The Best Anti-Aging Ingredients in Skincare

Top Insights From This Guide

• Introduce Retinol slowly: start once weekly, then twice, then every other night and always wear SPF
• Alternate Niacinamide and Vitamin C to avoid interaction; Niacinamide boosts collagen and evens tone
• Use topical Vitamin C to stimulate collagen, fade age spots and brighten overall skin tone
• Consider CoQ10 serums — one formula showed 20.6% less wrinkle volume and 15.9% less wrinkle length in one week
• Choose Hyaluronic Acid for hydration; it can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water to plump skin

Razia Shares Her Top Anti-Ageing Ingredients...

1. Vitamin A / Retinol

1. Vitamin A / Retinol

Vitamin A is a well-researched, clinically proven active ingredient. Its anti-aging properties were discovered by accident in the '80s when it was being investigated as an acne treatment. While Vitamin A was found to be very successful at reducing acne, trial participants also experienced a happy side effect: fewer wrinkles. Since this discovery, Vitamin A has been the go-to in most dermatologists' armouries against sun damage and general skin aging.

• Vitamin A is now widely available in skincare products, usually in the form of Retinol. Introducing Retinol into your skincare routine is a big step, as this potent ingredient comes in high concentrations. If you haven't used Retinol before, it’s wise to slowly implement into your routine to give your skin time to adjust. Each product has its own instructions, but it’s generally advised to start out using Retinol once a week. The week after that, use your Retinol product twice. From there, start using it every other day while monitoring your skin for a reaction.

• The concentrated strength of Retinol can increase the skin’s sensitivity, so it’s advised to always wear a SPF during the day for additional protection.

• Choosing the right Vitamin A and Retinol-infused product for your skin type is a must for avoiding discomfort and other adverse effects.

Products we recommend with Retinol:

• Alpha-H Vitamin A Serum with 0.5% Retinol 25ml is suitable for all skin types but is particularly beneficial for aging and pigmented skin. The serum contains 0.5% Retinol and can be applied every evening once you’ve built up a tolerance.
• SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 30mL is a great starting concentration to incorporate into an existing anti-aging skincare routine. When skin has adjusted to this active, you could consider SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0, which contains 1% Retinol.

 Retinol Benefits for Skin - Tips from our Beauty Editor

2. Vitamin B3 / Niacinamide

2. Vitamin B3 / Niacinamide

Vitamin B3, also known as Niacinamide, benefits skin in several ways, from general anti-aging to improving barrier health to evening areas of hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide is great for mature skin, as it can stimulate the synthesis of new collagen, creating a plumping effect. This vitamin is a highly effective multitasker, and cosmetic scientists are only just scratching the surface of what it can do.

• When building your anti-aging skincare routine, it’s important to note that Niacinamide and Vitamin C can interact with each other and cause adverse effects. You can still use both ingredients; however, it's important you apply them at alternate times.

These anti-aging skincare products containing Niacinamide are some of our most recommended:

• SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 Emulsion is specifically formulated with a high concentration of actives to address early symptoms of photoaging including dullness, discolouration, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.
• Aspect Extreme B 17 is a powerful night and day facial serum to rejuvenate and replenish your skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, redness is minimised, oil levels are rebalanced, and skin is left firmer, brighter, and smoother.

 Niacinamide: Tips On The Best Serums For Your Skin

3. Vitamin C

3. Vitamin C

The benefits of Vitamin C were first discovered in the 18th century, when sailors were at sea for months without fresh fruits and vegetables. Have you heard of scurvy? This is the condition sailors used to contract because of a lack of Vitamin C in their diets.

• A deficiency of Vitamin C has a profound effect on the body, especially the skin. One of skin's key structural proteins—collagen—relies on a steady source of this vitamin. When you're deficient in Vitamin C, your skin's collagen begins to break down and is unable to renew itself.

• When Vitamin C is applied to skin topically, it has many proactive anti-aging effects, including stimulating collagen and elastin for plump skin; reducing the severity of age spots; brightening skin tone; and increasing your skin’s resilience to lifestyle and environmental stressors.

• As we said before, it’s important to note that Niacinamide and Vitamin C can interact with each other and cause adverse effects. Ensure you’re applying at alternate times.

Here's our selection of Vitamin C products perfect for an anti-aging skincare routine:

• asap super c serum 30ml utilises a unique combination of 3 of the most powerful antioxidants—Vitamin C (as L-Ascorbic Acid), Pycnogenol, and Idebenone—to help brighten skin and fight signs of aging.
• Aspect Extreme C 20 contains a breakthrough combination of Amino Peptides, stable Vitamin C, cellular antioxidants, corrective botanicals, and skin-energising extracts. This powerful facial serum can transform any beauty skincare regimen.

4. Coenzyme Q10

4. Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced to repair damage and keep us healthy. This substance is found in every cell of the human body. Over the years, aging and lifestyle stressors cause our body to produce less CoQ10. That’s where skincare can lend a helping hand. A potent antioxidant, CoQ10 can improve skin by repairing damaged cells, counteracting free radicals (e.g., damage from UV rays), evening out skin tone, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Our CoQ10 picks are:

• Mukti Organics Age Defiance Day Serum 30ml targets a broad range of aging signs. By increasing your skin’s natural reserves of collagen and elastin, this facial serum leaves your skin firmer and more youthful. The formula has been tested for efficacy, with study participants benefiting from a 20.6% decrease in wrinkle volume and a 15.9% decrease in wrinkle length in just a week. Further improvements showed after 60 days.
• Skinstitut Multi-Active Oil is specially designed for dry, dehydrated, aging, and sensitive skin. The blend of botanical oils helps defend the skin against free radical damage and strengthens skin integrity while improving skin radiance, texture, and tone.

5. Peptides

5. Peptides

Peptides are strings of amino acids that are found in every human cell. They play the role of messengers in our body. Peptides are very commonly used in skincare to boost the skin’s collagen production, thus creating more elasticity and helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines. To increase their effectiveness, Peptides are often combined with Copper to create a power duo.

Our Peptide picks are:

• The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% is a lightweight, water-based serum containing a range of Peptide complexes to target multiple signs of aging and improve overall skin health.
• Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair 50g is a deeply nourishing, hydrating cream that provides a serious boost of moisture while packing a powerful anti-aging punch with Peptides and Vitamin E.

6. Hydroxy Acids

6. Hydroxy Acids

Hydroxy Acids are organic acids found in natural sources such as fruits and milk. These acids are used in skincare to exfoliate and to stimulate the production of new skin cells. There are two forms of Hydroxy Acids: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs).

• AHAs are water-soluble and help to loosen and shed dead skin cells. Because of their ability to exfoliate and reveal fresh skin, AHAs can assist in the reduction of surface lines, roughness, and uneven skin tone (pigmentation). This ingredient is suited for dry skin or damaged skin.

• BHAs are soluble in oil and work deeper in the skin. BHAs are more effective at eliminating clogging in the pores. This ingredient is excellent for dealing with congested and acneic skin.

Our picks for Hydroxy Acids:

• asap radiance serum with aha/bha 30ml packs a one-two punch! This formula yields a stunning complexion by plumping, smoothing, and rejuvenating.
• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque - 50ml features a high concentration of pore-cleansing BHAs and Black Charcoal to provide a highly absorbent, balancing action for oily and blemish-prone skin.

7. Hyaluronic Acid

7. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) occurs naturally in our body to attract moisture to the skin and retain that moisture. As HA can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water, it’s often used in moisturisers and serums to deliver hydration to dry skin. Hyaluronic Acid also plays a pivotal role in our body’s wound healing process. But production of HA decreases as we age, making us more susceptible to sagging and wrinkles. By adding revitalising Hyaluronic Acid to your rotation, you can create a plump and dewy complexion.

Our Hyaluronic Acid picks:

• Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Liquid Rehydration Serum 30ml dramatically improves skin texture and enhances luminosity. Moisture-boosting Hyaluronic Acid and skin-softening Vitamin B5 help diminish dehydration lines, dryness, and irritation.
• Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex 30ml is a potent overnight treatment that significantly reduces the look of key signs of aging.

8. Green Tea Extract

8. Green Tea Extract

Naturally rich in antioxidants to help protect the skin from free radical damage, Green Tea Extract is a gentle ingredient that has excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As Green Tea Extract won’t dry or irritate and actually soothes skin, it benefits those with sensitivities like psoriasis, rosacea, and acne. This ingredient is regularly used in eye products to de-puff and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Our Green Tea Extract picks:

• innisfree Green Tea Seed Eye Cream 30ml features a high concentration of the legendary pesticide-free Green Tea from the quiet island of Jeju. This eye cream nourishes the skin and defends against the signs of premature aging.
• KORA Organics - Foaming Cleanser 100ml is formulated with certified organic Noni Fruit, Green Tea Extracts, and Sandalwood Oil. This replenishing cleanser naturally rids the skin of impurities.