SheFinds emphasizes that this review is not monetized, compensated, or sponsored in any way. This evaluation of the product is strictly based on the expertise of a beauty industry expert.
Eager to refresh your collection of hydrating and soothing skincare and beauty essentials for your complexion and tresses this summer? Amazon’s Prime Day, slated for July 16-17, 2024, is an exclusive, two-day extravaganza for Prime members, offering unbeatable deals on top-tier brands.
We’ve curated a list of 14 beauty must–haves that women over 40 simply shouldn’t miss, including some enticing pre-Prime Day offers.
To give you the best recommendations, we also consulted dermatologists, doctors, and other health experts to delve into the anti-aging benefits and overall care these products provide for mature skin and hair.
14 Hydrating, Soothing And Affordable Beauty Products On Sale For Amazon Prime Day
1. CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 ($15.19)
Dermatologists consistently emphasize the crucial role sunscreen plays in shielding your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Enter CeraVe's facial moisturizing lotion, a standout with SPF 30 that seamlessly fits into your daily skincare regimen as the final morning step. This hydrating gem glides on effortlessly, absorbs swiftly, and leaves behind a non-greasy finish. Right now, you can snag it for 24% off on Amazon.
A product like this helps "protect our skin from photoaging when combined with iron oxides and antioxidants," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology tells us.
2. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion ($10.67)
Nourishing your body's skin is equally as vital as pampering the skin on your face. Aveeno offers a body lotion (now 25% off) meticulously crafted for extremely dry skin, designed to seal in deep hydration and enhance the skin's natural moisture barrier. This fragrance-free formula is gentle enough for all skin types.
Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, tells us that a fragrance-free lotion like this is perfect for women over 40, as a fragranced product "can often cause irritation and allergic reactions" for mature skin. "Make sure any skincare products or body washes you use don't contain fragrance as an ingredient," she advises.
3. CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum ($17.71)
After your morning cleanse, applying a vitamin C serum before your sunscreen can effectively address several skincare issues, such as "discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin barrier repair," according to Chacon.
With a potent 10 percent concentration of l-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C, this CeraVe serum works wonders to brighten your complexion and even out your skin tone. Right now, you can grab this skincare essential on Amazon at a 39% discount.
4. CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream ($15.99)
This cream (on sale via Amazon for 27% off) contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides, Dr. Jenelle Kim, skincare formulator and founder of JBK Wellness Labs explains, which help "hydrate and strengthen" the skin barrier.
"It also includes peptides, that may support collagen production, promoting a smoother look over time," she notes. Chacon points out that peptides are powerful "amino acids that combine to form particular proteins required by the skin."
Because collagen is composed of three polypeptide chains, "introducing peptides can boost your skin's production of collagen," she continues.
5. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum For Face with Vitamin B5 ($15.53)
Now available for just $15.53, Neutrogena's hyaluronic acid serum offers a daily, lightweight solution that immediately hydrates and deeply moisturizes your skin. Perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive, this serum promises to quench your skin's thirst with ease.
Chacon recommends applying a hyaluronic acid serum to freshly cleansed skin at night to give your skin an instantly more hydrated look. This ingredient, she says, helps "replenish and lock in moisture to the skin." Hyaluronic acid is "also generally safe for all skin types, and rarely has adverse skin reactions as it is a natural substance in the skin," Chacon continues.
This skincare classic also "functions as a humectant," Chacon points out, which means it "attracts moisture and draws it into your skin via its large molecules."
6. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer ($17.77)
This cream "combines retinol and hyaluronic acid" to target "fine lines and improve skin texture," Kim notes. She points out that its ingredients can "help promote skin renewal and create a smoother, more youthful appearance" for your face and neck.
Hyaluronic acid is especially important, Kim adds, as it "helps attract and retain moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and reducing dryness." This drugstore cream can be picked up via Amazon, on sale for 40% off.
7. The Ordinary "Buffet" Multi-Technology Peptide Serum (14.99)
This serum, known as "the buffet," purportedly provides age-supporting benefits to the skin through its multifaceted peptide formula, according to Dr. HariKiran Chekuri, dermatologist and the medical head of ClinicSpots.
Peptides "are short chains of amino acids that can act as messengers in the skin, signaling it to produce more collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that give the skin its firmness and elasticity." Peptides (found in this serum that is now 17% off) can also "help hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation, and repair damaged tissue." He notes that "peptide serums can be used both in the morning and at night, depending on your preference and routine."
8. Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream ($30.00)
This "thick, creamy moisturizer" is a "popular beauty pick" in French pharmacies, Chacon says, and currently on sale for 25% off for Amazon Prime members. "Its soothing properties aid in the restoration and rebalancing of dry skin, and it prevents skin water evaporation by strengthening cell cohesion," she adds.
Chacon also notes that this product can effectively "remove dehydration lines" to help your skin look supple and more nourished, as its shea butter ingredient "helps to reduce signs of aging, dryness, and dehydration."
9. Bellisso Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Serum Oil ($9.99)
Lauren Udoh, hair stylist and hair creative director of WigReports, suggests this hair serum, now available at a 33% discount on Amazon, as the ultimate solution for itchy, flaky scalps. She describes it as a transformative elixir that breathes life into lackluster hair, infusing it with a radiant shine. Moreover, it can boost scalp health, add volume and minimize frizz and split ends.
"Apple cider vinegar has several benefits for hair health, including restoring the pH balance of the scalp, fighting dandruff, and improving shine," Udoh notes. "It can help clarify the scalp, remove styling product build up, and reduce frizz when used in a diluted solution," she adds. She goes on to say that apple cider vinegar helps to "close down the cuticle of each strand of hair which leads to more shine and less damage from environmental stressors."
It is also able, Udoh says, to "penetrate the hair shafts more efficiently than regular water due to its low pH level which allows it to reach deeper into your strands ensuring greater effectiveness in nourishing your hair while providing hydration and volume reduction."
10. RejuveNaturals Castor Oil ($37.99)
This hair care product (5% off via Amazon) boasts an exceptional formula featuring nothing but 100% pure, hexane-free, USDA-certified organic, cold-pressed castor oil. Celebrated by experts such as Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, MD, Ph.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic dermatology authority, this natural elixir is lauded for its remarkable ability to revitalize and strengthen hair, particularly benefiting women over 40 who face thinning or hair loss.
“Castor oil is a popular natural remedy for hair growth,” Goldman explains. “It contains ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help to improve scalp health and promote hair growth. Additionally, castor oil is high in omega-9 fatty acids essential for healthy hair and skin.” Goldman emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research before selecting a bottle of castor oil. “When it comes to using castor oil, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to choose a high-quality castor oil that is free of additives or impurities,” he says.
“Secondly, use it sparingly — a little bit goes a long way. You can apply a small amount of castor oil to your scalp and massage it, leaving it on for 30 minutes to several hours before washing it.”
11. Mielle Rosemary Mint Blend Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil ($9.50)
Mielle's rosemary oil has garnered immense popularity on Amazon, boasting nearly 80,000 reviews. Enriched with biotin, this oil (now 5% off) is conveniently packaged with a dropper for effortless application.
According to Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, rosemary oil "works against the hair loss hormone DHT," and "the hairline and crown are common areas of thinning for women with hair loss that's related to age." She advises "adding a few drops of rosemary oil to a 4 ounce bottle of lotion." Lotion works just as well (if not better) than oil for some women with thicker textures because it "absorbs quicker into the skin," she explains.
Abdullah recommends "using this solution twice daily." She stresses not "expecting to see results overnight," as it often takes "at least six months" to see hair regrowth at the crown. "If you're not sure what type of hair loss you have, use more than one essential oil [on its own or in] your lotion," she recommends.
12. OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Penetrating Hair Oil Treatment ($6.99)
Up next, Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, DCNP, dermatologist with the Orentreich Medical Group, recommends argan oil for its anti-aging benefits and how it can treat thinning hair, hair loss and fine hair. "Argan oil is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial and antifungal properties," she shares.
This celebrated product by OGX (now 35% off) is infused with pure argan oil and consistently garners glowing reviews. Perfect for any hair type, texture, or moisture level, this luxurious hair oil works wonders by deeply penetrating the hair shaft to rejuvenate and soften your locks. Formulated without parabens and free from sulfates, this gentle haircare system enhances strength and elasticity, leaving your tresses irresistibly soft and touchable.
13. Difeel Premium Natural Peppermint Hair Oil ($4.94)
Another oil that often leads to stronger, thicker and healthier strands is peppermint oil, Abdullah shares. Using this along with rosemary oil can "stimulate the hair follicles, and hydrolyzed protein and collagen can help fortify the hair shaft against damage and breakage," she says.
This product has garnered glowing reviews on Amazon (now available at a 7% discount) and is celebrated for its ability to balance and rejuvenate scalp health, thanks to its infusion of peppermint oil. This peppermint oil for hair comes in a handy 2.5-ounce travel size as well as a generous 7.78-ounce option for everyday use at home. It's excellent for deep conditioning, as it helps prevent protein loss. Free from petroleum, alcohol, mineral oil, and preservatives, it's an ideal choice for women over 40 aiming to rejuvenate their hair and nourish their scalp.
14. OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo & Conditioner Set ($10.97)
Biotin (aka vitamin B₇) is an important nutrient often found in foods like eggs, broccoli, bananas and milk. Many people take biotin as a supplement as they age, Abdullah explains, to strengthen their tresses. If also using a shampoo with biotin as a main ingredient, one can really reap the benefits of this vitamin in more ways than one. “Biotin is the ingredient to look for in shampoo if you want thicker, fuller, healthier hair,” Abdullah says.
This Biotin-enriched shampoo and conditioner set from OGX is currently on sale at a 21% discount. Perfect for those with flat to medium-volume hair, this dynamic shampoo and conditioner duo transforms your locks, leaving them fuller and healthier. Enriched with a nutrient-dense formula, the set boasts vitamin B7 biotin to fortify hair and support growth, collagen to build strong, vibrant strands, and hydrolyzed wheat proteins for added strength and vitality.
Happy Prime Day shopping!