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

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Composite of skin care products
Composite of skin care products

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.

Related: 12 Best Anti-Aging Cleansers That Combat Fine Lines and Wrinkles

SENTÉ Dermal Repair Cream

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.

Senté Dermal Repair Cream
Senté Dermal Repair Cream

OBAGI Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum

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."

OBAGI Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum
OBAGI Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

"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.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

POND'S Anti-Age Skin Overnight Cream

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.

POND'S Anti-Age Skin Overnight Cream
POND'S Anti-Age Skin Overnight Cream

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

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."

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide

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.

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide
ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Zinc Oxide

MMSkincare MMRevive Serum

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."

MMSkincare MMRevive Serum
MMSkincare MMRevive Serum

EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF

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."

EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF
EltaMD UV Elements Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF

ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense Antioxidant Serum

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.

ZO Remastered Retinol Skin Brightener
ZO Remastered Retinol Skin Brightener

Blue Lizard Sheer Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

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.

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

No. 7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Night Cream

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.

No. 7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Night Cream
No. 7 Lift and Luminate Triple Action Night Cream

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex

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.

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex
SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex

RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream

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.

RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream
RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream

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.

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream