10 Best Anti-Aging Creams & Must-Have Ingredients



Brittany Leitner
There are so many buzzwords in beauty that we quickly get used to but don’t always know what exactly they mean. One that’s been floating around the beautysphere for years now and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere is “anti-aging.” We can typically deduce that any product with the word “anti-aging” slapped across it means it’s going to help improve your skin’s texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time, but when it comes to anti-aging creams, what should we really be looking for?
It turns out that an anti-aging cream typically does a mix of hydrating the skin, helping boost collagen production, protecting skin from environmental stressors, and so much more. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for anti-aging creams, plus discover a curated list of our top choices to make your shopping experience a little easier.
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MEET THE EXPERT
Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Azza Halim, MD, is a board-certified physician and anesthesiologist specializing in aesthetics.
1. ALGENIST Travel Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream

“Starting early in your late 20s to early 30s, using an anti-aging cream as a preventive measure is best, as we start losing collagen in our mid 20s,” explains Azza Halim, MD, a board-certified physician who works in aesthetics. “Stay consistent in order to see long-term results and always apply lighter products and/or serums first and finish with heavier creams,” she adds. This cream from ALGENIST actually contains collagen so you can add it back into your skin with each use.
2. JUICE BEAUTY Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer

Dr. Halim also notes that when shopping for an anti-aging cream, you should check the ingredient list for vitamin C, as it helps to both “fade dark spots [that start showing up with age] and brighten skin. We love this option from JUICE BEAUTY that contains vitamin C, plus fruit stem cells that help minimize the appearance of fine lines. One Ipster raves that it adds “hydration with no greasy or shiny vibes going on.”
3. LANEIGE Retinol Firming Treatment Cream

Board-certified dermatologist Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, says retinol is one of the key ingredients to look for in an anti-aging cream, since it helps “boost collagen and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and fine lines.” We love this LANEIGE cream that’s packed with retinol but is also beginner-friendly. One Ipster raved, saying, “I’ve noticed that the expression lines around my eyes and on my forehead are becoming less pronounced.”
4. MURAD Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

Retinol is also the star of this cream by MURAD, along with niacinamide to help lock in moisture to the skin’s surface. One Ipster says, “I do notice a difference with using this cream and my skin feels great!”
5. ABLE SKINCARE Hyaluronic Acid Age Recovery Night Cream

Dr. Gratch calls out hyaluronic acid as a “moisturizing ingredient that can help brighten the skin,” and this ABLE SKINCARE cream is packed with it, along with niacinamide and allantoin, which helps soothe and heal irritated or dry skin. One Ipster raved that it helped with both “forehead lines” and an overall “youthful appearance.”
6. DR. EVE_RYOUTH Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Hydrabright Night Moisturiser

Remember, “If you don’t use sunscreen, the ingredients in anti-aging creams will not be able to reverse the damage,” so you should always layer sunscreen under your anti-aging cream in the morning, says Dr. Gratch. If you prefer to skip moisturizer in the morning, focus on your night cream, which tends to be thicker in consistency so it can get to work as you sleep. We love this one that’s packed with derm-approved ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Plus, all you need is a pea-size amount to get the job done.
7. DR. LORETTA Concentrated Firming Moisturizer

This moisturizer checks all of Dr. Halim’s favorite anti-aging ingredients. First, it has retinoic ester (a non-irritating form of retinoid) for collagen production, and antioxidants to help prevent age spots and overall skin damage from environmental stressors. One Ipster raves that it’s their new favorite moisturizer, and they’ve “seen significant changes in [their] skin since [they] started using it.”
8. OLEHENRIKSEN Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

Collagen, hyaluronic acid, and linoleic acid make up just some of the ingredients in this all-star cream by OLEHENRIKSEN. Linoleic acid is a great ingredient to look for in your anti-aging cream because it essentially works as the glue for ceramides, which helps keep your skin barrier healthy and youthful looking. Having more of it on your skin’s outermost layer can actually help correct and reverse aging, acne, and an overall dull complexion. Sign us up!
9. DR. BRANDT SKINCARE Time Defying Cream

You might have been defying gravity this year, but how about defying time? With this cream from DR. BRANDT SKINCARE, you can help minimize the signs of aging with a potent formula of amino acid peptides and flaxseed extract that hydrate and protect the skin. One Ipster loves that it “doesn't feel too heavy and it absorbs well.”
10. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

This cream is an Ipster fan-favorite for a reason. We love that it’s a gel cream packed with powerful marine and plant actives that get to work to repair damaged skin and protect it each time you wear it. Ingredients found in the sea like padina pavonica help to plump and moisturize the skin, while ginkgo biloba, which has natural antibacterial properties, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Since it’s anti-bacterial, it’ll also help anyone prone to acne breakouts.
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