- Reducing signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots requires consistent skin care.
- Two dermatologists shared their lectures and the ideal order to apply products.
- Sunscreen, retinol, antioxidant serums, and hydrating moisturizers are key.
A good skin care routine is simple and effective. But if you want to reduce the signs of aging, adding products can be confusing (and expensive).
Do you really need expensive retinol or eye cream? Can you layer vitamin C serums with other anti-aging products without them falling apart? And after a certain point, are there any that work as well as Botox? ?
“The best anti-aging routines are simple, with just a few steps,” especially in the morning, board-certified dermatologist Lindsay Zubritsky told Business Insider.
you will need:
- cleanser
- antioxidant serum
- moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Makeup remover (optional)
- retinol
- Night cream (optional)
Zubritsky’s videos on anti-aging are among her most popular videos. She and Dr. Carolyn Stull, another board-certified dermatologist, shared tips and product recommendations for anti-aging concerns, and both said you should never skip one step in particular .
morning
1. Always clean your face unless you have sensitive skin
“If you have oily or acne-prone skin, I recommend starting with a gentle cleanser,” Zubritsky says. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid keep the skin moisturized, But if your skin is still very dry, she says, “If you have dry or sensitive skin, you can skip this step.”
Stull agreed that people with sensitive skin should either skip the morning cleanser or choose a gentle cleanser that “won’t further strip the skin’s barrier or irritate the skin.”
Zubtrytsky recommended Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, a creamy formula for dry or sensitive skin. For oily skin, she suggested La Her Roche Posay Her Tolerian Foaming Cleanser, which can also be used on sensitive skin.
2. Apply antioxidant products
Next, you need antioxidants such as vitamin C.
Zubritsky said vitamin C products add an extra layer of protection “against external aggressors such as UV rays and pollution that can accelerate aging.” She recommended Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, a best-selling serum recommended for most skin types, including sensitive and dry skin.
If you experience irritation after using vitamin C, Zubritsky recommends opting for products containing tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate or niacinamide instead of L-ascorbic acid, an ingredient commonly used in antioxidant serums. I recommended that.
“Niacinamide naturally helps calm skin irritation and redness,” she said.
3. Add moisturizer
The ingredients to look out for in moisturizers are ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
“Any good routine should also include a moisturizer, preferably with ceramides or hyaluronic acid, to repair the skin barrier and plump and hydrate,” Zubritsky says.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which helps your skin absorb more water, and ceramides are fatty acids that help maintain your skin’s barrier.
One of her favorites is Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Cream. This contains both ingredients and is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
4. Always apply sunscreen at the end
Both dermatologists said sunscreen is the most important and non-negotiable step to protect your skin and prevent wrinkles in the long term. Stuhl said sunscreens need to be at least SPF 30 to properly block UV damage.
She also suggested that “sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are generally less likely to cause skin allergies or irritation.”
Zubritsky’s recommended product, ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica, is 11% zinc oxide and SPF 50+. There are other options that minimize white cast or offer better protection than US sunscreens, so it’s worth trying a few until you find one you love and want to use every day. .
night
1. Cleanse again
Even if you don’t wear makeup, Zubritsky highly recommended thoroughly cleansing at night and starting with a “fresh palette.”
She suggested double-cleansing with a toner if you wear makeup or heavy sunscreen. oil cleanserClinique Cleanse The Day Away Melting Makeup Balm, etc., Next, use a gentle cleanser like you would use in the morning.
2. Use retinol or retinoids
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is often incorporated into anti-aging skin care because it stimulates cell turnover and gives skin a youthful appearance.
Prescription retinoids like over-the-counter retinol and tretinoin “stimulate collagen production, soften fine lines, and help improve skin texture and tone,” Stull said.
People with sensitive skin should start with a gentler retinol, Zubritsky said. She loves Skin Better Her Alpharet Overnight Her Cream, which contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose previously told Business Insider that this is one of her personal anti-aging products.
If you’re really concerned about skin irritation, “look for products with moisturizing, soothing, or hydrating ingredients, including things like encapsulated retinol to slow absorption,” says Stull. . Encapsulated retinol contains other ingredients that reduce potential side effects. She likes her Olay Regenerist Retinol24 + Peptide Night Moisturizer and her First Aid Beauty 0.3% Retinol Complex Serum with Peptide.
If you’ve been using retinol for a while, don’t have any irritation issues, and are “seriously looking to step up your anti-aging routine,” a stronger option like tretinoin might provide more drastic results. , Zubritsky said.
Even if you’ve never experienced dryness from retinol before, Stuhl says it’s important to incorporate stronger retinoids slowly and slowly to prevent damage to the skin barrier.
3. Finish with a rich moisturizer
While you can just use your regular moisturizer, Zubritsky recommends a “thick, creamy, nourishing nighttime moisturizer that helps repair your skin’s barrier overnight.” Her favorite option is L’Oreal Midnight Her Cream, which also contains antioxidants. Many of the best night creams boost hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
