As a guy who’s crossed the 50-year mark, I’ve learned that my skin needs different care than it did in my younger years. The male skin care regimen that worked in my 30s just doesn’t cut it anymore. Wrinkles, sagging, and dryness have become real concerns.
Many men think skin care is just for women. I used to be one of them. But I’ve discovered that the best skin care for men over 50 can dramatically improve how you look and feel.
Key Takeaways
- After 50, men need products with retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to combat decreased collagen production and dryness.
- Consistency with a simple routine trumps using too many products—start with cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen before adding specialized treatments.
- The essential male skin care regimen includes cleansing, treating with active ingredients, moisturizing, and daily sun protection.
In this guide, I’ll share the skin care routine for men over 50 that transformed my face, plus the 11 best products worth your money. No fluff, just what works.
Table of Contents
Why Men Over 50 Need a Specialized Skin Care Routine
Your skin changes as you age. After 50, men experience:
- Decreased collagen production (down 1% each year after 20)
- Thinner skin that’s more prone to damage
- Slower cell turnover that causes dullness
- Reduced natural oil production leading to dryness
- More prominent wrinkles and age spots
The skincare for older men needs to address these specific issues. The best skincare for men over 50 targets these age-related changes with the right ingredients.
Be sure to review my latest article on 7 Best Sunscreen for Everyday Use for Face.
The Perfect Male Skin Care Regimen After 50
Creating an effective skin care routine for men over 50 doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a simple daily approach:
Morning Routine:
- Cleanse with a gentle, hydrating face wash
- Apply serum with antioxidants like Vitamin C
- Moisturize with a product containing peptides
- Protect with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen
Evening Routine:
- Cleanse to remove the day’s dirt and pollutants
- Treat with retinol products to fight aging (start with lower concentrations)
- Moisturize heavily with products containing hyaluronic acid
This dermatologist recommended skin care routine for 50s addresses all the major concerns men face. Consistency is key.
Skin Care for Men Over 50 – The List
🏆11 Best Skin Care Products for Men Over 50
After testing dozens of products, here are the standouts that deserve a place in your bathroom cabinet:
Best Cleansers
- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- [ HYDRATING FACE WASH ] Daily face wash with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to help hydrate skin without stripping moisture. Removes face makeup, dirt, and excess oil, provides 24-hour…
- Why it works: Contains ceramides that restore the skin barrier without stripping natural oils
- Price: $15-25
- Best for: Daily use for normal to dry skin
- Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser
- Oat and coconut derived, sulfate-free surfactants gently but effectively cleanse the skin
- Witch Hazel acts as a natural astringent with soothing properties
- Certified Organic Sage Leaf and Rosemary provide antibacterial and healing benefits
- Why it works: Two-in-one cleanser and toner with aloe and sage leaf
- Price: $40-50
- Best for: Men who prefer minimalist routines
Best Moisturizers
- Kiehl’s Age Defender Moisturizer
- This Age Defender Cream Moisturizer is a firming and lifting anti-aging moisturizer and wrinkle cream for men.
- Helps visibly reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines. Helps strengthen skin while improving skin texture and elasticity.
- HOW TO USE: After cleansing skin, massage a small amount of our anti-aging moisturizer for men onto face and neck. Can be used morning and night to target fine lines and wrinkles while visibly firming skin.
- Why it works: The best moisturizer for men over 50 with linseed extract that visibly lifts sagging skin
- Price: $40
- Best for: Firming and tightening mature skin
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
- Skincare set from Neutrogena, containing one, 1.7 ounce recyclable glass jar of Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Gel Cream Face Moisturizer & one, 0.5 ounce trial size Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel
- Hydro Boost Gel Cream Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid instantly delivers 6x more* hydration for replenished, dewy skin (*vs untreated skin). This lightweight, water-like gel cream instantly…
- Why it works: Hyaluronic acid provides intense hydration without greasiness
- Price: $20-25
- Best for: Men who hate the feeling of heavy creams
Best Anti-Aging Products
- Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
- DEEP WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM: This anti-aging hydrating cream with glycerin works through the night when skin is believed to be most receptive. Wake up to revitalized skin for a smoother, more radiant appearance.
- FOR DAILY USE: Powered by Retinol & our exclusive mineral complex, this non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula helps reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles by up to 50% while lifting & firming skin*. Made for dramatic results but gentle enough for daily use by men and women.
- Why it works: Clinically proven to reduce wrinkles in 12 weeks
- Price: $25-30
- Best for: The best anti aging cream for men over 50 who want to reduce deep wrinkles
- Brickell Men’s Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream
- What It Does: This anti aging cream for men significantly diminishes wrinkles, lines, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging. An unscented product.
- Who It’s For: Men of any age with any skin type, especially dry, sensitive, and starting to age faces
- How It Works: Our men’s anti aging cream uses an exclusive combination of powerful, natural ingredients. It absorbs quickly to firm, smooth, and tighten skin.
- Why it works: Natural and organic ingredients like DMAE and MSM
- Price: $55-75
- Best for: Men who prefer premium, natural options
- Baxter of California Under Eye Complex
- It helps to smooth and tone the delicate skin around the eyes.
- Infused with Caffeine, antioxidant vitamins and seaweed extract, it Reenergizes skin and fights wrinkles.
- Created specifically for men, The new under eye complex immediately minimizes puffiness and dark circles.
- Why it works: Targets the thinner skin around eyes with caffeine and seaweed extract
- Price: $28-35
- Best for: Reducing dark circles and puffiness
Best Serums
- The Ordinary Anti-Aging Serum for Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- ADVANCED ANTI-AGING FORMULA: A skin-firming serum that targets the look of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting firmer and plumper skin.
- TWO GENERATIONS OF MATRIXYL: Combines Matrixyl 3000 and Matrixyl Synthe’6 peptides to help support skin’s natural collagen and smooth the look of fine lines.
- Why it works: Multi-peptide serum that targets multiple signs of aging
- Price: $15 – 20
- Best for: Budget-conscious men wanting effective ingredients
- Obagi Professional-C Vitamin C Serum
- Supercharge Your Glow: Harnessing the power of L-ascorbic acid, the industry’s gold standard of vitamin C our highest concentrated serum helps brighten skin tone, reduce signs of past skin damage and minimize the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
- Highly Concentrated Vitamin C: Known as the purest form of Vitamin C, L-ascorbic Acid is formulated at pH levels shown to optimize stability, permeability, and efficacy to help neutralize free radicals and fortify the skin barrier defenses
- Clinically Tested: 91% of users reported skin appeared bright and more hydrated in a consumer study, data on file at Obagi Cosmeceuticals LLC
- Why it works: Vitamin C formula that protects from environmental damage and brightens skin
- Price: $100-130
- Best for: Men serious about preventing further aging
Best Sun Protection
- EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen SPF 46
- CLEAR SUNSCREEN FOR FACE: This transparent zinc oxide sunscreen lotion is lightweight and silky, designed to blend into your skin without leaving a whitish cast or residue.
- ACNE SUNSCREEN: Elta MD UV Clear is an oil-free sunscreen that offers lightweight, non-greasy sun protection for acne-prone skin.
- Why it works: Doesn’t leave a white cast and contains niacinamide to calm skin
- Price: $40-50
- Best for: Daily protection for men with normal skin
- Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
- GAME-CHANGING SUNSCREEN – Unseen Sunscreen is a 100% invisible, weightless, scentless body sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF & skincare benefits, specially formulated for the body.
- NOURISHING PROTECTION – With a silky, nourishing, glide-able gel formula, this innovative SPF delivers the moisturizing, fast-absorbing power of our #1 bestseller for face & optimizes it for body to help retain moisture on skin prone to dryness.
- KEY INGREDIENTS – Olive leaf & fruit extracts help retain moisture, soothe & reinforce skin’s natural barrier. A plant-derived emollient delivers moisture without a greasy after-feel. Fluid elastomers wrap skin in an ultrasoft layer of protection.
- Why it works: Totally clear formula works on all skin tones
- Price: $36
- Best for: Men who hate the look and feel of traditional sunscreens
Skin Care Tips Specifically for Men Over 50
Beyond products, these practices will improve your skin’s health:
- Stay hydrated – Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
- Get enough sleep – Aim for 7-8 hours nightly for cell regeneration
- Manage stress – Practice meditation or deep breathing
- Eat skin-supporting foods – Focus on omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and protein
- Consider professional treatments – Monthly facials or annual chemical peels
Mens skin care after 60 requires even more attention to hydration and gentleness, so adjust accordingly if you’re in that age group.
Special Considerations for Different Skin Types
The best skin care products for men over 40 might not work the same after 50. Here’s how to adjust based on your skin type:
Dry Skin
- Use cream cleansers rather than foaming ones
- Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp
- Consider facial oils at night
Oily Skin
- Use gel-based products
- Don’t skip moisturizer (try oil-free formulations)
- Use salicylic acid treatments weekly
Sensitive Skin
- Avoid fragranced products
- Look for soothing ingredients like aloe and oat extract
- Patch test new products before full application
Skin care for black men over 50
- Focus on preventing ashiness with intense moisturizers
- Address hyperpigmentation with vitamin C serums
- Use sunscreen daily (yes, darker skin needs protection too)
How to Build Your Skincare Routine After 50
If you’re just starting out, don’t try everything at once. Here’s how to build a skincare routine for 50 year old man:
- Start with cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen for two weeks
- Add a retinol product once weekly, gradually increasing frequency
- Incorporate specialized treatments like eye creams and serums
- Consider adding weekly treatments like exfoliation or masks
Remember, consistency trumps complexity. The skincare routine for men over 50 that works is the one you’ll actually follow every day.
FAQs
What is the best skin care line for over 50?
While individual products from different brands made my top 11 list, consistent lines include Kiehl’s Age Defender series, Brickell Men’s, and CeraVe’s anti-aging collection. The best depends on your specific skin concerns and budget.
What is the best skin care routine for over 50?
The most effective routine includes cleansing, treating with active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, moisturizing, and sun protection. Tailor this basic framework to your specific needs.
What skincare should I use in my 50s?
Focus on products with retinoids, peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and sunscreen. These ingredients address the major concerns of aging skin.
Which cream is best for age 50?
Moisturizers with peptides and growth factors like Kiehl’s Age Defender provide the best combination of hydration and anti-aging benefits for most men.
How can I improve my skin after 50?
Beyond products, improving diet, sleep, hydration, and stress management will significantly enhance your skin’s appearance. Consider professional treatments for more dramatic results.
Final Thoughts
The best time to start caring for your skin was in your 20s. The second best time is now. Implementing even a basic routine can yield noticeable improvements within weeks.
Remember that aging is natural, and the goal isn’t to look 25 again. The right skin care for men over 50 will help you look like the best version of yourself at your current age.
Have you tried any of these products? What’s working for your aging skin? Drop a comment below to share your experience.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Rick Huey is a fitness writer who has dedicated his life to living an active lifestyle. With more than 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, Rick is a respected contributor for FitFab50.com, where he shares his wealth of knowledge with a wide audience. His dedication to promoting the benefits of living an active lifestyle has inspired many people to pursue their own fitness journeys with enthusiasm and dedication.
Last update on 2025-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API