Choosing and Combining Anti-Aging Topical Products in an Effective Skincare Routine
Susan asked for help putting together a custom skincare routine. In part one, I covered How to Combine Several Beauty Appliances in a routine and included my opinion of each appliance’s appropriateness.
Susan kindly went through her entire stash and made a list of her anti-aging topical products. In this post, I’ll address choosing and combining anti-aging topical products and comment on the products Susan has on hand.
For anti-aging topical products not reviewed yet on Ageless Beauty, I’ve done mini-reviews and assigned from one to five stars to each product.
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Reviews & Ratings of Anti-Aging Topical Products
Cosmetic — Not Anti-Aging Topical Products
Trial Size Anti-Aging Topical Products
Anti-Aging Topical Products Affiliate Links for Recommended Brands
How to Use the Alphabetical List of Anti-Aging Topical Products
If you’re interested in any of the product lines that smart shopper Susan has selected, peruse the list and check out the highly-rated products for your particular skin concerns. Read the review for any cautions relevant to your skin, product packaging or marketing.
As you put together any anti-aging skin care routine, be sure to cover all the bases.
Broad spectrum sun protection every day — Look for SPF 30 or more.
Moisturizers suitable to your skin type that include a range of antioxidants — Look for antioxidants with the most proof behind them like Vitamin C & E, Green Tea, Resveratrol and Vitamin A derivatives like Retinol & Retinyl Palmitate. Retin-A (the complete vitamin) and Vitamin A derivatives are also skin normalizing ingredients.
Chemical AHA or BHA exfoliants — I don’t recommend manual exfoliation for lined or wrinkled skin.
Treatment products that include cell communicating ingredients to address your skin concerns — Cell communicating ingredients direct skin to behave in a more youthful healthy manner and include many peptides, Vitmin B derivatives like Niacinamide, Carnitine, Carnosine and Pyrus Malus (apple) Fruit Extract.
For more guidance, read Skincare Routine Primer.
If you decide to purchase any products based on what you read here, I would be grateful if you use the affiliate links at the bottom. You’ll get the best prices at vendors like Amazon and Skinstore and help Ageless Beauty continue providing this resource.
Reviews & Ratings of Anti-Aging Topical Products
Algenist anti-aging topical products all contain Algae Exopolysaccharides (tradename Alguronic Acid). Alguronic Acid hasn’t been classified as such yet, but I believe it will be named a cell communicating ingredient. Alguronic Acid inhibits production of Hyaluronic Acid-degrading enzymes thereby preserving skin hydration and volume. It also has antioxidant properties.
Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Gel Moisturizer ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ for oily skin — This is hardly a moisturizer and I recommend it only for oily to very oily skin. Film-forming agents dry quickly to smooth finish. Oily skin stays oil-free all day. Loses a star for jar packaging.
Algenist Firming & Lifting Eye Gel ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Good mix of moisturizing agents, antioxidants, soothing ingredients, and cell-communicating peptides (collagen-stimulating Tripeptide-1 & Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, plus Botox-mimicking Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester). Silky texture. Properly packaged to preserve ingredients.
Algenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — High in Algae Exopolysaccharides, cell communicating Niacinamide and collagen-stimulating Tetrapeptide-21. Very good antioxidant cocktail. Dropper bottle is not ideal for preserving ingredients but best for this product’s thick consistency.
Dr. Andrew Ordon’s Derm Exclusive anti-aging topical products — Read overview for my concerns over sales approach.
Micro Peel Resurfacing Pads ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Click for review.
Intensive Repair Serum ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Click for review.
Collagen Lift ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Click for review.
Fill and Freeze ☆ ☆ ☆ — Click for review.
Dr. Brandt anti-aging topical products
Dr. Brandt Needles No More ☆ ☆ ☆ ? — Click for review.
L’Oréal anti-aging topical products
L’Oréal Revitalift Triple Power Concentrated Serum Treatment — Not recommended. This is a more concentrated version of Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer Cream (click for review), which relies on the power of Pro-Xylane. Read my reservations about the effectiveness of Pro-Xylane in my review of SkinCeuticals AGE Interupter. Contains high concentration of oxidizing Denatured Alcohol but no antioxidants. The serum is properly packaged to preserve ingredients.
Murad anti-aging topical products — As I researched the individual Murad products, I noticed ingredient list discrepancies. I found significantly different lists for the same product name and presentation at reputable sites like Beautypedia, Sephora and Beauty.com. Do the formulas change very frequently? How can consumers know which version they’re getting?
Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream ☆ ☆ ☆ — Works well, rinses cleanly, nice formula.
Murad Resurgence Renewing Eye Cream ☆ ☆ — I liked the previous formula with Dipeptide-2 to lighten dark circles better. New formula contains yam phytoestrogens and a small amount of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4.
Murad Resurgence Age Diffusing Serum ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Has high concentration of Glycolic Acid plus collagen-stimulating Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, anti-glycation Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, excellent antioxidant cocktail and very good moisturizing ingredients. This would have 5 stars if not for several botanicals that are potential skin irritants.(Discontinued and replaced by Intensive Age Diffusing Serum.)
Murad Resurgence Rejuvenating Lift for Neck and Decollete ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Has high concentration of Glycolic Acid plus collagen normalizing Tripeptide-10 Citrulline and excellent antioxidant cocktail. Murad recommends weekly use.
Murad Resurgence Age Balancing Night Cream ☆ ☆ — Carries Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, has a lovely blend of moisturizing and antioxidant ingredients. I would like to see more anti-aging cell communicating ingredients — there is a small amount of skin normalizing Retinol.
Murad Resurgence Sheer Lustre Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ☆ ☆ — Carries Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, has a lovely blend of moisturizing and antioxidant ingredients. Don’t rely on the 15 SPF for sun protection. I recommend at least 30 SPF and the sun protection of Sheer Lustre is compromised by inclusion of several photo-sensitizing citrus oils.
Murad Resurgence Hydrating Toner ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Delivers on claims: “balances, hydrates and neutralizes surface impurities. Lecithin helps lock in moisture.”
Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 ☆ ☆ — Good moisturizers, antioxidants and temporary skin tighteners. Not much in the way of cell communicating (anti-aging) ingredients and surprisingly small amount of Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) given the name.
Neutrogena anti-aging topical products
Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Serum ☆ ☆ — Click for review.
Perricone anti-aging topical products
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Sub-D ☆ ☆ — Contains good antioxidant cocktail and skin firming combo of DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid. Jar packaging is a shame. You might think the #2 ingredient Glycolic Acid is one of the active ingredients but it can’t be. The alkalinity of DMAE (even if buffered to avoid irritation) decreases product acidity and deactivates the Glycolic Acid. About 5% of users perceive a fishy odor that doesn’t dissipate.
Perricone Blue Plasma ☆ ☆ ☆ — Combo of Urea, Gluconolactone and Hydrolyzed Roe enzyme gently exfoliate. Very hydrating. Good antioxidant cocktail. High concentration of Menthyl Lactate may irritate sensitive skin.
Perricone Acyl-Glutathione ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Click for review.
Perricone Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum ☆ ☆ ☆ — Antioxidant-rich, especially high in Vitamin C and Glutathione, which Dr. Perricone calls the body’s “master antioxidant.” Also high in licorice extract Glycyrrhetinic Acid “to enhance the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness.” Contains a fairy dusting of Tetrapeptide-5 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 as the very last ingredients (present only for marketing appeal).
Philosophy anti-aging topical products
Philosophy The Microdelivery Dual-Phase Peel ☆ ☆ for young &/or oily skin — I don’t recommend DIY physical exfoliation for dry or sensitive skin or for skin with moderate to severe signs of photoaging. Once fine lines become wrinkles and the face is losing volume, abrasive scrubs do more harm than good. The touted long term benefits of the step 1 Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals are doubtful because jar packaging means these ingredients will quickly lose effectiveness.
Philosophy The Microdelivery Purifying Peel One-Minute Purifying Enzyme Peel ☆ ☆ ☆ — This is an effective formula, but the AHA and BHA can’t even begin to work in one to three minutes. Leave on for up to 30 minutes if your skin tolerates it.
Philosophy Hope Enough Facial Firming and Lifting Serum ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — This light textured serum contains anti-sag Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and collagen-stimulating Palmitoyl Oligopeptide. It is high in Glutathione and Vitamin C antioxidants. More cell communicating ingredients and an airtight pump bottle would earn five stars.
Full Of Promise Dual-Action Restoring Cream ☆ ☆ ☆ — This Shea Butter rich but silky moisturizer contains a very good mix of antioxidants including Glutathione and Resveratrol. Unfortunately jar packaging will allow antioxidants to deteriorate rapidly. Store in cool dark place after opening.
Prevage anti-aging topical products
Prevage Intensive Repair Daily Serum ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ — Excellent antioxidant cocktail including the signature Idebenone (Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinoyl Dipalmitoyl Glycerate), very good moisturizers, plus Botox-mimicking Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-19, anti-sag Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, irritation-free skin brightening Oligopeptide-68. Air-tight packaging preserves effectiveness of antioxidants and cell communicating ingredients.
RoC anti-aging topical products
Roc Daily Resurfacing Discs ☆ — Very basic cleansing ingredients. Any resurfacing is accomplished by scrubbing. I advise against manual exfoliation of lined or wrinkled skin.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ☆ ☆ — Click for review. Allure 2008 Best of Beauty in the Night Anti-Aging Treatment category.
Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Filler ☆ ☆ — Basic moisturizer that contains Retinol but only one antioxidant (Vitamin E) and no cell communicating ingredients.
Roc Retinol Correxion MAX Wrinkle Resurfacing System ☆ ☆ — Step 1 is a basic moisturizer. Step 2 is basically a silicone-based primer. While it leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky, there is no repair work going on. Have you noticed how many times I used the word “basic” when evaluating RoC products?
Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil (100% Passion Fruit Seed Oil) ☆ ☆ ☆ — Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, non-fragrant oil feels especially nice on dry to normal skin.
Cosmetic — Not Anti-Aging Topical Products
Since the focus of this article is skin care, I’ve listed Susan’s cosmetic products separately. These are products that work temporarily to improve skin’s appearance — not anti-aging topical products designed to protect against, halt and/or reverse visible signs of skin aging.
Roc Instant Facial Smoother — A nice primer. Facial smoothing is temporary since this contains no active ingredients.
Hydroxatone 90 Second Wrinkle Reducer — Not recommended. The instant wrinkle reduction you experience is a feeling of tightness caused by drying alcohol and Sodium Silicate, which is an alkaline film-forming agent not friendly to the skin’s acid mantle.
L’Oréal Nude Magique BB cream ☆ — Click for review.
Nanoblur ☆ ☆ ☆ — Excellent value for instant but temporary wrinkle smoothing. Improves appearance of skin texture, wrinkles and enlarged pores with silicones and film-forming agents.
Trial Size Anti-Aging Topical Products
Susan also has a collection of sample or trial size anti-aging topical products. I’m treating these separately because sample packs and trial sizes are usually not as well-packaged as full size anti-aging topical products. They should be used as soon as possible.
Perricone kit with nutritive cleanser, high potency eye treatment,advanced face firming activator, concentrated restorative treatment, neuropeptide face cream, firming neck cream;
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Temporary Face Tightener not recommended — Click for review;
Complexion MD Anti-Wrinkle Cream — Company does not disclose full ingredient online and sells (except on Amazon) using an auto-ship club plan.
Susan also questioned whether some of her older purchases would still be okay to use. My two-part answer is:
1. Read Would You Still Use This Make-Up?
2. Read what Paula Begoun has to say. In part,
Only products regulated as over-the-counter drugs (i.e. sunscreens and anti-acne treatments) have official expiration dates stamped or printed on their packaging. The average beauty product’s expiration date depends on when you first use them and how the product is packaged and stored.”
Be alert to changes in smell, color or texture of your anti-aging topical products. All are signs of chemical changes and mean either that the product has lost some effectiveness, is contaminated or both. Think of your anti-aging topical products as you think about the food you serve your family. When in doubt, toss it out.
Anti-Aging Topical Products Affiliate Links for Brands Above
Algenist
Dr. Andrew Ordon Derm Exclusive
Dr. Brandt
L’Oréal
Murad
Neutrogena
Perricone
Philosophy
Prevage
RoC
Here are more Skin Care Articles.
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