Unfortunately, you can’t turn back time, but you can take action to undo some of the damage—and prevent wrinkles from settling in deeper. Turn to proven products to restore your skin to its more youthful days (without losing all of the wisdom you’ve acquired along the way). In an effort to track down the best anti-aging products, we asked some of the top board-certified pros around to share their skincare secrets and the products they swear by. While the following creams, serums, and sunscreens don’t exactly boast magical powers, they’re about as close as you can get to a genie in a bottle. To buy: $44; walgreens.com. To buy: $70; dermstore.com. “Because some formulations of vitamin C are unstable, not all vitamin C products are created equal,” she says. “This one is formulated in a way that maintains its stability, giving way to great results.” Once absorbed, vitamin C can remain effective for a minimum of 72 hours, so you don’t need to use this serum every day. To buy: $169; dermstore.com. To buy: $29; ulta.com. To buy: $80; dermstore.com. To buy: $101; dermstore.com. To buy: $20; amazon.com. To buy: $15; amazon.com. With an SPF of 40, this one fights UV rays while feeling light on your skin and giving you a healthy glow. It contains cermides to maintain the skin’s lipid barrier (i.e., keeps moisture in), and vitamins C and E to help neutralize free radicals, says Dr. Bucay. To buy: $48; tizoskin.com. “Additionally, we often focus attention on the surface of the skin, but what is also important is keeping the skin tight and youthful, which requires maintaining our balance of elastin and collagen,” she adds. Her favorite product for accomplishing exactly that is this firming cream, which can be applied to both face and neck, and has ingredients like barley extract to improve elasticity. To buy: $78; goodsciencebeauty.com. This pharmaceutical-grade serum is his top pick for maximizing benefits, as it contains retinol that works with green-tea polyphenols to diminish signs of aging and reduce the appearance of age spots. It’s available in multiple strengths, ranging from sensitive skin to advance treatment. To buy: $15; amazon.com.
