Enjoy The Fountain of Youth With These Skincare Picks

We’ve all heard it before on a birthday that we’re “another year wiser.” Well, that may be true, but it isn’t reassuring for those of us looking in the mirror and feeling “another year older.” While father time may truly be undefeated, the good news is there are tools available to help him at least be gentle with us. We put together a comprehensive list of the best skincare products for aging skin to help you on your search for eternal youth.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

If you’re going to opt for a retinol, we suggest you consider this pick from Drunk Elephant. With a 1% potency this do-it-all formula combats fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage. It’s more than a retinol as it’s packed with a triple peptide blend and passionfruit, apricot, marula and jojoba oils. Apply it on your face, or follow the advice of one reviewer who likes to use it on their hands and arms to diminish the signs of aging.

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster

This pick from Paula’s Choice utilizes six pro-collagen peptides for some serious elastin production benefits. These ingredients fight back against wrinkles, loss of firmness and other visible signs of aging. It doesn’t stop there — it’s also packed with hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumping, as well as amino acids to strengthen skin.

Dermatologist’s Choice Ultra Anti-Aging Cream

Formulated by dermatologist Dr. Bottiglione, this anti-aging cream relies on medical grade glycolic acid to effectively exfoliate skin without any abrasion. What makes it stand out is it also features shea butter to reduce dryness. It also includes vitamin E acetate for its antioxidant protection benefits. Apply it on skin at night and enjoy the results in the morning.

ROC Retinol Correxion

Another retinol option, this pick from ROC combines retinol with hyaluronic acid to offer much needed hydration. In its wake is softer, more supple feeling skin. We love it for addressing fine lines while also plumping skin.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Dry skin is older looking skin, which is why a super hydrating balm like this La Roche Posay pick is key. Vitamin B5 soothes and moisturizes while centella asiatica nourishes the skin. Meanwhile, shea butter acts as an emollient. It’s also particularly helpful for preventing extreme dry skin in the winter. The non-greasy formula makes it an A+ in our books.

Dr. Idriss Major Fade Active Seal

Superstar dermatologist Dr. Shereen Idriss intentionally made this product as a 2-in-1. It features vitamin C, but it’s also a moisturizer so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Vitamin C brightens skin while glycerin hydrates it. Hexapeptide-2 diminishes the appearance of fine lines. That’s a lot of tech in one product, and the results speak for themselves.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer

This pick is a non-negotiable when it comes to protecting aging skin because it contains SPF. Sun exposure can prematurely age your skin, and putting on protection daily is vital. And at the same time, why not combine it with a moisturizer? In particular, how about one that features vitamin b5 to soothe and edelweiss extract to nourish? Count Us in!

Bioelements Age Activist Clinical Youth Serum

Okay, this really is a do-it-all serum. Bioelements loaded this product up with retinol, peptides, vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10. The result? A product that brightens, exfoliates, hydrates, adds elasticity and targets fine lines. Sounds too good to be true? Reviewers rave about the quality of this pick and how smooth it leaves their skin.

EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum

Relying on three amino acids: arginine, taurine and glycine that work in tandem for moisturizing, stress recovery and preventing tissue breakdown, this is an awesome anti-aging pick. EltaMD goes a step further by including ginger root extract to assist with an even complexion and adding skin smoothness.

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Night Serum with Pure Retinol

With 0.3% pure retinol, this option gets to work fast to target deep wrinkles. We like that it also features ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to ensure the retinol doesn’t dry skin out too much.

Kate Sommerville + Retinol Firming Cream

If the skin around your eyes is too sensitive for retinol, we like this option from Kate Sommerville which is more gentle, specifically designed to target that area. It also boasts some other key essentials to promote soothing, like hyaluronic acid. Additionally, it features lime pearl to promote skin cell turnover.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

This daily cream from Drunk Elephant is definitely more than meets the eye. That’s because it includes a peptide complex for some serious plumping and firming. It also features a soybean folic acid ferment extract (sounds like a mouthful, right?) to promote skin elasticity. This is definitely the anti-aging skincare pick to reach for if you’re concerned about texture, tone or hydration.

The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum

Vitamin C is a super ingredient for many reasons, mainly because it targets hyperpigmentation and skin tone, but it is also beneficial for aging skin. This pick relies on 15% Ascorbyl Glucoside and 1% Epitensive, which is a peptide derived from plants. The result is brighter and healthier looking skin.

Hello Sunday The Shimmer One SPF 45 Mineral Glow Stick

If you’re looking for additional sun protection (as you should be), we like this pick from Hello Sunday. With SPF 45, it also boasts hyaluronic acid to leave skin shimmering. Meanwhile, sunflower wax loads skin up with vitamins A, D and E to lock in moisture.

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream with Pump Dispenser

Don’t overlook the basics in your search for the fountain of youth. A top tier moisturizer can work wonders. That’s why we like this pick from Vanicream, a no frills moisturizer that’s fragrance-free, paraben free and non-comedogenic. Bonus: It’s super affordable!

EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser

Sure, moisturizing agents and retinol are important, but you know what else is? Making sure to wash away buildup. This pick from EltaMD removes pollution, sunscreen, makeup and basically anything else that accumulates throughout the day. It also features three amino acids to strengthen the skin barrier, as well as bisabolol and ginger root extract to calm skin.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner 

Reveal what’s lurking underneath with this AHA exfoliator from The Ordinary. If you want just glycolic acid without any other ingredients, this is a great bare bones pick. Reach for it to smooth skin texture and leave you feeling and looking brighter.

No 7 Pure Retinol Fragrance Free Eye Cream

Another option that’s intended for the skin around your peepers, No 7 made this pick with pure retinol to promote skin renewal. It also features the brand’s collagen peptide-based technology. If you’re on the fence, we hear you, but there are reviews like the following that you can’t ignore, “I was a little hesitant to try this due to having sensitive skin around my eyes, but there was absolutely no irritation at all.”

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen For Face With SPF

We cannot stress the value of SPF enough. Seriously, that’s why we included yet another pick. We like this one because it’s tinted and available in four different shades. It’s a mineral option, relying on iron oxides, and it leaves a glow in its wake instead of a white cast. It also boasts antioxidants like vitamin E for further protection against free radicals.

By now, you’ve probably heard a lot of the intimidating ingredients that are associated with anti-aging benefits, but do you actually know what they do? Understanding the role of each ingredient is vital for optimizing your unique skincare needs.

Retinol

An absolute powerhouse in the skincare realm, retinol is a form of vitamin A that has a variety of benefits including the treatment of acne. It works through promoting cell turnover, which can prevent clogged pores and can potentially be beneficial for minimizing the appearance of pores.

When it comes to its anti-aging benefits, retinol increases collagen production which can help to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, if you have acne scarring, retinol can be a super handy tool.

Just be mindful that it can cause irritation for some people. So be sure to start slowly when incorporating a retinol, and consider using a moisturizer before and after to give your skin some much needed buffering protection. Many retinols advocate only using a pea sized amount, and trust us, more is not more; listen to the advice!

Collagen

Collagen is a protein that helps to make up your skin and bones. Over time, your collagen levels can decrease, resulting in visible signs of aging, such as sagging, wrinkled skin and hallowing around the eyes.

When you ingest collagen, it gets broken down into amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. These amino acids then get absorbed into our bloodstream and distributed throughout our body, stimulating the production of new collagen.

Oral and topical products can be a helpful tool, and when applied topically, the evidence suggests that it improves both elasticity and texture.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies that helps keep our skin plump, moisturized and radiant. It acts like a sponge, attracting and retaining moisture to give your skin that coveted dewy glow.

In the skin, hyaluronic acid helps the skin stretch to limit the appearance of wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid also works wonders in the long run. Maintaining optimal moisture levels helps support your skin’s natural barrier function, which is essential for keeping out those nasty environmental aggressors and preventing moisture loss.

This ingredient is ubiquitous in skincare, so you really won’t have much trouble finding it!