A Real Moisturizer (Yes, Even in the Morning)
Light lotions stopped working for me years ago.
In the morning, I use a rich but non-greasy moisturizer Olay Face Moisturizer, Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. Again, I have paid three times th is much for face creams and moisturizers and continue coming back to this one. Why? Because it works!
Why mature skin needs this: Your skin barrier weakens with age. A good moisturizer doesn’t just soften — it protects.
If your makeup ever looks dry or patchy, this step is usually the reason.
Step 4: SPF — Every Single Day (Yes, Even at Home)
This is non-negotiable.
Sun damage doesn’t stop at 40, 50, or 68. And most “aging” we complain about is really cumulative sun exposure.
Both the serum that I use and the tinted moisturizer that I wear instead of full coverage foundation have strong enough SPF formulations in them that I feel comfortable that m y skin is protected.
Why this matters now more than ever: SPF protects the work you’ve already done. Without it, everything else is wasted.
What I Don’t Do Anymore
Let me save you time and money:
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No harsh exfoliating acids in the morning
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No toners that sting or dry
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No 12-step routines
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No chasing every TikTok trend
Simple works — especially after 55.
My Entire Morning Routine (Start to Finish)
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Gentle hydrating cleanser
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One hydrating serum for face, and one for t he eye area
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Rich moisturizer
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Daily SPF (or products that have at least a 30 SPF)
That’s it.
Healthy skin isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what your skin actually needs now.
Final Thought
Aging doesn’t mean giving up on your skin — it means getting smarter about how you care for it.
If you’ve been told you need more products, more steps, and more effort, consider this your permission slip to stop.
Your skin deserves calm, consistency, and care — not chaos.
And trust me: simple done well beats complicated every time. Remember -- Age Fearlessly, Live Fabulously!
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