These Are the 14 Skin Care Products You Should Really Use as You Age, Say Leading Dermatologists

From sunscreens and retinols to night creams and serums, these doctor-recommended formulas target a myriad of skin concerns.

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Composite of skin care products
Photo: Courtesy of Ulta, Walmart, Dermstore

There are a handful of formulas that promise to help the skin age gracefully, but it can be difficult to parse out which ones really work. If you're hoping to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and other signs of aging, you'll want a product that truly lives up to its word.

To help cut through the noise, we're sharing the holy-grail products that several board-certified dermatologists swear by for aging skin. From sunscreen to retinol recommendations, these products tighten and brighten, leaving you looking instantly rejuvenated.

SENTÉ Dermal Repair Cream

Senté Dermal Repair Cream
Courtesy of Dermstore

This hydrating cream diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and enhances skin tone. "The Senté Dermal Repair Cream has heparan sulfate analog, which deeply moisturizes severely dehydrated and repairs aging skin," says Jeannette Graf, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

OBAGI Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum

OBAGI Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum
Courtesy of LovelySkin

Vitamin C is a quintessential anti-aging ingredient, and it deserves a place in your routine. "The Citamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum is a favorite of mine," says Elyse Love, MD, board-certified dermatologist at GlamDerm and Spring Street Dermatology. "It pairs 10 percent L-ascorbic acid with additional antioxidants to protect the skin from free radical damage, contains arbutin, a natural alternative to hydroquinone, to promote an even skin tone, and has a smooth glide."

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Courtesy of SkinBetter

"Retinol is considered by most of us dermatologists to be the 'holy grail' anti-aging ingredient," says Rachel Westbay, MD, board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist at Marmur Medical. "This medical-grade retinol night cream is amazing because it also contains lactic acid."

The formula stimulates skin cell turnover, resulting in a bright, even complexion and helps preserve collagen stores that naturally wane over time.

POND'S Anti-Age Skin Overnight Cream

POND'S Anti-Age Skin Overnight Cream
Courtesy of Target

Looking for an affordable drugstore option? "This night cream packs a punch," says Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. "It contains retinol to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, which can be soothing and help with skin tone, while simultaneously hydrating." It's also gentle on the complexion and safe to use night.

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Courtesy of Dermstore

With a skin rejuvenating formula that visibly improves the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and crepey skin, this product will leave you looking effortlessly radiant. "It is my absolute favorite product and contains concentrated high-quality growth factors that plump the skin and reduce sagging," says Kafele Hodari, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Hodari MD Dermatology. "The moisturizing effects are noted immediately, while the improvement in laxity can be seen within two weeks of starting application."

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide
Courtesy of Amazon

Sunscreen is critical to your successful aging routine. This one provides not only 100 percent mineral broad spectrum SPF 50, but it also has DNA repair enzymes to help address sun damage. "It's actually repairing and protecting at the same time," says Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weil Medical College of Cornell University.

MMSkincare MMRevive Serum

MMSkincare MMRevive Serum
Courtesy of MMSkincare

This serum has everything you need for radiant skin, including antioxidants, peptides, microbiome enhancers, aloe, and humectants. "It contains a core essence of peptides to assist new collagen and elastin formation," says Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare. "Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 reduces wrinkles and expression lines by safely inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters that control muscle contractions; this may extend the benefits of anti-wrinkle cosmetic procedures, such as Botox."

EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF

EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF
Courtesy of Dermstore

Overtime, excess sun exposure can cause increased fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, uneven texture, and skin laxity. This product, complete with broad spectrum UV coverage, stops sunny rays in their tracks. "It also contains hyaluronic acid to boost hydration," says Yunyoung Claire Chang, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology. "Another plus is that it is tinted, so it masks brown spots."

ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense Antioxidant Serum

ZO Remastered Retinol Skin Brightener
Courtesy of Zo Skin Health

This advanced serum strengthens the skin's protective barrier while defending against environmental stressors. "It strengthens the skin with a touch of retinol that is gentle enough for sensitive complexions and daily use," says Sameer Bashey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Sameer Bashey Cosmetic Dermatology.

Blue Lizard Sheer Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

Blue Lizard Sheer Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+
Courtesy of Blue Lizard Sunscreen

Daily and generous sunscreen application is essential for all skin types. "I recommend Blue Lizard Sheer Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 due to the sheer application and antioxidant-rich formula that works to offsets the oxidative stress that comes with visible light, infrared light, and UV light," says Doris Day, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Day Dermatology and Aesthetics.

No. 7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Night Cream

No. 7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Night Cream
Courtesy of Ulta

Suitable for sensitive skin, this fast-absorbing night cream actively reduces wrinkles. "No. 7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Night Cream is a great moisturizer that improves pigmentation and contains African oils like marula (which is highly moisturizing), plantain extracts (for firming), and green tea (to combat inflammation)," says Pat Wexler, MD, owner of Wexler Dermatology.

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex
Courtesy of Dermstore

This product's star ingredient—retinol—can get deep into your dermis to stimulate collagen production. "With consistent use over time, it has been scientifically proven to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and even out skin tone," says Anne Chapas, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology.

RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream

RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream
Courtesy of Walmart

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this retinol-containing night cream is suitable for sensitive skin. "RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream is easily accessible and nice for sensitive skin," says Tara Rao, MD, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai.

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
Courtesy of Dermstore

Visibly reduce fine lines with this advanced retinol-powered formula that remedies premature sun damage and skin texture. "It has an elegant formulation that doesn't leave you irritated and boosts collagen production," says Shereene Idriss, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology.

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