As you travel further through life’s journey, you may notice that the skincare routine of your earlier days isn’t really doing anything for your skin anymore. Mature skin requires a different approach to tackle skin concerns and maintain it in a healthy state, and this is when the skincare space can start to become convoluted. There’s the term ‘anti-aging’ that gets thrown around, alongside products with bold claims of erasing 15 years off your face, but how should you actually go about taking care of mature skin?

We’re decoding the mystery by walking through the top ingredients to add to your mature skin routine. You’ll likely have already heard of these ingredients, but did you know they’re dermatologist-approved gems for treating signs of aging including wrinkles, dullness, or loss of elasticity? Get your skin looking and feeling its best with the best ingredients and products that get the job done without breaking the bank - just read ahead to start.

1. Retinol

Retinol is the gold standard ingredient when it comes to taking care of mature skin. First and foremost it stimulates the production of collagen, a protein in the skin responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and health. As you age the body starts to produce less collagen, leading to skin concerns such as thinner skin, fine lines, and sagging. Retinol encourages collagen production so that the skin is plumped and smooth. Aside from this, it also helps with reducing cellular aging, sun damage, roughness, and hyperpigmentation.

Combining the best of Retinol, Retinal and sensitive skin-friendly Bakuchiol, the SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum is a power player to combat signs of aging. This serum uses patented Elastic-Liposome technology to safely deliver these active ingredients to the skin, treating wrinkles, elasticity, pores and skin texture all at once with a smooth texture that soothes the complexion.

For more intermediate Retinol users, the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil is an intensive treatment for the ultimate boost of radiance and youth. It contains 0.5% pure Retinol that visibly improves wrinkles, sagging, enlarged pores and skin elasticity in 2 weeks. This oil can be used in place of moisturizer, or combined with a cream at the final step of your nighttime skincare routine.

2. SPF

Sunscreen is an absolute non-negotiable in any routine, but in regards to mature skin it’s especially vital to be diligent with sun protection. Photoaging, or sun damage, destroys collagen and elastin in the skin, and intensifies signs of aging like fine lines and sagging skin. It also slows down the cell turnover rate, making skin dry, rough, and dull. With consistent SPF application you protect your skin from damaging sun rays that exacerbate signs of aging, alongside avoiding sunburn and skin cancer.

If I could only have one SPF in my collection, it would most definitely be the BEAUTY OF JOSEON Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++. I’ve raved about it countless times for its nourishing formula containing brightening Rice and biome-protecting Probiotic, lack of white cast, and silky-smooth texture. It’s a VANA Award Winner so you know the Stylevana Family approves of this as well.

Signs of aging and sun damage are no match for the Dermafirm Moist Barrier Water Sun Milk M4 SPF50+ PA++++. This oil-free, sensitive skin-safe sunscreen fortifies the skin barrier with Cera-Drop, a 4-ingredient mixture of strengthening and hydrating ingredients including Ceramide NP and Panthenol. Its liposome technology allows these active ingredients to be absorbed effectively as the hybrid sunscreen formula blocks harmful UV rays.

3. Vitamin C

Not only does Vitamin C boost collagen production, but as an antioxidant it prevents free radical damage caused by external aggressors and pollution. This helps mature skin because free radicals break down the cells that produce collagen and other skin components that cause skin to lose elasticity. Furthermore, it helps skin shed its dullness and regain radiance.

Vitamin C and Galactomyces work hand-in-hand to deliver a surge of luminosity in the SOME BY MI Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum. This serum has undergone rigorous testing to affirm its abilities to lighten pigmentation, increase skin resilience, boost radiance, and moisturize the complexion. It also claims to exfoliate and firm up dull skin, which reviewers agree and rave about.

Keep things fun, fresh, and bright with the FRUDIA Citrus Brightening Cream. Loaded with 61% Citrus extract, this smoothie-like moisturizer aims to illuminate the complexion, improve a dull skin tone, and provide ample hydration. It’s also infused with vitamins from Jeju Tangerines, which keep the skin smooth and nourished.

4. Ginseng

An age-old Hanbang secret dating back to the Joseon dynasty, Ginseng is a choice ingredient that many K-beauty brands look to when designing products for mature skin. The herbal root is known to be a superfood that offers high levels of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s used in medicines and cooking, but as a skincare ingredient it serves many purposes: encourage blood circulation, stimulate collagen production, deliver antioxidant protection, energize the complexion, and quell inflammation. For how effective it is, Ginseng is seriously underrated.

Ginseng can be inserted at any step of the routine to enjoy its benefits, and we’re loving the mixsoon Panax Ginseng Root Essence for an invigorating splash between skincare steps. This lightweight essence uses 100% Red Ginseng extract to diminish rough skin texture and instantly perk up the skin. A multipurpose product, it can be mixed into other skincare for a zingy boost, spritzed on as a face mist, or used to make a DIY face mask with cotton pads.

The I’m From Ginseng Serum has received glowing reviews for the magic it performs on mature skin. Highly concentrated Red Ginseng extract lends itself to this highly nourishing serum that sinks into the skin to plump up fine lines and assist cell renewal. From this you can expect your complexion to bounce back - literally, as it helps improve skin elasticity and suppleness.

5. Probiotics

Healthy skin relies on the skin barrier to, simply put, keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. However, the barrier can be compromised by factors like aging, external aggressors or stress, and a weakened skin barrier prevents it from carrying out its job. Probiotics step in to strengthen the skin’s natural defenses, optimizing healing to prevent dryness, irritation, and texture. As a good bacteria, it defends against harmful bacteria and neutralizes free radicals that contribute toward skin aging.

Each bottle of NEOGEN Dermalogy’s Probiotics Youth Repair Emulsion is teeming with Probiotic ingredients and 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid to simultaneously hydrate and protect the complexion, enhancing skin elasticity. This mist-on emulsion also touts Centella Asiatica and Berry extracts to amp up the revitalizing and soothing effects. Its bouncy and smooth texture firms the skin sans residual stickiness or residue.

Swap out your night moisturizer for the Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask Barrier Jelly. As the name suggests, this sleeping mask is enriched with Rice Bran and Lactobacillus to prevent irritation during the day and strengthen the skin overnight. Think of the bouncy jelly texture as a shield that pampers as much as it safeguards; slather it on before you sleep and your skin barrier will thank you in the morning.

Aging is a natural process in life and should no way limit one’s confidence or comfort. Get ready to build an effective, skin-loving routine with these ingredients for mature skin to feel your most beautiful self! What are you adding to your top shelf today? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keep an eye on the VANA Blog, to make sure you receive all the latest news, promos, and information!

*P.S. Our Stylevana Winter Sale is still on! Shop your routine must-haves with exclsuive deals before the time runs out!