The only anti-aging skincare you really need

As if navigating the crowded beauty aisle wasn't hard enough, many of us then have to filter through the seemingly endless boxes of anti-aging purchases that not only solve our problems, but are also designed for our skin type. It's even harder to know which anti-aging products are worth investing in, as there's little worse than spending our hard-earned money on skin care products we don't really need. Is retinol really as good as they say? Do I really need a separate moisturizer for the evening? (Hint: doubly so.) Luckily, we're here to help figure out which anti-aging products are worth spending your time and money on. Below is exactly what your anti-aging arsenal should never be without (besides a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, of course). Feel free to - read: run, don't walk - and buy them at your local drugstore or beauty supply store.

Sunscreen

Let's start with perhaps the most important anti-aging product of all - broad-spectrum sunscreen. Our consulting dermatologists tout sunscreen as the skin care product everyone needs (regardless of skin type). Trust us when we tell you that any anti-aging products worth investing in will be wasted if you don't protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. The UVA and UVB rays emitted from the sun can cause premature signs of skin aging, such as dark spots and wrinkles, as well as some skin cancers. By neglecting to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher every day, you put your skin at serious risk of these negative side effects. We've heard every excuse in the book - sunscreen makes my skin look pale and ashy, sunscreen gives me breakouts, etc. - and frankly, none of them are reason enough to skip this all-important skin care step. behind the skin. Moreover, there are many lightweight formulas on the market that do not clog pores, do not cause breakouts and / or do not leave sticky ashy marks on the surface of the skin.

Try: If you're afraid of sunscreen-related oiliness and acne, try La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin. The oil-free formula is great for those who don't normally want to wear sunscreen.

DAY AND NIGHT CREAM 

Do you think you can get by with one cream day and night? Think again! Night creams often contain higher concentrations of anti-aging ingredients, including retinol and glycolic acid, and are usually heavier in texture. (On the other hand, day creams tend to be lighter and contain a broad-spectrum SPF to protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays.) Because the two products offer such different formulas—with vastly different benefits—it's important to include them in your daily anti-aging skincare routine.

Try: To intensely hydrate skin overnight and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles over time, we recommend Garnier Miracle Sleep Cream Anti-Fatigue Sleep Cream.

ANTIOXIDANT SERUM

When free radicals—unstable molecules caused by a variety of environmental factors including sun exposure, pollution, and smoke—come into contact with the skin, they can attach to the skin and begin to break down collagen and elastin, leading to more visible signs of aging. A broad-spectrum SPF can help skin neutralize free radicals, and topical antioxidants provide an additional line of defense by providing an alternative for these oxygen free radicals to attach to. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant considered by our consulting dermatologists as the gold standard in anti-aging. Some of its benefits may include reducing damage to skin surface cells caused by the environment. Together, antioxidants and SPF are a powerful anti-aging force. 

Try: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic is the most loved Vitamin C rich serum. The formula contains an antioxidant combination of pure Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid to help boost skin's natural defenses against free radicals and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

RETINOL

When you think of retinol, anti-aging products immediately come to mind. This anti-aging ingredient is considered the gold standard, but it must be used correctly. Since retinol is extremely effective, it is important to start with a lower concentration of the ingredient and gradually increase the frequency depending on tolerance. Too much retinol can cause a negative skin reaction. Check out our beginner's guide to using retinol for more retinol related tips!

Note: Only use retinol at night - this ingredient is photosensitive and can be destroyed by ultraviolet light. But always (always!) apply broad spectrum sunscreen every morning and reapply throughout the day, as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Plus, you don't want to neutralize all of the anti-aging benefits by exposing your skin to those harsh, skin-aging UV rays...do you?

Try: If you are in a pharmacy, take a tube of La Roche-Posay Redermic [R]. Formulated with micro-exfoliating LHA and an exclusive retinol booster complex.