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Skincare Routine & Order

As we age, our skin’s needs change, and a well-rounded skincare routine for women over 35 should include powerful serums packed with active ingredients to keep your skin glowing, hydrated, and youthful. If you’re wondering what serums you need in your skincare routine and the correct order of application, I’ve got you covered!

*Disclosure: I am a part of the Ulta Beauty Creates Affiliate and LTK Affiliate Program and will earn commission if you make a purchase through the links below.

Why Serums Are Essential for Aging Skin

Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas with high concentrations of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and dehydration. Using the right serums in the correct order maximizes their effectiveness and helps maintain radiant, youthful skin.

The Best Skincare Serums for Women Over 35 (and How to Apply Them!)

1. Hydrating Serum: Hyaluronic Acid (AM & PM)

As we age, our skin loses moisture, leading to dryness and fine lines. A hyaluronic acid serum deeply hydrates the skin, plumps fine lines, and boosts elasticity.

🔹 Best picks:

• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
• SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
• CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
• La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

💡 How to use: Apply to damp skin after cleansing to lock in hydration. Follow with a moisturizer.

2. Antioxidant Serum: Vitamin C (AM)

Vitamin C is a must-have for glowing skin because it brightens, protects against free radicals, and promotes collagen production.

🔹 Best picks:

• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic $$$
• Kopari Beauty Star Bright Vitamin C Discoloration Correcting Serum
• belif Super Drops 5% Niacinamide and Vitamin C Brightening Serum
• Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 MAX Brightening Serum

💡 How to use: Apply in the morning before sunscreen to shield your skin from environmental damage.

3. Firming Serum: Peptides (AM & PM)

Peptides are essential for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. They help boost collagen production, making skin look plumper and more youthful.

🔹 Best picks:

• Mad Hippie Corrective Peptide Serum
• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum For Aging Skin
• PROVENCE Beauty Dew Beaucoup Copper Peptide Plumping Serum

💡 How to use: Apply after your hydrating or vitamin C serum, followed by a moisturizer.

4. Anti-Aging Serum: Retinol & Retinal (PM)

Retinol (Vitamin A) is a holy grail for anti-aging as it helps with cell turnover, fine lines, and skin texture.

Retinal vs. Retinol: What’s the Difference?

Both retinol and retinal (retinaldehyde) belong to the retinoid family, but they work at different speeds:

• Retinol: The most common over-the-counter retinoid. It requires two conversions in the skin before becoming active, making it gentler but slower to show results.
• Retinal (Retinaldehyde): A stronger, more potent alternative to retinol, converting directly into retinoic acid with just one step. It delivers faster anti-aging benefits while still being gentler than prescription retinoids.

🔹 Best picks:

• Retinol: 
• RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
• The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
• Retinal: 
• Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment
• TULA A+ Renewal Advanced Retinal & Peptides Serum
• PEACH & LILY Retinal For All Renewing Serum

💡 How to use:

Always follow with a moisturizer and use sunscreen daily when using retinoids.

Start with retinol 2-3 times per week before moving up to nightly use.

If your skin tolerates retinol well, consider switching to retinal for faster results with less irritation.

5. Repairing Serum: Niacinamide (AM & PM)

Niacinamide is a powerful ingredient for brightening, reducing redness, and minimizing pores. It also helps with skin barrier repair, which is crucial as skin becomes thinner with age.

🔹 Best picks:

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Brightening Serum
• La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum with Niacinamide
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Face Serum – Fragrance Free

💡 How to use: Apply after hydrating serums and before heavier treatments.

How to Layer Your Serums for Maximum Results

For best results, apply serums from thinnest to thickest consistency:

1️⃣ Cleanser
2️⃣ Hydrating Serum (Hyaluronic Acid)
3️⃣ Vitamin C Serum (AM) / Niacinamide Serum (AM & PM)
4️⃣ Peptide Serum (AM & PM)
5️⃣ Retinol (PM only, 2-3x a week)
6️⃣ Moisturizer
7️⃣ Sunscreen (AM only)

Final Thoughts: Over-35 Skincare Routine Made Easy

With the right serums and proper application, you can maintain healthy, glowing skin well into your 40s, 50s, and beyond. These anti-aging serums for mature skin will help you combat dryness, fine lines, and dullness while keeping your complexion radiant and youthful.

💖 Which serums are your must-haves? Let me know in the comments!

🔗 Save & Share this post to help other skincare lovers over 35!

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