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Regardless of your skin type, investing in a high-quality anti-aging serum is a good idea. It helps with a variety of skin concerns, from fighting wrinkles and fine lines to increasing collagen and smoothing overall texture. However, the market is full of products that claim all these features and more, so choosing one can be difficult. Powerful ingredients to look out for include antioxidants like retinol and bakuchiol, vitamin C, peptides, and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. However, it is important not to put too much stress on your skin. That’s why Dr. Heidi Prather of Westlake Dermatology in Austin recommends choosing one that multitasks effectively instead of layering multiple anti-aging serums. He also recommends starting with low percentages and increasing gradually, as with any other powerful ingredient.
To find the best anti-aging serums, I spoke to Dr. Prather and three other dermatologists, and scoured their archives of beauty content. One last important note. Every dermatologist I spoke to emphasized the importance of SPF. This is the first and most important step in anti-aging, and if you skip it, all of the products below will have little effect.
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Gershick, the star ingredient in Medik8’s Crystal Retinal Serum is retinaldehyde, which fights wrinkles and fine lines faster than other commonly used retinols. Despite being fast-acting and powerful, this serum does not cause irritation or redness, which are the side effects typically associated with retinoids. That’s thanks to its double encapsulation system and the fact that it incorporates moisturizing glycerin and hyaluronic acid. This anti-aging serum is perfect because it’s gentle enough and highly effective for all skin types.
It’s no surprise at all that CeraVe’s Retinol Serum tops the list as a great and affordable option. It has been recommended by dermatologists before and came up again when I spoke with Dr. Garshick. This formula contains encapsulated retinol that is released into the skin over time, meaning all the benefits (reduction of fine lines and dullness) without the irritation. Additionally, it contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide to strengthen the skin barrier.
If you have sensitive skin and are wary of retinoids, there is another option. Touted as “nature’s retinol,” Bakuchiol increases cell turnover and reduces fine lines and wrinkles without side effects. MDCS Dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp says his favorite is his Herbivore Botanicals Moon Fruit serum. Enriched with peptides and glycerin, this formula tightens the skin and strengthens its elasticity.
Dr. Garshick also praised Bakuchiol, but criticized the TrueSkin serum, which is half the price of the serum made by Herbivore Botanicals. The same anti-aging effects as Bakuchiol apply here as well, but this serum does not contain peptides and glycerin. Instead, it’s infused with lingonberry stem cells, which protect skin from oxidative stress and blue light (which is known to worsen hyperpigmentation).
For those with oily skin or acne-prone skin, Dr. Garshick recommends SkinCeuticals’ Blemish and Age Defense Serum. A cocktail of 2% diacids, salicylic acids, and alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic and citric acids) reduces excess sebum, unclogs pores, and evens skin tone while also improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. To do.
La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Adapalene Gel is about a third of the price of the gels listed above and is also effective for acne-prone skin. The main ingredient here is adapalene, a retinoid used to remove and prevent acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. According to Dr. Camp, it also acts as an anti-aging product and is especially effective for oily skin.
On the other end of the spectrum is dry skin, where Dr. Taylor Worden, celebrity esthetician and founder of Taylor Worden Skin, recommends SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced + Serum. Made with the brand’s TNS-MR ingredient, it fights fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging while supporting collagen and promoting cell regeneration. It is also recommended as the go-to anti-aging serum for people in their 40s by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin His Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
If you don’t want to pay nearly $300 for a serum, there are more affordable alternatives. Vichy’s Mineral 89 Serum is only $40 and has tons of skin plumping benefits. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and minerals from Vichy volcanic water to strengthen and repair the skin barrier while hydrating the skin. Although it is highly moisturizing, it does not accumulate excess oil.
Sunday Riley’s Good Genes counts readers, dermatologists, and even Redditors as avid fans of skin whitening and exfoliation. Dr. Camp recommends it as an effective anti-aging serum for people concerned about texture issues. Thanks to its signature ingredient, lactic acid, it reduces lines, wrinkles, and age spots through gentle exfoliation.
Dr. Prather turned to Alastin C Radical because it contains vitamin C, including sodium ascorbate. Sodium ascorbate has been shown to promote and restore elastin in aging and weakened skin. Prather explains that repairing elastin (which keeps the skin stretchy and elastic) is especially important. The supply of elastin is limited and deteriorates with age.
Dr. Garshick likes Vichy’s Neovadiol Meno 5 Serum. It’s over $150 cheaper than the one above because it’s specially formulated for pre- and post-menopausal use. Made with a blend of proxylan, cassia extract, vitamin B3-CE, omega fatty acids, and Vichy volcanic water, it helps improve the appearance of age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles while tightening, brightening, and moisturizing the skin. Helpful.
There are many skin care ingredients that have anti-aging benefits but are not safe during pregnancy. Luckily, my colleagues Rachel Griffiths and Tembe Denton-Hurst have put together a list of the best products to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, according to dermatologists. This his Sonage retinol cream contains bakuchiol instead of retinol, but it still increases cell turnover and aids in collagen production. It also contains non-comedogenic skin barrier protecting ceramides to moisturize your skin without clogging your pores.
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