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6 Best Body Lotions for Mature Skin I Rely On In My 60s
“I was blown away by this CeraVe body lotion,” Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine added. “I was surprised that a drugstore brand could be this good! I haven’t liked other well-known drugstore-brand moisturisers, either due to their icky scents or how long they took to absorb. But I knew I loved the CeraVe lotion immediately — in the first few seconds of gliding it on, my skin (like my rough knees and elbows) became silky soft. And then — the lotion absorbed in a snap! It absorbed so well that when I put it on my hands, I could resume scrolling on my phone almost immediately without smearing it with my lotion-ed fingers. This is a rave, all-around.”
Why do you need a body lotion for mature skin?
“As we age, the integrity of our skin barrier weakens, which predisposes us to dryness and rougher skin,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.
And Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, says, “Loss of collagen also contributes significantly to the signs of aging we see on skin as years goes by.” And because dry skin is duller, lacks lustre, and shows more fine lines, it can make you look even older, she explains. “Hydration from a quality body moisturiser is the quickest way to make a huge improvement in skin.”
How often should you use a body lotion for mature skin?
According to Kenneth Mark, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist based in New York City, you should be applying body lotion twice a day, in the morning and at night. If you use a retinol, the dermatologists we spoke with recommend using it at night. Retinol creams are best applied twice a week at first until your skin builds up tolerance, then you can apply them every day.
What are the best ingredients for mature skin?
“Those with aging or mature skin should look for body lotions containing hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide,” says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. “These ingredients will help to attract water from the environment, restore the body’s natural moisture barrier, hydrate the skin to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and plump the skin.” Nighttime body lotions containing retinol are also great for promoting collagen synthesis and increasing skin cell turnover rate to slough off dead skin cells and reveal new, healthy skin cells underneath, she says.
Are there other ways to tighten skin and minimise wrinkles?
The short answer is yes. There are other things you can do at home to firm your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Dr. Kobets recommends starting your shower routine with a gentle body cleanser that won’t strip away the skin’s natural oils; look for body cleansers with humectant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, emollients such as ceramides, and antioxidants such as niacinamide. After your shower, the key is to apply your choice of moisturiser while your skin is still damp to lock in hydration. Dr. Kobets recommends a moisturiser that contains “advanced multitaskers like polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) – especially gluconolacctone – as it provides gentle exfoliation while offering antioxidant benefits. You can also use urea and lactic acid, which serve as both humectants and mild exfoliants to smooth and hydrate simultaneously.” She adds that if you’re looking for even more advanced anti-aging that you should absolutely incorporate a moisturiser that contains retinol because it’s a proven collagen-booster and will even your skin tone and smooth out texture irregularities.
What should you look for in a body lotion to address wrinkles?
A body lotion that targets wrinkles should deliver hydration while actively repairing the skin at the same time, says Dr. Kobets. “Look for a formulation that combines retinol or bakuchiol [a gentler, plant derived retinol alternative with fewer side effects] with hydrators (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin), antioxidants (such as niacinamide, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10), and barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides and squalene.” Body lotions that contain gentle exfoliants such as lactic acid and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) can help anti-aging actives (such retinol) penetrate deeper into the skin. “Together these ingredients support cell turnover, stimulate collagen synthesis, improve tone, and help the skin appear firmer and more youthful over time,” says Dr. Kobets.