Day cream for mature skin: how to choose

Many women tell me their day cream suddenly no longer feels like enough. Usually somewhere after forty or fifty, the skin starts to feel drier and thinner, and a cream that worked for years seems to disappear within an hour. In this guide I explain what changes in mature skin, what to look for in a day cream and which of our products suit it. We only compare our own products here.

Short answer: for mature skin, choose a day cream that nourishes as well as hydrates. Look for plant butters and oils that keep the skin supple, ingredients that help hold moisture and a texture that sits comfortably under SPF and make-up. Does your skin ask for more? Add a serum underneath or a few drops of oil on top. Our Organic Day Cream is made for this, and with the Pro Age Regimen Box you can try the whole routine first.

What changes in mature skin?

As you get older, your skin makes less sebum, the natural oil that keeps it soft and supple. The outer layer holds on to moisture less easily, and many people notice that their skin feels thinner and more delicate. Hormones play a part too. During and after menopause, many women find their skin becomes noticeably drier within a short time. I wrote more about that in my blog on skin care during menopause.

What you notice in daily life: skin that feels tight in the morning, dry patches around the nose and chin, make-up that settles into dry areas and a face that looks a little dull by the afternoon. That is completely normal. It does mean your skin now needs different care than it did at thirty.

What should you look for in a day cream for mature skin?

• Nourishing fats. Shea butter and plant oils such as jojoba, borage seed and sacha inchi oil help the skin stay soft and supple.
• Ingredients that help hold moisture. Aloe vera gives moisture. A serum underneath can add more where needed.
• A texture that absorbs. A rich cream should still sink in, so it does not feel greasy under SPF or make-up.
• What is the first ingredient? The ingredient list starts with what there is most of. In most creams that is water. Always check the full list on the product page.
• Honest promises. A good cream helps your skin feel softer and look fresher. Be careful with creams that promise to erase wrinkles or turn back the clock.
• Sun protection. A day cream without SPF needs sun protection on top. Choose an SPF that suits your day.

Day cream, night cream or serum: what does what?

Mature skin often benefits from more than one step, but you do not need a full cupboard. This is how the products differ:

• Day cream: moisture and nourishment for the day, and a comfortable base under SPF and make-up.
• Night cream: the evening step. It does not have to sit under make-up and has the whole night to absorb. Read my guide on night cream for dry skin.
• Serum: a light layer under your cream that helps hold moisture in the skin. More in serum for dry skin.
• Facial oil: a few drops on top of your cream or only on dry patches.

My advice: start with a good day cream and night cream. Does your skin still feel tight? Add a serum. Do you mainly have a few dry patches? Then a drop of oil is often enough.

Which Abloom products suit mature skin?

Our Organic Day Cream is made with aloe vera instead of water: organic aloe vera juice is the first ingredient, followed by shea butter. It also contains jojoba, sacha inchi and borage seed oil, sea buckthorn, calendula, centella asiatica and vitamin E. The cream feels rich, but does not leave a greasy layer. It keeps dry skin moisturised for hours, softens dry patches and sits comfortably under facial oil, SPF and make-up.

Would you rather try before you buy full sizes? The Pro Age Regimen Box contains minis of the Purifying Cleanser, Soothing Lotion, Day Cream and Miracle Oil, plus a sachet of Collagen Boost Mask. Used morning and evening, the minis last about 10 to 14 days. That is enough to feel how your skin responds. You can find all products for this skin type in our collection for mature skin and more tips on our page about mature skin.

Who is this day cream for?

The Day Cream suits you if your skin feels drier and thinner than before, feels tight in the morning or looks dull by the afternoon. It is also a good choice if you want one cream that works well under make-up and SPF.

Is your skin oily or combination? Then use a small amount, or choose a lighter step such as our Soothing Lotion. Is your skin also sensitive? Our creams contain essential oils, and that does not suit every skin. Read my guide on day cream for sensitive skin first and always test on a small area of skin.

How do you use a day cream on mature skin?

1. Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser, such as the Organic Purifying Cleanser.
2. Apply a toner, such as the Organic Hydrating Toner.
3. Using a serum? Apply a few drops of the Supreme Skin Elixir and let it absorb for a moment.
4. Take a small amount of Day Cream and massage it into your face and neck with upward movements.
5. Does your skin feel very dry? Press a drop of Miracle Oil onto the dry patches.
6. Finish with sun protection, for example from our SPF collection.

The full order of all steps is in In what order do I use my skincare products?

In short

• Mature skin makes less sebum and holds moisture less easily, so it feels drier and thinner.
• Choose a day cream with plant butters and oils that absorbs well and sits comfortably under SPF.
• Add a serum or a few drops of oil if your skin needs more.
• Be wary of big promises. Softer, comfortable skin is a realistic goal.

Read more

• Night cream for dry skin: how to choose
• Day cream for sensitive skin: what to look for
• Choosing an eye cream: what to look for
• All our creams

Not sure what your skin needs? Take our free skincare test, or ask our skin specialist through the chat on our website.

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist