If wrinkles are your biggest concern, SkinCeuticals is the serum you need. Formulated with niacinamide, this formulation was the best at reducing the look of lines and wrinkles in the GH Beauty Lab's test — lessening their appearance by 5% over just four weeks.
“Serums are very effective whether you're looking to address things like sunspots, or wrinkles, fine lines, or pores,” adds Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology. “There are different serums that are able to address all the reasons why we age.”
"If you have dry, irritated skin that is lacking in moisture, choosing a product with hyaluronic acid would be my recommendation," Hartman says. "Anyone with acne-prone skin, or someone who is looking to even out tone and fine lines and wrinkles would benefit from using retinol."
Retinol: The derms also recommend retinol, which is a vitamin A derivative that increases cell turnover and makes for a youthful-looking appearance, for your nighttime routine.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum claimed our top spot because the hardworking blend of actives is dermatologist-loved.
Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.
There's a reason it's ubiquitous: Not only does hyaluronic acid do a killer job when it comes to moisturizing the skin, but it minimizes signs of aging, since plump, hydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible.
Topical vitamin C is a science-backed, dermatologist-favorite ingredient that may help slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.
Both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are naturally occurring and work to reduce signs of aging in the skin. When used together, the anti-aging benefits are amplified. The hyaluronic acid retains moisture while vitamin C increases collagen production.
So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.
Look out for formulas that contain Hyaluronic Acid, one of the most common ingredients found in hydrating serums. Hyaluronic Acid – also known as Sodium Hyaluronate – is a powerful humectant that attracts and binds moisture to the skin, to keep it plump and hydrated. Glycerin and Aloe Vera are also potent hydrators.
Don't start Retin-A.
Since mature skin is naturally dry anyway, most women over 70 who have never used it before will need to avoid the Retin A.
Percentages of 0.01% retinol or greater are proven to be effective at improving multiple signs of ageing, reducing pore size and improving the overall health of your skin.
Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.
Here's what you can do: Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin.
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand1.
Care For Your Face
Apply retinol (Vitamin A) moisturizer, such as Wrinkle Recovery Serum. Use a high-quality Neck Restoring Cream for skin tightening. Be vigilant about using natural sunscreen, and avoid being outside during the time of day when the sun is most direct.
Not as well-known as Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, commonly abbreviated as “PGA,” is believed to have 4x greater moisture retaining benefits than HA. If you have dull, dry, or dehydrated skin, you should consider incorporating Polyglutamic Acid Serum into your skincare recipe.
The fact is, most topical retinoid serums tend to contain higher concentrations of the active ingredient. They also tend to be light to the touch and rarely leave behind a sticky residue. So in that case, it does appear that a serum is the “better” choice over a topical retinoid cream.