11 Best-Kept Beauty Secrets for Mature Skin, According to Dermatologists

Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. It’s your anti-aging shield. “The single most effective step for any skin, but especially mature skin, is wearing sunscreen every day,” says Gupta. “Ultraviolet light is known to accelerate collagen breakdown and uneven pigmentation, so regular use prevents further damage and maintains skin quality. Over time, people who apply sunscreen daily notice fewer fine lines, less sagging, and a more even skin tone than those who don’t.”

The science backs it up. In a one-year clinical study by Dermatologic Surgery, some participants who applied broad-spectrum sunscreen daily showed improvements in pigment spots, texture, and clarity. By the end of the study, all participants had demonstrated improvements in skin clarity and texture.

Related: How to Apply Sunscreen Correctly

Retinoids remain the gold standard for minimizing fine lines and stimulating collagen production. “[This class of compounds derived from vitamin A] has been scientifically proven to encourage collagen production, speed up cell turnover, and improve skin texture,” says Gupta. “For mature skin, this translates to smoother tone, reduced fine lines, and a healthier glow. You do need to start slowly, building up the skin’s tolerance. This means that results are gradual, usually visible after 12 weeks, but continued use helps maintain the skin’s appearance.”

A systematic review of topical tretinoin for photoaging by the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology found consistent evidence that it improves wrinkling, mottled pigmentation, sallowness, and age spots, even after long-term use of up to 24 months. But word to the wise: whether you opt for prescription-strength tretinoin or over-the-counter retinol, introduce it gradually. Start with a couple of nights a week at first to minimize irritation. Over time, regular use can lead to visibly smoother, firmer skin, according to Gupta.

Related: The Best Anti-Aging Serums

According to Hartman, "Hydration is a bit of a 'cheat code' for mature skin. As we age, skin naturally loses elasticity and firmness. Dehydrated mature skin will appear more 'saggy' and wrinkled than skin that is hydrated.

Hartman recommends hydrating mature skin in two ways:

• First, by drinking plenty of water so skin gets hydrated from the inside out because it'll help promote cellular health, skin elasticity, and firmness.
• Second, by adding moisture to your skin as part of your morning and evening skincare routines—either in the form of a hydrating serum or a moisturizer, so you’re adding hydration from the outside in.

Related: How Much Water Should You Drink a Day?

Skipping moisturizer is a common mistake that can make skin look and feel drier, tighter, and more irritated. “As we age, the skin barrier weakens and produces less natural oil, which leads to dryness and irritation,” explains Gupta. “A good moisturizer replenishes hydration and keeps the barrier intact. While this doesn’t reduce wrinkles, it does help to soften their appearance and makes skin more comfortable.”

Gupta suggests seeking formulas with ceramides or hyaluronic acid, which both support hydration. In addition, using a well-formulated moisturizer—ideally with ceramides, glycerin, or squalane (a lightweight, moisturizing oil)—fortifies the skin barrier and keeps it supple. And remember, consistency is key.

Related: The Best Night Creams for Glowing Skin

“Gentle chemical exfoliants, such as lactic acid or polyhydroxy acids, can lift away dull surface cells without damaging mature skin,” Gupta points out. “Over time, this improves radiance and helps other products, like moisturizers or retinoids, absorb more effectively.”

Regular exfoliation helps remove the buildup of dead cells that can leave mature skin looking dull. But scrubbing aggressively can backfire, causing redness or micro-tears. Instead, opt for gentle chemical exfoliants like glycolic or lactic acid once or twice a week. The payoff? Brighter, smoother skin that absorbs products more effectively.

Keep in mind, similar to retinoids, Gupta says you can expect a gradual brightening effect rather than dramatic overnight results. “I always advise patients to introduce these gradually, as they can dry out skin, especially mature skin.”

Related: Best Face Exfoliators

"You want to cleanse your skin gently as not to tug on the skin," Hartman explains. "Mature skin is thinner than younger skin and loses natural oils, making it more delicate. Pulling and tugging on the skin can cause sagging skin."

In other words, scrubbing harshly can cause microtears in the skin’s surface that can then trigger the body’s immune response, which can then lead to irritation, redness and hyperpigmentation. Hartman suggests a gentle cleanse with upward motions—that's all the skin needs to effectively clean the surface.

Over-cleansing or using harsh, foaming washes can strip mature skin of its essential oils. So, try a cream or balm cleanser, which won't disrupt the skin barrier, but will still leave it soft and balanced. Your goal: clean skin that feels comfortable, not tight or squeaky.

Related: Best Face Washes for All Skin Types

It’s important to note that topical skincare has limits. If you’re looking to improve firmness and texture more dramatically, dermatologists may recommend in-office procedures such as micro-needling, fractional lasers, or ultrasound-based treatments. These stimulate collagen and elastin at a deeper level, with results that creams alone can’t match. “Non-surgical treatments help to stimulate new collagen production, improving firmness and fine lines,” Gupta explains. “These are safe, well-established treatments when performed by a qualified expert.”

Gupta says patients will usually notice visible improvement over several months as new collagen remodels the skin, with results that are natural rather than artificial.

Dark spots and uneven tone are common as skin ages. A vitamin C serum applied in the morning not only brightens pigmentation but also neutralizes free radicals caused by UV light and pollution.

“Antioxidants like vitamin C help to decrease free radical damage, further help with sun protection, improve skin healing and stimulate collagen,” says Dr. Julie de la Cruz, a board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon at Miami Dermatology and Surgery, based in Miami, FL. With consistent use, skin appears more even and radiant.

Related: Best Vitamin C Serums

Many people focus on their face but forget areas that can show age even more quickly. Apply your sunscreen, moisturizer, and treatments down your neck, chest, and onto the backs of your hands.

After all, a clinical review from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology points out that photodamage is especially visible in those nonfacial zones like the neck, chest, forearms, and hands. Extending your routine just a few inches helps maintain a consistent skin appearance and guards against skin aging beyond the face.

That “sleep crease” you notice in the morning can deepen into a wrinkle over time. Switching to silk or satin pillowcases (especially if you’re a side or stomach sleeper) can reduce friction and minimize pulling on delicate skin overnight. According to Hartman, that means you’ll get less tugging when your face moves against the fabric. These smoother fabrics also absorb less moisture than cotton.

One dermatology review from The University of Queensland, Australia, suggests that silk pillowcases may slow the formation of sleep-induced lines and reduce transepidermal water loss in delicate skin areas.

Related: The Best Silk Pillowcase Money Can Buy

Skincare products are powerful, but they’re only part of the picture. Quality sleep, a nutrient-rich diet, hydration, exercise, and stress management all influence how your skin looks and feels. A lifestyle that supports overall health translates into skin that glows from the inside out. Gupta also mentions that, “a good diet with plenty of plants, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol intake all help to protect collagen and reduce inflammation.”

“Patients often underestimate these changes, but consistent lifestyle improvements are reflected in better skin texture, fewer breakouts, and improved healing as the years go on,” she adds.