Which Cleanser and Night Cream Should You Use After 60?
After 60, skin becomes thinner, produces less oil and takes longer to recover after washing. Here we explain which cleanser to use at night, which cream genuinely helps and which habits are worth dropping.
What happens to your skin after 60
A bar of soap has a pH of nine or ten. Facial skin, by contrast, sits at around five. On top of that, after 60 the skin takes longer to restore its acidity after washing.
After menopause, skin loses about 30% of its collagen within five years. It becomes thinner and produces less oil. That is why it is common for your face to feel tight when you step out of the shower. What it lacks is not so much water as the lipids that hold water in.
Which cleanser to use at night
The goal is to clean the skin without stripping away those lipids. The most suitable options are a cleansing milk or a syndet, that is, a soap-free cleanser with a pH close to 5.5.
Use lukewarm water. Hot water washes away what little oil your skin has left.
Which night cream actually works
In the 1990s, Peter Elias's team in San Francisco found that aged skin repairs its barrier more slowly. They also observed that it recovers faster with a blend in which cholesterol predominates, not just with the ceramides that many advertisements highlight.
On the label, look for these ingredients: cholesterol, ceramides, fatty acids and glycerin. Apply the cream while your face is still damp.
If your skin is very dry, you can add a very thin layer of petroleum jelly on top. It helps slow down evaporation.
Can you use retinol after 60?
Yes, and there is evidence to support it. In people over 80, a retinol lotion increased collagen within six months.
To minimise irritation, start with two nights a week, at a low concentration, applied over your moisturiser. Retinol makes skin more sensitive to the sun, so you need sunscreen every morning.
If you share the product with someone younger, bear in mind that retinoids are not recommended during pregnancy.
Three mistakes to avoid
Exfoliating every night. Scrub granules and acids irritate thin skin, which then takes days to recover.
Using fragranced creams. Fragrance allergy is one of the most common allergies seen in clinics. If "parfum" appears in the ingredient list, it is best to leave it on the shelf.
Assuming all itching is dryness. If your body itches for weeks even though you moisturise, the cause may lie in the kidneys, liver, thyroid or a medication.
When to see a doctor or dermatologist
Persistent itching that does not improve with moisturising should be assessed by a doctor. If you notice a spot that is changing or a sore that will not heal, see a dermatologist.
Skin repairs itself at night. After 60 it still does, but it takes longer to finish the job.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it best not to wash your face with soap after 60?
Bar soap has a pH of nine or ten, while facial skin sits at around five. At this age, the skin takes longer to restore its acidity after washing.
What ingredients should a night cream for mature skin contain?
Cholesterol, ceramides, fatty acids and glycerin. Ideally, it should be fragrance-free.
How often should I use retinol if I start after 60?
Two nights a week, at a low concentration and applied over your moisturiser. Use sunscreen every morning.
Is it normal for skin to itch even when I moisturise?
If body itching lasts for weeks despite moisturising, it may be due to the kidneys, liver, thyroid or a medication. In that case, see a doctor.
Informative article written with the help of AI tools from the verified script of the video. The video is in Spanish.