Dermatologists Say These Are the Best Anti-Aging Products Men Should Use Daily

When it comes to self-care, men can be hit or miss. We’ll go to the gym, take vitamins, and choose a high-protein salad over greasy fast food. But one thing that never seems to top the priority list? Investing in a solid skincare routine—even though it should. After all, downing beer to stay hydrated and golfing all summer without SPF is why so many of us look like dragons by 40 years old.

“The sun is the number one thing that causes premature aging,” says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., owner of Mudgil Dermatology in New York. “It damages the collagen that keeps skin plump, which leads to wrinkles, along with sun spots and broken capillaries.”

Even on a cloudy day, you need to be diligent with sunscreen. “The UV radiation we are bombarded with while spending time at the beach is only a small portion of our lifetime cumulative exposure,” says Hadley King, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. All those tans adds up and directly impact not only your looks, but your risk of developing skin cancer.

Using a minimum of SPF 30 daily and reapplying it every two hours will be the MVP in any anti-aging skincare routine. (Dr. Mudgil recommends looking for a physical SPF that contains titanium or zinc.) Beyond that, there are a few other ingredients to look for when shopping for a top-notch cream or serum.

How to choose the best anti-aging products for men

Look for hydrators: Dehydrated skin is more likely to wrinkle, so applying a moisturizer daily is crucial. “The most effective moisturizers combine both humectants and emollients,” says Dr. King. Humectants, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, pull moisture into the skin while emollients, like petrolatum, shea butter, and ceramides, seal it in.

One thing to keep in mind: “Men tend to have thicker skin with more oil glands than women, so lighter moisturizers that are gel-based can be a great option,” says Heidi Prather, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. But if your skin is on the dry side or winter weather has zapped its moisture, a thicker cream may be a better option.

Scan for anti-agers: Beyond hydrators, there are a host of other ingredients that can diminish the signs of aging. Ariel Ostad, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City suggests looking out for these key helpers:

• Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that boost collagen production by increasing the turnover of skin cells, reduce clogged pores, and decrease discoloration.
• Antioxidants like vitamins C and E help fight free radicals (unstable molecules that damage your cells).
• Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps brighten and even out skin tone.
  
• Growth factors also help encourage skin cell regeneration and boost the natural production of collagen.
  
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acids gently exfoliate your skin, sweeping away dead cells for a smoother complexion.

Timing matters: If you’re using a relatively basic cream or antioxidant serum (like vitamin C), apply it in the morning before your SPF. Products containing retinoids should be used at night, since some are deactivated by sunlight and can increase your sensitivity to UV light, says Dr. King

Of course, there are tons of products out there that claim to turn back time—but which ones actually deliver results? Below, the best anti-aging creams and serums for men, according to dermatologists.