How To Create An Effective Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Fine lines, dullness, dryness—these are all common characteristics of aging skin. This process can vary from person to person, but typically starts becoming evident in your 20s or 30s. While it’s impossible to prevent skin aging entirely, adopting an anti-aging skincare routine can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy-looking, no matter your age. But with so many anti-aging ingredients and products to choose from, it can be challenging to determine the best routine for your needs. 

That’s where we come in. Ahead, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about building a skincare routine for mature skin and sharing our top skincare tips for maintaining a smooth, youthful complexion. Plus, we’ll clue you in on some of our best anti-aging skincare products to help keep your skin looking (and feeling) its best at every age.

What Are the First Signs of Skin Aging?

The first visible signs of skin aging (usually fine lines and wrinkles) tend to show up in your 30s. However, as mentioned above, early signs of aging can vary from person to person. How quickly your skin ages depends on several factors, including genetics, stress, environment, and lifestyle. Here are some of the most common signs of skin aging to look out for.

• Fine lines and wrinkles: Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process and are caused by everyday facial movements coupled with a loss of elasticity over time. You’ll typically spot them in areas that move a lot, such as your forehead, around your eyes, and at the corners of your mouth. 
• Dark spots (a.k.a. age spots, sun spots, or solar lentigines): As you age, you may notice small, flat dark spots on areas most exposed to the sun, like your face, shoulders, hands, and arms. Dark spots are typically caused by sun damage. They tend to be more common in people over 50, but younger people can also develop them after prolonged periods of unprotected sun exposure.
• Rough, dry skin texture: Your skin can become drier and rougher with age as the skin barrier weakens and becomes less effective at holding onto moisture. That’s why keeping your skin hydrated is a crucial part of any anti-aging skincare routine (more on that ahead).
• Dullness and uneven skin tone: Mature skin can lack radiance and may have an uneven skin tone. This is often caused by structural changes to the skin over time, such as the thinning of skin layers, but may also be a result of sun damage.

What Are The Best Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredients?

Consider incorporating these popular ingredients into your anti-aging skincare routine to help address common age-related skin concerns.

Retinol

Some might argue that retinol is the holy grail of anti-aging ingredients. According to the Cleveland Clinic, products with this vitamin A derivative can help minimize the appearance of fine lines, smooth skin’s texture, and improve the look of dark spots and discolorations. Retinol can be drying for first-time users, so it’s best to incorporate it into your routine slowly (more on that shortly).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that, when applied topically, can help protect your skin from damage caused by exposure to free radicals. Products with vitamin C can also help brighten the skin, improve the appearance of dark spots, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)

AHAs (like glycolic acid and lactic acid) are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells from your skin’s surface. They can help smooth and refine your skin’s surface and promote fresher, more youthful-looking skin. Harvard Health reports that, over time, regular use of AHAs may help improve the appearance of fine lines, skin discoloration, and blotchiness.

Hyaluronic acid

Skin tends to become drier with age, which can result in a dull, lackluster complexion. Hyaluronic acid can help diminish dullness by providing the skin with much-needed moisture. Products with this popular ingredient can also help plump the skin and diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 found in many anti-aging skincare products aimed at brightening the skin’s appearance and reducing the look of dark spots. According to the Cleveland Clinic, products with niacinamide can also firm the skin and help it retain moisture.

Sunscreen

Research shows that up to 80% of all facial skin aging can be attributed to unprotected sun exposure. Since it’s virtually impossible to avoid sun exposure, wearing sunscreen every day is the best way to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises seeking out a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15 and applying it every two hours (more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming).

10 Anti-Aging Tips for Your Skincare Routine

You don’t need a complicated, 10-step routine to address the visible signs of aging. But you do need the right products. Here, discover our best skincare for aging skin and tips for making the most out of your routine.

1. Use a gentle cleanser

Regardless of your age, daily cleansing is essential, and the best routine for mature skin begins with choosing the right face wash. Try to avoid using harsh cleansers, which can irritate your skin and disrupt its natural barrier. Instead, opt for a gentle, nourishing option that won’t strip your skin of much-needed moisture. We’re fond of the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser, which contains vitamin C and helps to smooth, brighten, and refine the skin.

2. Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliation offers a plethora of benefits for your skin—it helps remove dead skin cell buildup, helps keep your pores clear, and promotes a fresh, glowy complexion. It may also help prep your skin to better absorb the rest of your skincare products. One of our favorite exfoliants for all skin types is the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel. This potent yet gentle formula boasts a trio of exfoliating acids and helps to fade all types of dark spots while renewing skin texture. Keep in mind that this isn’t a daily-use product—we recommend reaching for it four times per week (at night) to help brighten and refine your skin. 

3. Use a targeted facial serum

Face serums are among the best products for aging skin, as they’re designed to target specific concerns and help improve your skin’s look and feel. Take your pick from our roster of anti-aging serums below. 

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Midnight Serum

As you age, skin cell regeneration slows down, causing a decrease in your skin’s overall radiance. With continued use over time, this luxurious serum helps your skin appear smoother, firmer, and more radiant. For best results, pat the antioxidant-packed serum onto clean skin morning and night.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum

This targeted antioxidant serum blends pure vitamin C with vitamin E to help boost the look of radiance and skin brightness. It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores to promote a smoother, more refined skin texture. 

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Years of environmental damage (especially from the sun’s harmful UV rays) can leave mature skin looking dull, dry, and textured. This hyaluronic acid serum helps replenish much-needed moisture, leaving the skin with a dewy, radiant glow. With continued use, you’ll notice a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a bouncier, more youthful-looking complexion.

L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum

Dark spots are a common sign of skin aging that many people experience. Whether you’re trying to fade post-acne marks or sun-induced discoloration, reach for this niacinamide serum. The brightening formula helps visibly fade all types of dark spots and instantly reveals more luminous, fresher-looking skin. 

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol

This anti-aging night serum is formulated with soothing ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, to help balance out the drying effects of retinol. With consistent use, it reduces the look of wrinkles, smooths skin texture, and boosts radiance. Apply two to three drops onto clean, dry skin one to two nights per week to start. As your skin becomes accustomed to the formula, you can build your way up to nightly usage.

4. Moisturize regularly

Skincare for mature skin should prioritize hydration, as skin loses its ability to hold onto moisture over time. Here are a few of our favorite anti-aging moisturizers to help promote a hydrated, plump appearance: 

L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer

This collagen-infused moisturizer delivers an intense dose of moisture to keep your skin feeling hydrated for up to 48 hours without a greasy or sticky feel. The fast-absorbing formula layers well under makeup, and you can use it morning and night for smoother, plumper-looking skin over time.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream

If fine lines are your primary concern, reach for this skin-plumping moisturizer. The lightweight, water-based formula deeply hydrates the skin, helping to minimize the appearance of crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and nasolabial folds in as little as two weeks.

L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer

Formulated with three of our top anti-aging skincare ingredients—pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid—this formula improves the look of wrinkles, brightens skin’s appearance, and promotes firmer-feeling skin in just one week. Plus, it also comes in a fragrance-free version.

5. Don’t neglect your eye area

The delicate skin under your eyes needs attention, too, regardless of your age. Look for a nourishing eye cream formula that can help address visible signs of aging around your eyes, such as dark circles and under-eye bags. Morning and night, use your ring finger to massage your chosen formula gently around the eye area until it’s thoroughly absorbed.

One great option to consider for your mature skincare routine is the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Midnight Eye Opener. This patented antioxidant and vitamin E formula improves the appearance of eight signs of aging—including crow’s feet, wrinkles, and sagging lids—for visibly lifted, younger-looking eyes. 

6. Use sunscreen every day

According to the Cleveland Clinic, damage from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can contribute to premature signs of aging, like wrinkling, sagging, and age spots. Always remember to apply a product with broad-spectrum sunscreen every day and reapply it at least every two hours for ongoing sun protection. To streamline your morning routine, opt for a moisturizer with SPF built into the formula, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30. Like the original moisturizer, it’s formulated with pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid and helps address the visible signs of aging. The formula’s broad-spectrum sunscreen, meanwhile, helps shield your skin from damaging UV rays. Remember to heed the FDA's advice and follow other sun safety measures, such as wearing protective clothing and avoiding direct sunlight during midday, to keep your skin well-protected. 

7. Always remove your makeup

Let’s skip to the end of the day: Before you’re ready to get some beauty sleep, you’ll need to remove your makeup. To avoid the clogged pores that snoozing in makeup can bring, use a makeup remover or double-cleanse to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and other debris. If you don’t have a dedicated makeup remover on hand, micellar water or makeup wipes can work in a pinch, too—just be sure to moisturize after removing your makeup to help replenish your skin.

8. Use an anti-aging cream at night

Sleep gives your body time to refresh and renew itself. Take advantage of that time by applying a wrinkle-fighting night cream as the final step in your evening routine. One of our favorites is the L’Oréal Paris Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide, which is formulated specifically to target age-related concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also made with a 12% complex of soothing ingredients to help counteract the potential drying effects of retinol, which makes it among our top picks for first-time retinol users.

If you use a retinol serum or exfoliant in the evening, you’ll want to use a gentle night moisturizer to help protect and replenish your skin. We love the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, Antioxidants, which has a nourishing, soufflè-like texture that works to help repair the skin barrier up to 1.5X faster while you sleep. With consistent use over time, expect visibly fewer wrinkles, firmer skin, and improved radiance.

9. Try a facial oil

A common sign of aging skin is a reduction in your skin’s oil production, which can affect your skin’s ability to retain moisture. That’s where a facial oil can help. Facial oils are often applied as the sixth step in your anti-aging routine, after moisturizer, but this can vary depending on the formula you choose. To learn more, head to our guide on how to layer your skincare products.

10. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

While we’re on the subject of beauty sleep, consider how your bedtime rituals can also impact your anti-aging skincare routine. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can make a difference for your skin because the soft, slinky material is typically gentler than cotton or polyester. It won’t tug or rub on the skin, which can worsen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, per the Sleep Foundation.

An Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Your 20s

Maintaining an effective anti-aging routine means that you’ll likely have to make some adjustments with each passing decade. Certain steps will stay the same—like cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen—but your skin concerns and the formulas you use to target them will likely change over time.

Follow these age-tailored steps to help create a solid anti-aging skincare routine for your 20s.

Step 1: Cleanse

Every skincare routine should start with a cleanser. Cleansing is essential at any age—it helps remove dirt, excess oil, and makeup and creates a clean canvas for the rest of your skincare products.

Step 2: Target skin concerns

Use a spot treatment or facial serum to help address specific skin concerns you may have, such as breakouts, enlarged pores, or dark spots. A niacinamide serum can be a great option for your 20s—this ingredient can help fade dark spots and is often well-tolerated by most skin types.

Step 3: Apply an eye treatment

Since the skin around your eyes is so delicate (and, therefore, may show signs of aging sooner), it can be a good idea to start using an eye cream (or serum) in your 20s. Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum. It provides an instant burst of hydration and helps to depuff and brighten tired-looking eyes. Plus, it features a stainless steel roller ball applicator that makes for an incredibly relaxing application.

Step 4: Moisturize

All skin types should moisturize after cleansing with a hydrating formula that won’t clog your pores. Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to skip moisturizer, and that goes for skincare in your 20s. If you avoid moisturizer out of an assumption that your skin is already “oily enough,” it may backfire—drying out your skin may actually cause your skin to overcompensate by producing even more oil. Use a water-based formula (the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream gets our vote) and apply a generous amount to your face and neck to help lock in moisture.

Step 5: Apply sunscreen

Sunscreen should always be applied as the last step of your daytime skincare routine, after moisturizer and before makeup. Getting into the habit of wearing sunscreen every day when you’re young can help prevent premature skin aging down the line, too.

An Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Your 30s

The skincare routine you follow in your 20s probably won’t look much different once you reach your 30s. Here’s an easy anti-aging skincare routine to try in your 30s.

Step 1: Cleanse

Your cleanser of choice can usually stay the same as you reach your 30s—just make sure to continue washing your face twice a day (and after sweating) to help prevent clogged pores.

Step 2: Exfoliate

The National Library of Medicine reports that skin cell turnover slows down as you age, which can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells. To help address this, use an exfoliating serum to help remove dead skin cells and banish a dull, lackluster complexion. All skin types can benefit from the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum. The gentle formula contains 10% pure glycolic acid (an AHA) and helps smooth, brighten, and refine the skin with regular use over time. 

Step 3: Moisturize

If you find your skin beginning to feel a bit drier as you enter your 30s, swap your old go-to moisturizer for a slightly richer formula to help support your skin’s changing needs. The aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer is an excellent pick, as it delivers deep, long-lasting hydration without a greasy feel.

Step 4: Apply an eye cream

Eye cream continues to be important in your 30s, so make sure you’re applying it correctly. Focus on smoothing your chosen formula along your undereyes from the inner corner to the temples. Remember to pat in any excess product with your fingers to help ensure it absorbs.

Step 5: Smooth on SPF

Sunscreen should be a staple in your routine by now, but if it isn’t, there’s no time like the present to start wearing it. Apply it every day—even on cloudy days and when staying indoors.

An Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Your 40s and Beyond

You may notice your skin becoming drier and duller in your 40s, so an anti-aging skincare routine after 40 is all about replenishing moisture with hydrating, nourishing formulas. Here’s one example of how a routine in your 40s and beyond might look.

Step 1: Cleanse

Once you reach 40, it’s a good idea to switch to a cleanser designed to hydrate and nourish your skin, rather than one that exfoliates or fights blemishes. Cream-based cleansers are often great for this, as they’re usually formulated with emollient ingredients to help smooth and soften the skin.

Step 2: Apply a hydrating serum

To help keep your skin as nourished as possible, try adding a hydrating serum to your anti-aging skincare routine. Look for formulas with hyaluronic acid, a humectant ingredient that helps plump and hydrate your skin. You’ll find hyaluronic acid in many of the serums we mentioned above, including the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Serum.

Step 3: Use an eye cream

Eye cream is an important part of any skincare routine for mature skin. These formulas moisturize and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet wrinkles. In your 40s, you can typically start applying eye cream as part of both your morning and nighttime routines (if you aren’t already doing so).

Step 4: Moisturize

As we mentioned before, moisturizer is essential in any anti-aging skincare routine. In the morning, try a brightening formula, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30, to help promote a radiant-looking complexion. In the evening, reach for a rich-textured cream, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, Antioxidants to help replenish your skin while you sleep.

Step 5: Apply sunscreen

Sunscreen is non-negotiable in your 40s and beyond. This essential product will help you avoid the aging effects of sun damage, which include skin discoloration, wrinkles, and loose, sagging skin.

Tips for Building a New Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

If you’ve never used anti-aging skincare products before, you may be wondering how best to get started—and when you can expect to see results. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin your journey:

• Start slow: The road to youthful, healthy-looking skin isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. Start slow when incorporating new products into your routine to ensure that your skin tolerates them well. 

• Learn how to layer: Less is more when it comes to skincare. Many ingredients—such as retinol and glycolic acid—can dry out or irritate your skin if used simultaneously. If you want to use both in your routine, save the exfoliant for morning and reserve your retinol for nighttime. 

• Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to building an effective skincare routine. Stick to your regimen, and you’ll see results—though keep in mind that it can take a month or more to notice visible changes in your skin. 

• Listen to your skin: Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you find that your skin tends to feel irritated or tight after using a specific ingredient, cut it out of your routine or opt for a product with a lower concentration of said ingredient. 

• Consider consulting a pro: If you’re unsure about how best to manage specific age-related skin concerns, schedule a visit with your dermatologist. They can help identify the cause of the issue (if there is one) and work with you to develop a tailored routine suited for your skin’s unique needs.

Next Up: How To Keep Your Skin Hydrated: 14 Tips To Try Right Now

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris