Tis the season for gift giving, treating yourself and all things holly jolly! With the holidays right around the corner, if you’re like us, you’re scrambling to finish up your gift shopping for loved ones (and maybe yourself—no judgment!). And while holiday shopping is a fun way to spoil friends and family, it can be difficult to decide what to get them—especially the moms and grandmothers of our lives. One gift that never goes out of style? Skincare! Taking care of your skin is always a good idea all year round for everyone. To help you out, we asked a top dermatologist what she would gift her mom and grandmother, or any of the women in her life over 40. Keep reading for the best skin care gifts for mature skin.
What to look for in skin care for mature skin
Just like how dry skin, oily skin and acne-prone skin has certain needs, so does mature skin. There are certain ingredients and formulas to look for when it comes to choosing the best skin care for your specific skin type.
As we age, our skin’s natural collagen production declines, which can lead to those pesky skin issues we notice like fine lines and wrinkles and a loss of elasticity. Also, this loss of collagen, as well as hormonal changes, can cause our skin to become extra dry. That’s why looking for products and ingredients that are hydrating, nourishing and firming are key when choosing skin care for mature skin.
Some of the best ingredients that are known to work wonders for these skin concerns are hyaluronic acid (a humectant that hydrates and plumps skin), retinol (which firms and smooths skin) and exfoliants like glycolic and lactic acids. While there are many, many others that may work for you, those are some of the most common and widely used for mature skin.
8 best skin care products for mature skin to gift
Keep reading for the best skin care to gift to those in your life with mature skin (or yourself!), according to Madeleine Gantz, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.
Best skin care gifts for fine lines and wrinkles
While there are lots of creams and serums that claim to work like Botox, Dr. Gantz says there’s nothing that really compares to Botox’s ability to smooth wrinkles—which is why she recommends giving a gift card for Botox for those looking to smooth wrinkles. “(I would gift) a gift certificate to receive Botox or Dysport (another muscle relaxer) with a board-certified dermatologist. Most of our wrinkles at the age of 40 are created by repetitive muscle movement,” she explains. “Botox and Dysport are neuromodulators that relax muscles to prevent those lines and wrinkles from forming. No cream can do what Botox or Dysport can achieve with regard to wrinkles.”
However, while there may not be products out there that perform as well as Botox for smoothing wrinkles, there are products that can certainly help reduce these wrinkles. We like Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Serum, which has gone viral on social media for a reason. Many call it a “Botox in a bottle,” thanks to its powerful retinol alternative, resveratrol, which firms and smooths fine lines and wrinkles, as well as its hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen.
Best skin care gifts for dry, mature skin
Dealing with dry skin can be so frustrating and can feel so uncomfortable, especially if dealing with flaking too. Thankfully, there are ingredients out there like hyaluronic acid that can do wonders for helping your skin retain moisture. Dr. Gantz likes Ourself HA+ Replenishing Serum. “This product has a unique delivery system that allows it to penetrate the outer layer of our skin with more efficacy than other HA (hyaluronic acid) products,” says Dr. Gantz. “HA is a humectant, meaning that it helps retain moisture, thus it is particularly helpful for dry skin.”
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, one of our favorites is Korres Black Pine Primus 6xHA Wrinkle Smoothing Booster Serum. This serum is a water-gel formula that has a combination of six different types of hyaluronic acids, as well as black pine bud which is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins to further nourish and replenish skin.
Best skin care gift for dull, mature skin
To revive dull skin, Dr. Gantz recommends SkinBetter AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads. Addressing dull skin often comes down to exfoliation, which is exactly what these pads do. “These pads contain retinoid with glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids to gently exfoliate the skin to improve skin radiance,” explains Dr. Gantz. “They can be used up to three times weekly at night.”
Best skin care gifts for mature under-eye skin
The skin underneath our eyes is thinner than the rest of our skin, so it’s important to be gentle when treating it. One of the biggest issues many of us face with our under eyes is dark circles. To the rescue? Vitamin K, which is brightening and helps improve blood circulation.
Dr. Gantz’s favorite eye cream to aid with dark circles is ISDIN K-Ox Eye Cream, which contains vitamin K to brighten, as well as hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to help restore elasticity and moisture.
Best skin care gifts for melasma or hyperpigmentation
“Pavise Dynamic Age Defense is a must-have product for anyone struggling with melasma or hyperpigmentation,” claims Dr. Gantz. “It contains skin brighteners and antioxidants and uses a patented diamond core technology to improve delivery of its active ingredients,” she says. “It should be the last step in your skincare routine as it contains mineral UV protection that doesn’t leave a white cast (so it serves as your sunscreen as well).”
Best skin care devices for mature skin to gift
Skin care devices like LED masks are all the rage at the moment and make great gifts. Dr. Gantz suggests Omnilux Contour Face Light Therapy Mask, a “red light device that helps to decrease inflammation and stimulate collagen. It’s a great thing to use in the evening while reading or scrolling before bedtime.”
Skin care to not gift this season
While there are lots of picks that we absolutely recommend splurging on as a gift to loved ones or yourself, there are products that are not worth spending a lot of money on. “I’d avoid breaking the bank when it comes to cleansers and moisturizers,” says Dr. Gantz. “There are plenty of great drugstore options like Cetaphil, Cerave and Vanicream that will do the trick!”
