Before choosing a mature skin moisturizer, it’s essential to first understand how your skin changes over time. Here are some of the structural changes that occur as you age:

 

• Less Collagen and Elastin: There’s a decrease in several components that your skin needs to remain firm, smooth, and plump over time (such as collagen and elastin).

• Decrease in Sebum Production: As you age, your skin produces less sebum, an oily substance that helps the skin retain moisture. This can leave mature skin looking and feeling drier.

• Compromised Skin Barrier: Research shows that your skin’s protective barrier (the outermost layer of your skin) may become thinner with age^.1 A weakened skin barrier can make it harder for your skin to keep moisture in and potential irritants out.
  
  

These internal changes can also be influenced by a person’s lifestyle, environment, and overall health. For example, dryness in mature skin may be worsened by harsh cleansers, low humidity, and decreased mobility over time. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, certain medications and medical conditions may also contribute to dry, itchy skin in older adults.²

What Is Mature Skin?

In skincare, the term “mature skin” is used to describe skin that’s showing natural signs of aging. Some common signs of aging include skin discoloration (also known as “dark spots” or “age spots”), uneven texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and loose or sagging skin. Research also shows that, because the skin becomes thinner with age, mature skin may have more visible veins and can be more prone to bruising.²

As mentioned above, mature skin can lose moisture easily, which is why older adults often experience dry, flaky, and itchy skin on their face or body. It may also appear scaly, flaky, or ashy in appearance. There’s no particular age in which your skin is considered “mature”—signs of aging can develop due to many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including genetics, hormones, lifestyle, and environment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, although signs of aging can begin as early as 25, people generally seek out anti-aging skincare products between the ages of 40 and 55.³

Choosing a Body Moisturizer for Mature Skin

Body moisturizers can offer several benefits for mature skin. For example, CeraVe’s body moisturizers with three essential ceramides can help maintain and restore your skin’s protective barrier. Our moisturizers are developed with dermatologists to deliver long-lasting hydration and help the skin retain moisture. Keeping your skin properly hydrated can help improve the appearance of dry, crepey skin on your body and give it a more radiant, youthful-looking appearance

 

But before you slather on any body lotion, there are a few factors to consider. Keep reading to discover CeraVe’s top tips and steps for choosing a body moisturizer for aging skin.

Step 1: Find the ideal moisturizer type for mature skin

There are nearly endless body moisturizer options to choose from—including body lotions, ointments, creams, and oils. Finding the right one for your skin’s needs is largely a matter of personal preference. However, if you have mature skin, you may want to reach for a thicker formula like a body cream or ointment—especially if you have very dry, itchy, or flaky skin. These formulas often include a higher oil-to-water ratio than lotions, and therefore, can be more intensely hydrating for dry mature skin.

Note: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends skipping body oils if you’re an older adult, as these slippery formulas may increase the risk of falls.²

Step 2: Understand your skin type

Everyone’s skin matures over time, and this is true regardless of your skin type, whether it’s dry, oily, normal, combination, or sensitive. Mature skin is not considered a skin type in itself. This is why it’s best to choose a moisturizer that’s suitable for both mature skin and your actual skin type. It’s also worth considering if your skin type has changed over time since skin can become drier with age. Reading the product label carefully can help you determine whether a particular mature skin moisturizer is suitable for your skin.

Step 3: Look for beneficial ingredients for mature skin

Your body moisturizer for mature skin should include beneficial ingredients that are recommended by dermatologists. As the #1 dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand in the Canada,* CeraVe moisturizers include carefully-selected ingredients that are backed by science. You’ll find ceramides in all of our moisturizers—these lipids are like the glue that holds your skin cells together.
A skincare routine with ceramides can help support your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which, as we learned above, may weaken with age. Other helpful ingredients to look for in CeraVe’s mature skin moisturizers include dimethicone, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Many of our moisturizers for mature skin also contain MVE Delivery Technology, which delivers a steady stream of moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration.

Step 4: Choose formulas developed with dermatologists

Dermatologists are the experts of the skincare world. They’re trained to understand the needs of mature skin and the best ways to help care for it. That’s why it’s important to look for body moisturizers that are formulated with (and recommended by) dermatologists. All CeraVe products—including our moisturizers for mature skin—are developed with dermatologists. This way, you can feel confident that your body moisturizer is expertly formulated to help your mature skin look and feel its best.

Step 5: Avoid body moisturizers with fragrance

CeraVe’s body moisturizers for mature skin are formulated without fragrance—and for good reason. Fragrance chemicals can add a pleasant scent to your skincare products, but they can also irritate your skin or trigger allergic reactions. We recommend opting for body moisturizers that are labeled “fragrance-free” if you have mature skin since older skin tends to be drier, thinner, and may be more sensitive.

Step 6: Consider your skin concerns

Age-related skin concerns on your body may differ slightly from those on your face. For this reason, we suggest looking for moisturizer formulas that are designed to help address your primary body care concerns. For example, as you age, you may find that rough, flaky patches of skin worsen on your elbows, knees, and heels. One way to help alleviate uncomfortable dry patches in these areas is with an occlusive skin protectant—such as an ointment that contains petrolatum.

Note: If your mature skin is chronically itchy, uncomfortable, or cracks, bleeds, or interferes with your quality of life, it’s important to consult your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist.

CeraVe Body Moisturizers

Here are three of CeraVe’s top-rated moisturizers for mature skin that can help support smoother, softer, and more youthful-looking skin.

 

For normal to dry mature skin: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is an ideal moisturizer for mature skin that is normal to dry. This oil-free body moisturizer with hyaluronic acid is non-greasy and makes an excellent option for those who prefer a lightweight lotion formula. It gently moisturizes mature skin, helps restore the protective skin barrier, and leaves your skin feeling comfortable. Plus, the hydrating formula also features our MVE Delivery Technology, which continually releases moisturizing ingredients to support hydration levels all day long.

For dry to very dry mature skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

When it comes to caring for mature skin from head to toe, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream checks all the boxes. This barrier-restoring body and face cream for mature skin can be used daily to restore the look and feel of supple, smooth, and healthy-looking skin. It features hyaluronic acid, ceramides, MVE Technology, and a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formula. We recommend CeraVe Moisturizing Cream if you’re looking for a rich, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing moisturizer that has a thicker cream texture than our Daily Moisturizing Lotion.

For very dry, rough mature skin:

CeraVe Healing Ointment

 Ointments are typically considered the thickest moisturizer option, which can make them a helpful tool for improving the appearance of extremely dry, flaky, and rough skin patches on the body. Ointments, such as CeraVe Healing Ointment, usually contain occlusive ingredients (such as petrolatum) that form a protective barrier on top of the skin–-sealing in moisture and preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Formulated with 46.5% petrolatum, as well as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, our Healing Ointment is designed to temporarily protect, soothe, and hydrate your skin. The formula is fragrance-free, lanolin-free, non-comedogenic, and suitable for all skin types—making it a useful moisturizer for older skin.

CeraVe Tip: All of the body moisturizers mentioned above are also suitable for use on your face, allowing you to simplify and streamline your daily skincare routine for mature skin. When in doubt, ask your dermatologist which type of facial moisturizer is best for your skin’s unique needs.

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and mature skin concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.

1. Rawlings, A. V. “The Stratum Corneum and Aging.” Springer eBooks, 2016, pp. 67–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-47398-6_7.

2. Ludmann, Paula, MS. “How To Care for Your Skin in Your 60s and 70s.” American Academy of Dermatology Association, 8 Sept. 2021.

3. “Wrinkles.” Cleveland Clinic, 27 Jul. 2022.