Gray hair isn’t the only physical change that comes with age—as the years go by, your skin changes too, becoming drier, less elastic, and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. While nothing can outright prevent skin aging, adopting an anti-aging skincare routine early on—and, in particular, using an anti-aging cream designed for your skin type and needs—can help address these concerns as they develop.
If you’re not sure which anti-aging moisturizer is right for you (or how to add one to your routine), keep reading. We’re sharing a look at eight of our favorites for different age-related skin concerns, ahead, plus tips on how to maximize your anti-aging routine.
Research shows that sun exposure is responsible for up to 80% of the visible signs of premature aging—making sun protection a non-negotiable in your anti-aging routine. For adequate daily protection, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Upgrading to an SPF moisturizer is a great way to ensure you’re protected each and every day.
Our top pick in this category is the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30. It’s formulated with a trio of powerful anti-aging ingredients—vitamin C, pro-retinol, and hyaluronic acid—and works over time to help firm, smooth, and brighten aging skin. Apply a generous amount of the lightweight, hydrating formula to your face, neck, and décolletage each morning to target age-related skin concerns and protect your skin from the sun’s skin-damaging rays.
If you’ve noticed your skin losing its youthful luster as you get older, it may be a good idea to incorporate a brightening moisturizer into your routine. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Vitamin C Glow Moisturizer gets our vote. This anti-aging moisturizer is packed with skin-brightening vitamin C, niacinamide, and ceramides and works quickly to help brighten, hydrate, and even the skin. You’ll enjoy a more youthful appearance after just one week of use, while dark spots, fine lines, and dullness will noticeably diminish with continued use over time. You can use it morning and night—just remember to follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen if applying it in the morning.
Wrinkles rank among the top age-related skin concerns for many. These lines are caused by a decrease in the skin’s natural elasticity as well as repeated facial movements (like raising your eyebrows or squinting your eyes). Getting rid of them isn’t always possible, but a good anti-wrinkle cream can help soften their appearance. If smoother skin is your primary goal, try the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer for softer, more hydrated skin that lasts for 24 hours. This anti-aging cream is formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and Pro-Retinol to visibly reduce wrinkles, improve firmness, and brighten skin tone in just one week.
Another great option is the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide. This potent anti-wrinkle cream is formulated with retinol, a vitamin A derivative known for its ability to help smooth, firm, and refine aging skin. It also features a 12% complex of nourishing ingredients to help minimize dryness (a common side effect of retinol usage). With consistent use, you’ll notice a smoother, firmer-looking complexion with less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re new to retinol, we suggest starting slowly. Apply the hydrating, non-comedogenic formula to clean, dry skin twice per week (at night) to start. As your skin acclimates, you can gradually work your way up to nightly use.
Fine lines can deepen into persistent wrinkles over time. Addressing them early on with a targeted anti-aging moisturizer can help keep your skin looking smooth, youthful, and healthy. If your main priority is to plump up those small lines, reach for the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. This unique, gel-like moisturizer delivers intense hydration, immediately leaving the skin softer and smoother. Over time, it helps to visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines to support a bouncy, youthful complexion. Plus, the lightweight formula is fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, so it slots easily into nearly any skincare routine.
It’s common for skin to get drier with age, as your skin gradually produces less sebum (or oil) over time. If dryness ranks among your top concerns, upgrade your routine with the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer. The gentle formula delivers up to 48 hours of hydration without leaving the skin feeling slick or greasy. It’s also non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores or contributing to breakouts. Smooth a generous amount of the lightweight formula onto your face and neck each morning and night for long-lasting hydration and smoother, plumper-looking skin.
Crepiness and wrinkles are often confused for one another, but they’re not quite the same thing. Wrinkles are creases in your skin that don’t go away when you soften your expression, while crepiness is a catch-all term to describe skin that’s lost its natural elasticity. Crepey skin may appear loose, thin, or saggy, and it’s a common concern for those who’ve had a lot of unprotected sun exposure. To help firm your skin and improve the look of crepiness, we love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Moisturizer. It’s packed with pro-retinol and centella asiatica extract and helps to firm the skin while targeting other age-related concerns, like fine lines and wrinkles. Another bonus? The gentle formula contains broad-spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen, taking the guesswork out of your morning skincare routine.
Finding a good anti-wrinkle cream can be challenging if you have sensitive skin, as many popular anti-aging ingredients can be on the stronger side. To target age-related skin concerns without risking irritation, try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream. The ultra-gentle (and incredibly luxurious-feeling) cream boasts a patented antioxidant blend and helps to repair the skin barrier at night, when your skin is most receptive to recovery. Over time, it also helps smooth wrinkles, firm the skin, and enhance radiance. Though it’s called a midnight cream, this indulgent, non-greasy formula can be used anytime, day or night, to support a youthful, healthy-looking complexion.
The skin around your eyes is super thin and susceptible to unique concerns, such as crow’s feet, dark circles, and sagging. Adding an anti-aging eye cream to your lineup can help target these concerns to support a bright, youthful-looking eye area. In this category, we’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Midnight Eye Opener. It boasts a lightweight, fast-absorbing cream texture and works quickly to help target eight key signs of skin aging around the eyes, including sagging, fine lines, wrinkles, and bags. Pat it onto your eye area after applying your facial moisturizer twice daily to keep your eye area looking (and feeling) its best.
Not all anti-aging face lotions or creams are created equally—when and how you apply your chosen moisturizer depends largely on the formula and the ingredients it contains. Anti-aging moisturizers with retinol, for example, are usually best saved for your evening routine, as retinol can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. On the other hand, it’s best to save your SPF moisturizer for the morning, since there’s no real need for sun protection after the sun goes down. To get a clear read on when and how to apply your anti-aging cream, read the instructions on the product package—it should break it all down for you.
As a general rule of thumb, though, we recommend applying your moisturizer to your face and neck after cleansing, toning, and applying your serum. Skincare products should always be layered from thinnest to thickest, which means moisturizer should usually be the last thing you apply (other than sunscreen). It’s also a good idea to apply your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to help lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling hydrated.
Skincare is a marathon, not a race. In other words, even the world’s top anti-aging cream won’t deliver overnight results. Your skin may look and feel more hydrated or plumper after one use, but you’ll typically need to continue using your chosen moisturizer for a minimum of four weeks to begin seeing results (that’s how long it takes for your skin cells to turn over, per the Cleveland Clinic). With that being said, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. To get the best results, use your anti-aging moisturizer as directed and protect your skin with sunscreen every day.
In addition to using an anti-aging cream, there are other things that you can do to support a youthful, healthy-looking complexion. When building out your routine, keep the following in mind:
Next Up: The Benefits of Retinol Serum and How To Use It In Your Routine
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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