In your 60s? This is the best skincare routine to follow for deep hydration, an even tone and smooth texture
Experts break down every product, skincare step and treatment to try in your 60s
In our 60s, the conversation around skincare often shifts from trying to erase visible signs of ageing to helping our skin look its healthiest, reflecting how vibrant we still feel inside.
But that doesn't mean giving up on skincare or harking back to our younger years. Instead, the best skincare routine is about choosing products and treatments that work with our skin's changing needs, helping it to maintain vitality and stay in great condition as the years go by.
When holistic facialist and skincare expert Smita Ahluwalia, of Smita London, is treating clients, she says that rather than focusing solely on wrinkles, she is more concerned with overall skin quality. Does it look healthy? Is it hydrated and resilient? By this stage of life, many of us have made peace with a few lines and wrinkles – what we really want is skin that looks well-rested and glowing.
The best skincare routine to follow in your 60s, according to experts
Smita adds, "For me, healthy skin is skin that looks even in tone, not patchy. It's properly hydrated and calm. When the skin is well-supported, it has a softness to it and reflects light better. It doesn't look tight or overworked.
Well-cared-for skin at this age just looks comfortable in itself, and that's what reads as beautiful." The goal isn't necessarily to look younger – but when skin is functioning at its best, a fresher, more youthful appearance often follows naturally.
Smita recommends focusing on getting the basics right: gentle cleansing, restoring hydration, locking in moisture and protecting the skin every day. She believes that once skin feels more balanced, you can gradually introduce more targeted products if needed.
And if you're in your 60s and wondering whether you've left it too late to improve your skin, Smita has some reassuring words: "It's not about turning the clock back, it's about improving the quality of the skin you have now. Even in your 60s and beyond, you can improve hydration, tone and overall skin health quite quickly once you start supporting it properly. It's never too late to make your skin feel and look better."
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Step 1. Cleanse without stripping
As skin becomes drier and more fragile, harsh cleansers can do more harm than good. When shopping for the best cleanser, look for nourishing balms and creamy formulas that melt away makeup and SPF while helping preserve the skin barrier.
RRP: £33
A good cleansing balm can feel like a mini facial at the end of a long day, and this gentle fragrance-free formula doesn't disappoint. From doctor-founded Australian skincare brand ESK, it dissolves makeup, sunscreen and impurities while helping to maintain hydration and support the skin barrier. Suitable for sensitive skin.
Step 2. Hydrate, cushion and strengthen
One of the skin’s biggest challenges in our 60s is holding on to moisture. Hydrating serums and barrier-supporting creams can help replenish lost comfort and keep skin looking plump and healthy.
RRP: £15.50
A budget-friendly multitasker that combines peptides with hyaluronic acid to support hydration and skin quality.
RRP: £60
A lipid-rich moisturiser designed to comfort very dry, depleted or compromised skin.
Step 3: Bringing back the glow
Many women notice that their skin looks less vibrant in their 60s, even when they're well rested. Antioxidants such as vitamin C can help restore luminosity and defend against environmental damage.
RRP: £62
A brightening serum designed to boost radiance and leave dull complexions looking fresher and more luminous.
Step 4: Comfort and joy
In your 60s, skincare is often less about correcting and more about helping skin look healthy, nourished and feel good. The best face moisturisers will be comforting, plumping and nourishing – to keep skin functioning well.
RRP: £79
Beloved for its rich texture and instant glow-giving finish, this cream helps create a plumper, more luminous-looking complexion.
Step 5: Pamper and protect
Nourishing and protecting your skin against further environmental damage is key to supporting its health. Top tip: Don't forget your hands. Years of sun exposure and daily wear and tear can leave hands looking older than the face, so apply any excess serum, moisturiser and SPF to them.
RRP: £22.50
A gorgeous all-rounder that's suitable for the face, body and even hair. This nourishing blend combines botanical oils including evening primrose, hemp seed, calendula and squalane to help soften and condition dry skin. It's particularly lovely for skin that's prone to dryness, psoriasis or eczema, but works beautifully on any complexion in need of a little TLC. Smooth onto damp skin straight after a bath or shower to help seal in moisture and leave skin feeling silky-soft.
RRP: £42
A gentle retinal eye treatment designed to improve the look of crepey texture, fine lines and loss of firmness around the eyes.
The top professional treatment for skin in its 60s
Smita recommends LPG Endermologie because it supports wellness as well as skin health. "What I really like about it is that it works with the skin rather than against it," she says. This holistic approach to facial rejuvenation helps boost circulation and lymphatic drainage while stimulating the skin's natural production of collagen and elastin. In turn, this can help reduce puffiness, improve firmness and leave the complexion looking fresher, brighter and more revitalised.
Unlike treatments that aim to create dramatic change, LPG Endermologie aims to gradually improve skin quality over time. It can also be used on the body to support lymphatic drainage, reduce feelings of heaviness and help improve the appearance of cellulite. "For women in their 60s, this kind of consistent, non-invasive approach often gives more natural-looking results over time," Smita concludes.
Lisa is a freelance journalist, copywriter and content creator for beauty and well-being brands. During a 30-year career, Lisa has written for some of the UK’s top lifestyle publications including Cosmopolitan, The Sunday Times Style and The Financial Times How to Spend it. When it comes to beauty, she's all about keeping it real and finding fast, fab beauty and health fixes that help fellow 50+ women feel confident in the skin that they're in.
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