Dermatologists Shared Their 15 Best Skincare Secrets For Keeping Those "You Look So Young!" Compliments Coming For Years
There are so many skincare products out there that walking down the skincare aisle can be incredibly overwhelming. Trying to decide not only which products you need but which ones are more than just their marketing can seem impossible, especially when it comes to anti-aging skincare, which is most successful when you focus on preventing issues before they start.
So, how do you figure out what the best thing for your skin is? Is it a 12-step Korean skincare routine for glass skin? Trying the French skincare products everyone on TikTok swears by? I love trying a trend as much as the next person, but without a time machine, it's hard to know if these skincare fads actually do anything. Well, to cut through the noise, I decided to ask the experts: I consulted two board-certified dermatologists to break down what we really need to be doing for our skin to keep it looking its best for years to come.
The experts were:
• Dr. Annie Chiu, founder and director of The Derm Institute, who also posts her skincare recommendations on Instagram.
• Dr. Kimberly Shao, a dermatologist who often breaks down the science of skincare ingredients on Instagram and TikTok.
After chatting with Dr. Chiu and Dr. Shao, these were the anti-aging skincare tips, recommendations, and debunked myths that everyone should know — especially if you're just starting out with preventative skincare:
Keep in mind: Use this list for inspiration, but consult with a doctor before starting any new skincare routine. It's generally recommended that you talk with a dermatologist before trying new skincare products to ensure that the active ingredients you're implementing are tailor-fit to your personal skincare needs.
1.The first skincare myth they busted? Drinking water is the magic secret to stopping aging. While drinking water is, of course, essential, contrary to what celebrity interviews would have you believe, just doing that alone will not slow down aging.
"Drinking water won’t prevent or reverse wrinkles. Only a comprehensive skincare routine can help prevent aging," Dr. Chiu said.
2.Some of the biggest misconceptions both dermatologists have seen people have about anti-aging skincare is that it's only necessary to start using anti-aging products once signs of aging have already appeared.
They both emphasized that the best thing you can do to fight aging is to begin using products that keep your skin healthy and prevent damage early.
3.The most effective thing to prevent damage? "SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN!" Dr. Chiu said, "with a minimum of SPF 30. And no, the sunscreen in your makeup is typically insufficient because you likely do not put on a thick enough layer to get the SPF number marked on the bottle."
Many people don't realize you even need to wear sunscreen indoors. "UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows," Dr. Chiu added.
"It is truly the best way to prevent and slow down signs of aging while being the most cost-effective," Dr. Shao said.
Dr. Chiu also suggested using sunscreen-infused makeup for touchups throughout the day.
4.They both shared that it's also a false but common belief that expensive products are more effective than affordable ones. The most vital part of effective skincare products is what the active ingredients are, and often, the same ones are found in both low and high-end products.
What active ingredients should you be on the lookout for? "Antioxidants such as Vitamin C in serums because they help protect the skin from free radicals," Dr. Shao said.
Free radicals cause oxidative stress to our body's cells, and our bodies lose the ability to fight them effectively over time, which causes signs of aging.
5.Dr. Chiu recommends the antioxidant niacinamide, and it's easy to see why. Derived from vitamin B3, this ingredient not only fights free radicals but strengthens skin, brightens dark spots, and evens skin tone. It can also help minimize pores and balance oil production, solving a whole host of skin woes.
6.Both dermatologists suggested looking out for products with ceramides and peptides, which are commonly found in moisturizers. Ceramides help protect and repair the skin barrier, which peptides also help with, but have the added benefit of smoothing fine lines and wrinkles as well.
Dr. Chiu is also a fan of products that contain growth factors, which consist of various peptides because they additionally stimulate cell turnover, which improves wrinkles, skin tone, and texture.
7.It might seem basic, but the other essential skincare product they suggested is a moisturizer, but it's important to know why.
"Moisturizers are important for anti-aging because they help improve skin hydration, can strengthen the skin barrier, and help lock in any actives or serums you use," Dr. Shao explained.
It is also important to ensure the moisturizer suits one's skin type. "Even oily skin needs a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep balance in the skin and prevent oil glands from being even more active," Dr. Chiu said.
8.Both dermatologists are also big fans of using AHA/BHA in skincare.
"Chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids can help promote anti-aging through exfoliation, improvement of skin texture, and promotion of collagen production," Dr. Shao said.
However, she cautioned against overdoing it. "There is definitely no need to use a chemical exfoliant twice a day. It's more like 2–3 times a week at night," she added.
9.Retinoids are the holy grail product for pretty much every skincare issue. Both dermatologists suggested that vitamin A-based topicals that speed up skin cell turnover and can range from prescription strength to over-the-counter (where they are listed as retinol/retinals) are one of the most effective products you can incorporate into your skincare routine.
However, they can come with an adjustment period for your skin as they can be very drying and sometimes result in "purging" before the skin improves, where the increased skin cell turnover brings impurities like oil and bacteria to the surface, causing breakouts that eventually resolve.
10.Dr. Shao advises being mindful of the other active ingredients in your skincare routine when incorporating products with vitamin A because they can lead to increased irritation.
Vitamin A-based products should always be used at night because they can increase the risk of sun damage, but they should be slowly integrated into your skincare routine, starting a few times a week as your skin adjusts.
If you are using other active skincare such as benzoyl peroxide or vitamin C, you should use those in the morning instead to reduce irritation, according to Dr. Shao. If you are interested in using chemical exfoliants, she recommends introducing retinoids at night first, before slowly introducing BHAs or AHAs.
11."There is a risk of retinoids causing dry eye by affecting meibomian glands," Dr. Shao warns. "So I would be cautious about getting a retinoid too close to the eye."
"I also suggest putting a moisturizer on around the eye (and even other places that get commonly irritated, like around the nose and corner of lips) before putting the retinoid on to combat irritation," she added.
If you want to use an active ingredient like retinol or vitamin C around the eyes, Dr. Shao recommends seeking out products such as eye creams or serums with those actives because they are specifically formulated to be safe to use in that area.
12.Dr. Chiu shared that many expect immediate results from their skincare routines but that people should be patient. "It generally takes 30–60 days of consistent use to see noticeable improvements," she said.
Dr. Shao emphasized that the key to results is consistency, and prefers quality over quantity when it comes to a skincare routine.
13."Do not forget about areas like the lips and the neck! They are also places that can show aging," Dr. Shao said. "This can be as simple as making sure you bring your skincare/sunscreen down to your neck as well."
The other area of our body that is often the first to show signs of age? Our hands! So it is also important to be mindful of making sure your skincare and sunscreen routine extends to them as well.
14.Dr. Shao also shared that the skincare fad she wished people would stop buying into is assuming that just because something is marketed as "natural," it means that it's automatically safe to use.
"Being able to parse through the literature and find good-quality studies to back up certain claims about skincare ingredients is a skill of its own, so my best tip is to ask a dermatologist! I also often consult the advice of cosmetic chemists," she shared.
15.Dr. Chiu warns that people should keep their expectations realistic regarding the promises skincare products make. "No topical product will completely eliminate wrinkles," Dr. Chiu said.
"Professional treatments like laser therapy, fillers, or Botox are necessary for more complete treatments. But topicals can decrease or soften fine lines and be preventative."
What are your favorite anti-aging skincare tips? Let us know in the comments!
