How to Select Anti-Aging Skin Care Products

There’s no shortage of anti-aging skin care products out there, which is why shopping for the perfect cleanser, serum, moisturizer, dark spot corrector, sunscreen, and more to add to your personal arsenal can be daunting. Where do you start? Which ingredients are right for your skin? And most importantly, will these buys be effective at addressing your concerns? In order to make the selection of new anti-aging products a little less stressful, we’re sharing dermatologist tips with you below. Read on for helpful advice on how to select anti-aging skin care products with confidence.

1. Start with the Essentials

If you’re just beginning to put your anti-aging skin care lineup together, a good place to start is with the non-negotiables. Dermatologists can agree that both moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen are a must in every skin care routine, especially when it comes to anti-aging. Applying moisturizer daily helps to maintain proper moisture levels and ward off excess dryness, which can exacerbate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Look for a moisturizer that boasts anti-aging ingredients in its formula, such as retinol or hyaluronic acid. You can also opt for a moisturizer with built-in broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Since one of the biggest culprits of premature skin aging is prolonged and unprotected exposure to harmful UV rays; no one should head outdoors without a coat of broad-spectrum sunscreen on. Be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours while outdoors.

2. Address Your #1 Aging-Skin Concern

You may have a laundry list of aging skin concerns you’d like to address, but it’s best to focus on one concern, like wrinkles for instance, at a time. That way, you’ll be able to tell if any progress has been made after using your product of choice for a few weeks (or the recommended amount of time as instructed on the product’s label). Also, using more than one anti-aging product can irritate the skin, so don’t overdo it. Since no product can treat all signs of skin aging at once, hone in on your biggest concern until moving on to the next one.

3. Only Purchase What Is Formulated for Your Skin Type

Oily, sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin all have different needs. Since skin care is not one size fits all, it’s important to reach for products that are specifically designed for your skin type.

4. Scan All Product Labels

A product’s label is the best way to know exactly what the product contains, if it’s safe for your skin, and how to use it. Instead of picking up any ol’ product off the shelf, take the time to scan the label first. Look for words like non-comedogenic if acne is your concern, as this means the product won’t clog your pores. If your skin is sensitive, look for the word hypoallergenic.

To help decode common words plastered on ingredients list and labels, read this!

5. Stay Within Your Budget

There are anti-aging products that can set you back hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Don’t feel like you have to spend more than what you can afford for a product to see results. There are plenty of affordable drugstore anti-aging formulas that are incredibly effective. Remember: More expensive does not always mean better. Some products boast a higher price tag due to packaging costs which has little to do with the formulation itself. When in doubt, consult the ingredients list on the label.

6. Don’t Set Unrealistic Goals

All good things take time. Don’t fall for any exaggerated promises. Most anti-aging products require consistent and prolonged use before results can appear.