Serums tend to penetrate more deeply into the skin than creams, providing greater concentrations of active ingredients that may help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce dark spots/discoloration and increase firmness. These potency serums may even help combat certain acne scarring issues!
Finding the ideal product can be daunting, so we have done the legwork for you by compiling this list of anti-aging serums to keep your complexion looking younger.
1. Retinol
Retinol is an effective anti-ageing ingredient, helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as improving uneven skin tone. Additionally, it unclogs pores to combat acne. At first it may cause redness or irritation but over time your skin becomes used to it.
Retinoids can be found both over-the-counter and prescription strength serums, creams, moisturizers, and gels of various concentrations. To start off safely it’s wise to start off slowly using products with lower concentration levels until your skin adjusts to it and is no longer uncomfortable using higher frequency products.
People pregnant or seeking to avoid the side effects associated with retinol may benefit from trying out the phytochemical bakuchiol, which acts similar to retinoids by increasing cell turnover and collagen production but is safe during gestation or breastfeeding.
2. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring substance that acts like a sponge to absorb excess water in your skin’s layers, giving you a fuller and younger-looking complexion. Furthermore, its use helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles due to better-hydrated skin looking smoother overall.
Hyaluronic acid can be found in various skincare products, including serums, moisturizers and eye drops. You may also encounter it through injections or dermal fillers.
Dermatologist Shari Marchbein notes that one tablespoon of HA can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an invaluable addition to skincare regimens, although dermatologists caution against injecting or using products with lower molecular weight for injection purposes (she suggests injectable solutions or low molecular weight cream or gels as possible).
Before purchasing any product, be sure to verify if there are no added fragrances or alcohol that could irritate the skin.
3. Niacinamide
Niacinamide (nicotinic acid) is an essential vitamin found in meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables and cereals. As a water-soluble vitamin with coenzymatic activity that acts as an activator of NAD+, nicotinamide has multiple mechanisms of action – most notably by protecting DNA damage and suppressing ROS formation in keratinocytes.
Niacinamide works by stimulating collagen and elastin production, helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles while lightening dark spots and improving skin texture. Furthermore, niacinamide reduces pruritus symptoms by restricting histamine release from mast cells and attenuating pruritus symptoms through mast cell inhibition; additionally it prevents premature aging by mitigating oxidative stress and cell senescence – making it a multifunctional active ingredient that should be included in any anti-ageing serum formulation.
4. Peptides
Peptides are used in skin-care products as building blocks of collagen, giving your skin an overall plumper and firmer appearance.
Peptides are produced naturally in our bodies and can be found in various foods and supplements; some of the best sources include meat, milk and eggs.
Peptides and proteins both consist of long chains of amino acids connected by linkages; however, peptides tend to be shorter. Researchers refer to those containing 20 or fewer amino acids as “oligopeptides” while longer peptides may be considered polypeptides.
Copper (GHK-Cu) peptides stimulate your body to produce more collagen and elastin fibers, giving your skin an overall smoother and tighter look. Furthermore, these peptides may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation of dark spots (hyperpigmentation) or dryness in some instances.
5. Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may not seem like an exciting skin care ingredient, but this antioxidant is one of the most crucial for overall body health. It protects against free radical damage while aiding iron absorption and aiding healing processes.
Vitamin C cannot be produced or stored by our bodies, so to experience its full benefits we must consume and apply the nutrient daily. Vitamin C has numerous anti-aging and sun protection effects as well as the power to lighten dark spots like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or acne scarring.
Chang recommends looking for a serum with 10% to 20% ascorbic acid concentration, to prevent skin irritants like retinol or acidic ingredients from irritating it further. Furthermore, make sure it comes in a dark bottle so as to preserve freshness while protecting its ingredients from light and air exposure.
