These Are the Anti-Aging Skincare Products Dermatologists Use in Their Routines
These Are the Anti-Aging Skincare Products Dermatologists Use in Their Routines
Shopping for anti-aging skincare products is confusing. We are inundated with serums, moisturizers, oils, and creams that promise to fade away fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and loose skin. With so many options to choose from, it can make you feel like you need a 12-step routine to achieve smoother skin.
The truth is an anti-aging skincare routine is not about how many products you use or how much money you've spent on your regimen. "Your routine does not have to be complicated to be effective," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "An easy routine that you can stick with is best."
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So, what exactly does that look like? We reached out to some of the top dermatologists to find out which ingredients and skincare products they're currently using on themselves as part of a science-backed anti-aging routine. Whether you're looking to restore or maintain healthy, plump, and radiant-looking skin, keep reading to shop for anti-aging skincare products that won't disappoint.
1) Revox 7 Serum
Revision Skincare
dermstore.com
$130.00
Karan Lal, D.O., a double board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Arizona, swears by this serum. "It has seven peptides that soften and reduce the appearance of fine lines," he says. "It also works very well to help enhance the results on neurotoxins such as Botox."
2) Melatonik Recovery Night Serum
ISDIN
amazon.com
$165.00
Another one of Lal's picks is this nighttime serum. "It's an oil that contains bakuchiol, a gentle botanical that helps soften fine lines and reduce hyperpigmentation. It also has the neuropeptide melatonin, which relaxes your skin at night and makes it feel softer by morning."
3) Creme de Serum
Meaningful Beauty
ulta.com
$65.00
Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, loves this moisturizing serum because it features a powerful antioxidant called superoxide dismutase, which helps prevent damage from free radicals (environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution cause these unstable molecules to wreak havoc in the skin, causing premature signs of aging). "It also has hyaluronic acid and leaves my skin silky smooth and protected for the day," Hale says.
4) Sun Age Defense
Eucerin
amazon.com
$14.49
"The most important anti-aging product in your skincare routine is sunscreen," says Zeichner. "Even incidental UV light exposure from the sun adds up over a lifetime and is the number one cause of premature aging. If you do nothing else, applying sunscreen every morning is the best way to keep your skin healthy and protected." This new SPF from Eucerin is one of his top picks; it's packed with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
5) Professional Serum
Calecim
calecimprofessional.com
$100.00
Made with stem cell-derived growth factors and proteins, this serum is a mainstay in board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, M.D.'s routine. "It's my go-to serum immediately after micro needling or fractional ablative laser and other treatments. Not only does it help improve healing, but it amplifies the treatment results as well," she says. " Apply it to the skin daily to help restore collagen, rejuvenate the skin, and reduce inflammation."
6) Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Colorescience
amazon.com
$45.00
This antioxidant-rich tinted mineral sunscreen is one that Michael Gold, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist from Nashville, calls "remarkable" for its ability to protect against UVA and UVB rays, pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation. "I love to use it and recommend it to clients," he says.
7) Regenerating Skin Nectar
Alastin
alastin.com
$48.47
"My other go-to is the Regenerating Skin Nectar," says Gold. "This has clinical science behind it, which is crucial for me to use and also recommend to my patients."
8) Hyaluronic Concentrate
ISDIN
amazon.com
$103.00
"Hyaluronic acid provides hydration and plumps the skin, which is needed as you age," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology. "I use this serum in the morning because it has a satin finish and works well under my makeup or with no makeup at all."
9) AlphaRet Overnight Cream
SkinBetter Science
skinbetter.com
$130.00
"For anti-aging, retinol is the holy grail," says Robinson. Alpha hydroxy acids are also critical. "AlphaRet is a retinoid combined with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids. It provides visible rejuvenation with little-to-no irritation," she says.
10) Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum
Kiehl's
sephora.com
$80.00
Michelle Henry, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery in New York City is a fan of this powerful nighttime serum. It's a lightweight formula with pure retinol to help accelerate cell renewal for a visibly smoother and more plump complexion.
11) Revitalift 12% Vitamin C Serum
L'Oréal Paris
ulta.com
$26.39
Vitamin C helps protect against free radical damage, brightens skin, and promotes collagen production. Henry loves this version, which is made with 12 percent L-ascorbic acid, a form of pure vitamin C. It also contains vitamin E to moisturize and salicylic acid to improve skin texture.
12) UV Clear Broad-Spectrum
EltaMD
dermstore.com
$37.00
"Anti-aging is all about protecting your skin from environmental damage, maintaining hydration, and stimulating collagen," says Jeremy A. Brauer, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Spectrum Skin & Laser. Sunscreen can help with all of these efforts, which is why it's the number one product he recommends to patients. Brauer says this formula in particular is moisturizing and has lactic acid to gently exfoliate the skin, reducing the look of large pores and excess oiliness.
13) Eryfotona Actinica Sunscreen
ISDIN
amazon.com
$60.00
"I'm a big believer that less is more with skincare if you use the right ingredients," says Stacy Chimento M.D., a board-certified dermatologist from Florida. For sunscreen that means "physical blockers, such as zinc and titanium dioxide," she says, adding that this one not only protects the skin from UV rays, but also repairs existing sun damage.
14) TNS Advanced+ Serum
SkinMedica
dermstore.com
$295.00
"After age 25, we lose 1 percent of collagen every year, so using a serum with peptides or stem cells to jumpstart collagen and elastin production is a good thing to add into your skincare routine," says Chimento. She relies on this serum's innovative technology to stimulate skin cell renewal and support collagen and elastin levels, which can help decrease the look of wrinkles and loose skin.
15) Medical Retinol 1.0
Obagi
dermstore.com
$77.50
"My holy grail is a tretinoin cream at bedtime," says Chimento. She uses Obagi Tretinoin 0.05% Cream before bed, which is only available via prescription. For an over the counter version, try the brand's Retinol 1.0. It helps boost cellular turnover to minimize the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Discover the anti-aging skincare products that dermatologists use in their daily routines. Find ISDIN, SkinBetter Science, Ponds, and more.