Every skin type is different and needs a specific set of ingredients, products and formulas to look its best. When it comes to mature skin, it's important to choose the right skincare routine to suit your complexion and your unique skin type, too.

If you're navigating ageing skin, there are a range of science-backed products that are proven to work effectively and help you feel your best. The key is to know which ingredients to look for and what order you should apply your products at different times in the day,

Ready to learn how to build the best morning and evening skincare routine for mature skin Keep reading to discover your step-by-step guide to the best skincare products to apply to mature skin.

What causes skin ageing?

Your skin is bound to change as you get older. Over time, your skin loses the ability to renew itself and natural proteins in your body (including collagen and elastin) deplete over time.

The outer layer of your skin, known as the epidermis, thins over time and pigment-containing cells decrease as your skin ages [1]. Not only does this increase the chance of fine lines and wrinkles but it can also increase the appearance of pigmented spots in sun-damaged areas.

Plus, other factors such as increased sun exposure (without the use of SPF), smoking and poor lifestyle choices can speed up the skin's natural ageing processes.

What is the perfect way to target ageing through skincare?

Targeting ageing through skincare means having a good understanding of which skincare ingredients are the most effective at maintaining the skin's barrier, strengthening the skin's elasticity and boosting collagen production (which all slow down as you get older).

On top of that, creating a solid anti-ageing skincare routine comes back to getting to know what skin type and skin tone you have. There are different products and ingredients used to target oily skin, dry skin and combination skin, so knowing which category you fall into can help you choose products that support your skin type.

With so many products to choose from, it can be helpful to opt for a personalised skincare routine that takes into account your skin's age and type. Software's prescription anti-ageing treatment gives you a personalised skincare routine that is formulated with your skin type in mind, packed with medical-grade skin care handpicked for mature skin.

Best cleanser for mature skin

Choosing the right cleanser is all about figuring out which formulas work best for your skin type. If you're experiencing ageing or mature skin, you want to look for a cleanser that makes your skin feel clean without drying out your skin.

If you're looking for the best cleansers for mature skin, look for skincare products with these key ingredients.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a type of beta hydroxy acid, otherwise known as BHA. Salicylic acid is great for decreasing oil production and clearing away dead skin cells, which can help your other anti-ageing skincare products penetrate deeper into your skin [2].

As you get older, cell turnover slows down, meaning the skin can appear duller and dry. Salicylic acid stimulates cell turnover which can brighten and smooth the skin, making it a great choice for mature skin.

Software's Salicylic Acid Foaming Wash helps to unclog pores, and slough away dirt, debris and oil, while also injecting hydrating for balanced and brighter skin. This gentle formula is suitable for all skin types and can be used 2-3 times per week.

Ceramides

Ceramides are naturally occurring fatty acids in the skin. This powerful ingredient helps to create a barrier in the skin to prevent permeability by locking moisture into your skin and helping your complexion to feel soft and hydrated.

Ceramides are effective in protecting the skin cells against water loss which helps to reinforce the skin's protective barrier and give your plumper skin. Not only does this lower the appearance of ageing but it also helps to support more youthful-looking skin. Software's Ceramide Repair Balm treats dull, damaged and dry skin with an injection of moisture-retaining and nourishing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and squalane.

Ceramides can be used throughout different stages of your skincare routine including in your cleansers and moisturisers to really lock in all benefits of different skincare ingredients.

When searching for a cleanser, look out for non-irritating, fragrance-free cleansers that effectively clean your skin without stripping your skin of its natural oils

Best face exfoliator for mature skin

Do you skip exfoliators because you're worried they will be too harsh on your skin? If time to rethink your approach to exfoliating!

With the right active ingredients, exfoliants are powerful in removing dead skin cells which is important for mature skin types. Not sure where to start? Here are 2 face exfoliators to consider to support your mature or ageing skin.

Peptides

Peptides (a.k.a polypeptides) are amino acids that offer much-needed proteins to your skin — most notably collagen. Collagen is made up of 3 different peptides, which can be depleted with the ageing process, in turn, creating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

However, using peptides can help your skin rebuild natural proteins in the body to strengthen your skin's elasticity. If you're looking to get started with exfoliators, look out for products featuring peptides.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is derived from plant and animal acids. Lactic acid is a popular exfoliant ingredient because it's gentle, yet provides all the anti-ageing skincare benefits your skin might be craving.

Lactic acid improves visible signs of aging by stimulating the production of collagen, fading dark spots, and age spots and even helping to smooth and soften fine lines.

When choosing an exfoliant you want to make sure you're looking for AHAs which are specifically designed to exfoliate dead skin cells but you also don't want harsh ingredients that can damage your skin. For maturing skin, lactic acid and peptides are effective, yet more gentle on the skin than other exfoliating ingredients out there.

Best face serums for mature skin

When it comes to nourishing mature skin, serums and topical treatments are a great way to produce visible results. Here are 2 of the best face serum ingredients to look out for when building your anti-ageing skincare routine.

Retinol

You probably would have already heard of the powerful effects of retinol — it's one of the most heavily researched skincare ingredients out there. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production [3].

Retinol stimulates new skin cell growth and speeds up the rate old skin cells shed which in turn, helps to improve fine lines and wrinkles as well as pigmentation and rough skin.

Software's Retinol Complex Oil targets fine lines, dark spots and dryness and improves skin elasticity and firmness to leave a glowing complexion. This gentle but effective formula penetrates deep into the skin's layers and allows you to treat ageing without prescription ingredients.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is loved by dermatologists because it is another science-backed skincare ingredient [4]. Vitamin C aids in preventing the appearance of skin ageing including wrinkles and dark spots. That's because this ingredient is an antioxidant meaning it fights against free radical damage (the toxins your skin comes in contact with).

Clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of vitamin C in improving fine wrinkles and the overall improvement of skin texture [5]. It's also a great ingredient to protect the skin from harmful UV rays which can contribute to dry skin and worsens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

When choosing a good serum or topical treatment, look out for science-backed ingredients that work well with other ingredients in your skincare routine. Retinol and vitamin C are both science-backed ingredients that are commonly used for mature skin.

Software's Vitamin C + Ferulic Serum contains a full 15% dose and is formulated with highly specialised actives designed to brighten the skin and fight ageing, while also targeting fighting pigmentation and protecting the skin from free radicals.

Best moisturiser for mature skin

Nourishing your skin with moisturising creams and lotions is key to combatting thinning skin and protecting against wrinkles and fine lines. Here are 2 must-have ingredients to add to your mature skincare routine.

Sunscreen

While not technically a moisturiser, SPF is one of the most important ingredients to add to your skincare routine and is something you should be wearing every day.

Sunscreen is your number one product for protecting yourself from ageing skin. Harmful UV rays from sun exposure cause premature ageing skin and contribute to the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Exposure to UV rays also breaks down elastin and collagen fibres, making it harder for your skin to rebuild and heal [6].

Sun protection is important in preventing age spots and of course skin cancer, which is extremely common in Australia. Software's Daily Sun Defence SPF50+ is includes UVA and UVB filters and is also non-comedogenic, non-greasy and fragrance free.

When choosing a sunscreen, make sure you're looking for one with at least SPF30+ based on the Cancer Council recommendations, which protects your skin against 96.7% of UV rays [7].

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant — meaning it's a substance that draws water into itself to keep your skin hydrated and moist. Unlike other acids that are good for exfoliating the skin, hyaluronic acid is a moisturising acid which is why it's such a great ingredient for your moisturiser.

Research shows that patients who apply hyaluronic acid cream to treat wrinkles noticed a significant improvement in skin hydration and skin elasticity [8].

When you're looking for a nighttime moisturiser, you might want to consider opting for one that contains hydrating properties such as hyaluronic acid for extra moisture.

You can also try a hyaluronic acid serum to hydrate and plump skin and attract and retain moisture.

Software's Hyaluronic Complex Serum is designed to instantly hydrate, thanks to the addition of 4 types of hyaluronic acid which help combat dryness and dehydration.

Natural Moisturising Factors (NMF) and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer attract water from the atmosphere to maintain hydration all day and help keep external stressors at bay by strengthening the skin's surface.

Morning skincare routine for ageing skin

Now you know what ingredients to look for, it's time to build out your morning skincare routine for mature skin.

Luckily, Software has done the hard work for you. With our Advanced Ageing Set, we've not only formulated the best skincare ingredients for mature skin but we've outlined exactly what order you should be using your products.

A good morning skincare routine for mature skin starts with a gentle cleanse to get you ready and refreshed for the day and ends with a great SPF to protect you from any sun exposure you may encounter throughout your day. The skincare products featured in your morning routine are:

Step 1: Gentle Cleanser

Step 2: Vitamin C + Ferulic Serum

Step 3: Ceramide Repair Balm

Step 4: Solar Fluid, containing SPF+50.

Evening skincare routine for ageing skin

In the evening, you want to ensure you're removing all the dirt and makeup built up from your day so we recommend double cleansing just to make sure all the dirt, debris and oils are gone. Follow these steps for the best anti-ageing skincare products to add to your evening routine, which can also include an anti-ageing eye cream if you want.

Step 1: Gentle cleanser

Step 2: Salicylic Acid Foaming Wash

Step 3: Retinol Complex Oil

Step 4: Ceramide Repair Balm

You might also like to consider adding in an eye cream to your morning and evening routine. Software’s Multi-Peptide Eye Serum is packed with highly targeted ingredients that are formulated to treat undereye concerns from all angles. It helps diminish signs of dark circles and puffiness, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps firm and smooth skin texture.

If you're looking for a personalised skincare routine that addresses your skin's unique needs, it's worth looking for a purpose-built anti-ageing treatment that can be tailored to your skin. Software's anti-ageing treatment contains specialised actives and prescription ingredients to treat ageing at the source with retinoids, which stimulate collagen production and increase the rate of skin cells to improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin texture.

Simply take our online consult and our Software practitioners will create a formula that is suited just for your skin concerns.

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