Style Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Products Our Editors Can't Live Without If you're looking for a new cream, serum, or cleanser, these are the ones we'd buy again and again. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on February 2, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Southern Living In the past decade, anti-aging skincare has gone from a hushed word whispered in the drugstore aisle to a rallying cry belted from the beauty world's mountaintop. It's no longer an afterthought, more like a full-on societal force striving for our healthiest skin at every age. Fine lines and wrinkles are natural and nothing to be feared, but there's no harm in choosing a hydrating moisturizer or eye cream that also offers a smoothing kick of retinol or vitamin C. As for the anti-aging skincare products that deserve a spot on your vanity from now until forever, our editors have no shortage of recommendations, stemming from years of testing and mothers who gave us the best advice. Healthy, radiant skin is the goal, whether you're looking for something that stimulates collagen, gets rid of dark spots, or strengthens your skin barrier. Have sensitive skin? You're not alone. Many of our editors do, too. Here are the 20 best anti-aging creams, serums, and makeup products that we'll happily vouch for. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum 4.2 Walgreens View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart Hyaluronic acid is the key to plump, hydrated, younger-looking skin. In the L'Oreal Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, the popular antiaging ingredient instantly quenches dryness and quickly absorbs into the skin. According to users, it visibly improves the skin's plumpness and dewiness in as little as one week, and eventually enhances its overall firmness and elasticity over time. What SL editors said: "I've been using Loréal's RevitaLift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum for months now, and it has officially cracked the high Holy Grail level of my skin-care routine. And whenever my stash is starting to run low, pure anxiety has me screeching my way to the closest CVS, sweat beading on the upper lip." Price at time of publish: $21 CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Ulta View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target Formulated with encapsulated retinol, ceramides, and licorice extract, the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum gently encourages cell production to reverse the loss of firmness and elasticity, all while blanketing the skin in rich hydration and fading the appearance of dark spots. What SL editors said: "When it came time to start using retinol, I was nervous that some formulas would be too harsh for my sensitive skin. I've loved the brand's foam cleanser for a while, so I decided to give the retinol a try. Not only does it help fade the appearance of dark spots and acne scars, but it helps keep new spots from forming. It's the only serum I've ever consistently used and repurchased." Price at time of publish: $23 Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream Sephora View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora Your dark circles won't know what hit them. Packed with five forms of vitamin C, the Drunk Elephant C-Tango Eye Cream brightens up the under-eyes while simultaneously firming the skin. Thanks to a powerful combination of wrinkle-reducing peptides and nutrient-rich antioxidants, the under-eyes are treated to a soothing burst of hydration, courtesy of ceramides and cucumber extract. What SL editors said: "I've tried dozens of eye creams, but so far, this is the only one that I actually like. I saw almost immediate results, with my crow's feet nearly diminished and my dark circles all but gone. Hallelujah." Price at time of publish: $47 Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora Ideal for mature and acne-prone skin types alike, the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant clarifies the skin with two percent salicylic acid, stimulating cell turnover to smooth wrinkles and unclogging the pores of oil and breakout-inducing agents. The BHA-rich skin treatment also minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores and reveals a more radiant complexion. What SL editors said: "I've recently switched from my go-to witch hazel toner to this Paula's Choice product that tons of my friends recommended to me. It's gentle and has helped tighten my pores. So far, I've been loving it!" Price at time of publish: $13 Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ulta Formulated with Olay's advanced retinol complex, which delivers a deep-penetrating and potent dose of retinol without causing irritation or dryness, this cream repairs the skin while you sleep so you can wake up looking rejuvenated. The popular anti-aging ingredient is joined by vitamin B3, which strengthens the skin and provides it with lasting hydration. What SL editors said: "I used this gentle retinol cream every day for a year and got some of the best skin of my life. My acne has improved, my sunspots have faded, and generally, my skin is much more glowy and dewy than before. It's challenging to find retinol products that are compatible with sensitive skin, but this super-hydrating formula is great." Price at time of publish: $47 Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 4.5 View on Ulta View On Ulta View On Asos Cleansing balms are excellent for removing makeup, sunscreen, and other complexion-hindering agents from the pores without stripping the skin of moisture—and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is one of the best. The three-in-one cleansing balm lifts impurities from the skin, enriches it with collagen-boosting ingredients, and hydrates. What SL editors said: "The most notable result I've seen is that my skin feels so clean without feeling tight and dry. I don't have to double cleanse to remove my makeup." Price at time of publish: $14 Fresh Black Tea Firming Eye Serum Nordstrom View on Ulta View On Nordstrom View On Sephora With the brand's Black Tea Complex at its center, the Fresh Black Tea Firming Eye Serum is infused with peptides that illuminate the eye area and firm the appearance of crow's feet and wrinkles. What SL editors said: "This product is like a push-up bra for my under-eyes because it gives them a much-needed lift. It's the only eye cream I've used that actually makes me look less tired. It's expensive, but lasts a very, very long time." Price at time of publish: $72 Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta Fans of physical exfoliation will enjoy the microfine rice-based enzyme powder in the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, which gently buffs away dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter, and firmer complexion over time. The formula gets an added boost of exfoliation from salicylic acid, making it excellent for refining the look of pores. What SL editors said: "Since I have sensitive skin, I've always needed an exfoliator that could gently scrub away dead skin cells and remove all the gunk from my pores without burning my skin. I've used Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant for about two years, and it has never irritated my skin. I always wake up with a glowier and smoother face the morning after using this." Price at time of publish: $65 Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart Also known as Jackie Kennedy's favorite cleanser, this one is what we like to call time-tested. The Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar rids the skin of damage-causing toxins using purifying ingredients like charcoal and Deep Sea mud while exfoliating away dullness and uneven texture. Equally hydrating as it is deep-cleansing, this product is formulated with glycerin to ensure that the skin doesn't feel stripped or overdried. What SL editors said: "The combination of charcoal and naturally mineral-rich mud is a dynamic duo for when you're craving a deep cleanse without feeling tight or dried-out afterwards." Price at time of publish: $44 Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Oil 5 Sephora View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora With vitamin C, omega fatty acids, and squalene at its base, the Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil wraps the skin in nourishing hydration and antioxidants that restore radiance and suppleness. Its silky-smooth formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin, improving its smoothness and softness as it melts in. What SL editors said: "I've run through multiple bottles of this oil throughout the years because it's really the only antiaging oil that doesn't clog my pores. It smoothes out any fine lines, nourishes dry patches on my skin, and leaves me with such a super glowy complexion that I feel like I just walked out of a spa. I use about three to four drops of this oil after my moisturizer." Price at time of publish: $44 Cetaphil Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum View On Walmart View On Ulta View On Target Cetaphil always gets our stamp of approval for low-cost, high-yield products that don't irritate skin and provide amazing hydration. With the Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum, moisturizing vitamin E and hyaluronic acid come together with collagen-boosting peptides to correct dryness, wrinkles, and discoloration to create a more rejuvenated-looking eye area. What SL editors said: "Let's talk about what you'll notice immediately, and that's smoother, brighter eyes thanks to lightweight hydration hero hyaluronic acid, collagen-producing peptides, and a host of soothing botanicals." Price at time of publish: $23 Baebody Retinol Moisturizer Cream Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target You might recognize this product as one of those can't-live-without Amazon finds. The Baebody Retinol Moisturizer Cream is an all-in-one product that moisturizes, smooths, and brightens the complexion, addressing multiple antiaging concerns at once—and quickly. What SL editors said: "This cream can be used all over your face in addition to the delicate eye area, which I love because it simplifies your evening routine in one fell swoop." Price at time of publish: $20 Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum Sephora View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Glowrecipe.com Hyaluronic acid holds a thousand times its weight in water, which means it can single-handedly hydrate and plump up your complexion better than anything else. The Glow Recipe Plum Pump Hyaluronic Acid Serum is one of the best HA serums we've tried. It uses a blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid molecules for enhanced absorption, plus antioxidant-rich plum extract and barrier-strengthening vegan collagen and silk proteins. What SL editors said: "I saw an immediate effect on my skin from the first use. I was tired, just getting over a cold, and happened to spend most of my days staring at a screen. Believe me when I say that my skin immediately had a glassy look to it." Price at time of publish: $44 EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Beautifiedyou.com Say hello to the most popular sunscreen on the market, and for good reason. By offering high SPF protection, the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 sunscreen prevents premature skin aging, and minimizes your chances of developing dark spots and other signs of sun damage. What SL editors said: "This sunscreen does a good bit of work for your face while you've got it on, as it's easily the most important step in any antiaging routine. Antioxidants help combat skin aging from ultraviolet light and radiation." Price at time of publish: $36 Pond’s Rejuveness Advanced Hydrating Night Cream Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target It's hard to argue with a classic. The Pond's Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream is formulated with collagen and AHAs, which gently exfoliate away dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. The formula also uses vitamin E to increase hydration and squander any signs of damage. What SL editors said: "Whether you're just now beginning to notice those pesky fine lines on your face, or you've been treating wrinkles for years, there are a few antiaging products that we know work well for all skin types and ages, and one of them is Pond's Rejuveness Anti-Aging Face Cream." Price at time of publish: $19 Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream Ulta View on Ulta View On Walmart View On Target Nicole Kidman swears by this drugstore antiaging cream, and we all know what her poreless skin looks like. The Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Cream features a potent dose of retinol, which stimulates cell turnover to promote firmness in the skin. In addition to fighting wrinkles in the face, neck, and decolletage, this drugstore-favorite moisturizer delivers a burst of plumping hydration to the skin. What SL editors said: "We can't decide if we're more excited about the amazing results provided by the anti-aging face cream, its A-list endorsement, or the fact that it's relatively affordable." Price at time of publish: $28 Bio-Oil Skincare Oil 4.2 Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ulta Primarily known to minimize the appearance of stretch marks and scars, this skin-care oil is so much more. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil delivers collagen-stimulating vitamin A, antioxidant-rich vitamin E, and moisture-retaining sunflower oil to your skin. What SL editors said: "While it's no secret that you can use this hypo-allergenic oil all over to reduce scars and stretch marks, it also gives your complexion major hydration. You can even add a splash to your bath water for an extra punch." Price at time of publish: $11 IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream Moisturizer Sephora View On Nordstrom View On Sephora With the IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Neck Cream Moisturizer, your neck is treated to a nourishing and firming trio of elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid. Together, they reduce the appearance of horizontal lines and neck wrinkles and promote lasting hydration. What SL editors said: "Your neck and hands are the two areas that give away your age quicker than anything else. Using an upward motion, apply this firming neck cream from the décolletage to the top of the neck, which gives some love to an often-overlooked area." Price at time of publish: $54 Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex 4.5 Estee Lauder View On Nordstrom View On Walmart View On Sephora Designed to penetrate deeply to the cells, this nighttime serum "resets" the skin by enriching it with 24 hours' worth of hydration and antioxidants. Skin is left looking more refined after continued usage. What SL editors said: "Some things just get better with age. For instance: a good wine, bourbon, and Mama. While we'll never give up the classics, there are times when a little extra oomph is needed to keep our skin guessing. That's just what Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intense Reset Concentrate is after." Price at time of publish: $115 Kleem Organics Vitamin C Serum Amazon View On Amazon View On Jcpenney.com View On Kleemorganics.com With more than 17,000 reviews on Amazon, it's safe to say this serum is a bonafide cult-fave online. Vitamin C is important in your routine to brighten any dark spots or a dull complexion, as well as smooth rough or bumpy skin texture. What SL editors said: "If you want glowier skin, this is amazing for your routine. For regular use, begin by applying each morning before adding a layer of sunscreen, as vitamin C can make you more sensitive to the sun." Price at time of publish: $17 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit