Forget the year on your birth certificate — many factors can dramatically change how your skin looks and feels. Even if you haven't noticed any signs — like dark spots or fine lines — there's nothing wrong with caring for your skin at any age. "Aging [gracefully] in beauty refers to ingredients such as retinol, peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, which help fight signs of sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin," Arizona-based double board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, DO, FAAD, tells Popsugar. "We start losing collagen in our 20s and start accumulating sun damage in our teens," which means it can't hurt to embrace products that restore collagen and protect your skin sooner.
If you're going to add just one skin-care product to your regimen, make it daily sunscreen, which Lal considers a nonnegotiable in preventing sun damage that causes fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Of course, there are plenty more products where that came from too, from retinol serums that exfoliate to reveal new, smooth skin cells to moisturizers packed with peptides that firm your skin. Ahead, we've rounded up our favorite skin-care products for aging gracefully, all of which combat dryness and dullness to fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Karan Lal, DO, FAAD, is a New York- and Arizona-based celebrity double board-certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment ($11, originally $15)
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment is a game-changer not just for breakouts but also for wrinkles. Adapalene (a type of retinoid) is the active ingredient, and it helps your skin churn out fresh collagen and, thus, subtly smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It's "the most potent over-the-counter retinoid," Lal says, and it can be incorporated into your morning or evening routine. A bonus? Our beauty editor loves it. Check out her Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment review for more details.
Editor Quote: "The gel has helped brighten and even out my complexion to the point that you can hardly tell I ever experienced those hormonal breakouts to begin with." — Jessica Harrington, beauty section lead
If your boyfriend is guilty of stealing your skin care from time to time, these are the eye patches you've been looking for. We can't blame him for wanting to treat puffiness and fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes, but these patches were designed with men in mind. Created by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, you can trust that they attack signs of aging with a simple, sleek design.
Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence ($19, originally $25)
Yes, the snail mucin essence all over your TikTok feed (and in everyone's cabinets) is editor-approved. It brightens, soothes redness, and helps repair your moisture barrier for a natural glass-skin glow that will rack up the compliments. One editor sang its praises in her Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence review.
Editor Quote: "My skin's texture has actually improved, and it feels way more even now. The hydration payoff is also huge, and I feel like it actually helps my moisturizer work better, too." — Kelsey Garcia, lifestyle director
Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask ($19)
This overnight mask is TikTok-viral and 100% worth the hype. With an ingredient list that includes oligo-hyaluronic acid, it's able to nourish the skin and minimize pore while creating that much-desired glass-skin effect. Our editor uses it regularly and shared her results in our Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask review.
Editor Quote: "I've used it three times since I initially purchased a pack of four. Once when my skin was fairly normal, once when I was experiencing some annoying breakouts, and once when I had a massive sunburn on my face. I'm genuinely not sure how, but the mask seemed to help with all of my skin issues.
I find it to be ultra-hydrating, and it hasn't bothered my acne-prone skin or exacerbated any breakouts. I fully plan on continuing to purchase this mask and use it once a week, especially the night before a date or a special event." — Renee Rodriguez, senior beauty staff writer and social producer
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder ($26)
