Whether you skipped sunblock in your youth, have perpetually dry skin (with the accompanying predisposition to wrinkles) or simply have the telltale signs of a life well lived, many of us look to minimize the visible effects of time via a lotion or potion. However, finding the best skincare for your skin type — while taking cues from ageless celebs, dermatologists and other complexion experts — can go a long way toward achieving your own healthy skin goals.
Choosing skincare with active ingredients can improve superficial damage and replenish the skin barrier, giving you back your youthful glow. Key ingredients like vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid are heroes when doing battle against fine lines, wrinkles and photoaging.
“Studies have shown that antioxidants can help protect the skin against sun damage and slow down and even reverse the signs of aging,” Jaimie Glick, MD, board-certified dermatologist with New York Dermatology Group, tells Page Six Style. We deep dive into her skincare ingredient recommendations in our FAQs at the bottom of this article.
If you’re searching for the best anti-aging skincare for your skin type and specific concerns, scroll on for amazing options inspired by A-listers’ picks.
Page Six’s Picks
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Best Retinols
Best Gentle Retinol: Shani Darden Retinol Reform
Pros:
- Clinically shown to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles while visibly firming and brightening skin
- Formulated to be less irritating than traditional retinols
- Cruelty-free, vegan, non-comedogenic and free of fragrance, silicones and parabens
Cons:
- Some reviews say they don’t love the smell
Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden’s hero product is a hit with Jennifer Aniston, who’s been using it for years.
“She knows so much about skincare, and I’m honored that she loves Retinol Reform,” Darden told Page Six Style of the “Friends” star in 2024.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Laura Harrier, January Jones and Chrissy Teigen are also fans, with the latter telling InSyle, “Every time I use it, I get compliments on my skin the next morning.”
How to use: Apply in the evening after cleansing and toning skin, before moisturizing. Start with once or twice a week until skin acclimates. Do not use other chemical exfoliants at the same time. Consult your doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing before starting any retinol.
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, AHA, niacinamide, lactic acid, apple fruit extract
Best French Pharmacy Retinol: Pharma Développement A313
Pros:
- Retinyl palmitate is considered gentler than retinol, but offers similar benefits
- Occlusive base comforts skin
Cons:
- Some users find it greasy
A cult-favorite French skincare product made with retinyl palmitate, the ester of retinol (vitamin A), celebrities like Sophia Bush stockpile this stuff while in Paris. Described as “the French-girl secret to great skin,” it’s also a favorite of Sienna Miller’s and Alexa Chung’s.
The crème de la crème of its kind, A313 helps reduce wrinkles, smoothes irritated skin and prevents acne breakouts. Once only available in Europe, we were chuffed to find a legit source on Amazon.
How to use: Warm a small amount in your hands before applying it to the face. A313 can be mixed with a nighttime serum or moisturizer.
Key Ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, arachis hypogaea (peanut) oil, tocopherol (vitamin E)
Best Serums
Best Squalane Serum : Tatcha The Serum Stick
Pros:
- Hydrates skin, reducing the appearance of lines, creases and crepiness
- Fragrance-free, cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested
Cons:
- May be too moisturizing for people with oilier skin types
Japanese skincare brand Tatcha has an ever-growing list of famous fans, from Oprah to Selena Gomez.
The Serum Stick is a concentrated, portable, squalane-rich stick that can be used to wake up the eye area and underneath makeup to smooth fine lines. Jennifer Aniston snapped a shot of this product on her glam table while filming “The Morning Show,” and makeup artist Daniel Martin uses it on star client Meghan Markle.
How to use: Swipe the stick anywhere your skin needs a dose of moisture and press in gently with fingertips.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid, Japanese lemon balm
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
Pros:
- Offers the optimal balance of low- and high-weight hyaluronic acid molecules for long- and short-term benefits and to minimize wrinkles caused by dryness
- Contains antioxidant-rich purslane, which is often referred to as the “fountain of youth”
- Vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free, suitable for all skin types
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s international spas draw in celebs and those in search of smooth, healthy skin. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss are among the fans of her namesake skincare line, with Oprah Winfrey being so enthusiastic that she invested in the brand.
While Winfrey is a fan of the Glow Drops — calling the product her “favorite, favorite” — this serum’s a bestseller, too. Liv Tyler said it’s “deeply hydrating,” and Katie Holmes has made it a staple in her skincare regimen.
How to apply: Apply a few drops to your face, eye area and neck before gently patting it in. Allow the serum to absorb fully before continuing with a moisturizer.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, purslane
Best Vitamin C Serum: TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum
Pros:
- Vitamin C boosts brightness
- Hyaluronic acid supports skin’s natural collagen and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and sun damage
Cons:
- May take a while to show benefits
Khloé Kardashian and Kyle Richards are among TruSkin’s famous fans, with the latter calling this bestselling serum “a miracle.”
It’s earned nearly 98,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and shoppers seem thrilled with their results. “Love this product, works great! I have been using this Vitamin C serum for the past several months and have noticed a difference in my skin. My skin tone is more even, finer lines, less wrinkles and smoother skin,” wrote one devotee.
How to apply: Apply a few drops of the serum evenly to your face, eye area and neck before gently patting it in, morning and evening. Avoid getting in eyes.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera, jojoba oil
Best moisturizers
Best Budget Moisturizer: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream
Pros:
- Made for both face and neck, it helps fade the appearance of deep wrinkles, including crow’s feet and forehead lines
- One-and-done anti-aging treatment and moisturizer
- Free of parabens, mineral oil and dyes
Cons:
- If you are new to retinol products, you may need to gradually phase it into your skincare regimen
“I use this cream on my face every day,” Neutrogena ambassador Nicole Kidman told People in 2019, explaining, “It gives me all the benefits of using a retinol product without making my sensitive skin red or flaky.”
Fellow brand face Jennifer Garner told Shape in 2024 that the multitasking moisturizer — available in both fragranced and fragrance-free versions — is her “trick to keeping skin looking young.”
How to use: Apply to face morning and evening, follow daytime application with a sunscreen.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, retinol
Best Face Oil: True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil
Pros:
- Small-molecule seed oils hydrate deeply without clogging pores
- Targets fine lines and wrinkles while soothing dry skin
- Gives a glow
- All-natural vegan ingredients, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, pleasant smell
Cons:
- If you have dry skin, you may still need to apply an additional moisturizer after the oil
Jessica Chastain, Eva Mendes and Brooke Shields are among True Botanicals’ many famous fans (and occasional ambassadors), with the latter telling us of this “rich” oil in 2022, “Your skin absorbs it beautifully. It’s natural and it leaves you glowing.”
How to use: The hydrating, lightweight oil can be applied by warming a few drops on hands, then breathing in the scent before pressing into the skin for a sensorial spa-like experience.
Key Ingredients: Chia seed, kiwi seed oil, passion fruit oil, papaya seed oil, algae extract, astaxanthin
Best Luxury Moisturizer: La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
Pros:
- Rich consistency is excellent for dry skin
- Made without sulfates, parabens or phthalates
Cons:
- Includes fragrance and mineral oil, ingredients some may prefer to avoid
A long list of celebs has praised La Mer’s products, including Nicole Kidman, Chrissy Teigen and Kris Jenner.
Excellent for dry and mature skin, Crème de la Mer is deeply hydrating and promises a “rejuvenating transformation” powered by the brand’s proprietary Miracle Broth, which is made from fermented kelp, vitamins and minerals.
How to use: Press into skin morning and evening.
Key Ingredients: Algae extract, lime tea concentrate
Best Masks
Best At-Home Peel: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Pros:
- 25% AHA/2% BHA blend increases cell turnover, brightens skin and unclogs pores
- Exfoliates and resurfaces skin, improves texture and tone for a more youthful-looking complexion
Cons:
- Skin may need to time to adjust, so apply for shorter time periods at first
Drew Barrymore said she “sees such instant results” with T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial in an Instagram post back in 2019, adding it makes skin look “like you are literally a baby.” Kim Kardashian has also included the resurfacing beauty buy in her anti-aging skincare arsenal.
The at-home peel can be be used weekly to counter sun damage, fine lines and acne.
How to use: Warm a few pumps between your hands, evenly apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes before removing gently. Follow with a light oil, like the brand’s Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. Skip other active treatments while using T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial.
Key Ingredients: AHA blend, salicylic acid (BHA), chickpea flour
Best Sheet Mask: 111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask
Pros:
- Tightens and firms skin, plumps fine lines and wrinkles
- Soothes inflammation and irritation
‘‘Good skin is all about good skin prep — the 111Skin Rose Gold mask is unbelievable,” Margot Robbie told the Telegraph in 2019. She’s not alone in her love for the treatment; Priyanka Chopra’s called it her “special sauce,” and other brand fans include Jennifer Aniston (she’s partial to the brand’s Anti-Blemish Bio Cellulose Mask) and the Kardashian-Jenners.
How to use: Apply to face and allow to remain for 20 minutes before removing. Then, pat in excess serum.
Key Ingredients: Colloidal gold, pomegranate seed cell culture, Damask rose
Best Sunscreens
Best Tinted Sunscreen: Alastin Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen
Pros:
- Full-spectrum mineral sunscreen protects against UVA/UVB rays while giving skin a radiant finish
- Ectoin, a natural compound, also shields skin from blue light
- Hydrates skin
Cons:
- Some shoppers don’t love the packaging
- Only available in one shade, so may not work for every skin tone
Chatting with her dermatologist, Dr. Dan Belkin, on “The Martha Stewart Podcast,” the lifestyle magnate shared that the doc turned her on to Alastin’s tinted mineral sunscreen. Stewart said she mixes it with a little serum before applying, and won’t “leave the house without it.”
Alix Earle is another fan, telling Allure it’s part of her morning skincare regimen. And our derm, Dr. Glick, says she “loves” the stuff.
Page Six Style’s review: “Thanks to the your-skin-but-better finish, it’s truly become one of my most-used beauty products,” says Page Six Commerce Writer Hannah Southwick.
How to use: Apply every morning and at least 15 minutes before sun exposure.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, phytoene, ectoin
Best Invisible Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen
Pros:
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing and works well under makeup
- Offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with antioxidants
- Oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free
Cons:
- Matte finish may not be preferable for those with very dry skin; consider the brand’s Anthelios UV Hydra Sunscreen instead, which has hyaluronic acid for hydration
Anne Hathaway, Christie Brinkley and Kate Moss are among the legions of fans of La Roche-Posay SPF. Moss told Elle UK in 2020 that her beauty secret is sunscreen, and that she loves this formula in particular “as you can wear it under makeup.”
Said to be the bestselling sunscreen in Europe, it’s also a favorite of dermatologists and is suitable for sensitive skin.
How to use: Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours.
Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, silica, vitamin E
Anti-Aging Skincare FAQs
What does the term “anti-aging” mean in skincare?
“Anti-aging typically refers to ingredients that can slow down and/or prevent the signs of aging,” NYC-based, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Glick tells us.
What are the causes of unwanted changes to skin?
To fend off age-related skin issues, don’t skimp on the sunscreen. Besides the telltale brown spots associated with sun exposure, those harmful rays leave visible effects that are more challenging to repair than prevent.
“Ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the primary external factor leading to aging and is termed ‘photoaging.’ Sun protection is undoubtedly the most critical factor in aging, as sun exposure can break down collagen leading to fine lines [and] wrinkles as well as saggy skin,” Glick says.
What ingredients do you advise your clients to look for in anti-aging skincare products?
“Skin products containing antioxidants are an excellent natural way to combat aging,” Glick says.
“Studies have shown that antioxidants can help protect the skin against sun damage and slow down and even reverse the signs of aging. They function by protecting the skin from damaging free radicals that can come from UV light, pollution or even from the body’s own natural metabolism.”
Key antioxidants in skincare:
- Vitamin C, especially combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid for stability, can “reverse the damage of photoaging,” according to Glick, who adds, “Vitamin C plays a critical role in the synthesis of collagen and elastin.”
- Polyphenols — which are found in organic substances such as green tea extract, resveratrol from grapes, ferulic acid and more — can also give your skincare an antioxidant boost, per the Cleveland Clinic.
- Zinc can help reduce wrinkles.
- Niacinamide, a biological active form of niacin (vitamin B3), has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that improve skin discoloration.
- Retinoids
Other beneficial skincare ingredients:
- Peptides can improve skin tone, texture and strengthen skin elasticity
- Kojic acid may help reduce brown spots
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydroxy acids
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid acts as a powerful humectant, “[drawing] in moisture to keep your skin hydrated and plump,” Glick says. “Since our natural HA levels decrease with age, adding it to your routine helps maintain a strong, healthy skin barrier.”
How does retinol/retinoids improve skin?
Retinoids are a family of Vitamin A derivatives that include retinyl esters, retinol, retinal and retinoic acid. “Retinoids can increase skin cell turnover, reduce dark spots, and improve the appearance of wrinkles,” Glick says.
If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before starting any topical retinol.
Best Sun Protection Supplement: Heliocare Dietary Supplement
The sun’s rays are the culprit of many effects of aging on skin, including photodamage, wrinkling and sagging skin. If you’re traveling somewhere sunny, sunburn easily or just want to boost your regular sun protection, Glick recommends this antioxidant-powered vegan pill.
“Heliocare is a dietary supplement comprised of Polypodium leucotomos, a tropical fern from Central America,” she says. “Heliocare’s combination of antioxidants can help protect your skin from free radicals. It provides an additional layer of sun protection and can enhance your sunscreen, but it is not a sunscreen substitute!”
One five-star review reads, “Love this product, better skin and no sunburn.”
How to use: Take one capsule daily in the morning.
Key ingredients: Fernblock Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE)
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