“Age is just a number”—or, at least, that’s what almost every influencer over 50 I interviewed for this article said. From the looks of their smooth skin as well as their impressive social followings, I’d have to agree with their positive philosophy on all things aging—but that doesn’t mean I’m not curious as to how they keep their skin looking so youthful over the years.
So, in an effort to discover their secrets to lasting youth, we asked seven influencers over 50 what their tricks are to looking (and feeling) young, gorgeous, confident, and fresh-faced.
Lorraine Ladish, 56
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“My entire life, I have slept at least eight hours, and [I’ve] exercised daily from the age of 12, no kidding. Running, dance, swimming, and now yoga are [as big] a part of my lifestyle as brushing my teeth. I don’t think I’d feel as good as I do at 56, had I not slept a lot and stayed in shape all my life.”
Skin-care routine
“From a young age, I have always washed my face [morning and night] and applied moisturizer daily. I’ve never slept with makeup on. I started using eye cream in my 20s, and then, as I grew older, I stepped up my routine to include serums. I’ve also used Retin-A and hydroquinone. I love Cetaphil because it’s inexpensive and effective.”
In-office treatments done in the past few years
“I recently underwent a Sculptra treatment, compliments of Galderma. I still have one more treatment to go. After four vials spread out [over] the course of a few months, what I’ve seen is a significant improvement in skin texture. I’m waiting to see whether there is a greater improvement in volume. I’m very active physically, so I may need a greater dosage to see significant results. But yes, I would do it again.
“I’ve also used Xeomin for forehead lines. I love a natural look, and I believe I’ve succeeded in achieving it. My goal is not to look 20—that would be ridiculous. But I look better rested than if I hadn’t had any treatments. I still have lines around my eyes, but that is normal at my age. I’m considering an upper eyelid lift before I turn 60, because I have hooded eyelids. So far, people’s comments are, ‘Your skin looks great’ and not ‘Have you had work done?’ I have no qualms sharing that I’ve had treatments, but I don’t want it to be so obvious that it gets to look comical.”
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skin care and aging
“To wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun. I’m of the generation that didn’t really use sunscreen, and we used baby oil to bake in the sun. I have a lot of skin damage on my chest and arms, especially. Other than that, I’m happy to say that I’ve always taken good care of my skin, on both my face and my body!”
Related: Which Fillers Work Best Where? Dermatologists Break It Down
Yasmin Furmie, 57
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“My best tip for feeling young is to change the attitude and belief that numbers, in terms of age, define us. It’s all a state of mind. The idea of feeling youthful, as well as looking it, comes from within. Personally, it’s also being surrounded by like-minded, energetic, and go-getting people. Oh, and let’s not forget exercise—I [go to the] gym regularly.”
Skin-care routine
“My skin-care routine is quite simple. Basic steps of [double] cleansing, serum application, moisturizer, and sunblock, of course. The sun in South Africa is quite harsh, and one has to protect [against] it at all times. My favorite product is my Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula ($25)—there’s nothing like it to melt away makeup, especially after an event.
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skin care and aging
“I wish I’d told myself that the sun is your worst enemy. I wasn’t as vigilant with sunblock as I am now. I think most important, I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that I needn’t have spent so much time obsessing about imperfections that now don’t matter to me at all.”
Grèce Ghanem, 54
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“Looking and feeling young is a state of mind! It is about being confident and staying curious while having a sense of humor and doing activities that allow you to get in touch with your childhood.”
Skin-care routine
“I have a two-step skin-care routine, one from the inside and one from the outside. Every morning, I have my elixir—which is a mix of warm water, apple cider vinegar, cayenne, Himalayan salt, and a drop of lemon. Followed by a big glass of water. I believe it is important to commit to a regimen, as it’s the best way to see results. SkinCeuticals makes my favorite cleansers. Tata Harper’s Elixir Vitae Face ($450) and Eye Serum ($295) are heavenly. Finally, I use Dior Capture Youth Age-Delay Advanced Creme ($95).”
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skin care and aging
“To have the ultimate skin when you are in your 50s, it is about starting to take good care of yourself in your teens! Taking care of your skin starts from the inside, by committing to a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, drinking enough water and exercising regularly. It is also important to nourish and protect your skin from the sun. Always follow your skin regimen every day and night—never go to sleep with your make up on!”
Arlinda McIntosh, 62
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“Realize that the word ‘young’ is relative—we’re all younger or older than someone else, so I focus on feeling good from the inside out by monitoring the energy that foods I eat offer. When I feel good, my mirror and a smile let me know that I look good.”
Skin-care routine
“I rest a warm washcloth on my face AM and PM, to relax and open my pores before cleansing. I love what rose-hip oil does for me—I use it as a makeup remover, cleanser, hot oil treatment, and moisturizer.”
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skin care and aging
“I would tell Young Arlinda that water matters. Water, as well as the use of raspberry seed oil. [The oil] will be a great antioxidant and protector from the harmful rays of the sun, [the] cold, [the] wind and pollutants. Try to use it every day. You’ll thank me when you’re 62.”
Related: 6 Dermatologists Over 40 Share Their Holy Grail Skin-Care Product
Angelique Miles, 53
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“My best tip for looking and feeling young is to do whatever works for you, whether [that] is exercise, nutrition, or skin care. Nothing is one size fits all, and different strokes for different folks—especially over 50!”
Skin-care routine
“My skin care consists of regular facials, different serums, retinol products, oils, and last, sunscreen. My favorite products right now are Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Antioxidant Essence ($68), ISDIN Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican ($38), Rose Ingleton MD’s new skin-care line, and the facial oil ($55) from Lana Ogilvie’s skin-care line. Together, they all give my skin a nourished, dewy, hydrated glow. I’m always asked if I just had a facial!”
In-office treatments done in the past few years
“At 53, I just recently tried Botox and fillers for a campaign I’m working on, and I really like the results. I just look like I had a refresh—nothing drastic or obviously done.”
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skincare and aging
“Nothing—I have pretty good skin, fortunately.”
Carla Kemp, 56
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“My best fab tip is to not believe that just because you are 50 and beyond you can’t have a body that looks like you are in your 30s—you can have it if you want it! If you take care of your body, looking and feeling younger will come naturally.”
Skin-care routine:
“I believe skin care starts with what you put in your body. I therefore drink plenty of water. I currently love products by Korres and Maison 276.”
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skin care and aging
“Well, I have age spots. If I could go back in time, I would have told myself to protect my face more by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and those fabulous big sun hats!”
Janie Medley, 60
Best tip for looking and feeling young in your 50s and beyond
“For me, it’s always been about how I feel on the inside. Yes, my body is 60 years in age, but my spirit is young. It’s how I feel on the inside that shows on the outside. Surrounding myself with positive people, speaking positively, and thinking positively [are] key! I love fashion, so writing my fashion blog and doing photo shoots is so much fun. Here I am at 60 and modeling—how cool is that!”
Skin-care routine
“My skin-care routine is pretty simple. I drink lots of water with lemon and hot tea with lemon—yes, it must be something with this lemon thing. I can always tell when I’m lacking with my intake of water, because my skin won’t have the ‘glow’ from being hydrated. Doing some form of cardio is also key, it gets the blood circulating… I love to dance! Sleep is also key—however, this is something that I need to personally work on. I’m up at all times of the night, writing content for my blog.
“My favorite must-have products include the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser [$24].I love this product because it not only cleans my face but [is] also a great makeup remover. Artistry Youth Xtend Enriching Cream ($72) [is also] the best ever! This product totally changed the game for me… for my face and neck. My skin is so toned and youthful from using this product. I honestly think there’s some kind of magic potion in it to keep away the wrinkles! [I also use] Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent [$20]. [It’s] of the best eye-makeup removers on the market. I love this product because I want to make certain that at the end of the day, no trace of eye makeup is left that could cause any kind of irritation in my eyes and this product is an excellent one to use.”
What you wish you could tell your younger self about skin care and aging
“Honestly, both my parents had beautiful skin. So in my mind, as my parents got older, I would always think, ‘This is what I’m going to look like at their age.’ I always embraced the process of ‘aging.’ You can’t slow the process down, so enjoy the journey!”
