The Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine, According to Top Dermatologists and Estheticians

From PDRN and exosomes to growth factors and ectoin, there’s a rapidly expanding array of anti-aging skin-care ingredients that are, to quote Wendy Williams, “the moment.” (Well, until it’s time for the next buzzy ingredient to have its moment.) 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-aging skin-care routine—even for someone like me, who writes about skincare every day.

Vogue’s Favorite Anti-Aging Skin-Care Products:

• The Cleanser: Guerlain Orchidée Impériale The Oil in Gel, $130
• The Multi-Purpose Serum: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Face Serum, $22
• The Hydrating Essence: Prequel Half & Half Peptides + Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer, $26
• The Retinol: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum, $56
• The Hydrating Eye Cream: Blue Lagoon Skin Science BL+ Eye Cream, $165
• The Firming Moisturizer: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Cream, $150
• The Tinted Sunscreen: Carte Blanche Multi-Hyphenate Skin Tint Mineral SPF 35, $68

During a recent visit to The Spa at The Belgrove Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, Florida, esthetician Patricia Conrad helped me to stop spiraling about whether to add peptides to my morning routine, PDRN to my nighttime routine, or exosomes, well, anytime. Conrad assured me that an anti-aging skin-care 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 said.

To start, a good cleanser is key. The, 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 aging skin with products that deliver proven results, we tapped the pros. Ahead, see what dermatologists, estheticians, 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.

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 Dr. 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-aging 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, Dr. Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and—if needed—able to remove makeup. Dr. Peter Bittar, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, emphasizes the importance of fragrance-free cleansers. “Fragrances often irritate the skin, which can make it harder to use actives such as retinoids,” he 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 aging skin, toners and essences should be alcohol-free and infused with soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or peptides,” says Nikki Miller, professional esthetician and 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.

Use a Serum to Target Specific Signs of Aging

With the skin thoroughly prepped, it’s time to get active. “Serums are lightweight and designed to absorb deeply, delivering potent anti-aging actives where they’re needed most,” Dr. Mraz explains. According to Audrey Zmigrodski, licensed esthetician and 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 moisturizer to maximize absorption.” Below, find the best anti-aging serums broken down into the benefits they provide.

Antioxidant Protection

For aging 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,” Dr. 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.

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.

Serums for Overnight Repair

You don’t have to keep the same hours as your skincare. In fact, some of the most effective products for aging 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. Dr. 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.

Apply an Eye Cream (Without Tugging)

“The skin around the eyes is delicate, and typically shows the first signs of aging,” 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 moisturizer, day and night—and going about it gently. “Tap gently with your ring finger to avoid pulling the delicate skin,” Zmigrodski instructs.

With Moisture, More Is More

“Moisturization is a crucial step in improving the vibrancy and health of mature skin,” Dr. Bittar says. “As we get older, our skin gets drier, which leads to a dull appearance.” He says that the best moisturizers for aging skin not only hydrate, but also include active ingredients—such as niacinamide, panthenol, or hyaluronic acid—that tend to be common signs of aging. And in this category, it’s okay to double dip.

“I often recommend investing in a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen to help simplify your morning regimen, and buying one without SPF for evening use,” Dr. 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.

SPF Is a Daily Must

This last step is crucial. “Sunscreen is the single most important anti-aging product,” Dr. 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.

Dr. 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% of UV light. But he stresses that reapplication is the key to efficacy for any sunscreen.

“What most people don’t realize is that sunscreen only lasts about two hours, so if you put on your sunscreen at 9 a.m., then go out to lunch at noon, then your morning application is no longer protecting you,” he notes.