How Do I Choose The Best Anti-Aging Cream for Wrinkles?

Look younger for longer? Learn how to create the best anti-aging skincare by unlocking the potential of powerful skincare ingredients and the best products for aging skin.

This is true at any age, caring for aging skin is a matter of choosing healthy habits and products that contain ingredients that have a positive effect on repairing the signs of aging. 

At what age does skin start to age and why does it happen? 

Believe it or not, our skin starts aging as early as in our 20’s. I know it doesn't sound right, but here's a fact to back it up

Around the age of 25, collagen production begins to decrease by about 1 percent each year, which can lead to a decrease in the functions of moisture retention and elasticity production, sebaceous glands and GAGs (glycosaminoglycans) that help improve hydration and maintain collagen and elastin in the skin. 

What are the signs of (premature) aging?

In your mid to late 20s, the first signs of aging can start to appear on the surface of your skin, although this can vary from individual to individual.

One of the first things people notice are the fine lines on the horizon around the nose, forehead, mouth or between the eyebrows. Some also have age spots, liver spots, and uneven skin tone and texture. 

Some common signs and symptoms of aging include:

• Static fine lines and wrinkles
• Dry, dehydrated, or itchy skin
• Sunspots and hyperpigmentation
• Sagging skin/loss of volume
• Dullness of skin
• Uneven skin tone
• Thin/more transparent skin
• Loss of elasticity
• Increased sensitivity
• Rough texture 

What are the causes of aging? 

Aging is caused by a combination of factors - intrinsic or genetic factors are one thing we can't control; however, improving the wrong facets of lifestyle and social behavior can prevent the aging process from accelerating.

Here are some factors that influence the development of signs of aging:

• Age/collagen breakdown
• Exposure to ultraviolet light (UV radiation)
• Pollution
• Smoking/Drinking
• Poor diet
• Sleeping on the same side (or stomach)
• Stress

How to reduce premature skin aging?

When it comes to skin aging, prevention is key, because we all know how hard it is to reverse skin damage and restore skin to its original youthful and healthy state when wrinkles and age spots are apparent on the surface of the skin.

• Wear sunscreen every day, both indoors and outdoors
• Avoid tanning
• Stop smoking
• Avoid alcohol
• Stay hydrated
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Use a moisturizer and a mask
• Consider retinol or antioxidant products
• Switch sleeping position
• Cleanse your skin gently
• Manage stress
• Exercise 

Does anti-aging cream really work?

Anti-aging cosmetics have taken the beauty world by storm, and many brands and manufacturers have invested heavily in marketing and advertising, claiming that their products tighten skin, eliminate wrinkles and shrink enlarged pores. Are these products really as effective as they say they are?

Opinions vary on the effectiveness of anti-aging products, but the good news is that many dermatologists and science-based studies say they actually work.

However, the effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams can vary depending on the ingredients and composition of each product, as well as the duration of use.

How to choose anti-aging skin care products for mature skin?

Shopping for a great anti-aging product could be a hit and miss situation, and finding the right one is definitely a challenge. There are thousands of different products out there that make enticing promises, from visibly firming to fighting free radicals to tightening enlarged pores.

To make you the selection easier, here are some tips on how to select the right anti-aging products. 

Never skip moisturizer and sunscreen

These two essentials are non-negotiables in every skin care routine and must be used every day - no matter what the weather is like, sunny or rainy, and what time of year it is, summer or winter.

When choosing a sunscreen, use one that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistance.

Address skin's primary concerns

From hyperpigmentation to crow's feet, you may have many skin issues you want to fix right now, but unfortunately, there is no magic product that will solve every single skin problem at once. In addition, using products too liberally can increase the likelihood of triggering a negative reaction. 

We recommend that you evaluate and prioritize your current problems and goals - which is your biggest problem, and treat it first. This way, you can easily determine if using a product of your choice has resulted in a positive outcome. Once your main problem has been treated, you can move on to the next.

Use a product that suits your skin type

Whether it's a facial cleanser, lotion or face oil, you need to find the right product for your skin type and current condition.

Every skin type has different needs, and using the wrong formula can lead to unwanted skin troubles such as breakouts, dryness and excessive greasiness.

(Related: How To Identify Your Skin Types and Care For Each?)

Choose a product that fits your budget

It's a common misconception that more expensive, high-end products work better and deliver a better, longer-lasting result - this isn't necessarily true.

Don't just buy a product by the price tag, pay attention to ingredients, product descriptions, brand information, testimonials from other customers, and product reviews.

To achieve your skin care goals, products need to be used consistently and continuously, which means you may need to buy them more than once. So choose a product you can afford and are willing to use long-term.

Read the ingredients label

Making a purchase decision based on the ingredients list is one of the smartest ways to find the most suitable product for your skin. However, many cosmetic ingredients have difficult and unfamiliar names that you've probably never heard of.

Don't worry - do some research on Google or Wikipedia with your smartphone, or use a website or app to check cosmetic ingredients. Just remember that the ingredients are listed in descending order from highest to lowest concentration.

What are the best ingredients for anti-aging?

Retinol may help reverse the signs of aging, while antioxidants can help prevent them. Retinol is an active form of vitamin A that helps increase cell turnover and boost collagen production.

Antioxidants, on the other hand, protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors.

Other important ingredients to look out for are:

• Niacinamide
• Ceramides
• Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
• Peptides
• Retinoid
• Ginseng
• Adenosine
• Coenzyme
• Snail Mucin
• Green Tea
• BHA (Salicylic acid)
• AHA (glycolic acid)
• Beta-glucan
• Arbutin
• Propolis
• Hyaluronic acid
• Sea buckthorn oil

(Related: 10 Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients you need to know about )

5 Best anti-aging (Korean) skin care products for mature skin

The Plant Base Time Stop Collagen Ampoule 

This revitalizing booster with 76.53% natural mushroom extracts helps stimulate collagen and elasticity production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid and panthenol improve water retention, while aloe and centella asiatica soothe irritation and redness, leaving skin deeply hydrated and soft. 

💘 Check out The Plant Base Collagen Ampoule

Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Night Infusion Cream 

An ultra-nourishing night cream is formulated with the antioxidant resveratrol (derived from grapevine) and hydrating hyaluronic acid to help firm, lift and visibly redefine facial contours overnight.

This powerful plumping formula helps renew skin and has been tested to increase skin's moisture by an impressive 43% in six hours and improve skin texture by 12% in four weeks.

Shiseido Uplifting & Firming Day Cream SPF 30 

Japanese beauty product uses VP8 technology to defend skin with five targeted ingredients, including olive root, tea and angelica, while helping to visibly correct and prevent numerous signs of aging.

Powered by exclusive ReNeura++™ technology for better, faster anti-aging results—as well as the exclusive KURENAI TruLift Complex with Benibana flower, thistle extract, Bulgarian rose water and Odoriko plant extract, which promotes resilience and elasticity, improving skin firmness.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X 

This is the fifth generation of the brand's overnight probiotic treatment, with a revised formula for even better results. It is suitable for all skin types and is clinically proven to improve tired skin after just 10 hours of use.

It contains 77.2% Extreme Biome, made up of 10 different types of probiotics, including Lactobacillus ferment and Bifida ferment filtrate, which help energize and stimulate the skin, improving all aspects of its appearance, including radiance, clarity and luminosity.

Enriched with 5 purple superfoods—plum, carrot, plum cabbage, eggplant, beet and blueberry—it helps keep the complexion calmer, clearer and beautifully protected from the environmental attacks of everyday life.

💘 Check out Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule

CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream with Sunscreen 

An effective, anti-aging skin care routine starts with sun protection. This non-comedogenic moisturizer with SPF provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection against UVA and UVB rays.

It is formulated with encapsulated retinol, which provides gentle exfoliation and improves visible signs of aging without irritation, and ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier.

Patented MVE technology with hyaluronic acid continuously releases moisturizing ingredients for 24-hour hydration that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improves your skin's texture and radiance.