Should over 60s use retinol? (2023)

Should you use retinol in your 60s?

The good news is that it is never too late to start incorporating retinol into your skin care routine. People in the 60s and beyond have begun using retinol and still experienced results.

Don't start Retin-A.

Since mature skin is naturally dry anyway, most women over 70 who have never used it before will need to avoid the Retin A.

There are no set rules on how old you should be to use retinol. For anti-aging purposes, you can start preventatively in your 20s. While over-the-counter retinol can help mild acne, many people with breakouts will need a prescription.

First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions and serums. It has anti-aging effects and can help clear acne. Products containing retinol are widely available over-the-counter, and stronger concentrations of retinoids are available by prescription.

Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.

Care For Your Face

Apply retinol (Vitamin A) moisturizer, such as Wrinkle Recovery Serum. Use a high-quality Neck Restoring Cream for skin tightening. Be vigilant about using natural sunscreen, and avoid being outside during the time of day when the sun is most direct.

What happens when you stop using retinol?

If you stop retinol and do not begin a prescription retinoid, the benefit of preventing acne will go away. The skin cycle of cells being “born” at the base of the skin and moving to the top, dying and desquamating into the surrounding environment takes about 4-6 weeks.

"If you have dry, irritated skin that is lacking in moisture, choosing a product with hyaluronic acid would be my recommendation," Hartman says. "Anyone with acne-prone skin, or someone who is looking to even out tone and fine lines and wrinkles would benefit from using retinol."

However, it takes three to six months of regular use before improvements in wrinkles are apparent—and the best results take six to 12 months. Because retinoids can cause skin dryness and irritation, doctors often recommend using them only every other day at first and then gradually working up to nightly applications.

Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...

Hot take: You don't really need a retinol eye cream. If you're using retinol or derm-grade retinoids on your face, you're already covered by your current skincare routine. But it can be a good idea, in some cases, to use a retinol eye cream to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.

Is hyaluronic acid good for older skin? Yes, hyaluronic acid is good for older skin, which naturally becomes drier with age. But most skin types will benefit from hyaluronic acid's moisture-boosting properties, which is why this ingredient is included in a wide range of skincare.

Our top choice, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol, comes recommended by dermatologists thanks to its blend of powerful retinol and skin-soothing ingredients. We also liked Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+, a high-strength retinol with a smooth, fast-absorbing application.

Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.

Is retinol or vitamin C better for aging skin?

So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.

"The most important anti-aging product in your skincare routine is sunscreen," says Zeichner. "Even incidental UV light exposure from the sun adds up over a lifetime and is the number one cause of premature aging.

In addition to sleeping on Blissy silk pillowcases, taking good care of your health can help you look and feel younger as you age. This involves eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and making sure to get enough sleep.

Now, thanks to an Instagram Story by Aniston (per US Weekly), and her makeup artist Angela Levin, we finally know the secret behind her perfectly dewy complexion on screen: Tatcha's The Serum Stick.

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.

Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. But what percentage of retinol is effective? Look for formulations with a percentage between 0.3% and 1%, with retinol 1% being the strongest option.

As Dr. King mentions, peptides make a great retinol alternative. Versions such as copper peptides, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and hexapeptides increase skin elasticity and firmness, stimulate cell regeneration, and diminish creasing, respectively, making them extremely versatile when it comes to antiaging.

Loss of muscle tone and thinning skin gives the face a flabby or drooping appearance. In some people, sagging jowls may create the look of a double chin. Your skin also dries out and the underlying layer of fat shrinks so that your face no longer has a plump, smooth surface.

Historically, the United Nations has defined an "older" person as anyone 60 years or older, regardless of that person's individual history or where in the world they live.

This doesn't just include wrinkles, but things like dry skin and tired eyes, which can both be avoided. Reddit user Redhaired103 posted in /r/AskWomen that dark circles, pale skin, puffy eyes, and heavy makeup can also make you look older.

How do you get rid of jiggly arms when over 60?

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation

It has been formulated specifically not to settle into lines, its lightweight blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and aloe hydrates as it helps skin look more even.

Mature skin or dry skin types should reach for a liquid foundation, as powder foundation can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.

If you're wondering if you're clear to use your retinol as a long-term anti-aging strategy without negative side effects (like compromising the strength of your skin), both derms agree the answer is yes — in fact, you'll need to use it continuously if you want to keep benefiting from the effects, says Dr.

It's best to start with a retinyl palmitate or retinol, and to try it for three months and then have a three month break. This is due to research that suggests cell turnover is no longer increased after three months of usage.

If you're looking for more-dramatic results, a dermatologist can recommend medical treatments for wrinkles, including prescription creams, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections or skin-resurfacing techniques.

Can you apply vitamin C and retinol at the same time?

There's no problem with using both retinol and vitamin C as part of your skincare routine, dermatologists say. In fact, Shirazi calls this combo a "power couple" when it comes to aging well.

Glycolic acid is the most popular alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used in skin care. It comes from sugar cane, and is the smallest AHA, so it's the most effective at getting into the skin. Glycolic acid is a fantastic anti-aging agent that seems to do it all.

After the age of 60, it's absolutely essential to exfoliate the skin gently in order to stimulate its capacity to regenerate itself. Exfoliating also helps to rid the skin of dead cells, so the complexion looks more radiant.

Who should skip retinol? “Retinols can be a beneficial addition for most skin types, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach,” Panzica says. Board certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, notes that “people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea cannot tolerate really strong topicals like retinols.”

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions and serums. It has anti-aging effects and can help clear acne. Products containing retinol are widely available over-the-counter, and stronger concentrations of retinoids are available by prescription.