Best Anti Aging Ingredients: Top Skin Care Ingredient & Cream to Stay Wrinkle Free
As we get older, choosing the right skincare products can be tricky. With so many options on the market, we're constantly bombarded with new and improved products that claim miraculous results. How can we tell what's legitimate, and what's just empty hype?
The best way to cut through the noise and choose serious skin care that really works is to check that ingredients list. Armed with the knowledge of how the best anti-aging ingredients work, it's much easier to build a routine that will help combat the signs of aging on your skin.
We've gathered expert advice from top dermatologists and beauty experts to show you the top 11 skin care ingredients for aging skin. Let's get started!
What Does Aging Skin Need?
When choosing the right anti-aging products for your skin, it's important to factor in what your skin really needs as it gets older. The symptoms and signs of aging skin that we generally want to combat are fine lines, wrinkles, dry skin, sagging skin, hollow cheeks, age spots, and uneven skin tone.
There are two main causes of these skin concerns: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic aging is the natural process of getting older, whereby our bodies slow down and begin to produce fewer proteins and other key components to keep our skin strong and bouncy. Those key components are collagen, a protein responsible for strong and firm skin; elastin, a protein responsible for bouncy skin; and hyaluronic acid, an acid that's key to hydrated and soft skin. After the age of 20, our bodies start to produce less and less of these foundational components of skin health.
Extrinsic aging, on the other hand, is the acceleration of this process by external factors like sun exposure, blue light, pollution, cigarette smoke, and other toxins. These forces all speed up the rate of collagen breakdown and elastin loss in the dermis, causing skin to wrinkle, sag, and show pigmentation issues sooner than it should.
It's important to look for ingredients that can restore some of the natural components that make our skin healthy in the first place. Although we can't stop the hands of time, there are some great ingredients out there that have been well-researched and scientifically-proven to combat the forces of intrinsic and extrinsic aging.
More helpful reading: The best skin care for women over 50
11 Best Ingredients for Anti-Aging Skin Care
Here are the very best anti aging ingredients proven by science to help you target those skin concerns:
1. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) – Protects Skin Health
Ask any board-certified dermatologist what their top anti-aging ingredient is, and you can bet it's sunscreen. The most important anti aging products you can add to your daily routine are mineral or chemical sunscreens, which will provide essential sun protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Sun exposure is the number one cause of extrinsic aging, accounting for 80% of the damage done to our skin by external forces. Over time, the sun's UV rays break down collagen in your skin and allow dangerous free radicals to wreak havoc on your skin tone and texture. Without proper protection, this can quickly lead to sagging, wrinkles, dark spots, and a leathery skin texture that adds years to your complexion. 1
When you wear sunscreen, you're adding a barrier that will filter out UV rays before they can reach the dermis and cause damage. This won't just protect your skin from wrinkles, it's also essential to preventing skin cancer.
How to Use SPF
It's a myth that your SPF cream is only needed on bright sunny days. Rain, hail, or shine, it's important to always wear sunscreen, as the sun's rays can still harm your skin through clouds, and even through windows. Apply sunscreen in the morning before you leave home, and top it up every 2-3 hours if you're spending time in direct sunlight, or once during the day if spending more time indoors.
Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. You can either go for a mineral sunscreen or a chemical one.
Mineral sunscreens are made with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These creams sit on the surface of your skin, blocking rays like a shield. Chemical sunscreens sink further into your skin and absorb rays like a sponge. Both types can help you maintain healthy skin. The best anti aging products for sun protection will have an SPF of 30 or higher.
2. Collagen Peptides – Strengthens and Firms
After sunscreen, the best overall anti-aging ingredient is collagen, which you'll find in skin care products in the form of hydrolyzed collagen peptides. Collagen breakdown is the number one reason that our skin begins to sag and wrinkle, so the ability to restore some of this essential protein in the body can have a significant effect on the quality of our skin.
Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are tiny particles that can reach your dermis (foundational layer of the skin) and trigger your skin cells to produce more natural collagen fibers. Once these fibers form and become thicker, your skin will become firmer and wrinkles become less pronounced. Learn more about how to increase collagen here.
How to Use Collagen
You can find hydrolyzed collagen peptides in topical creams and in supplements. Cosmetic and clinical research back collagen supplements over topical solutions, citing a clear improvement in skin elasticity and hydration after 12 weeks of taking supplements. 2
Supplements with a strong dosage like Taut Liquid Collagen Drink can be very effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles. With 13 grams of hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides, plus elastin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and grape seed extract, this supplement helps to stimulate collagen production, firming and brightening your skin for a more youthful and radiant glow.
For best results, take daily for three weeks before switching to 3-4 bottles per week. It's best to drink your collagen on an empty stomach before bedtime, or 2 hours after eating.
What's the best collagen drink for skin? Find out here!
3. Retinol – Improves Skin Texture
One of the most effective anti-aging ingredients for topical skin care products is retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts skin cell turnover, which helps remove dead skin cells and unblock pores for a more radiant glow. This makes it an effective treatment for acne, as well as for aging skin concerns.
When applied to the skin, retinol can also help kickstart collagen production in the dermis and it also acts as an antioxidant to fight free radical damage. This alongside its ability to stimulate cell turnover can significantly improve skin texture, and it has a smoothing and firming effect that can help combat fine lines and wrinkles. Learn more about the benefits of retinol.
How to Use Retinol
You'll find retinol in serums and night creams, as it's best applied during your evening skincare routine. This anti-aging ingredient can be a little harsh when you first begin to use it, and many people will experience some tingling and gentle irritation when they first use it. For this reason, it's best to start with a low concentration (around 0.3%) and build from there as your skin gets used to it.
More helpful reading: What does vitamin A do for your skin?
4. Vitamin C – Brightens Skin Tone and Combats Inflammation
Topical vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) is one of the best skin care ingredients to add to your routine if you're struggling with dull skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that combats free radicals in the dermis, reducing the harmful effects that they have on your natural supplies of collagen and elastin. This helps slow down the effects of aging on your skin, reducing lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C is also what's known as a cofactor in collagen production, so it actually helps speed up your natural collagen production process and make your skin stronger and firmer. To add to all of these benefits, Vitamin C also has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and age spots and create a more even skin tone. Learn more about the benefits of vitamin C for skin.
How to Use Vitamin C
It's easy to add vitamin C to your skin care regimen! Vitamin C can be found in cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and masks. The best vitamin C products will range in concentration between 10% and 20% – any higher would be too strong for your skin to handle.
Vitamin C serums and masks are the most effective way to get the most out of this ingredient. This is because serums and masks are formulated to penetrate the skin and get that powerful vitamin C where it needs to go. Apply your vitamin C serum or mask after cleansing and exfoliating for maximum absorption.
Taut Collagen Mask is a sheet mask infused with a rich serum of vitamin C, collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and botanical squalene. Its luxurious formula has been specially created to target dull, sagging skin, offering seriously rejuvenating results in just 15 minutes. It's a quick way to maximize your radiance!
5. Hyaluronic Acid – Hydrates and Plumps Skin
Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient that combats the signs of aging by adding some serious moisture back into the skin. As we age, we lose a lot of the hyaluronic acid that's naturally present in the body, and this impacts our skin's ability to retain moisture. This is why it's so common to see increasingly dry skin as we get older.
Hyaluronic acid can be found in skin care products to replenish some of this lost moisture. It's a natural humectant that can attract and retain water like a sponge. This not only makes the skin smoother and softer, it also has a plumping effect that can reduce the appearance of fine lines and hollow cheeks.
How to Use Hyaluronic Acid
You'll find hyaluronic acid in topical products like cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and masks. It's also found in supplements, and in anti-aging injections like dermal fillers and Profhilo® treatments. This gentle ingredient is suitable for all skin types!
Topical, supplementary, and injectable hyaluronic acid treatments all have amazing anti-aging benefits for your skin. For the deepest hydration and plumpest skin with an at-home treatment, we recommend supplements like Taut Hydrate. These hyaluronic acid capsules contain plant-based hyaluronic acid and grape seed extract, two ingredients that work synergistically to plump and super-hydrate your skin.
By nourishing your skin from the inside out, Taut Hydrate supplements can get hyaluronic acid deep beneath the skin surface, where most topical treatments can't reach.
Learn more about how to use hyaluronic acid here.
6. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids – Remove Dead Skin Cells
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a family of ingredients that chemically exfoliate the skin. These exfoliating acids can remove dead skin cells and peel away the outermost layer of your skin, which will encourage the growth of new skin cells and reveal a fresher, younger-looking complexion. This can also help reduce dark spots and redness and produce a more even skin tone.
Of all the acids in the AHA family, glycolic acid is the most well-researched and it shows promising results for aging skin. It has the smallest molecular structure of all of the AHAs, so it can penetrate your skin and work more effectively than others. It's the best option for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, leaving you with softer, smoother skin. 3, 4
Another alpha-hydroxy acid worth noting is lactic acid. This option is better for treating dark spots, and it's a little more hydrating. If you have a very sensitive skin type and you find glycolic acid to be too strong or irritating, try lactic acid instead. It's a gentler alternative that can offer similar benefits.
How to Use Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
You can find alpha-hydroxy acids in topical skincare products like exfoliating cleansers, toners, and serums. These products will have relatively light concentrations of the acids – with glycolic acid you can try something between 5% and 30%, and lactic acid can be used at home in concentrations up to 40%.
Experts recommend that you start with a low concentration, to test your skin's reaction to the chemical. Some people with a sensitive skin type might find these ingredients irritating, so it's important to start low and build up from there. If using these acids in a face toner or treatment, use after cleansing and follow up with a good-quality moisturizer for best results. AHAs can make your skin a little more sensitive to sun damage, so make sure to follow up with good quality sun protection too.
AHAs are also used by professional dermatologists in stronger treatments known as chemical peels. These will use much stronger concentrations for more dramatic results, but these treatments need to be done by a board-certified dermatologist.
7. Salicylic Acid – Removes Dead Skin and Combats Blemishes
Salicylic acid is another chemical exfoliant, but it belongs to a family of ingredients known as beta-hydroxy acids. It dissolves dead cells and peels your skin to reveal a smoother, younger-looking complexion.
Unlike alpha-hydroxy acids, which are water-soluble ingredients, salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This means that it is a great ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin types, as it can dissolve oil in your pores and kill bacteria, clearing out debris and getting rid of blemishes. It can also help reduce pigmentation, dark spots, and fine lines on sun damaged skin.
How to Use Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is available in topical treatments like cleansers, serums, and treatment gels. For anti-aging benefits and to reduce dark spots, you can use a gentle salicylic acid cleanser or toner with a concentration of 0.5% to 1% every day. For deeper treatments, you can use a treatment with a higher concentration up to 2%.
A board-certified dermatologist will also be able to provide deeper chemical peel treatments using higher concentrations of salicylic acid. These treatments have more dramatic results for both acne and aging skin.
8. Grape Seed Extract – Brightens and Protects
Grape seed extract is a very potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that can combat free radical damage in the skin, with some serious anti-aging benefits. It actually contains two types of antioxidants: proanthocyanidins and catechins. These are believed to be even more potent than the antioxidants in vitamin E and C.
The polyphenols in grape seed extract are particularly good at strengthening collagen fibers in your dermis, giving you stronger, smoother, and firmer skin. This can seriously reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and prevent the dreaded sagging skin that comes with age.
How to Use Grape Seed Extract
You can find grape seed extract on its own as a treatment oil, which you can use after cleansing and toning for a concentrated impact.
However, it's most beneficial when used in combination with other skin-loving ingredients. As a collagen-booster, grape seed extract pairs especially well with collagen peptides. Here at RenewSkin, we've included this powerful anti-aging elixir in our signature collagen drink, our collagen powder, and our hyaluronic acid supplements. It's a great supporting ingredient that can maximize the benefits of collagen peptides and other anti-aging heroes to help you on the way to younger-looking skin.
9. Glutathione – Eliminates Toxins
Known as "the mother of all antioxidants," glutathione is a seriously powerful ingredient to have in your skincare arsenal. It's a protein composed of three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. These amino acids naturally occur in your liver, and they work to combat toxins in the body.
One of the biggest benefits of glutathione in anti-aging skincare is its ability to lighten dark spots and brighten skin for a more youthful glow. As we get older and the signs of sun damage begin to show, an ingredient like glutathione will be a big help for our skin. Its antioxidant properties combat free radicals and toxins throughout the body, which in turn has a big effect on fading pigmentation and discoloration.
Glutathione is a great, natural alternative to skin-lightening creams that often contain nasty chemicals. Learn more about how to get rid of age spots.
How to Use Glutathione
You can find glutathione in topical skincare products as well as in supplements. The best products will combine this antioxidant with other supporting ingredients for maximum effects. Taut Bright is an anti-aging supplement containing glutathione and 6 other powerful antioxidants that all work together to boost your skin health. When taken daily, Taut Bright can help protect against cellular damage, inhibit melanin production, fade hyperpigmentation and age spots, and lighten your skin naturally.
10. Ceramides – Hydrate and Soothe Sensitive Skin
Ceramides are types of lipids that exist naturally in the body, and they work to form a large part of our natural skin barrier, This is a layer that prevents moisture evaporation and protects your skin from germs and environmental damage – a healthy barrier layer is key to soft, supple skin.
Ceramides in skin care products can be used to enhance the skin barrier and protect skin from environmental factors like UV rays, air pollution, and allergens. Since mature skin can often become dry and dull over time, ceramides are also really helpful in combatting this by adding some hydration and protection. Because dry skin can make wrinkles appear more pronounced, this added hydration will help reduce those signs of aging, too.
How to Use Ceramides
Ceramides are gentle ingredients that tend to suit every skin type. You can find ceramides in supplements and a wide variety of topical skin care products like cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, and masks. Scientific research has proven both topical and supplemental ceramide to be very effective at improving moisture levels and repairing your skin's natural barrier. 5, 6
Both topical and supplemental ceramides can be used daily to hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You'll also find ceramide on the ingredients list of our signature Liquid Collagen Drink!
11. Growth Factors – Support Skin Repair
Growth factors are natural substances made by your skin cells to regulate cellular growth. They are produced in the dermis and they play a key role in supporting the production of collagen and elastin fibers – those two key proteins for strong and plump skin.
Growth factors can help thicken your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. Another big benefit of growth factors in skincare is that they speed up the repair of your skin, which is helpful after procedures such as microneedling or laser therapy.
How to Use Growth Factors
You'll find growth factors in topical skin care products like serums, gels, and creams. These products are best applied to slightly damp skin, so add these to your routine right after cleansing. Growth factors can be broken down in acidic environments, so it's best not to combine them with a vitamin C product or any alpha-hydroxy acids.
Rejuvenate Your Skin With the Best Anti-Aging Beauty Bundle
If you want to kickstart your journey to younger-looking skin, our Ultimate Transformation Program is a great place to start. This powerful kit can help transform the quality of your skin in just three short weeks. It contains:
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Taut Liquid Collagen (24 bottles) – our signature collagen supplement that works from within to strengthen collagen fibers and give you a firmer, more youthful complexion.
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Taut Hydrate (60 capsules) – our hydrating hyaluronic acid supplement that softens and plumps your skin.
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Taut Collagen Mask (5 masks) – a soothing and glow-giving facial treatment that's packed with vitamin C and collagen peptides.
Together, these three skincare products work from all angles to target the signs of aging, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, dry skin, uneven skin tone, and age spots. It's a great way to pack all of the best anti-aging ingredients into one skincare routine!
You can save up to 15% on your transformation bundle when you sign up to our auto-ship service. Check it out!
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