I know first-hand how difficult it can be to keep up with complex beauty routines as we get older. Between caring for loved ones, managing health concerns, and trying to stay organized, an elaborate regimen of potions and products can become more of a burden than a gift we give ourselves.
The good news is that beauty doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the most powerful beauty secret is simply self-care – nurturing ourselves by prioritizing rest, nutrition, movement, and loving connection. When we care for our whole self in this way, it radiates through our skin, hair, body and spirit.
In that spirit, I’ve put together a simple, natural beauty routine for us women over 50, focused on enhancing what makes us most beautiful rather than covering up perceived flaws. My goal is to help you pare down to the essentials so you can spend less time and money on beauty maintenance and more time on the people and passions that feed your soul.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Assess Your Current Beauty Routine
Start by taking stock of which products you currently use and whether you genuinely enjoy them as part of your self-care ritual. Do they make you feel refreshed, confident and beautiful when you use them? Or have they become another stressor you force yourself through out of obligation?
If you dread part of your routine, re-evaluate whether that product is really serving you. Give yourself permission to Marie Kondo any part of your routine, products, and your vanity (if you have one) and bid farewell to potions or motions that no longer spark joy.
Pare Down to the Essentials
When it comes to skincare and makeup, less truly can be more after 50. Here are the products I recommend paring down to for a refreshingly simple yet beautiful routine:
Skincare
- Gentle Cleanser – Washes away makeup, sunscreen and pollution without stripping skin. Go for botanically-based options free of synthetics. I recommend Burt’s Bees Face Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser and Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Foaming Daily Cleanser.
- Antioxidant Serum – Powerful plant-based extracts to nourish skin, fight inflammation and neutralize free radicals that age us. I recommend Burt’s Bees Green Tea Face Serum or try Honest Beauty Daily Green Juice Antioxidant Super Serum.
- Natural Face Oil – Replenishes moisture and gives skin a dewy glow. Badger’s Seabuckthorn Face Oil is highly rated and I love Burt’s Bees Facial Oil as well.
- Eye Cream – Focuses moisture on the delicate eye area prone to fine lines and wrinkles. OSEA Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Eye Serum and Burt’s Bees Eye Cream.
- SPF Moisturizer – Guards against future sun damage and keeps skin supple. Mineral sunscreens are best. Recommended: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Makeup
For a natural yet polished glow, all you need is:
- Tinted Moisturizer – Evens tone with a touch of sheer coverage and hydration. I recommend La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50 (sunscreen and a hint of tinted color!)
- Concealer – Brightens tired eyes and covers blemishes without looking heavy. Try this one: Well People Bio Correct Concealer
- Mascara & Brow Gel – Subtly defines eyes and frames the face.
- Lip & Cheek Tint – Adds a pop of color to lips and cheeks. Cream blush works beautifully on mature skin. I recommend Just Herbs Organic Creamy Matte 3 in 1 Lip & Cheek Tint and Bloomeffects – Natural Tulip Tint Lip + Cheek Balm
Haircare
To maintain healthy, nourished hair with shine and bounce:
- Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner – Cleans without drying, focuses on scalp and ends. I love Aveda products and I recommend Aveda Shampure Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
- Air Dry Styling Cream – Enhances texture, fights frizz and protects from heat tools. I recommend OUAI Curl Cream – Hydrating, Anti-Frizz Curl Enhancer for wavy/curly hair and Cocomagic Frizz Control Air Dry Cream.
- Scalp Massager – Stimulates hair follicles for growth. Use weekly while conditioning.
The Key is Consistency
Once you’ve pared down products to only those that nourish and support your natural beauty, the key is consistency. I recommend starting and ending your day with a simple routine focused on hydration and renewal:
Morning:
- Cleanse skin
- Apply antioxidant serum
- Follow with SPF moisturizer
- Apply concealer if needed
- Groom brows
- Curl lashes & apply mascara
- Finish with a swipe of lip & cheek tint
Evening:
- Remove makeup with cleanser
- Apply hydrating facial oil
- Follow with rich eye cream
- Give yourself a scalp massage
That’s it – 10 minutes in the morning to start your day feeling refreshed and confident, 10 minutes in the evening to relax and renew.
The rest of our beauty comes from within – moving our bodies, feeding our spirit, connecting with loved ones, laughing, loving generously and resting peacefully. Simplicity allows us to better prioritize this inner self-care.
I hope this pared down routine and change in focus from flaw-fixing to self-nourishment helps you recenter what makes you most beautiful. Here’s to more ease, joy and confidence in our skin at every age! Let me know in the comments how simplifying your routine is working for you.
Leave a Reply