As skin ages, it changes: Collagen and elastin break down, leading to sagging and wrinkles; the body produces less oil, causing dryness; skin cell turnover slows down, resulting in dullness; and overall skin becomes thinner, losing its youthful plumpness. These changes are natural and don't happen all at once, but whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s or beyond, the products you used a decade ago may not be cutting it anymore when it comes to maintaining healthy, vibrant skin. Luckily, the skin-care winners of the third annual Readers' Choice Awards include a formidable chunk of anti-aging all-stars. Powered by science-backed active ingredients, these 30 products are the best of the best when it comes to hydrating, lifting, brightening and smoothing mature skin.
FAVORITE EXFOLIATING CLEANSER
Marini SkinSolutions Bioglycolic Face Cleanser ($50)
A cult-classic cleanser infused with glycolic acid, this formula gets rid of grime while also providing gentle exfoliation. It's a win-win for aging skin, or anyone wanting two benefits in one step.
FAVORITE BARRIER REPAIR SERUM
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum ($99 for 60 capsules)
A healthy skin barrier is essential for glowing skin, and these single-dose ceramide capsules make it easier than ever to achieve. They're also great for travel!
FAVORITE GROWTH FACTOR SERUM
SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex ($230)
Since its launch in 2001, so many dermatologists and skin-care pros have called this growth factor serum their holy grail. With more than one trillion exosomes in every bottle, it minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and improves skin tone and texture for total skin rejuvenation.
FAVORITE ANTI-AGING MOISTURIZER
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 ($155)
An iconic moisturizer beloved by dermatologists, this patented formula contains the first 2:4:2 cholesterol-dominant ratio to repair a damaged skin barrier and reduce signs of aging.
FAVORITE RETINOL CREAM
Obagi Retinol 0.5 Cream ($79)
From minimizing acne to softening lines and wrinkles, this high-performance cream slowly releases retinol into the skin for visible results and minimal irritation.
FAVORITE HYDRATING PRIMER
Laura Geller Beauty Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer: Hydrate ($36)
A hydrating spin on the brand's OG, best-selling primer, this formula is great for dry skin and creates a perfectly smooth canvas for makeup.
FAVORITE BRIGHTENING EYE CREAM
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream ($65)
This buttery-soft eye cream utilizes five forms of non-acidic, brightening vitamin C and eight skin-strengthening peptides to give tired, aging eyes a new lease on life.
FAVORITE BARRIER CREAM
Revision Skincare Derm Defense Barrier Cream ($140)
Dry skin gets extra TLC with this super-hydrating moisturizer that not only helps skin remain comfortable and balanced during the day, but also optimizes skin's reparative functions overnight.
FAVORITE MOISTURIZING SUNSCREEN
IMAGE Skincare DAILY PREVENTION Ultra Defense Moisturizer SPF 50 ($54)
Ideal for mature skin types and anyone looking to maximize their sun protection, this moisturizing SPF contains the brand’s patent-pending XOSM technology, which boosts the formula's antioxidant power for even more UV defense.
FAVORITE FIRMING EYE CREAM
Exuviance AGE REVERSE+ Total 360 Eye Contour ($89)
The secret to a well-rested look, this science-backed eye cream uses proprietary technology and clinically proven ingredients to define, contour and brighten under eyes for a healthy, youthful look.
FAVORITE POST-PROCEDURE SOOTHING CREAM
NEOCUTIS AFTERCARE ($156)
Blending glycerin, lipids and a proprietary mix of proteins into its collagen-boosting formula, this post-treatment cream helps soothe irritated skin, even tone and improve dryness all while promoting better, faster skin recovery.
FAVORITE FACE OIL
Nakery Beauty SkinInfusion Power Blend Elixir Serum ($42)
Your one-stop destination for soft, smooth, ageless skin head to toe, this first-of-its-kind serum-infused oil concentrate harnesses the power of 27 high-performance actives for up to 72 hours of long-lasting hydration and radiance.
FAVORITE RETINOL SERUM
Alastin Renewal Retinol .25 ($74)
An anti-aging superstar, this retinol serum is infused with potent hydrating ingredients, ensuring minimal irritation while the wrinkle-fighting and texture-smoothing benefits take effect.
FAVORITE NECK CREAM
goPure Tighten & Lift Neck Cream ($40)
If an aging neck is your concern, this nonsticky cream is the answer you've been waiting for. With a curated blend of matribust, cupuacu butter, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and caffeine, 100 percent of its users reported more supple skin, and 97 percent noted a firmer appearance in just four weeks.
FAVORITE MOISTURIZER FOR MENOPAUSAL SKIN
Stripes Beauty Dew as I Do Daytime Moisturizer ($80)
Made by menopausal women—like founder Naomi Watts—for menopausal women, this moisturizer is formulated with sustainably sourced squalane, ultra-hydrating ectoine and a fusion of vitamins B, C and E, specifically targeted for maturing skin's changing needs.
FAVORITE MOISTURIZER FOR VERY DRY SKIN
NassifMD Skin Barrier Protection Cream ($65)
This facial plastic surgeon-developed barrier cream soothes redness and irritation, helping to bring skin back to a balanced state no matter how compromised it is.
FAVORITE SKIN-CARE DEVICE
NuFACE Trinity+ ($395)
If you’re going to splurge on one skin device, make it this one. The microcurrent power does it all, from lifting and contouring to smoothing and toning, all in the name of promoting a firmer, younger-looking complexion.
FAVORITE NAD+ SERUM
ARAMORE NAD+ Cell Energizing Lotion ($92)
NAD+ is a hot topic in skin care right now, and if you want to see what it’s all about, try this serum. It tackles a dozen different skin concerns, including uneven tone, fine lines and barrier strength.
FAVORITE ANTIOXIDANT SERUM
GO Beauty Pure Vitality Day Serum ($49)
This serum is packed with innovative ingredients to help energize, tone and protect skin. With coenzyme Q10 and peptides galore, you’ll see a surge of life brought back to your skin.
FAVORITE FIRMING NIGHT CREAM
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Night Cream ($98)
ELEMIS rarely misses, and this night cream is one of its best products. It’s rich and luxurious, helping to hydrate deeply dry skin while firming and nourishing.
FAVORITE NECK CREAM WITH RETINOL
Body Firm Neck Repair Treatment ($79)
When you're staring at your phone all the time, stubborn lines settle in. This cream's innovative TruFirm Technology features encapsulated retinol and a patented peptide to help soften them by firming and smoothing skin.
FAVORITE POST-PROCEDURE SERUM
CALECIM Professional Serum ($100)
Post-procedure skin is extra sensitive, so you want to use only the best products. This super-concentrated growth factor serum has an impressive ingredient list that can help support the effects of a procedure.
FAVORITE MOISTURIZING BODY WASH
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash ($5)
A blend of moisturizers and nourishers formulated into nano-sized droplets for better absorption allows this body wash to deliver targeted relief to dry skin, while stearic and palmitic fatty acids work to penetrate the outer layer of skin for deeper nourishment.
FAVORITE BODY BUTTER
Perlier Shea Butter + Sweet Almond Body Balm ($31)
Breathe in the addictive almond scent of this luxurious body cream as you massage it into dry skin. Made with 25 percent organic shea butter, it provides next-level nourishment.
FAVORITE BODY OIL
Alo Head-to-Toe Glow Oil ($48)
This antioxidant-rich, citrus-scented body oil contains nine different nourishing oils that smooth and condition. Plus, you can also use it on the ends of your hair to hide split ends.
FAVORITE BODY SERUM
Shani Darden Body Reform Treatment Serum ($58)
Inspired by her cult-favorite, best-selling retinol face serum, this silky serum for the body helps retexturize, brighten and firm skin. It's great for KP, crepey skin, stretch marks and more.
FAVORITE RETINOL BODY LOTION
Versed Press Restart Advanced Retinol Body Lotion ($18)
When fine lines, crepey skin and rough texture are concerns from the neck down, this body lotion employs encapsulated retinol, nourishing cocoa butter and moisturizing squalane to smooth, brighten and firm.
FAVORITE HAND CREAM
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($32)
A best-seller for years, this nourishing hand cream utilizes 20 percent shea butter and beta-glucan to keep hands soft and supple without a greasy residue.
FAVORITE LONGEVITY SUPPLEMENT
Timeline Mitopure Softgels ($113 for a one-month supply)
Mitopure is powered by a pure form of Urolithin A (UA), a heavily researched compound that’s produced when our guts break down foods like pomegranates, and is associated with improved cellular health and muscle strength. These vegan softgels provide six times the UA found in dietary sources like pomegranate juice to support energy, endurance and longevity.
FAVORITE LIP TREATMENT
RescueMD Restorative Lip Treatment ($48)
When lips need serious rehab, turn to this treatment. It will bring them back to life, no matter how dry or bitten up they are. It's also a great hydrator after lip filler injections.
