BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

Best Vitamin C Serum

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

$30 at Amazon$30 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

Super potent but stable Vitamin CContains other antioxidants in the formulaFragrance-free

Cons

May be too intense for especially sensitive skin

This potent serum contains 20% L-ascorbic acid (a form of Vitamin C) that doesn’t degrade or lose effectiveness over time like other serums. It’s also combined with green tea for even more antioxidant protection.

Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum

Best Retinol for Beginners

Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum

$92 at Kiehl’s

Pros

Suitable for retinol beginners and most skin typesCeramides and peptides help strengthen skinStill helps reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines

Cons

Expensive

When you first start a retinol, dermatologists advise to start slowly and apply it only a few times a week because it can cause irritation. This version helps that beginner stage along thanks to a lower concentration of retinol to make the transition easier as well as ceramides and peptides to help strengthen and protect skin.

Sunday Riley 10% Niacinamide Serum

Best Niacinamide Serum

Sunday Riley 10% Niacinamide Serum

$65 at sundayriley.com

Pros

High concentration of niacinamideTargets dark spotsAlso controls oiliness

Cons

Expensive

Niacinamide, another antioxidant, helps improve the look of dark spots and blotchy skin tone, both common signs of aging. The serum contains ten percent of the stuff (that’s a lot) and visibly improves skin tone and brightens spots with lightning speed.

ATWATER Skin Armor Moisturizer

ATWATER Skin Armor Moisturizer

$35 at Nordstrom$35 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Pros

Suitable for all skin typesLightweight and quick absorbingContains antioxidants

Cons

May be too lightweight for very dry skin

This lightweight and fast absorbing moisturizer is packed with antioxidants like niacinamide and licorice root extract to protect your skin all day, but won’t leave it feeling greasy or filmy.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Firm & Bright Eye Treatment

Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Firm & Bright Eye Treatment

$68 at Sephora$65 at Walmart$68 at Nordstrom

Pros

Addresses a variety of eye issuesContains Vitamin CCan be used day or night

Cons

Expensive

The combination of lactic acid and Vitamin C in this eye cream addresses essentially every eye issue you could hope for—puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, and sagging. It’s lightweight and fast-absorbing enough to wear during the day, too.

SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads

Best Exfoliator

SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads

$60 at Dermstore$60 at Skinstore

Pros

Helps to even and brighten skin toneGentle enough for sensitive skin

Cons

Expensive

Exfoliation helps to clear away dead skin cells that can stick around on the surface of your skin, giving it a dull appearance and sometimes making wrinkles look worse. These pads use glycolic acid to gently slough them away and a blend of niacinamide, tranexamic acid and lotus seed extract to even skin tone and brighten dark spots.

The Wolf Project Anti-Age Face Mask

The Wolf Project Anti-Age Face Mask

$20 at Amazon

Pros

Comes in full-face and beard-friendly optionsContains natural ingredientsSubscription option

Cons

Requires more time than traditional serums

Think of a sheet mask as a boost for your skincare routine—pop it on whenever your skin needs a little extra help. This anti-aging mask is packed with concentrated niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, aloe and a variety of botanical extracts to help hydrate and protect your skin.

Peace Out Microneedling Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Patches

Best Retinol Patches

Peace Out Microneedling Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Patches

$24 at Sephora$25 at Walmart$24 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

Non-invasiveOvernight useReduces appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet, fine lines and 11’s

Cons

Doesn’t last as long as a traditional cream

You’ve likely heard of the benefits of getting a microneedling procedure, but these Peace Out overnight patches are far less invasive. Just pop them on a wrinkly area of concern and let the 450 hyaluronic acid microneedles take care of the rest.

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Best Mineral Sunscreen

ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

$60 at Amazon

Pros

Absorbs quicklyMineral-basedWater resistantNon-greasyRepairs existing sun damage

Cons

Expensive

Dr. Hartman recommends this sunscreen because “not only does it contain a purely physical zinc oxide sunscreen in a lightweight emulsion formulation that guys love, but it contains DNA repair enzymes to correct damage.”

Read more: Best Mineral Sunscreens

Brickell Men’s Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream

Brickell Men’s Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream

$40 AT AMAZON$40 at Walmart$40 at Neiman Marcus

Pros

Available in scented and unscented formulaAbsorbs quicklyReduces appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet and fine lines

Cons

May be too heavy for breakout-prone skin

A great night cream is essential to any effective anti-aging skincare routine, whether you’re focused on anti-aging or not. This cream is packed with skin hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe for all-day (and night) hydration.

Senté Invisible Shield Full Physical SPF 52 Tinted

Best Tinted Sunscreen

Senté Invisible Shield Full Physical SPF 52 Tinted

$38 at Dermstore

Pros

Mineral-basedAbsorbs quicklyDoesn’t leave residue behindProtects against blue light

Cons

Tint may not be suitable for all skin tones

“This sunscreen contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in an elegant, moisturizing cream that won’t clog pores, feel heavy or cause a white cast even on darker skin tones,” says Dr. Hartman.

Read more: Best Natural Sunscreens

La-Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%

Best Over-The-Counter Retinol

La-Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%

$36 at Amazon$33 at Walmart$37 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

Targets acne, blackheads and whiteheadsPrevents clogged poresUnscented

Cons

May not be great for sensitive skin

Many retinol products can cause irritation, especially when you first start using them. Dr. Hartman recommends this one because it’s a “prescription strength retinoid that is available over the counter and is mild enough to not cause irritation, but strong enough to deliver results strong enough for a man.”

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%

Best Prescription-Strength Retinol

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%

$60 at Amazon

Pros

Targets acne, blackheads and whiteheadsPrevents clogged pores

Cons

Can’t use every night if you’ve never used retinol before

Prescription strength retinol products weren’t always available over the counter, but have been recommended by dermatologists for decades. Not only does retinol help with anti-aging, but it also combats breakouts, two skin issues that are not mutually exclusive.

Read more: Best Acne Face Washes

Jack Henry Nightly Detox Face Oil

Best Face Oil

Jack Henry Nightly Detox Face Oil

$38 at jackhenry.co

Pros

Plant-based formulaDetoxifies and decongests skinAnti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

Cons

May not be suitable for oily or acne-prone skin

Prefer to go au naturel with your grooming regimen? Add this face oil from Jack Henry, which features easy-to-pronounce ingredients like tea tree oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. Together they help even skin tone and boost collagen production.

Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer Cream

Best Night Cream

Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer Cream

$110 at Nordstrom$70 at Walmart$110 at Dermstore

Pros

Contains both retinol and vitamin CReduces appearance of wrinkles and fine linesBrightens and evens skin toneImproves skin texture

Cons

Expensive

In the interest of simplicity, this nighttime moisturizer contains both retinol and potent antioxidant vitamin C. Just make sure to use it only at night, since retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight (and always wear sunscreen during the day).

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Hydrating Moisturizer

Best Budget Night Cream

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Hydrating Moisturizer

$40 at Amazon

Pros

Reduces appearance of wrinkles and fine linesAbsorbs quicklyFragrance-free

Cons

May to too strong for retinol beginners

This new retinol anti-aging night cream contains more retinol than the original version (which is one of our favorites) but still has a rich, creamy fragrance-free formula that moisturizes skin and could help cut down on any potential irritation.

What Are the Most Important Ingredients for Anti-Aging?

Dr. Hartman says it boils down to three ingredients that he calls the “Holy Trinity of Skin.” The first, and most important anti-aging product, is sunscreen. “Aside from genetics, exposure to the sun is the single most important determinant of how our skin ages,” he says. “Daily sunscreen protects against ultraviolet, visible, infrared and even blue light that is emitted from our constant use of devices. If you can prevent the damage in the first place, there is less to correct later.” After sunscreen, he recommends antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, which help to neutralize collagen-damaging free radicals caused by sun exposure and other environmental factors. Third is retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, which aids in cell turnover and exfoliation. “Regular exfoliation keeps the pores from becoming clogged, boosts collagen and elastin production and helps to balance hydration levels.” Speaking of those hydration levels, moisturizing can help as well since “dryness and dehydration which accelerate the development of fine lines, wrinkles and creases,” he advises.