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Most of us recognize that properly taking care of our skin requires a bit more than a splash of water and the occasional dab of sunscreen. However, with the abundant variety of skincare products available on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine what you truly need to keep your skin smooth, clear, and radiant. From cleansing balms and toners to exfoliators and facial oils, your options are virtually endless, so finding the right routine for your unique skin can be an intimidating task. If you have additional concerns, such as dark spots, dry skin, or acne, navigating these products becomes even trickier.

As you’ve likely already noticed, aging causes your skin to lose moisture, get thinner, and produce less collagen and elastin ^[1]Zhang, S., & Duan, E. (2018). Fighting against Skin Aging: The Way from Bench to Bedside. Cell transplantation, 27(5), 729–738. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963689717725755. This means your fine lines and wrinkles become more obvious, and you must work twice as hard to ensure your skin stays hydrated and can effectively repair itself. Now is the time to focus on giving your skin the special attention it deserves with truly high-quality products. To keep your skin healthy and beautiful, the three main skincare products you need are anti-wrinkle creams, anti-aging serums, and under-eye creams.

If you’re ready to move beyond the personal care section of the drugstore aisle and give your skin what it really needs to thrive, check out our guide to anti-aging skincare essentials. We cover the differences between the most important products, explain how you can use them together for maximum impact, and list the best anti-aging skincare products of 2021.

Why Moisturizing Is Crucial for Aging Skin

Before we start discussing the types of skincare products, it’s key to understand the difference between hydration and moisturization. Hydration refers to water within your skin cells that allows them to take in essential nutrients. Environmental stressors, lack of water, poor sleep, air conditioning, and harsh products can all strip skin of hydration ^[2]Lee, H. J., Jeong, S. E., Lee, S., Kim, S., Han, H., & Jeon, C. O. (2018). Effects of cosmetics on the skin microbiome of facial cheeks with different hydration levels. MicrobiologyOpen, 7(2), … Continue reading. Dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin — any skin type can become dehydrated as water evaporates from the surface of the skin. If your skin is itchy, dull, or rough, you notice more fine lines and wrinkles than usual, or your eyes develop dark circles; this indicates your skin lacks water.

While hydration delivers water to your skin and makes it feel softer, this is not sufficient for keeping your skin soft. You also need oils on your skin to protect this hydration and prevent it from escaping^[3]Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(1), … Continue reading. Moisturizers are made of compounds, such as natural lipids, that trap and lock this moisture in to build up your skin’s natural protective barrier and keep it looking and feeling supple. If your skin is dry, flaky, or tight, this signals that it’s not properly moisturized and needs oil. Applying moisturizer is key to preventing water loss. However, if your skin is also dehydrated, simply adding oils might make it appear smoother, but it won’t give you the plump, bouncy feel you’re aiming for. You need to hydrate and moisturize.

Wrinkle Creams vs. Serums

Wrinkle creams are a form of moisturizer consisting of oil, water, waxes, and other beneficial ingredients that support skin health. Lotions are technically moisturizers, as well, but they have a higher ratio of water to oil and wax, making them more lightweight and easier to spread and absorb into the skin. In contrast, creams are often a one-to-one blend of oil and water, so they are thicker, creamier, and offer better moisturizing than lotions, especially for dry skin or during the winter. They help to fortify the skin’s protective barrier, bind skin cells together, and increase surface moisture ^[4]Purnamawati, S., Indrastuti, N., Danarti, R., & Saefudin, T. (2017). The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clinical medicine & research, 15(3-4), … Continue reading. Wrinkle creams also have other ingredients specifically designed to support aging skin and deliver the nutrients it needs to repair itself.

Typically stored in tincture bottles, serums are thin, lightweight, and absorbent formulations designed to deliver targeted active ingredients. They have smaller molecules than creams and can penetrate deeply into the skin, leaving little or no product behind on the surface and making it easy to layer or mix with other products. Serums can be created to address specific concerns related to aging skin, including wrinkles, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. While they are often more expensive than other types of skincare products, they feature more potent ingredients at higher concentrations, so you only need a small amount to achieve the desired effect. However, serums do not work as well as creams and other moisturizers at preventing water loss.

Five Steps for Choosing (and Using) the Best Products for Aging Skin

Wrinkle creams and anti-aging serums both play important roles in a healthy skincare routine as you age. To get the most out of your skincare products, follow these five steps:

Step 1: Select Products with Specific Ingredients

Not all products are formulated the same, so make sure you select ones with the right ingredients to target your skin concerns. Dermatologists recommend these active ingredients for their anti-aging properties:

Retinol

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production and decreasing collagen breakdown^[5]Tanumihardjo, S. A., Russell, R. M., Stephensen, C. B., Gannon, B. M., Craft, N. E., Haskell, M. J., Lietz, G., Schulze, K., & Raiten, D. J. (2016). Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development … Continue reading. It also increases the production of elastin, fades dark spots, encourages skin firmness, improves the appearance of pores, and repairs damage from UV rays. Keep in mind that you should not use retinol while pregnant or breastfeeding. Because retinol increases the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, it should only be used in the evening to avoid sun damage.

Collagen peptides

Peptides are short strings of amino acids that are naturally present in foods. Certain peptides increase collagen production, decrease collagen breakdown, protect skin from environmental damage, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles^[6]Paul, C., Leser, S., & Oesser, S. (2019). Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance. Nutrients, 11(5), … Continue reading. Some recent formulations act as growth factors, stimulating the creation of new skin cells, while others inhibit the release of neurotransmitters that help prevent facial muscles from developing wrinkles.

Antioxidants

Vitamin C brightens skin, creates a healthy glow, and fights free radical damage that breaks down collagen and causes wrinkled sagging skin. Vitamin B5, vitamin E, and other antioxidants smooth skin texture, even skin tone, and fight free radical damage.

Niacinamide

This is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin) that shrinks pores, regulates oil levels, calms inflammation, improves skin texture, provides protection against free radicals, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps the skin renew its protective barrier by increasing the production of proteins necessary for forming and maintaining the skin’s outermost layer^[7]Wessels, Q., Pretorius, E., Smith, C. M., & Nel, H. (2014). The potential of a niacinamide dominated cosmeceutical formulation on fibroblast activity and wound healing in vitro. International … Continue reading. Niacinamide is a great alternative for people who cannot use retinol or have sensitive skin, as it is easier for the skin to tolerate without causing irritation.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)

This category of plant- and animal-derived acids are used for exfoliation, which encourages cell turnover and aids in the absorption of other skincare products. AHAs have also been shown to promote collagen production, stimulate blood flow, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, fade dark spots, increase skin thickness, boost hydration, even skin texture, and prevent acne^[8]Tang, S. C., & Yang, J. H. (2018). Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 23(4), 863. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040863. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are the most well-researched AHAs and cause the least amount of irritation when applied topically.

Hyaluronic acid

This is a substance naturally produced by your body and found in your skin, eyes, and connective tissues. It helps skin attract and retain moisture, improves elasticity and firmness, decreases the depth of wrinkles, and imparts a healthy glow.

Salicylic acid

This is an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial beta-hydroxy acid. It improves skin texture and brightens skin by penetrating deep into pores and unclogging them (making them appear smaller), reducing oil production, and encouraging dead skin cells to shed naturally^[9]Liu, H., Yu, H., Xia, J., Liu, L., Liu, G. J., Sang, H., & Peinemann, F. (2020). Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne. … Continue reading. Like retinol, it can enhance your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so make sure to apply sunscreen.

Step 2: Consider Your Skin Type

Different skin types have different needs. If you have sensitive skin, avoid retinol, niacinamide, exfoliants, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, citric acid, fragrances, and certain plant extracts, such as citrus oils, witch hazel, and mint. When adding a new product to your routine, avoid using other new products for a few weeks at a minimum. If you notice dryness, redness, or irritation, discontinue use immediately.

Step 3: Use Serum, Wrinkle Cream, and Sunscreen

If you aren’t sure whether to go with a wrinkle cream or an anti-aging serum, the good news is you don’t have to choose! In fact, dermatologists recommend using both for the strongest effects. The key is to layer beginning with the thinnest product and allow enough time for each to absorb before applying the next.

After cleansing and applying toner, use your fingertips to pat a pea-sized amount of serum onto your face and neck and smooth outward using gentle circular motions. Wait a minute for it to fully absorb, then top with moisturizer. This forms a protective seal on your skin so the serum can potentiate its active ingredients and work more effectively.

Finish with sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays that speed up the aging process and can cause skin cancer^[10]Hubbard, G., Kyle, R. G., Neal, R. D., Marmara, V., Wang, Z., & Dombrowski, S. U. (2018). Promoting sunscreen use and skin self-examination to improve early detection and prevent skin cancer: … Continue reading. Always use sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours if swimming or sweating. You want a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF that has been designed for use on the face, so look for labels that say “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic.”

Step 4: Be Careful When Combining Ingredients

Not all ingredients should be used together, so you should use them at different times or on different days.

Do not mix the following ingredients:

Step 5: Additional Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips

Sun exposure and smoking are two of the biggest factors that impact skin health^[11]Vierkötter, A., & Krutmann, J. (2012). Environmental influences on skin aging and ethnic-specific manifestations. Dermato-endocrinology, 4(3), 227–231. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.19858. We discussed the importance of applying sunscreen earlier, but you can take other steps to prevent UV damage that speeds up skin aging. Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck, ideally made of a tightly woven fabric such as canvas. Wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants when practical, and keep in mind that darker colors are more effective at blocking UV rays. Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors, especially on sunny days, and remain in the shade as much as possible.

You know smoking is bad for your health, but it’s also incredibly hard on your skin. Smoking causes the blood vessels to narrow in the outermost layers of your skin, decreasing circulation, reducing oxygen flow, and depriving the skin of nutrients necessary for skin cell turnover^[12]Boelsma E, van de Vijver LP, Goldbohm RA, Klopping-Ketelaars IA, Hendriks HF, Roza L. Human skin condition and its associations with nutrient concentrations in serum and diet. Am J Clin Nutr … Continue reading. It damages collagen and elastin, loosening the skin, making it sag prematurely, and promoting the formation of wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes. Smoking also impacts skin tone and texture, making it rough and uneven.

The Best Anti-Aging Skin Care Products of 2021

Now that you know what to look for in anti-aging products and how to use them, review our list of the best anti-aging skincare products of 2021. According to expert dermatologists and facialists, the following wrinkle creams, anti-aging serums, and eye creams are the most effective at reducing the signs of aging.

Best Wrinkle Creams

Best Anti-Aging Serums

Best Under-Eye Creams

Fight Aging Skin With Supplements

Researchers have found that consuming substances with anti-aging properties can also help slow the aging process and protect skin from cellular damage^[13]chagen, S. K., Zampeli, V. A., Makrantonaki, E., & Zouboulis, C. C. (2012). Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermato-endocrinology, 4(3), 298–307. … Continue reading. The easiest way to incorporate these substances into your skincare routine is by taking supplements that have been specifically designed to offer anti-aging benefits.

The following supplements have earned the highest ratings among consumers and dermatologists for fighting the signs of aging skin:

Keep Your Skin Glowing

Aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your skin looking healthy, bright, and gorgeous for years to come. Selecting a few key products, committing to a comprehensive skincare routine, and taking simple preventative measures can make a significant difference in the appearance of your skin. You might not be able to turn back the clock, but with our tips, you can effectively prevent or reverse the signs of aging.