Antiaging Ingredients in Skincare: Dictionary and List

There are many scientifically proven antiaging ingredients, but choosing an antiaging cream or serum can be challenging because there are so many anti-wrinkle and skin firming ingredients. How do you know which are best for your skin type?

For antiaging ingredients to really work, you need to choose the best ones for you and use them in the correct step of your skin care routine.

At the end of this blog is a list of the different types of antiaging ingredients. You can search by categories or by the ingredient name. Click on the ingredient for detailed information and research on the cosmeceutical ingredient.

Which antiaging ingredient is best for you depends upon your Baumann Skin Type®.

Exosomes, retinol, vitamin C, and sunscreen are the best antiaging ingredients with the most research.

Some antiaging ingredients are better than others at treating and preventing wrinkles.

The best antiaging ingredients for you will depend on with of the 16 skin types you are. Take the quiz for personalized antiaging skincare advice.

Scientifically-Proven Antiaging Ingredients

Anti-aging skincare is getting very interesting as new scientific discoveries about cellular senescence and other causes of aging are being discovered. We now have scientifically-proven antiaging ingredients for the skin that really work such as retinoids, Vitamin C, and some types of exosomes.

Many cosmetic ingredients are natural antiaging ingredients: some derived from plants while others are made from human tissue.

The best wrinkle creams have good research to support their use, but if you are not a dermatologist, it is hard to know the difference between pseudoscience and what really works. Skin care brands love to use pseudoscience to convince you that the antiaging ingredients in their skin care products are the best.

My goal is to empower you with the facts about antiaging serums and creams so you can recognize pseudoscience from real evidence-based research data and make better choices about which antiaging products to buy.

What is pseudoscience?

Pseudoscience is a term used to describe beliefs or practices that claim to be scientific but lack evidence or methods typically associated with real science. While science follows a strict process to test and prove theories, pseudoscience often relies on personal anecdotes, untested ideas, or biased data. An easy way to think about it: pseudoscience looks or sounds like science but doesn’t follow the same strict rules or standards.

What are the best antiaging ingredients

Best Antiaging Ingredients

There are good ingredients like retinoids and ascorbic acid to help increase the production of collagen which aging skin types need. These ingredients smooth fine lines, make skin stronger, and give long lasting results. Hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate can plump up skin with their humectant abilities, but this improvement is temporary. These types of ingredients can be combined and used together in a skin care routine.

Ingredients that claim to increase elastin, firm skin, or improve sagging are sketchy. There is no way to increase skin elastin! (1,3) Any firming benefits are due to the ingredients making a firm coating on the skin (like fondant on a cake). The skin firming benefits of peptides and saccharides are temporary.

4 Best Antiaging Ingredients with the Most Research:

Exosomes

Retinol

Sunscreen

Vitamin C

Common antiaging ingredients

Most Common Antiaging Ingredients in Skin Care

The most popular anti-aging ingredients are not necessarily the best. You see, some ingredients have an immediate smoothing and firming effect that makes you look younger immediately. But these effects are temporary. Dermatologist-approved antiaging ingredients have more long term effects but you need to wait to see the benefits.

So do not trade off preventing future wrinkles with a temporary quick fix. Know which ingredients give temporary results and which are long term.

In the custom skin care routine that I will give you after you take the quiz, I choose the best antiaging ingredients for your skin type and I try to include ingredients with both long and short term benefits. Depending on your skin type, I also try to include ingredients that treat wrinkles you already have and prevent future wrinkles.

The best age to begin antiaging ingredients depends on which Baumann Skin Type you have.

Which ingredients get the most buzz on social media and Tik Tok? This top 10 list has all the trending antiwrinkle ingredients.

The Top 10 antiaging ingredients are:

Growth Factors

Hyaluronic Acid

Peptides

Retinoids

Vitamin C

Green tea

Resveratrol

Heparan Sulfate

Argiriline

Tri Hex Technology

These are the 10 most popular ingredients used for wrinkles and skin firming, but they may not be the best antiaging ingredients for you. Click on each ingredient name to see the benefits, if they are safe, and if they are worth the cost.

These are the best-selling antiaging ingredients but they may not be the best for skin repair. For skin care ingredients to really work, they need to target any skin problems you have that are making your skin look old or age fast.

Remember – best selling does not mean they are the most effective! Do your research!

If you would like to hear me interview cosmetic scientists from the best antiaging skin care brands talk about the science behind the antiwrinkle agents in their products, check out the Product Talks playlist on the Skin Type Solutions YouTube Channel.

when to start an anti-aging regimen?

Ingredients to Erase Wrinkles and Prevent Wrinkles

Starting early and preventing wrinkles is always better than trying to remove wrinkles. Learn what causes skin aging and what age should you begin antiaging skincare?

There are so many different types of antiaging ingredients and many of the antiaging skin care products are very expensive. You do not want to waste time and money and maybe cause damage to your skin by using the wrong ones, or using them incorrectly, or using them with other products that inactivate them or increase the side effects.

Don’t worry. We will help you make better skincare routine choices and find the best antiaging ingredients for your Baumann Skin Type.

Take the Quiz

The five very best and most effective antiaging ingredients to treat wrinkles are:

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Cellular senescence decreasing ingredients

Exosomes

Hydroxy acids

Retinoids

The eight most effective antiaging ingredient categories to prevent wrinkles are ingredients that:

Decrease inflammation and redness

Decrease numbers of senescent cells

Improve cell to cell communication

Increase autophagy

Neutralize free radicals

Protect the skin from sun

Repair DNA Damage

Stimulate the retinoid receptors

Natural Antiaging Ingredients

There are many natural ingredients that have antiaging properties because many plants have antioxidant ingredients such as polyphenols. Plant-derived natural ingredients usually meet clean beauty standard requirements and are popular in vegan antiaging products.

Antiaging oils

Natural Antiaging Oils

Many oils have antioxidants that are believed to prevent aging. Here are some examples of a natural antiaging oils you can use on your skin:

Almond oil: A good source of vitamin E, providing antioxidant benefits.

Apricot oil: High in vitamins A and E, offering skin-nourishing antioxidant properties.

Argan oil: Contains vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and other antioxidant compounds.

Avocado oil: Rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants.

Borage seed oil: Contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and other antioxidants.

Coconut oil: Has vitamin E and certain phenolic compounds.

Essential oils: A wide range of oils, many have antioxidant properties.

Grapeseed oil: High in vitamin E and flavonoids.

Jojoba oil: Though technically a wax ester, it has antioxidant properties similar to our skin’s natural sebum.

Macadamia nut oil: Contains squalene and vitamin E, providing antioxidant benefits.

Olive oil: Contains vitamin E and phenolic compounds.

Pomegranate seed oil: Contains powerful antioxidants like punicalagins and anthocyanins.

Rice bran oil: High in vitamin E and oryzanol.

Rosehip oil: Packed with vitamins A, C, and E.

Safflower oil: Known for its vitamin E content, which acts as an antioxidant.

Sea buckthorn oil: Has a variety of antioxidants including vitamin E and carotenoids.

Sesame oil: Contains sesamol and sesaminol, two powerful antioxidants.

Tamanu oil: Contains calophyllic acid and other unique antioxidants.

Vitamin E oil: a potent antioxidant.

Which antiaging oil is best depends upon your Baumann Skin Type.

Natural anti-aging ingredients

Best Plant-Derived Natural Antiaging Ingredients

Plants have many antiaging compounds in them like polyphenols s they are a great source of safe and clean antiaging ingredients. Here are a few examples:

Aloe Vera: Known for its moisturizing and skin-soothing properties, it can help improve skin elasticity.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Naturally occurring in fruits and milk, these acids help exfoliate the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Bakuchiol: Often referred to as a natural alternative to retinol, it helps improve skin elasticity, firmness, and diminish the appearance of fine lines.

Caffeine: Found in many plants, it can help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

Feverfew: Contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the appearance of skin redness and irritation.

Ginkgo Biloba: Rich in antioxidant properties, it can help protect the skin from environmental stressors.

Green Tea: Packed with polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have strong antioxidant properties to help protect the skin from free radical damage.

Licorice Root: Contains glabridin and liquiritin, which can help brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Derived from plants, it can help reduce the appearance of large pores, even skin tone, and strengthen the skin’s surface.

Resveratrol: Found in grapes and berries, it possesses strong antioxidant properties that can combat signs of aging.

Soy: Contains isoflavones that can help brighten the skin, decrease redness, and improve skin elasticity.

Vitamin C: Derived from various fruits and vegetables, it can help brighten the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and protect against free radical damage.

Insect and reptile derived antiaging ingredients

Insect- and Reptile-Derived Antiaging Ingredients

There are many insect and reptile-derived ingredients used to treat aged skin. These get a lot of social media attention, but many of them do not have a lot of research to back up their use for wrinkles and sagging skin:

Bee Venom: When applied topically, it may stimulate the skin, leading to increased blood circulation and production of natural collagen and elastin. This can help in reducing the appearance of fine lines but can cause extreme skin irritation and we do not recommend it.

Honey: Produced by bees, honey has natural humectant properties, which means it attracts moisture. It’s also rich in antioxidants and can help hydrate the skin, making it appear plumper and more youthful.

Royal Jelly: This substance is secreted by worker bees and fed to the queen bee. It’s rich in proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids, which can boost collagen production and skin renewal.

Silk Proteins: Derived from silkworms, these proteins are often used in skincare products for their moisturizing properties and their ability to form a protective barrier on the skin.

Snake Venom (Syn-Ake): Synthetic snake venom peptides (Syn-Ake) mimic the effects of a peptide that’s found in temple viper venom. This ingredient claims to help reduce muscle movement, leading to fewer wrinkles, but data is not convincing.

Snail Mucus (Snail Secretion Filtrate): Extracted from common garden snails, it’s packed with proteins, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid, which can help regenerate the skin, improve its moisture retention, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This si an expensive ay to use a humectant. We suggest using glycerin instead.

Spider Venom: Some compounds derived from spider venom are used in skincare products due to their potential muscle-relaxing properties, leading to a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, similar to the effect of Botox. However, these do not penetratee into the deeper skin layers of the dermis and cannot work like botulinum toxin does.

Find the Best Antiaging Products for My Skin Type

Our team of dermatologists will help you decipher anti-aging skincare claims and understand what really works for YOU.

If you take the quiz, we can help match your skin type to the best antiaging products for your skin type.

Take the Quiz

Click on the anti-aging ingredient category below to learn more about that class of anti-aging ingredients and find out which ingredients work best on your wrinkles and sagging skin.

List of Antiaging Ingredient Categories in Skincare:

Anti-inflammatory ingredients

Antioxidant ingredients

Autophagy increasing ingredients

Cellular senescence decreasing ingredients

Defensins

DNA Repair Enzymes

Exosomes

Glycosaminoglycans

Heparan Sulfate

Hyaluronic Acid

Growth Factors

Peptides

Pollution protection and anti-pollution ingredients

Polyphenols

Retinoids

Sunscreens

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected