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I’m glad my dermatologist isn’t privy to my shower routine. At 45, there’s a lot I will do to keep my skin soft, smooth, and clear, but the idea of giving up very long, hot showers—ironically—gives me the chills. Alas, after chatting with top derms (mine excluded) about the best step-by-step shower routine for mature skin, I’ve accepted that it’s time to clean up my regimen.
Vogue’s Favorite Shower Products for Mature Skin
For starters, those with aging skin like me should put a time limit—and a temp limit—on their showers. “Hot water can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and vulnerable to cracking and flaking,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “It’s best to shower in lukewarm water.”
In terms of time, shorter is better. According to Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of OSVI Dermatology and Surgery Institute, spending five to 10 minutes in the shower is ideal. “Long, steamy showers are the silent saboteur of skin barrier integrity,” she says. How to spend that fleeting time? Ahead, dermatologists offer a step-by-step guide to emerging from the steamy bathroom with supple skin, and barrier intact.
Cleanse With Care
The best body washes for mature skin are simple, soothing to the skin barrier, and as cleanly formulated as possible. According to Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates, those with aging skin should seek out cleansers designed to hydrate and support the skin barrier. “I tend to recommend a cream or oil-based cleanser over a gel, which can be alcohol-based and more drying,” she says. “I do recommend fragrance-free [options] for those who have more sensitive skin.”
On ingredient composition, Dr. Shokeen recommends looking for cleansers that contain glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, and shea butter—including classic drugstore picks from Cetaphil and CeraVe. When it comes time to cleanse, dermatologists recommend holding off on scrubbings tools. “Washcloths and loofahs cause issues with bacterial growth,” Dr. Engelman says. “Using a bacteria-infested product would make you more prone to infections such as folliculitis. Using your hands is sufficient for cleansing.”
Occasional Exfoliation
After cleansing comes exfoliation—but only on occasion, Dr. Engelman instructions. “Exfoliate one or—at max—twice a week to encourage cell turnover and remove dead skin,” she instructs. “Over-exfoliation will weaken skin-barrier function, and, in some cases, trigger inflammation.”
In general, Dr. Engelman prefers chemical rather than physical exfoliants for aging skin. “There is a benefit to using gentle chemical exfoliants, such as AHAs, rather than mechanical scrubbings to maintain skin elasticity,” she says. Dr. Shokeen agrees that “chemical wins,” and she notes that lactic acid is ideal as it hydrates while it exfoliates, while low-strength glycolic acid can also work well on skin that tolerates it. Naturium’s smoothing wash contains both acids; meanwhile, salicylic acid—found in CeraVe’s SA Body Wash— is best only for those with body acne. “If you are using physical exfoliation, choose ultra-fine particles and minimal pressure,” she says.
Post-Shower Lotions & Creams
Time is of the essence when it comes to locking in moisture after a shower. And go easy with the drying-off: “After a shower, gently pat the skin with a towel—don’t wipe—to leave the skin mildly damp,” Dr. Spearman instructs. Next, within three minutes, Dr. Shokeen suggests applying products containing ceramides, cholesterols, fatty acids, urea, glycerin, and niacinamide. “These ingredients replenish lipids that decline with age,” she explains. Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Cream is packed with ceramides, while La Roche-Posay’s 10% Urea lotion treats rough or bumpy skin. Meanwhile, Tronque’s Firming Body Butter contains a blend of niacinamide, squalane, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Whether to use lotion or cream for mature skin comes down to texture preference, or how dry the skin is, but Dr. Shokeen generally recommends the former for aging skin. “Lotion is lighter; cream is richer with more oil,” she says. “For mature skin, especially post-menopause, creams are typically superior, particularly in winter or dry climates.”
Seal it in with Body Oil
While dermatologists generally agree that oil body oil is an optional last, post-shower step, they don’t dispute its usefulness in keeping skin supple and smooth. “Body oil isn’t always necessary, but it’s transformative for very dry or hormonally depleted skin,” says Dr. Shokeen. Oil can also be particularly beneficial for those with visibly dull or crepey skin texture, as well as for those on retinoids or who live in a very dry climate.
She stresses that oil on its own doesn’t hydrate dry skin—it seals moisture in rather than replenishing it—so it should still be paired with a moisturizer. She recommends layering the products by applying cream or lotion to damp skin. Then, seal it in with a layer of oil. In terms of ingredients, “Look for squalane, jojoba, or sunflower oil over heavy mineral oils if light, silky texture is a priority.” Vaseline’s Radiant Hydrating Body Oil mixes jojoba oil with coconut oil and barrier-repairing lipids, while Tata Harper’s botanical oil contains squalane, apricot oil, and the antioxidant sacha inchi oil.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to shower routine for mature skin, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Divya Shokeen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of OSVI Dermatology and Surgery Institute in California.
- Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates.
