Anti-Aging Serums work to help combat and treat telltale signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet and hyperpigmentation. When tested by GH Beauty Labs, these formulas also tighten pores and lift skin.
Serums should be applied twice daily before layering on moisturizer, since their lighter consistency allows them to be quickly absorbed by the skin.
Retinol
Retinol is an incredible ingredient found in numerous skin care products available today, serving as an anti-ageing serum by stimulating cell turnover and increasing collagen levels. Retinol helps reduce fine lines, dark spots and blemishes while improving skin tone – and may even assist with treating psoriasis or stretch marks (though prescription-strength retinoids would likely provide better results for these conditions).
Bowe emphasizes the importance of finding a balance when using retinol; using too much can cause flakiness or irritation, so starting off by applying two to three pea-sized drops from an OTC formula with low percentage (0.05 to 0.03) at two or three applications each week should provide optimal results.
This serum is an ideal choice for dry skin types, as its formula includes hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to counteract the drying effects of retinol. Furthermore, it’s free of alcohol, fragrance and parabens. Furthermore, more than 8,600 five-star reviews exist on Amazon — it may be more costly than some alternatives but Jacob insists it’s well worth its cost.
Peptides
Peptides are protein fragments that stimulate skin repair and regeneration. Peptides have become an indispensable ingredient of high-end, scientifically advanced skincare products designed to address issues like loss of elasticity, wrinkles and dullness in the skin.
Peptides that promote collagen production can increase hydration, boost skin cell turnover, and ultimately improve skin texture and firmness. Peptides specifically beneficial in decreasing fine lines and wrinkles while increasing skin firmness are particularly potent.
Peptides offer many skin benefits, from signal (such as palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 or palmitoyl oligopeptide) and carrier peptides such as copper tripeptide-1 to neurotransmitter peptide dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate) peptides which inhibit enzymes responsible for breaking down collagen and elastin, making them an ideal addition to firming creams and serums.
Peptides can be beneficial for almost anyone over 30, especially as their collagen supply starts dwindling – and using peptides in skincare routine can help slow that process down.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring chemical in your body, but can also be added to skincare products in synthetic form for topical application. HA works to keep skin hydrated, plump and elastic; and prevent pores from getting clogged up leading to blackheads and whiteheads.
When purchasing products with hyaluronic acid, it’s best to select those with a lower molecular weight as these will be less likely to pull moisture from your skin, leaving it dry.
To reduce this, select a hyaluronic acid serum engineered with a lower molecular weight, making it easier for it to penetrate your skin. Furthermore, using serum containing both hyaluronic acid and vitamin C has proven highly effective at brightening and evening out skin tone over time; so take note of whether your product includes this combination! It may be worthwhile checking its label to confirm this information.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are our body’s defense against unstable molecules known as free radicals that damage DNA and cells. Free radicals are constantly created in your body and environmental sources such as UV light pollution can contribute to their formation. Free radicals cause oxidative stress which leads to premature aging as well as skin issues like wrinkles, brown spots, enlarged pores etc.
Utilizing an antioxidant serum as the first step of your skincare regime can help neutralize free radicals and prevent further damage, so apply one in the morning prior to applying moisturizer and sunscreen.
Antioxidants to look for when choosing a serum include vitamins C and E; while Vitamin C is well known for brightening and collagen boosting benefits, Vitamin E improves moisture retention while reducing inflammation. Ferulic acid may also be worth seeking out; it stabilizes Vitamin C to ensure it remains active longer in your skin – look out for products containing green tea extract, resveratrol or natural polyphenols to find this antioxidant.
