Which serum is best for aging skin?
It’s fun to think back to the days before serums were introduced. People wondered how we could have a skincare routine without at least one of the most effective ingredients. But which of the hundreds of serums out there is the best for aging skin? Finding one can be a daunting task, but we’re here to help!
How to choose a serum for your face?
Serums are known to penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin, just below the epidermis, and can address skin concerns like pigmentation, blemishes, and aging. If you find that these issues need addressing and your existing routine isn’t doing the trick, they make for the perfect skincare product!
The best way to choose a serum for your face is to first consider your skin type and the results you’d like to see after using this new serum every day. There are a few effective skin ingredients in high-performance serums, but the main ones to look out for when it comes to fighting signs of aging are as follows:
Retinol – Retinoids can counteract many of the signs of aging you may be experiencing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, and loss of collagen and elasticity in your face. This ingredient is so potent that it must be applied to the skin in the right way to avoid irritation or skin reactions.
Vitamin C – As skin begins to age, the skin cell renewal process slows down, making the complexion look dull, grey and lackluster. Adding a serum containing vitamin C can add vitality to your face and restore your skin’s youthful glow.
Hyaluronic Acid – Hyaluronic acid provides a lot of moisture to the skin, making the face look super plump and elastic, smoothing out fine lines and making it look smoother overall.
Lactic Acid – This AHA is great for sensitive skin, as it removes dead skin cells that build up on the skin, making it look older than it actually is, without causing any skin reactions.
These are some of the most effective ingredients to look for when searching for an anti-aging serum. When introducing a brand new ingredient to your skin, you should always do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product to your entire face to avoid any adverse skin reactions.
At what age should I use a vitamin C serum?
The key to anti-aging treatment is prevention. Therefore, starting at age 25, adding a vitamin C serum to your daily routine will put your skin on the right path to youthfulness. Vitamin C is known to cause skin irritation, especially when exposed to UV rays. Using products with an SPF of 30 or higher every day can prevent this. Apply 50p to your entire skin every day before you go out with makeup on, even on cloudy and rainy days, as UVA rays are always there.
Do I need a serum and moisturizer?
Moisturizers and serums work on different layers of the skin and generally provide slightly different benefits to the skin. Serums can penetrate deeper into the skin and target areas that creams can’t reach. They can address deep-seated skin issues without you having to worry about them. The beauty of moisturizers is that they balance and restore the skin’s protective barrier, providing a protective layer for the face that can protect against all environmental aggressors such as pollution, bacteria, dirt, and other free radicals.
Both products work wonders for the skin. So when it comes to which is best, I personally would say: both. However, if your budget only allows for one, it’s better to invest in your serum, as its active ingredients are more effective and will improve the skin faster than using a moisturizer.
Which is better for wrinkles, retinol or hyaluronic acid?
As an all-around great for fighting all signs of aging, I always tend to recommend retinol. If you find that there are more issues to address, such as loss of elasticity or firmness in your skin, retinol is the best solution. If you use it responsibly and do enough research, you will see results in about 6-8 weeks.
If you want faster results, hyaluronic acid provides extreme hydration to the skin and can instantly give you smooth, smooth skin. For a youthful complexion. This is also because dehydrated skin is often mistaken for aging skin, and any visible fine lines will be plumped up after using a serum rich in hyaluronic acid.
Both of these skin-changing ingredients are so beneficial to the skin that they can actually be used together without causing any reactions or irritation. Try to use hyaluronic acid during the day, as you don’t want to waste those instant results while you sleep. Keep retinol for your evening routine to keep this powerful ingredient at its best while not compromising its effectiveness due to UV rays. You’ll get the benefits of both powerful products without overloading your skin. It’s a win-win, and your skin will thank you!
Should I use a facial serum every day?
Absolutely! Face serums are extremely beneficial for the skin and should be used daily or at night, depending on the active ingredients included in the formula. There’s nothing wrong with using a variety of different serums depending on what your skin tells you throughout the day. Remember: the most expensive serum in the world may not work as expected if you don’t cleanse your skin daily. Make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup. Remove layers of dead skin cells, residue, and foundation before using a serum so it can do its job. You can also vary the serum you use daily depending on what your skin lacks or what you need to look and feel its best.
Here’s where you’ll learn about the best serums for aging skin! Aging affects the skin in many ways, so considering the various active ingredients found in a good serum is a godsend. You might even be asked what your secret is, but what you tell them is completely up to you!
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.
