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Skincare
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From PDRN and exosomes to growth factors and ectoin, there’s a rapidly expanding array of anti-ageing skincare ingredients that are constantly being discussed in the skincare community.
While the innovation is exciting for clinicians and consumers alike, it can be overwhelming to keep up with the latest best practices for an anti-ageing skincare routine – even for someone like me, who writes about skincare every day.
Vogue’s pick of the best anti-ageing skincare products:
Aesthetician Patricia Conrad helped me to stop spiralling about whether to add peptides to my morning routine, PDRN to my nighttime routine, or exosomes, well, anytime. Conrad assured me that an anti-ageing skincare routine needn’t be complicated so much as sustainable – for one’s schedule and one’s skin. “The best routine is consistent and balanced, protecting the skin in the morning and repairing it at night,” she says.
To start, a good cleanser is key. Then a toner or essence can keep the skin luminous and smooth and allow active ingredients to work harder. And speaking of actives, it’s better to know what your skin needs – and to find the right product to provide it – than to hop on the latest ingredient trend. But you don’t have to do the legwork alone.
To help you design a regimen that addresses the needs of ageing skin with products that deliver proven results, we tapped the pros. Ahead, see what dermatologists, aestheticians, and other skin experts recommend for keeping skin smooth, supple, and strong at any age, plus which classic and cutting-edge ingredients they actually recommend.
In this article:
Start with a gentle cleanse
A good cleanse helps other products be more effective – and can also be cost-effective. “The most important thing to understand about this step is that it’s only designed to do one thing: prep your skin for the actives to follow,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology in Thousand Oaks, California. “Don’t put too much effort, energy, or money into this step. A cleanser may have wonderful anti-ageing ingredients, but they won’t be on your skin long enough to do any good.”
Of course, active ingredients will come into play later on, particularly with serums. But for this initial step, Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and – if needed – able to remove makeup. Peter Bittar, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, emphasises the importance of fragrance-free cleansers. “Fragrances often irritate the skin, which can make it harder to use actives such as retinoids,” he says.
Guerlain
Orchidée Impériale The Oil in Gel
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Inspired by the longevity of orchids, Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale collection draws upon research into Vanda coerulea, a blue orchid that can survive for up to 100 years. The firming, plumping cream is a favourite at Vogue HQ – beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden has been raving about this oil-in-gel. Formulated with orchid totum molecular extract and 40 per cent skincare oil, it melts into the skin to dissolve dirt and makeup – even waterproof formulas – before transforming into a milky veil upon contact with water. The result? Luminous skin with refined texture and the softness of an orchid petal.
CeraVe
Renewing SA Cleanser
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Bittar recommends CeraVe’s fragrance-free cleanser, which exfoliates and smooths the skin as it washes away dirt, oil, and debris. Thanks to its star ingredient – salicylic acid – the formula also helps clarify pores. “If you are dealing with blackheads or want an exfoliating action, a salicylic acid wash can go a long way,” Bittar says.
Finish skin prep with a toner or essence
After cleansing, a toning step can remove any leftover impurities from the pores and balance the skin’s pH level, while essences – which have a slightly thicker texture – tend to be more hydrating. “For ageing skin, toners and essences should be alcohol-free and infused with soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or peptides,” says aesthetician Nikki Miller, the director of Kohler Waters Spa in Kohler, Wisconsin. “This helps prep the skin for better absorption of subsequent products.” She adds that the lightweight products can also plump the skin.
Prequel
Half & Half Peptides + Ceramides Fluid Moisturiser
Why it’s Vogue-approved: “I love this concept, and the product seems to live up to its marketing claims,” says Fiona Rahbar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Mara Dermatology in South Carolina. “This moisturiser boasts both ceramides and peptides and lists them first in the ingredients, as opposed to many products that talk about peptides in the marketing but then list them last in the ingredients. Red flag!” The green flags in this formula? Multiple ceramides, which help support the skin barrier, as well as two peptides commonly used in collagen signalling.
Tatcha
The Essence Healthy Aging Firming Treatment
Why it’s Vogue-approved: “I love this product for someone seeking a fragrance-free, natural, plant-based product for skin hydration and plumping,” Rahbar says. Rayva Khanna, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York and Greenwich, Connecticut, notes that the formula combines traditional Japanese botanical ingredients with modern skincare science. “Green tea contains polyphenols with antioxidant properties that help protect against oxidative stress, a contributor to premature skin ageing. Algae-derived components help retain moisture and temporarily plump the skin, softening the appearance of fine lines. This makes it a particular favourite of mine for mature skin,” she says. “I also like this product for dry, dehydrated skin because it delivers an additional layer of hydration without feeling heavy.”
Use a serum to target specific signs of ageing
With the skin thoroughly prepped, it’s time to get active. “Serums are lightweight and designed to absorb deeply, delivering potent anti-ageing actives where they’re needed most,” says board-certified dermatologist Deanne Mraz, MD. According to aesthetician Audrey Zmigrodski, the director of Spa and Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs, Virginia, the best serums for mature skin contain ingredients that target concerns such as wrinkles, elasticity, and uneven tone. “Look for serums with retinol – or bakuchiol for sensitive skin – peptides, antioxidants, and niacinamide,” she says. “Apply the serum after toning and before moisturiser to maximise absorption.” Below, find the best anti-ageing serums broken down into the benefits they provide.
Antioxidant protection
For ageing skin, dermatologists recommend protecting collagen and warding off free-radical damage with a serum that contains proven antioxidants, including the pure form of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid. “In general, the ingredient L-ascorbic acid is very well studied,” Khanna notes. “Supporting antioxidants are also important in the formula. The classic pairing we see is vitamin E and ferulic acid.” She also recommends seeking out serums with active ingredients like niacinamide or green tea polyphenols – and paying attention to packaging. Because vitamin C can degrade with exposure to light or air, she suggests looking for opaque or airtight packaging.
Skinceuticals
C E Ferulic
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Loaded with antioxidants and lauded by dermatologists, SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic serum is one of Bittar’s top recommendations. “This is the gold standard of vitamin C serums, especially for mature skin,” he says. “It’s one of the original products to stabilise vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid. It carries a substantial price tag, but it is one of the few skincare products that I believe is actually worth the splurge.”
La Mer
The Concentrate Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: La Mer’s newly reformulated concentrate is a barrier-focused serum designed to soothe visible irritation and help ageing skin withstand environmental stressors. Its formula features concentrated miracle broth, antioxidant-rich lime tea concentrate, and clarity algae to help defend against free radicals and improve discolouration. “The formula is rich in silicones, which form a protective layer over the skin to help maintain hydration,” says Khanna, who also highlights its barrier-supporting lipids, including cholesterol and linoleic acid. She considers it a good option for dry or barrier-compromised skin, though its fragrance and aromatic botanical ingredients may be problematic for highly reactive complexions.
Firming serums
“When considering adding a serum designed for firming, you want to set expectations for what your serum can and cannot do,” says May Hall, DO, a double-board-certified dermatologist in Kentucky. She notes that no firming serum can reverse severe sagging or provide long-term skin tightening. “However, can your topical firming serum boost collagen production and support skin elasticity with ingredients like retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid?” she asks. “Absolutely!” With consistent use, Hall says that a good firming serum can improve the appearance of skin through surface plumping.
L'Oréal Paris
Revitalift Triple Power Face Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: “This serum contains a tri-peptide complex to support better skin elasticity and collagen production,” Hall says. “It also has ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help lock in the skin’s moisture and vitamin C for an overall brightening effect. At this affordable price point, this is a great addition to an anti-ageing skincare regimen.”
Dr Dennis Gross
DRx BioRejuvenation Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: “This is an ambitious, multi-ingredient formula,” says Nupur Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Clearwater, Florida. Designed to lift, tighten, and sculpt the skin, the serum “combines amino acids – the building blocks of proteins – with niacinamide, glutathione, adenosine, peptides, and several moisturising ingredients,” she explains. “I like the intention of addressing multiple aspects of skin quality rather than focusing only on wrinkles. For someone who wants one comprehensive treatment serum, it is an interesting option.”
Serums for overnight repair
You don’t have to keep the same hours as your skin care. In fact, some of the most effective products for ageing skin work while you’re asleep. SkinCeuticals’ P-Tiox Serum, for instance, is a bedside staple for many Vogue editors, while retinol is the long-reigning MVP of after-hours skin care.“Retinoids have the greatest body of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness in promoting collagen synthesis and increasing cellular turnover,” says Brandon Richland, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Richland Aesthetics in California and Nevada. Richland also suggests using barrier-supportive ingredients like ceramides or ectoin at night. These ingredients help maintain hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss, which can make retinoids easier to tolerate and reduce irritation.
Medik8
Crystal Retinal Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: According to Pierre, the key to finding a good retinoid for aging skin is to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin. Medik8’s Crystal Retinal simplifies that process, offering the product in various strengths suited to sensitive skin and those new to retinal as well as experienced retinoid users.
Allies Of Skin
Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Face Serum
Why it’s Vogue-approved: “This is great for a compromised barrier,” Khanna says. “It’s a fragrance-free formula with ectoin, which helps with barrier support, reduces water loss, and may protect against oxidative stress.” She recommends the serum for rosacea- or eczema-prone patients or for general barrier repair overnight.
Apply an eye cream (without tugging)
“The skin around the eyes is delicate and typically shows the first signs of ageing,” says Miller. “Choose eye creams with peptides or caffeine to reduce puffiness, firm the skin, and smooth fine lines.” Hydration is also key, she adds, and the ideal eye cream will have a rich yet non-irritating formula. Miller recommends applying eye cream after serum and before moisturiser, day and night – and going about it gently. “Tap gently with your ring finger to avoid pulling the delicate skin,” Zmigrodski instructs.
Blue Lagoon Skincare
BL+ Eye Cream
Why it’s Vogue-approved: Designed specifically for the eye area, Blue Lagoon’s BL+ complex uses an advanced system to deliver collagen-boosting microalgae and silica deep into the skin. Also made with ceramides, bakuchiol, and niacinamide, the cream has a rich, melting texture that makes it a treat to apply.
L'Oréal Paris
Revitalift Laser Renew Anti Ageing Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for mature skin for eye bags
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Inspired by the intensely smoothing action of professional lasers, this triple action eye cream promises to overhaul the appearance of crow’s feet, eye bags and fine lines by improving firmness, boosting hydration and refining skin texture. Caffeine included in the formulation also ensures skin is energised and circulation is boosted.
- Ingredients: pro-xylane, caffeine, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 15ml
With moisture, more is more
“Moisturisation is a crucial step in improving the vibrancy and health of mature skin,” Bittar says. “As we get older, our skin gets drier, which leads to a dull appearance.” He says that the best moisturisers for ageing skin not only hydrate but also include active ingredients – such as niacinamide, panthenol, or hyaluronic acid – that tend to be common signs of ageing. And in this category, it’s okay to double-dip.
“I often recommend investing in a moisturiser with built-in sunscreen to help simplify your morning regimen and buying one without SPF for evening use,” Bittar says. According to Miller, night creams should focus on repair and regeneration, and the best ones help mimic the effects of a restful night’s sleep.
Medik8
Advanced Night Restore
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: “As so much repair happens during the night, it is exceptionally important that our skin cells are protected and supported during this time of work. A key role of Advanced Night Restore within your skincare regime is to recuperate the skin after a long day of exposure to the environment,” shares Daniel Isaacs, director of research at Medik8.
- Key ingredients: multi-ceramide complex, cell-repairing peptides, N-acetylglucosamine, antioxidant-rich botanical extracts
- Benefits: restores the skin’s lipid barrier, promotes hyaluronic acid production and neutralises free radicals to prevent skin damage
- Size: 50ml
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Ultra hydrating
- Luxurious feel
Cons
- Thick so better for winter
Skinceuticals
P-TIOX Cream
Why it’s Vogue-approved: A firming favourite among Vogue editors, this SkinCeuticals cream targets deep lines, enlarged pores, and uneven texture. Its formula combines peptides, niacinamide, and exfoliating lipohydroxy acid to help skin look smoother and brighter, while keeping it hydrated for hours. “I absolutely love the P-Tiox Serum, and my skin drinks up the P-Tiox cream,” Hall says. “I love how silky the consistency is, and I know my skin is actively benefiting from the high-potency peptide formulation.” She recommends using the cream on its own or layering it with other actives like retinol.
SPF is a daily must
This last step is crucial. “Sunscreen is the single most important anti-ageing product,” Mraz stresses. “It protects against UV rays that accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin.” As collagen and elastin break down, she says, the skin becomes prone to more visible wrinkles, increased skin laxity, and UV-induced hyperpigmentation.
Bittar often tells his patients that sunscreen is “a fountain of youth in a bottle.” Like most dermatologists, he says that a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more is ideal, as SPF 30 blocks 97 per cent of UV light. But he stresses that reapplication is the key to efficacy for any sunscreen.
“What most people don’t realise is that sunscreen only lasts about two hours, so if you put on your sunscreen at 9 am, then go out to lunch at noon, your morning application is no longer protecting you,” he notes.
SunsolveMD
SunsolveMD Correct + Fade SPF 50
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: This clever formula actively combats pigmentation, thanks to alpha-arbutin and niacinamide in the formula. It’s the gold standard for those who want their SPF to go the extra mile and help with other issues beyond just sun protection. Clinically proven to fade dark spots in 28 days, add this to your routine if you’re suffering from any form of uneven tone. It is also tinted, so it doubles up as a brilliant base for make-up.
- Type: tinted serum
- Sun Protection Factor: 50
- Mineral/chemical: mineral
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Broad-spectrum protection
- Clinically proven
- Doubles as a lightweight make-up base
- Water resistant and hypoallergenic
- Paraben free
Cons
- Premium price point
- Mineral formula may leave a slight white cast on deeper skin tones
Augustinus Bader
The Sunscreen SPF50
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Avid Bader fans will have eagerly awaited this SPF and can rejoice that it’s as good as expected. The formula itself is loaded with UVA and UVB protection, and it also contains the brand’s signature TFC8 complex, a blend of natural amino acids, vitamins and peptides, which repairs and protects skin and encourages swifter cell renewal, especially post-sun exposure. In addition to a potent formula, the featherlight cream melts into the skin, leaving it with a subtle dewy sheen that makes make-up application a doddle.
- Type: cream
- Sun Protection Factor: 50
- Mineral/chemical: chemical
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight texture sinks in straight away
- Helps reduce redness
- Sits well under make-up
- Improves hyperpigmentation
Cons
- It’s pricey
FAQs
What’s the best skincare routine for ageing skin?
“The best routine is different for each person’s specific needs, but most ideal routines for ageing skin are composed of sunscreen, a retinoid, a gentle wash, a solid moisturiser, and a vitamin C serum – in that order of importance,” Bittar says. “If you have all of these components in your regimen, your routine is already in great shape.” Below, Bittar outlines his go-to routine for ageing skin.
AM
- Gentle face wash or salicylic acid face wash
- Vitamin C serum
- Moisturiser with SPF 30+ sunscreen
Throughout the day:
Reapply sunscreen every two hours
PM
- Gentle face wash
- Retinoid treatment
- Moisturiser
In what order should you use anti-ageing skin products?
“In general, you should use your products from lightest to heaviest,” Bittar says. He typically recommends using a cleanser followed by active ingredients in a toner, serum, and/or cream, and then layering on a moisturiser. “Finally, sunscreen goes on top,” he says.
To keep skincare simple, he also recommends splitting a routine into the morning and evening components outlined above. “Stick with only a few steps in each to make it easier to stay consistent and to make sure that your actives work well together,” he advises.
Meet the experts
- Peter Bittar, MD, is a double-board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute.
- Patricia Conrad is an aesthetician and massage therapist at The Spa at the Belgrove Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- Nikki Miller is a professional aesthetician and the director of Kohler Waters Spa in Kohler, Wisconsin.
- Audrey Zmigrodski is a licensed aesthetician and the director of Spa and Warm Springs Pools at The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs, Virginia.
- Deanne Mraz, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut.
- Peterson Pierre, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology in Thousand Oaks, California.
- Fiona Rahbar, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Mara Dermatology in South Carolina.
- May Hall, DO, is a double-board-certified dermatologist in Kentucky.
- Rayva Khanna, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York and Greenwich, Connecticut.
- Brandon Richland, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Richland Aesthetics in California and Nevada.
- Nupur Patel, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Luma Dermatology in Clearwater, Florida.