If it feels like moisturizers have gotten more complicated lately, it’s because they have! 😳
Gone are the days when your only options were a “light lotion” or a “rich cream.”

Today we have:

• lotions

• creams

• gels

• barrier repair products

• hydrating sleep masks

• serums

• facial oils

And they all play different roles in your skincare routine.

🎉 The good news? Understanding these products makes it MUCH easier to choose the right products, especially if you’re over 50, when hydration and barrier support become essential.

🎥 This Week’s YouTube Video

👉🏼 Don't forget to Subscribe to Michelle Fox Beauty!

🌟 Why Understanding Moisturizer Matters (Especially After 50)

As we age, our skin:

• Loses ceramides

• Produces less oil

• Has a weaker moisture barrier

• Evaporates water faster

This means hydration is no longer optional. It’s essential. 💦 But with so many moisturizing products, it can feel confusing. So let’s break things down.

The 6 Categories of Hydration Products

💫 And how each one fits into your skincare routine.

1️⃣ Hydrating Serums (Essential for most!) 💧

Hydrating serums deliver water-based ingredients deep into the skin; things lotions and creams can’t reach.

➡️ They do NOT replace moisturizer.
➡️ They go before moisturizer.

Best for:

• Dehydrated skin

• Retinol users

• Anyone over 50

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

• Mary Kay: Clinical Solutions HA + Ceramide Hydrator

• Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum

  

  Shop Serums

2️⃣ Barrier-Replenishing Creams (Essential in winter!) 🧱

These products help restore the skin barrier, which naturally weakens with age.

Barrier creams contain:

• Ceramides

• Cholesterol

• Fatty acids

• Soothing emollients

These do not replace your moisturizer. They enhance it by strengthening your skin barrier.

Use:

• Before your regular moisturizer
  

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: SkinFix Triple Lipid Barrier Cream

• Mary Kay: Clinical Solutions Barrier Restore 1:1:3

• Drugstore: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream (night cream and barrier repair combined)

Shop Barrier Repair

3️⃣ Lotions (Essential) 🧴

Lightweight, water-based, great for daytime, easy under makeup.

Best for:

• Normal to slightly dry skin

• Layering under SPF

• Warm climates

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Lotion

• Mary Kay: TimeWise Antioxidant Moisturizer

• Drugstore: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Shop Lotions

4️⃣ Creams (Essential for women over 50) 🧴✨

Thicker, richer, and more occlusive (helps seal in moisture and prevent water loss). Perfect for very dry skin, nighttime, or winter.

Creams help with:

• Dryness

• Tightness

• Retinol irritation

Use at night or any time skin feels dry.

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

• Mary Kay: TimeWise Repair Night Treatment with Retinol

• Drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra Dry

Shop Creams

5️⃣ Gel Creams (Optional but amazing!) 💦

These deliver water-based hydration without heaviness.

How to use them:

✔ Instead of lotion (normal/oily skin)
✔ Under your lotion or cream (provides extra hydration, especially over 50)

Think of gel creams as hydration boosters, not necessarily replacements.

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H

• Mary Kay: Oil-Free Hydrating Gel

• Drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

  

  Shop Gel Creams

6️⃣ Facial Oils (Optional) 🪄

Oils have gotten a lot of attention lately on TikTok due to the "glass skin" trend. Oils seal in everything underneath, but they do not hydrate on their own.

Use oils:

• As the very last step at night

• Only if you are dry or dehydrated

⚠️ Avoid if you’re oily or acne-prone.

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil

• Mary Kay: Nourishing Oil

• Drugstore: The Ordinary Rosehip Oil

Shop Facial Oils

7️⃣ Overnight Gel Masks (Optional) 😴💧

These are your “extra credit” hydrators. 📝

Great for:

• Tight, crepey skin

• Post-retinol dryness

• Winter skincare reset

Use 2–3 nights a week in place of moisturizer.

Top Recommendations:

• High-End: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

• Mary Kay: TimeWise Moisture Renewing Gel Mask

• Drugstore: Bubble Skincare Overnight Hydrating Sleep Mask

  Shop Overnight Gel Masks

So… What Replaces What?

📋 Here’s the breakdown:

✔️ Hydrating Serums

→ Add before moisturizers.
→ Do not replace anything.

✔️ Barrier-Replenishing Creams

→ Layer before moisturizer for extra repair.

✔️ Lotions

→ Basic moisturizer
→ Can be replaced by a gel cream if you prefer lighter hydration.

✔️ Creams

→ Nighttime staple for women over 50
→ Can replace lotion entirely if you need richer moisture.

✔️ Gel Creams (Optional)

→ Replace lotion or
→ Layer under lotions or creams for extra hydration.

✔️ Oils (Optional)

→ Do NOT replace moisturizer
→ Always go LAST
→ Only if needed (and not if you are blemish-prone)

✔️ Overnight Gel Masks (Optional)

→ Replace lotion or cream on mask nights only

Order of Application (Simple!)

Morning Routine:

1. Hydrating serum

2. Barrier cream

3. Lotion, gel cream, or cream

4. SPF

Night Routine:

1. Hydrating serum

2. Barrier repair

3. Lotion, gel cream, or cream

4. Oil (optional, last)

5. Overnight mask (optional, used occasionally in place of lotion or cream)

   

   ✅ This order-of-application sheet can be used with any brand!

🛍 Shop the Moisturizers Mentioned

Visit my ShopMy Storefront

Shop Mary Kay

Wrap-Up

When you understand how lotions, creams, gels, oils, serums, masks, and barrier-repair products work together, building the perfect routine becomes easy. The key for women over 50 is layering: hydration first, barrier support anytime your skin needs extra comfort, then moisture, and finally oil if preferred.

FREEBIE FOR YOU! 🎁

Claim your copy of

Age-Reversing Beauty Hacks

Join my mailing list! 📧

michellefoxonline.com/VIP