The older you get, the more likely it is that you’ve splashed hundreds of pounds on products that have promised miracle cures to combat any and all visible signs of aging.
However, instead of fighting the process, a skin care expert has told GB News that it’s more about working with your skin - and you don’t need to spend hundreds on face cream to soften crow’s feet or look more youthful.
Aesthetician Alison Bladh said: “What really works after 50 is a mix of the right habits, affordable products, and simple techniques that support your skin as it changes.”
She added that “small daily steps can make a visible difference”, including the addition of one crucial step into your skin care routine: an SPF.
The expert said that 'small steps' are enough to make a 'visible difference'
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A cream that comes in all shapes and sizes - and strengths - the use of sunscreen is vital to shield us from harmful US rays, sunburns and blotchiness. It’s also been found to visibly prevent premature aging, improve skin health and decrease the chances of getting skin cancer.
“It’s not glamorous, but it’s your number one defence against further wrinkle formation,” Alison declared.
“With collagen levels dropping and skin becoming drier and thinner due to lower oestrogen, it’s about working with your skin not fighting it.
“From smart hydration and gentle exfoliation to facial massage and sun protection, small daily steps can make a visible difference,” she added.
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As a result, Alison has curated a four-step plan to help those hoping to reduce fine lines and restore a youthful appearance.
1. Start off with retinal, not retinol
Although effective, retinol can be irritating on the skin, particularly for those over the age of 50.
Instead, incorporating retinaldehyde (retinal) into your routine brings you closer to active retinoic acid and can be more easily tolerated by all skin types, including more mature ones. It assists collagen production, smooths texture and visibly softens lines.
2. Use a peptide-rich eye cream
Alison says that peptides act like “little messengers telling your skin to repair and build itself”. They have also been known to target crow’s feet specifically by aiding elasticity and firmness. She recommends gently tapping the cream into your skin, rather than pulling delicate skin.
Although effective, retinol can be irritating on the skin, particularly for those over the age of 50
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3. Lock in moisture
“Think of this as your hydration sandwich. Start with hyaluronic acid, which is a moisture magnet that plumps fine lines. Then apply a ceramide-rich moisturiser to lock it all in,” the aesthetician said.
Ceramides are natural fats in your skin that help to make it firm and protected, looking “smoother and fresher”.
4. Never skip sunscreen
And, finally, the cream that will protect you from the harshest of UV rays. Even in winter, it’s crucial to add in a SPF 30+ everyday. For those with sensitive skin, Alison recommends products with zinc oxide formulas for “excellent protection”.
For a lower-cost option, SPF sticks can be affordable as well as sufficiently gentle for the face and around the eyes. “They’re less messy, easy to carry, and won’t melt into the eyes, ideal for daily use around crow’s feet and fine lines,” Alison confirmed.
