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This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Guide to Age-Defying Beauty, a weeklong focus on the essential products, tips and tricks to enhance your glow at any age. We’ll be featuring editor-tested skin care and beauty tips from experts over 40, so check back to see what’s new.
The best anti-aging skin care routine is preventative, and that starts with an effective sunscreen. But even if you’re religious about applying SPF, your skin will start to change as you enter your 30s and 40s. That’s because our skin loses collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal said, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, dryness and sagging. Cellular turnover also slows as we age, according to the dermatologist, which contributes to uneven skin tone and a dull complexion.
Anti-aging products help address those changes by stimulating the production of collagen, rehydrating the skin, protecting the skin against oxidative stress and supporting the skin’s barrier, Badreshia-Bansal said. “The right combination can restore radiance and firmness while preventing further damage.”
From wrinkle-smoothing serums to a luxurious face cream, here are the anti-aging products that dermatologists say are worth adding to your routine.
“Formulated with encapsulated retinol, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this serum helps refine skin texture and reduce fine lines while supporting the skin barrier,” Badreshia-Bansal said.
If you’re looking for a hydrating serum to incorporate into your routine, Dr. Jane Yoo, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon, recommends this one from Sulwhasoo. It features a blend of ginseng extract, herb extracts and a vitamin C derivative. She likes that this serum hydrates the skin without irritating it.
Badreshia-Bansal considers this serum from Byos a great alternative for those who can’t tolerate retinoids. “Bakuchiol offers collagen-boosting benefits without irritation, making it safe for sensitive or acne-prone skin,” she said. “It smooths, firms and brightens without stickiness, redness or sensitivity.”
“Eco-conscious and effective, this solid serum blends peptides, phytoglycogen and watercress extract for smoother, firmer skin while reinforcing the barrier — perfect for those who want a natural-leaning routine,” Badreshia-Bansal said. The solid formulation also makes this serum travel-friendly and a less messy option than some of the other picks on this list.
King recommends this serum from Bioelements. It's formulated with antioxidants, anti-aging peptides and retinol to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin, and improve dullness. Since the retinol is microencapsulated (meaning it’s enclosed in a protective capsule that gradually releases it) it helps reduce the risk of irritation too, King said.
If you’re looking to firm skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, King recommends this serum from Mother Science, which includes encapsulated retinol and a mix of lipids (fatty compounds) that help plump the skin and keep it hydrated. This serum also contains the antioxidant malassezin to firm and smooth the skin while supporting the skin barrier.
Retinal is a vitamin A derivative related to retinol, but it's one step closer to retinoic acid (the active, prescription-strength retinoid) so it's even more potent and effective than retinol. This retinal serum is a beginner-friendly formula, according to CNN Underscored's beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw, because it comes in six strengths — from 0.01% to 0.24% retinaldehyde — to suit different skin types and tolerance levels. Shaw said level one is safe for even sensitive skin types and didn't cause any flaking or irritation on her own skin, making her feel confident when she decided to step up to level 3.
Yoo recommends this skin care product from Isdin, which contains a combination of melatonin, bakuchiol and vitamin C. “I like this for patients with sensitive skin or those who may be pregnant who want anti-aging benefits since retinoids are contraindicated in pregnancy,” Yoo said. She also uses this product when she needs a gentler alternative to retinoids.
If there’s one serum worth adding to your skin care routine, it’s this one, which Badreisha-Bansal described as the gold-standard antioxidant serum. Its potent combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid makes this serum a favorite with board-certified dermatologists Dr. Anna Chacon and Yoo as well. According to Chacon, this serum is a particularly good choice for those with mature skin since it evens and firms.
Yoo said she’s been using this serum from TNS since her 20s and the formula is even better now. “It has a plethora of growth factors, peptides as well as marine extract and green microalgae to rejuvenate and improve the appearance of your skin,” Yoo said. “You will not be disappointed using this product.”
This serum helps nourish the skin while improving texture, thanks to its effective yet nonirritating formula. Its key ingredients include the retinoid hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR) and a blend of antioxidant-rich oils — avocado, camellia seed and grape seed. Badreshia-Bansal considers it a great nourishing option for those with sensitive or dry skin.
King likes that this Fig. 1 night cream comes in three levels of retinols to accommodate different needs and has humectants for hydration, emollients to boost the skin barrier and anti-aging peptides. Once you’ve used up the first level, the brand recommends graduating to the second.
You can repair your skin barrier while also smoothing wrinkles and improving radiance with L'Oréal's Midnight Eye Cream, certified nurse practitioner and med spa founder Tama Tran said. She recommends using it at night, as that's when your skin is more receptive to recovery.
Wearing SPF helps combat the signs of aging, which is why Chacon recommends this moisturizer with SPF from Dermalogica. “It supports skin firmness, elasticity and is hydrating,” she said. “[It’s] perfect for those looking to address fine lines and wrinkles and loss of firmness and elasticity.”
Chacon recommends this product for mature skin, which features ingredients like glycerin and vitamin C and E to brighten and firm skin.
"For those with mature skin, having a good facial cream is key and should be applied daily,” Chacon said. She loves this one in particular because it features glycerin, which helps hydrate the skin. “This product has ingredients formulated to improve skin’s firmness, barrier function, elasticity and hydration, which our skin needs as we age,” Chacon said. “It will leave your skin looking plump and feeling smooth.” It's also our pick for the best splurge face moisturizer, after testing it against 18 other formulas.
According to Chacon, the skin around the eye shows signs of aging quicker because the area is delicate and thin. That's why it’s important to have a hydrating eye cream in your skin care routine. “This specific one has peptides in it, and the formulation helps lock in much-needed moisture,” she said. “It’s great for those who are experiencing dark circles and/or wrinkles (crow’s feet lines) in the area.” Chacon said the rich texture won’t settle into creases and that the formulation helps brighten the under-eye area as well.
Yoo singles out this moisturizer from The Whoo, which works to minimize the appearance of fine lines and improve skin elasticity. “The product activates the skin’s retinoid X receptors (RXR), which help support collagen content and elasticity, and the texture is just superbly luxurious,” Yoo said.
For those looking for a facial mask, King recommend
