Professionals Shared the Best Anti-Aging Tips for Improved Skin Health

A broad range of over-the-counter anti-aging skincare products claims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and skin spots, as well as increase collagen.

However, the majority of these items are more hype, as the US Food and Drug Administration recommends that customers consider whether a product is a cosmetic, a drug, or both to assess the legitimacy of these claims. So, which items are capable of reducing the signs of aging?

We talked with medical experts, who provided the greatest anti-aging advice for better skin health.

Anti-wrinkle face cream claims should be taken with a grain of salt.

According to Dr. Zeichner, frequent folding of the skin by underlying muscles causes fine wrinkles to appear. “Young, healthy skin has a solid base that prevents folding and returns to its original form, but that foundation weakens with age.” Topical treatments can help maintain the skin barrier tight, but relaxing the muscles beneath the skin is the greatest approach to completely reduce wrinkles, claims Dr. Zeichner.

Use sunscreen

Sunscreen is one of the best tools in the fight against skin cancer, as well as one of the most effective ways to keep the skin looking younger and healthier. According to Jerome Garden, MD, a dermatologist and director of the Physicians Laser and Dermatology Institute in Chicago, “the sun emits ultraviolet radiation that damages the skin, both the overlying epidermis and the underlying dermis.” “The sun causes brown spots, red spots, and wrinkles in addition to raising the risk of skin cancer.”

Continue reading to discover why sunscreen should be used all year. Plus, sunscreens that top dermatologists adore and use on their own skin.

Products that are more expensive are not necessarily more powerful.

It’s tempting to spend a lot of money on a skin-care product that promises to work, but expensive doesn’t always mean good. According to Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City, there are some great drugstore items that can yield great results. “While a higher price tag can indicate higher quality ingredients or a higher concentration of an ingredient, the ingredients list is often more important than the brand selling the product,” she says.

Don’t buy off-the-shelf skincare.

According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, you don’t have to pay a lot to get a high-quality skincare product, but there is a difference between a brand name drugstore product and a generic one. “Many generic products are packaged to look like the original, and they may even have the same ingredients list,” he says. “However, the difference is the consistency of the ingredients and how they are actually formulated.”

Don’t spend a lot of money on a fancy cleanser.

According to dermatologists, no matter how much an expensive cleanser costs, it will not perform any better than most lower-cost rivals. “The job of cleanser is to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and pollution from the skin without damaging the outer skin layer,” says Dr. Zeichner. “In reality, some of the highest quality cleansers are among the most affordable items on the market—the Dove Beauty Bar, for example, is a gold standard soap that uses ultra-gentle cleaning ingredients while still hydrating the skin.”

Choose a serum.

Serums, which are intended to be layered under your everyday and nightly moisturizers, are often overlooked. However, they’re still important in your everyday life. According to Whitney Bowe, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin, “Serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients and are lightweight, so they penetrate deeper into your skin to offer optimum benefits.”

She suggests serums with ceramides and amino acids, which help to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and antioxidants that reduce free radicals in the skin.

Wear sunscreen all year.

Even on the cloudiest or snowiest days, you should use sunscreen as part of your daily skincare routine. “Even 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day adds up over time and can cause substantial sun damage and photoaging,” says Dr. Engelman. She suggests using a sunscreen every day of the year to keep skin looking young and healthy, as even brief sun exposures during the year may add up to significant harm. Here are some beauty items dermatologists wish you would stop buying.

Retinol is extremely effective.

Topical retinoids are the most popular topical anti-aging drugs, according to Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist at Dr. Doris Day’s Upper East Side private practice Day Dermatology & Aesthetics in New York City (after sun protection). “There is a lot of evidence to back up their efficacy and safety,” she says. “While prescription retinoids are the most effective, there are now a plethora of over-the-counter retinol products that work well, especially for those with sensitive skin.”

Invest in laser treatments.

Dr. Garden recommends laser treatments, which he specializes in if you want quick results without the use of creams. “For brown spots, red spots, blood vessels, and wrinkles, we have lasers,” he says. “Fractionated lasers, which are newer instruments, will achieve spectacular results with less downtime than before.” Despite the fact that they are more expensive, he claims that these treatments can provide results that are much superior to creams.

The only caveat is that these devices are very powerful and, in certain states, can be run by people who aren’t even doctors. To prevent complications, he suggests having the laser treatments done by a board-certified dermatologist.

Maintain a balanced diet.

Experts say that no matter how much time, energy, or resources you put into your skincare routine if you don’t pair it with a balanced diet, you’re wasting your time and money. Dr. Bowe says, “Your skin is a product of your overall health and wellbeing, and your diet has a significant effect on the look and health of your skin.” “Sugar, of any type, induces many changes in our bodies, from our cellular membranes and arteries to our hormones, immune systems, gut, and even our microbiome—the microbes in our intestines that influence our biology all the way to our skin.”