10 Skin Solutions That Don’t Require a Dermatologist

4. Solution: Pay attention to your neck.

Legendary writer Nora Ephron wrote a great book titled I Feel Bad About My Neck. Most women over 50 tell me they do, too. Neglected for decades, passed over for sunscreen and pampering and now scrunched by “tech neck” as we hover over cellphones and laptops, the choice becomes a neck lift or turtleneck. It’s not too late. Though you could extend your face care routine down to your collarbones, most women say having a separate neck cream encourages consistent care. The same power ingredients that work for your face also improve the dry, thin skin of the neck. Just remember to apply and blend upwards (not chin down!) to work against gravity that exacerbates sag and wrinkles. Try the StriVectin Peptight Tightening Neck Serum Roller ($79, ulta.com) with a handy peptide-serum-infused roller, the rich RoC Multi Correxion Crepe Repair Face & Neck Cream ($31, cvs.com) with firming peptides and the ThisWorks Perfect Cleavage & Neck Serum ($58, nordstrom.com) with hyaluronic acid algae extract that works on its own (no cream required). Your V-neck tops are waiting.

Left to right: CeraVe Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm; Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator Cleanser.

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5. Solution: Use multiple cleansers to improve results.

Your face cleanser doesn’t get the attention moisturizer does, but it should since washing can be your first line of defense against incoming dryness and wrinkles. While pre-saturated cleansing wipes got our attention for a while, save them for travel and start a multicleansing strategy that’s in sync with aging skin. Start the day with a silky hydrating cleanser with hyaluronic acid or glycerin such as Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser ($12, walgreens.com) — it will soften skin, plump up lines and also complement any serums and creams you use without any ingredient conflict that can cause irritation. In the evening, makeup wearers should do a double-cleanse starting with a balm like the CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm ($14, ulta.com) or an oil-based cleanser like the Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil ($32, sephora.com) to dissolve foundation and tinted moisturizer, blush and bronzer and sunscreen, and follow with the same morning cleanser if necessary. Once a week, do a power wash with a gentle exfoliating cleanser like Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliating Cleanser ($19, cvs.com) that enables you to carefully buff off dead cells on the surface that linger due to naturally slowed cell turnover and block penetration of moisturizer and serums. Though there are plenty of chemical formulas, you’ll have more control with a very refined physical exfoliating powder. A cautionary note: If you are using a retinol or bakuchiol product at night, avoid using an exfoliating cleanser on the same day. Retinol and bakuchiol are already doing that exfoliation work.

Left to right: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum; Olay Super Serum.

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6. Solution: Try a serum to reboot a lazy moisturizer.

Think your everyday moisturizer has stopped doing its job? Don’t toss it. All it may need is a serum applied just beneath to provide the extra reactivating push. If you’re new to serums, they are just highly concentrated liquids with small molecules and a silky feel that deliver specific active ingredients deep into your skin’s epidermis. When applied sandwich style after cleanser and before a day or night cream, a serum supports and amplifies the formula. Which serum you choose depends on your complexion’s current needs. If you want extra moisture, try a hyaluronic acid serum like L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($36, walgreens.com). Looking for more radiance or hoping to minimize dark spots? Opt for a vitamin C serum like Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ($34, ulta.com) to improve both. Want to reduce discolorations, smooth lines and improve moisture? A multi-ingredient serum like Olay Super Serum ($35, cvs.com) with glycerin, vitamin C, niacinamide and peptides does it.

7. Solution: Opt for bakuchiol to roll back sun damage.

Derms call retinol the “gold standard” ingredient for wrinkle-minimizing. But let’s be honest, it does have a history of causing redness, dryness, flaking and irritation, causing many women to hesitate about trying it again or for the very first time. The good news is that many of these issues have been resolved with a plant-based alternative to retinol called bakuchiol. Reported to deliver similar collagen boosting, fading of brown spots and wrinkle reduction, it’s sometimes combined with a low dose of retinol as in the Skintensive Bakuchiol + Retinol Dual Renewal PM Cream ($36, target.com) to reduce retinol’s sensitivity. It’s also very effective on its own in a serum like Beekman 1802 Dream Booster Bakuchiol Better Aging Serum ($29, ulta.com), which layers under any basic hydrating moisturizer or as a standalone hero in moisturizers like the Burt’s Bees Renewal Firming Moisturizing Cream with Bakuchiol ($23, cvs.com) and Dr. Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Cream ($64, sephora.com).

Left to right: Hero Bright Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream; The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream.

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8. Solution: Choose an eye cream that solves your issues.

No, your face moisturizer won’t do the job. Neither will any old eye cream on sale. The secret is finding a formula that’s designed to treat the extra thin, super-dry eye area (at 50, it’s thinner and drier than facial skin). You also want one that solves your specific issues, not those of your best friend or book-club buddy. Yes, any moisturizing eye cream or gel will freshen the eye area and soften lines and crow’s feet, but those with caffeine like Hero Bright Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream ($29, cvs.com), which also contains niacinamide and has a radiant finish, The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream ($11, kohls.com), with peptides, and the Farmacy Wakeup Honey Eye Cream ($45, ulta.com), with caffeine and peptides, take the original task further. They deflate puffiness and reduce dark circles by constricting blood vessels that pool beneath the skin and emphasize discoloration. Keep these and any other eye creams in the fridge since cold reduces swelling.

Left to right: Cetaphil Smoothing Relief Exfoliating Body Wash; La Roche-Posay Lipikar Daily Repair Moisturizing Body Lotion; Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Oil Mist.

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9. Solution: Update your body skin care.

Neck up, you’re smooth, plumped up and glowing; chest down, you’re flaky, crepey, saggy and dry. Sound familiar? Believe me, no dermatologist is going to critique your body skin management. They’re too busy hunting for skin cancer and checking the leg vein situation. It’s up to you to take charge and apply the same face rituals and ingredients to what lies below. While most women have a full stock of bath oils and scented lotions and potions, what’s missing are what I call the groomers — the exfoliating washes and emollient creams that transform aging body skin. Try adding a micro-exfoliating body polish in a soothing oil base such as the Goop Beauty Microderm Instant Glow Body Polish ($48, sephora.com) with kakadu plum seed oil or the Cetaphil Smoothing Relief Exfoliating Body Wash ($9, target.com) with lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), shea butter and soybean oil. Both slough off dead cells that leave flakes inside your sweaters and black pants and prevent creams and lotions from doing their job (yes, slowed cell turnover strikes again!). Follow with an emollient body lotion like La Roche-Posay Lipikar Daily Repair Moisturizing Body Lotion ($20, cvs.com) with glycerin and shea butter glycerin or a nongreasy spray-on oil like the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Oil Mist with jojoba oil and oat oil ($12, target.com) to restore a smooth finish and lock in moisture.

Left to right: e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream Fragrance Free; Yes to Avocado Fragrance-Free Daily Hand Cream.

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10. Solution: Ditch the itch and go fragrance-free.

So you have really dry, sensitive skin? Drier and more sensitive than ever before? Not so surprising, as skin continues to thin and lose collagen, and the barrier layer becomes even more compromised. It’s also a common sign of conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Time to make a no-can-do skin care list and opt for dye-free, fragrance-free (no added fragrance natural or synthetic) and perfume-free (no added perfume scent but could still have other fragrances). Look at the labels carefully. Some products are labeled “unscented,” which means they have a pleasing natural scent, but no additional fragrance has been added to change or improve it. However, it may contain masking scents included to disguise the less-than-appealing smell of some skin care ingredients. Unfortunately for those who love fragrance but have sensitive skin, this is a very tough call when even a hint of lavender oil can cause irritation, while other scents like vanilla or coconut may not. The best solution is to opt for fragrance-free versions of proven skin care products and fragrance-free brands high and low. Don’t despair; you’ll still reap all the healthy skin benefits. Try e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream Fragrance Free ($13, target.com) with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and peptides ($13, target.com), Yes to Avocado Fragrance-Free Daily Hand Cream ($6, cvs.com), with hyaluronic acid and avocado oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and Ilia Barrier Build Protectant Cream ($65, nordstrom.com), with ceramides and colloidal oatmeal for day or night face application.