1. At what age should you start using anti-aging creams?
2. What’s a good anti-aging cream?
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a. Best anti-aging eye cream
b. Best anti-aging skin-brightening cream
c. Best anti-aging cream for wrinkle reduction
d. Best anti-aging cream for acne
e. Best targeted treatment
3. How often should you use an anti-aging cream?
In the world of beauty products, there’s perhaps no category more saturated (and, at times, confusing) than the anti-aging market. With a myriad of targeted serums, eye creams and masks promising to do everything from smooth fine lines to restore the youthful glow of years past, it can be overwhelming and unrealistic.
As we enter our 30s, we start to need a little extra support as those hard-working production factories of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin— — the ones that keep us looking youthful — start to slow down. Aging gracefully is what most of us hope for, but we know that a cream or serum isn’t going to magically rewind the years and bring back the skin we had in our 20s. The goal? Find a skincare routine that will help our complexions look moisturized and plumper and give us a healthy-looking glow.
Everyone’s skin is different, which means it needs a customized routine. But there are two general rules to achieving a beautiful complexion: daily care and smart prevention. A few clever tweaks to your skincare regimen will make a huge difference. Here, we explain what causes skin aging and when and how to start using them. Now you just need to make some room in your bathroom cabinet.
1. At what age should you start using anti-aging creams?
It’s difficult to pinpoint what is the best age to use an anti-wrinkle cream. But if you’re concerned that anti-aging creams damage skin or if you’re questioning if anti-aging cream is bad for young skin, don’t worry! Sure, these creams have active ingredients in them, but they’re not harmful to young skin. However, they can be a waste of money.
When your skin is young, you can get away with a more minimalistic approach to your skincare regimen—and the best anti-aging creams are often pricier than their counterparts because of a higher concentration of expensive ingredients. Plus, these moisturizers tend to be much thicker and richer, which means they can clog pores and potentially lead to acne breakouts.
However, many anti-aging products are packed with antioxidants and address the free-radical damage associated with premature aging; they are safe and can be used as early as in your 20s. Just make sure your skin can tolerate the formula. If you find it’s too rich for your skin, try an antioxidant-packed serum; these products tend to be lightweight, so they won’t clog your pores.
The truth is, people age at different rates depending on internal (genetics) and external (pollution, diet, UV exposure and more) factors. But experts generally agree that the sweet spot to start shifting your skincare routine into anti-aging territory is around 30. If you’ve been vigilant about daily SPF and proper cleansing, your skin in your 30s should still look like it’s in its prime, but internally things are changing. Skin will begin to reflect those environmental and genetic signs of aging that often lead to fine lines, uneven pigment and some volume loss in the cheeks, caused by the gradual depletion of supportive tissue (fat and bone) in the face.
2. What’s a good anti-aging cream?
If it’s time to start fine-tuning your routine, you need to decide what skin concerns you want to target; this will help you find your best anti-aging cream. But if you’ve really been slacking up to this point, you’ll need to start a routine from scratch that should have a minimum of three products: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Once you have this framework, you can start adding targeted treatments like antioxidant serums, wrinkle-fighting eye creams and moisturizing masks. But what’s a good anti-aging cream for your skin’s needs? Here are some anti-aging all-stars to consider adding to your new routine.
a. Best anti-aging eye cream
As we age, our eyes are the first area to show increased tiredness, water retention and fine lines. The best anti-aging eye cream is one that’s targeted and uses proven ingredients to prevent and protect the specific needs of the delicate skin around the eyes. Vichy LiftActiv Eyes Supreme is gentle enough to be used under the eyes and on the lids while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, draining puffiness and minimizing dark circles. Its key ingredient is rhamnose, a naturally derived plant sugar that is clinically proven to help with skin rejuvenation and fight signs of aging.
b. Best anti-aging skin-brightening cream
The simplest way to revive dull, lacklustre skin, which often creeps up in our 30s, is by using a brightening serum or cream. The best anti-aging skin-brightening cream is Vichy LiftActiv Collagen Specialist. It’s designed to help even out skin tone and lighten dark spots with vitamin C while delivering a powerful dose of Vichy volcanic water to help strengthen skin and prevent future damage.
c. Best anti-aging cream for wrinkle reduction
Our skin does all of its heavy lifting at night, working hard to repair, restore and regenerate, which is why it’s the perfect time to use a wrinkle repair cream. The best overnight anti-aging cream is one that’s thick and creamy—this texture allows it to penetrate deep into the skin over the course of several hours. Enter Vichy LiftActiv Supreme Night. The super-hydrating formula is packed with emollients and exfoliating agents that deliver softer, smoother and more radiant skin.
d. Best anti-aging cream for acne
Being an adult is complicated! This is especially true when you develop acne in your 30s because then you’re tasked with treating pimples as well as fine lines. But does anti-aging cream help acne? It can. Retinol and glycolic acid are both gold standards in anti-aging because they improve skin cell turnover, which helps treat hyperpigmentation and acne. Salicylic acid helps to improve skin tone and stimulate collagen production while cleaning hair follicles of oil, dirt and makeup build up that can lead to acne. Vichy Normaderm Anti-Acne Double Action Moisturizer is the best moisturizer for acne-prone skin because it uses salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid in its formula, making it a great option if you’re looking for a product to tackle both acne and uneven skin tone.
e. Best targeted treatment
If you’re looking for a booster in your anti-aging routine, consider vitamin C. It tackles just about any common complexion concern, from uneven skin tone and rough texture to fine lines and general dullness. The best anti-aging vitamin C serum is one that has 10% (or more) of L-ascorbic acid, which is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C in skincare. Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid has got you covered with 15% pure vitamin C and vitamin E. Adding vitamin E into the mix increases the effectiveness of vitamin C, giving further protection from free-radical damage.
3. How often should you use an anti-aging cream?
What you put on your face is just as important as when you apply it—and how often you apply it. If you really want to get the most out of your new anti-aging routine, you need to be diligent. It takes dedication and discipline to start seeing lines soften and spots fade. Once you start a new anti-aging cream, use it every day for at least 30 days. It’s only then that you’ll start seeing meaningful results.
In an effort to optimize treatments, you should use the right skincare ingredients at the right time so you can tackle lines and fade discoloration that much faster. For example, products with glycolic acid are best to use in the morning, whereas products with retinol, which can be photosensitive, should be used before bed. However, many ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are effective and safe to use at all times of the day.
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