24 Beauty Products Reviewers Over 50 Wished They'd Known About Sooner

Buzz Feed

14-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
"My only regret is not having found it sooner." —one reviewer's hard-earned wisdom
1. A wildly popular Bio-Oil because real-life magic (aka science) has gifted us this powerful blend of moisturizing oils and vitamins to help fade the scars and stretch marks you thought were going to stick around for the foreseeable ever.
Promising review:" I am a 70-year-old woman with all the skin issues those years bring: fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, uneven skin tone, and dry patches. This oil is lightweight, absorbs nicely, and has a fairly pleasant smell, although a bit flowery. The main thing is it works. I could tell a difference in my skin the first week of use. My skin is hydrated and glowing, and the overall tone has improved considerably. Believe me when I say I have used a lot of serums, oils, and moisturizers over the years. I wish I had found this oil years ago." — Connie J
Get it from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in two sizes).
2. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel so you can quickly get your feet sandal season ready by removing years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without endless scraping and scrubbing.
www.amazon.com
Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.
Promising review:"I followed the instructions from many of the 5-star reviews, and everything worked better than I expected. I sat on the side of the tub and soaked my feet (while reading and sipping wine). I used a pumice stone on my feet while they were soft — then I PUT ON A PAIR OF GLOVES — and generously applied the gel. Then pumice stone after the rinse and washed — I had baby soft heels — better than getting a pedi. I will forever use this product — my only regret is not having found it sooner. Btw I'm a 65-year-old grandmother, and it was super easy." — Caribare
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three scents).
3. A tub of rejuvenating eye cream to help tighten, brighten, and lift those tired eyes and make it look like you actually got enough sleep and didn't stay up late marathoning White Lotus...again.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"OMG, what can I say? This stuff is great! I've had dark circles since I was in my 20s, and now, in my 50s, I find this product! Love it! Dark circles are gone! Puffy eyes are gone by the time it dries! My eyes look more lively!" — lida Sadati
"I really love this eye cream. It feels so soothing going on. I apply it every morning and at bedtime. My mature skin just soaks it up. I just wish I found this sooner." — JOJOinTN
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes).
4. Or a TikTok-famous temporary eye tightener that'll whisk your bags away like a good bellhop, delivering jaw-dropping results in just a few minutes.
www.amazon.com
Check out our Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Temporary Eye Tightener review for more compelling B&As! And if you want to see it working in real-time, take three minutes and watch this TikTok.
Promising review: "This product is awesome. It works better than I ever expected and does everything it claims. I only wish I found this years ago. As soon as it dries (which is not long), you can see the difference. I must say it took years, yes years, off my appearance. I'm a senior, and it went on easy, and in just minutes, years were gone from my appearance. I couldn't believe that it really did what it said. I just wish I had found this sooner." — Tina Feldman
Get it from Amazon for $38.
5. A Korean exfoliating mitt if you spend every shower examining your skin and wondering "How do I get rid of these bumps?" The answer: these gloves, which will slough away dead skin right before your eyes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I am 67 years old and have very dry skin. I always had trouble exfoliating my skin to my satisfaction. The very first time I used it, I was disgusted by how much dead skin I was able to remove! My skin felt so soft afterward! I use the mitt once a week and have less dead skin to remove. I absolutely love this mitt! Wish I had known about it sooner!" — Sweetwriter
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
6. An anti-dandruff shampoo for reducing scalp flaking and itching thanks to a little ingredient called ketoconazole, which kills the fungus that causes dandruff. Now, you and your favorite black turtleneck can reunite without fear!
www.amazon.com
Read more about ketoconazole shampoo at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review:"This is without a doubt the best dandruff shampoo ever. I am 50 years old and have had a very bad, dry scalp and even face and ears dry skin all my life. I have tried everything on this side of the moon without any success until now. This stuff truly works and is amazing I literally put it on my face and even in my ears where I've always had problems with dry skin and after even the first use I saw amazing results. No more itching, no more flaking. I can actually wear a black shirt now with confidence, no flakes to worry about. I truly highly recommend this product. Where was it when I was a teenager and had to endure many embarrassing moments? Thank you so so much for this shampoo. It's worth every last penny!" — stacy
Get it from Amazon for $15.88.
7. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen because traditional strips are tough to use, expensive, and can leave you with teeth sensitivity that is, in my professional opinion, NO fun. With this pen you can get quick results without the lingering sensitivity, so you can smile with confidence in every graduation, vacation, and wedding photo this season.
Promising review:"I'm a 66-year-old wine and coffee lover with yellowing teeth. I've tried every tooth-whitening product to brighten my smile to no avail…until now. After two weeks, I am seeing amazing results, and I'm very impressed. It does cause some tooth sensitivity, so follow the instructions carefully to minimize the sensitivity." — E. Addison
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.95 (also available in packs of four).
8. A fragrance-free texturizing powder that'll add some heatless *oomph* to fine hair that usually likes to do one thing and one thing only: lie flat. Simply massage this translucent powder into your roots to enjoy hours of texture and va-va-volume.
Promising review:" I'm over 50 and have thinning hair, so I need help with volume! Recently cut my hair short after a decade of the same long, no real style hair, and my stylist suggested this. Man! I could have used this years ago! She recommend to use it very lightly and she was right. I blow out my hair after lightly misting some volumizing leave-in conditioning spray while it's wet. Once dry, I make the waves and curls with my flat iron. Then I lift a few sections at the top of my scalp and sprinkle it at the root. Massage gently to spread through roots. Be really careful — less is more! It only takes a few sprinkles strategically over the top roots for lift. There is no weird smell, in fact, it's odorless. I apply a little setting/hair spray, and I'm done. S o happy with how it gives texture and lift, even on newly washed hair. I highly recommend this." — Denise P.
Get it from Amazon for $21.95.
9. A compact facial hair trimmer to take painful plucking out of the equation with an easy-to-use electric option that's built to handle every stray hair from unibrows to mustaches.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "OMG. This is the most wonderful product EVER. I have paid my beautician $10 a week to remove my 'hair lip.' If I only would have found this hair remover sooner. It is 'flawless.' It is painless and gets all the mustache (I'm 66) as well as other chin hairs. In three weeks, this product has saved me $30, and it is better than my beautician ~ she never got all the hair. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Love, love, love." — Diane Mary
Get it from Amazon for $16.95+ (available in four colors).
10. A moisturizing tinted sunscreen with SPF 46 if your definition of an enviable beauty routine is one that doesn't take ages to apply. Allow me to introduce you to this nongreasy formula that delivers the daily sun protection your skin needs combined with the subtle, complexion-evening glow you most definitely want.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I bought this on the recommendation of an IG dermatologist, Dr Daniel Sugai, and he wasn't wrong. The texture is amazing. It's SPF 46, which is great, the color is very sheer but does even out my skin tone, it moisturizes, and there's no chalky aspect to it. Smells good too. And the price is incredibly reasonable. I'm 69, with fair skin and wrinkles. I would have worn this in my 20s. It looks natural on my face, which is what I was after, as well as sun protection. It goes on well after serums too. Recommend highly 10/10." — Dr. R. Evans
Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in matter or dewey finishes).
11. A pair of extra sharp stainless-steel toenail clippers that's similar to the ones used by podiatrists for quick and painless removal of your thickest nails (as well as ingrown ones) so you can rock your extensive sandal collection without hesitation.
Promising review: " This has been the first product I've been able to use on my (and my 98-year-old friend's) thick toenails that actually work. Having arthritis, the grip and sharpness now make this task easy. Would recommend this product to anyone, especially seniors and caregivers like me. The price was more than affordable and wish I had discovered these clippers sooner. I was skeptical after purchasing other clippers over the years but this is excellent." — She She V
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
12. An award-winning anti-humidity spray for coming as close as you ever will to feeling like you control the elements. This long-lasting spray creates a waterproof barrier around hair that blocks out frizz-inducing moisture for up to 72 hours. (Yes, you read that right.) It's your secret weapon in the decades-long war against humidity.
Promising review:"I don't usually try all the latest hair things because my hair is very fine and it doesn't like product. But I received it as a sample, and I can't believe how nice it made my hair and how long it lasted. I have to wash every single day, or my hair would be limp and lifeless. You could tell if I didn't wash my hair for one day. This miracle stuff makes it so that I don't have to wash my hair for a good three days at least and it still looks fresh. It also lasts between washes, so I only have to use it every other wash or sometimes not for three or four. I can't live without this now that I found it. It took me 'til my 50s to find this amazing product. I sure coulda used this in my 20s!" — B.S.
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes).
13. A fragrance-free CeraVe retinol serum because you already suffered through the breakout and didn't ask for any souvenir scars to remember it by. Fortunately, this lightweight gel is designed to smooth out your skin's texture while helping restore its natural protective barrier.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
And remember, like with any retinol (that actually works) *just do not use it every day.* Start slow and work yourself up if needed, paying attention to your skin.
Promising review: "I am 65-years-old and still have large pores and oily skin. Within a couple of days of applying this at night, I could see a very noticeable difference in the size of the pores on my nose. Pores are no longer clogged with oil! Overall, my ruddy skin looks more refined. It's a bit drying on my skin in the winter, but not a problem for me. I wish I had discovered this product decades ago!" — Lulabelle
Still not convinced? Check out our full CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum review for more details.
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
14. A bestselling tightening cream so you can join the legions of reviewers who have given it 5 stars for its visible results and delicious scent. It's infused with caffeine, coconut oil, and guarana extract to firm and smooth skin while adding a little shimmer.
www.amazon.com
Caffeine can brighten skin and temporarily minimize the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite, if that's something you're looking for in a product. Read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "I use a light coat all over after a shower. I'm heading for 60, and I inherited my family's crepey skin. Nothing has really worked after the first hour, but this was amazing! My skin looked more for my age instead of an 80-year-old's. It isn't dry and flaky anymore. Got one for my 86-year-old mother, whose calves looked like molted snake skin. No more flakes! Day after day! I use it on damp skin after my shower." — VERONICA
Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in two sizes).
15. A reviewer-beloved Panoxyl foaming wash to boost your skincare routine with the highest dose of benzoyl peroxide money can buy without a prescription. Safe for use on your face and body, this antimicrobial formula works to bust the bacteria that can frequently cause adult acne breakouts in the first place.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm a 54-year-old male and never thought I'd be writing a review for soap, but this stuff has been a godsend. I began dealing with adult acne/cysts/nodules about 10 years ago. The only thing that helped was antibiotics until now. Using this product twice a day has eliminated everything. I'm not claiming to have perfect skin, but this has worked better than anything the dermatologists ever prescribed." — JAMES E GODFREY
Get it from Amazon for $9.77.
16. A paraben-free argan oil hair mask that'll help bring the glow back to your halo if split ends and dryness are dulling your hair's shine.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I can't say enough good things about this product. It took 50 years to find something to turn my naturally curly/frizzy, high-maintenance mess into low-maintenance, fabulous curls with body and shine. I get tons of compliments on how my hair looks and smells. For the first time EVER, my hair is manageable and easy to style. I can even wash and run if I want to — which was impossible before using this product. I won't go a day without it! I recommend it to all my friends with natural curls or permed hair." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
17. Or a silicone-free L'Oréal moisturizing treatment if you want visibly healthier-looking hair FAST — like, eight seconds fast. This rinse-out formula works on any hair texture or length, delivering the proteins and amino acids necessary for a shiny, flippable mane.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I'm 57 years old, and I've been searching for a product since I turned 30 that actually delivers what it promises. In one single use, my hair looked 30 years younger. Shiny, smooth, silky — it makes my hair look like my stylist just did it. In fact, when I showed it to her, she started using it on problem clients. The only drawback is, with my medium hair length and fullness, I only get about three uses per bottle. Then again, that works out to roughly three bucks a pop, definitely worth it for these results." — Liz
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
18. Vanicream — a face and body product that's a dream for sensitive skin, since it skips out on many common irritants *and* is fragrance-free. Now, nothing is coming between you and the glowy, hydrated skin you've been chasing.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"Perfect for this 62-year-old face. Love it and wish I had found it sooner." — Judy Clark
"LOVE!!!!! I am so happy I decided to give this a try! After countless products (I'm 50), I have finally found a winner! My skin is super dry. This is not greasy like most I have tried. Also, bonus…PUMP!! It's like having pants with pockets exciting!! 😂" — Kelly Jo
Get it from Amazon for $13.56.
19. A gentle Juno & Co. cleansing balm because it's time to experience a world where your mascara actually comes off when you wash your face with just 10 simple (yet oh so effective) ingredients.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I'm 53 years old, and it took me this long to find such a great product. Loved everything about this cleanser. The smell is terrific and feels great on my skin. Removes all makeup (lash glue too)." — Whyukry
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
20. A bottle of nail and cuticle care oil you apply like a clear coat of polish to give your nails all the cuticle-softening, nail-strengthening nourishment they've been craving.
I started using this stuff recently and my nails look presentable for basically the first time ever. It's no one-time-use miracle — you have to be consistent about application. But if you are consistent, you'll be able to maintain happy, hydrated nails and cuticles with pretty minimal effort. Fun bonus: It smells absolutely delicious.
Promising review:"So my nails have always been thin and brittle — always cracking and breaking. I read about this and thought I would try. I've been using it daily for over a month an my nails are definitely stronger and they are not cracking and breaking. I'm 52 and I can't believe it took this long to find something that works. You have to keep using it and make it a part of your routine." — Grant's Mom
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three sizes).
21. Plus, a vegan nail-strengthening polish available in both clear and tinted so you can buff up your nails with a low-maintenance mani that actually protects them against chipping, splitting, and peeling.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I rarely write product reviews, but I feel compelled to explain why this is a great product. I am an older man who has struggled with fingernail biting my entire life. OPI Nail Envy really helps! 1. It is true matte with a barely noticeable shine. I am old-fashioned and would never use a shiny polish. I have tried several other brands that claimed to be matte, but they all had a little shine. 2. OPI Nail Envy not only strengthens my nails — it accelerates the healing of my cuticles and skin around my cuticles. 3. IMPORTANT: Be aware of the formula! This is a vegan formula. There is another formula, OPI Nail Envy Original Formula. I tried some, and it triggered a severe allergic reaction on my cuticles and skin. I switched back to the Vegan formula, and it healed the skin quickly. I wish I had discovered this product 50 years ago. It would have prevented a lot of embarrassment about my nails." — Stephen Bell
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in clear and eight colors).
22. A stain-proof hairline powder to stretch out those root touch-up appointments or fill in thinning gaps without having to twist yourself into knots styling your hair to hide it. This compact includes a built-in mirror and precision puff applicator — like makeup for hair.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: " Wow. I'm 53 and should've bought this product years ago. I can't begin to get into the multitude of ways that I have worn this. Basically, you can style your hair anyway you want, then anywhere that you can see your scalp, you pat this powder on. My hair color is usually some variation of 4RV, 4RR, 5RV, or 5RR, and the dark auburn is somehow always a perfect match! :)" — WhiteDove
Get it from Amazon for $17.95 (available in 14 shades and two sizes).
23. A moisturizing curl-activating cream if you're ready to win the fight against frizz with a locks-loving formula that doesn't just enhance your natural curl pattern but is designed to add volume, bounce, and shine, too!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Granddaughter shared hers with me, and I fell in love...I use it on my longish hair after washing, comb through, and let it air dry. I have soft, pretty curls, and my hair smells amazing...I use the reactivate spray between washing. I'm in my 60s and wished I had these products years ago." — Teresa S.
Get it from Amazon for $6.25.
24. A cult-favorite Embryolisse moistuizer for a budget-friendly cream that delivers high-end hydration. Loads of reviewers (including makeup artists) also use it as a primer, just in case it wasn't already enough of a bargain.
Promising review: "At 67 and after a long battle with cancer (in remission now and doing great), my body and face took a good 'beating.' This is an excellent moisturizer! It pumps the skin, moisturizes without being too greasy, and can be used as a makeup primer, cleanser, or even face mask! I'm usually a 'high-end' kind of gal, but I decided to try this based on reviews, and now sorry I didn't buy it sooner! Just a tiny bit goes a looong way. I don't expect to look 20–40 again, but I can always do everything to look my best, and my complexion is much better today than it was in my 20s... spots, acne, uneven skin tone, etc. I will be buying the larger size and don't want to be without it...ever!" — Monica Grusenmeyer
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two colors).