I pretty much have stopped buying new anti-aging products because it seems like they were expensive, promised more than they delivered and sometimes there’s SO MANY products out there, I don’t even know where to begin or what I really need. So I’ve stuck with products that I’m familiar with even if they don’t quite do the job that others out there promise to.
Good Housekeeping recently came out with their list of top anti-aging products that were tested more thoroughly than I could possibly ever do. The study, which took nearly a year, involved almost 1,000 volunteers, 2,000 questionnaires, and 25,000-plus lab measurements…again, not something I could have done here at home. They actually have a team of scientists at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and an advisory board of top dermatologists.
I was very happy to see that some of these products that promise to plump, diminish spots, firm, and moisturize not only worked, but were actually affordable for those on a budget. I haven’t personally tried these particular items but have used products from some of these lines….if you’ve tried any of these anti-aging products, we’d love to hear what you think about them.
FACIAL MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 30
These moisturize well and have ingredients like peptides and retinol to firm, plump, and even out skin and contain an SPF of 30, which is what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends for sun protection. (Testing time for this was 8 weeks.)
Gold Winner: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF 30 (approximately $22 for 1 ounce and can be found at most drugstores) – Testers said it improved skin tone, softened fine lines and firmed skin. Some of the comments…”best wrinkle cream I have ever tried”, “skin looks brighter and feels firmer”, “actually worked as advertised.” Lab tests confirmed that the retinol-infused day cream firmed and evened out skin while dispensing a dose of hydration.
Silver Winner: RoC Multi Correxion Lift Anti-Gravity Day Moisturizer SPF 30 (approximately $29 for 1.3 ounce and can be found at most drugstores) – Testers said, “the fine lines around my eyes have diminished a bit,” “noticed a glow about my face.” Lab results showed it was tops at improving texture and one of the best at diminishing spots.
*Apply moisturizer with sunscreen on your face and all the way down to the collarbone or chest.
NIGHT CREAM WITH RETINOL
Night creams with retinol diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and spots. They also moisturize and firm skin. (Testing time for this was 8 weeks.)
HUGE price difference between the gold winner and silver winner!! Good to know that the second place product does a comparable job at a fraction of the cost!
Gold Winner: La Prairie Cellular Power Charge Night ($475 for 1.35 oz., laprairie.com) – Testers said, “unlike any I’ve ever used….the smoothness and even tone of my skin lets me go without makeup, which I normally would never do.” This product, in lab results, emerged as both the first-place retinol cream and the best night cream overall. Tests showed it did well at firming, (not only after 8 weeks, but after only 6 hours), and at improving skin tone. This was found to also be just as gentle on skin as non-retinol creams (retinol can irritate some skin so this was an added bonus).
Silver Winner: RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream ($23 for 1 ounce at most drugstores) – Testers said, “light enough to sink in, heavy enough to moisturize”, “just the right weight for a night cream”. Lab results found this comparably to the gold winner when it came to moisturizing and firming. Testers gave it top points for wrinkle reduction, especially on the forehead. Visia results (to assess wrinkles, spots, and texture) showed it was effective at improving UV spots.
*If you have problems with retinol, layer a plain moisturizer over your retinol night cream.
NIGHT CREAM WITHOUT RETINOL
Night creams without retinol moisturize and firm skin while evening out skin tone and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles with ingredients like peptides. (Testing time for this was 8 weeks.)
Gold Winner: Boots No7 Lift & Luminate Night Cream ($21 for 1.6 ounce at Target) – Testers said this was their favorite night cream. Test results included high scores for firming, moisturizing and improving spots.
Silver Winner: Vichy LiftActv with Rhamnose Night ($50 for 1.7 ounce at Walgreens) – Testers said “After a few weeks, the fine lines were disappearing and my skin firmed up.” Test results sound promising! This was the only cream to score decently in reducing brown spots, minimizing pores, and improving texture. After two months, it also increased firmness by 28%.
*These tend to be more moisturizing than their retinol-based counterparts, which is great if your skin is especially dry.
EYE CREAM
Eye creams diminish fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. They often moisturize, smooth and firm too. Lighter in texture than a face moisturizer. (Testing time was 4 weeks.)
Gold Winner: AmorePacific Time Response Eye Renewal Crème ($260 for 0.5 ounce at Nordstrom) – Testers ranked it best for de-puffing. “my eyes look brighter and less puffy,” and was appreciated for its luxurious texture, and mild, pleasant scent. Test results showed an outstanding performance in the lab, including perfect scores for firming and hydrating.
Silver Winner: Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream ($65 for 0.5 ounce at Sephora) AND Eau Thermale Avene Retrinal Eyes eye Contour Care ($44 for 0.5 ounce at avenueusa.com) – Both delivered similar youth-boosting results. Best wrinkle-fighter honors went to the Perricone product, with a 29% improvement in lab results. Testers said they could see a huge difference after a month. Avene was not only less expensive but just as moisturizing as the gold winner. Testers liked its nongreasy, fast-absorbing formula.
*If dark circles are your primary concern, dermatologists suggest you invest in a good concealer as topical lotions are ineffective at treating them.
SERUM
Serums are lightweight and easily absorbed into skin. Packed with a higher dose of active ingredients than moisturizers, they minimize fine lines and spots and also firm and smooth skin. (Testing time was 8 weeks.)
Gold Winner: Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector (approximately $89 for 1 ounce.) Testers rated it best for firming skin and liked the silky feel. There were a few though that said it temporarily made their skin redder. Lab tests showed it was the only serum to firm skin and was number one at smoothing skin texture. It also took second place for decreasing brown spots and minimizing the look of pores.
Silver Winner: Estee Lauder Perfectionist [CP+R] Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum (approximately $65 for 1 ounce at department stores.) One tester said, “I had a very deep wrinkle between my eyes, and it’s really starting to go away.” Others said it was best for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Another tester said “My face feels smoother and my skin tone looks brighter.” Lab tests didn’t show stellar wrinkle reduction with any of the serums, but the Estee Lauder proved itself a top-notch skin smoother.
*These are all expensive but if you buy the larger size of the Lancôme ($150 for the 3.3 ounce), and the larger size Estee Lauder ($160 for the 3.4 ounce), you’ll slash the price per ounce by $44 and $18, respectively.
DARK SPOT-FADING SERUM
Spot-fading serums are designed to reduce the size and color of spots and to brighten skin overall with ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, kojic acid, niacinamide, and/or hydroquinone. (Testing time was 8 weeks.)
Gold Winner: L’Oreal Paris Youth Code Dark Spot Correcting & Illuminating Serum Corrector (approximately $25 for 1 ounce at drugstores.) Testers said it lived up to its name. “It really lightened my dark spots and evened my skin tone.” Testers liked its light scent and nonirritating formula. Volunteers who used this serum only on their chests reported even better results, with one saying it “really reduced my freckles there.”
- Silver Winner: SkinMedica Lytera Skin Brightening Complex ($125 for 2 ounce at skinmedica.com). For reducing face spots, this rated better than the first-place winner. One tester said “it got rid of the sunspots-not overnight, but eventually they’re almost gone.” Some women though said the serum made their skin itch and thought the fragrance was too strong.
*You should get an annual check with your dermatologist to check all spots and moles for abnormalities and signs of skin cancer. Use a moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or higher every day or spots may stay or even darken.
AT-HOME PEEL
With ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, these peels are designed to exfoliate and brighten skin and minimize spots and the appearance of pores. Most come in easy-to-use pads. (Testing time was 2 weeks.)
Gold Winner: Philosophy The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel ($69 for 12 pads at Sephora.) Improved skin the most; minimized pores, smoothed texture and slightly reduced brown spots. Testers said “pores appeared smaller and skin tone looked brighter.” Testers voted this peel the gentlest too.
Silver Winner: Murad Environmental Shield Intensive-C Radiance Peel ($49.50 for 1.7 ounce at Sephora.) Testers rated it number one at brightening, improving skin tone and texture, and minimizing pores. “Skin has a glow and feels softer after using this.” In the lab, this peel tied with the first-lace winner for smoothing skin’s texture, but otherwise conferred only subtle benefits. This is a cream you leave on skin for 10 minutes and then wipe off, which resulted in top honors for being easy to use. A tingling sensation was reported by some testers, which they didn’t like.
*After a peel, fresh skin is more sensitive to the sun so make sure you wear sunscreen.
INSTANT WRINKLE SMOOTHERS
These promise to immediately make fine lines look softer or less apparent for several hours, without disturbing makeup. (Testing time was 15 minutes in the lab, two days at home.)
Gold Winner: Skyn Iceland Angelica Line Smoother ($65 for 1.5 ounce at beauty.com). This was the favorite with testers who ranked the cream high for improving wrinkles. It contains GABA, an ingredient that relaxes muscle contractions. One tester said, “I was skeptical, but it really seems to make a difference. I noticed that the product seemed to erase and soften lines, especially on my forehead, where my wrinkles are the most pronounced.” Lab results confirmed its line-relaxing ability.
Silver Winner: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Instant Dermal Wrinkle Filler (approximately $25 for 0.4 ounce at drugstores). In lab results, this performed as well as the gold winner and even did a bit better at improving forehead wrinkles. It contains oat-kernel extract which provides lift by forming a film over skin. Testers liked its pen like applicator and said it was perfect for a fast fix before a special occasion.
*Use on your crow’s-feet and/or forehead furrows but skip lip lines. Lab results showed instant-smoothers didn’t work there.
LIP TREATMENT
Lip treaments instantly smooth and soften lips. Contain anti-agers like hyaluronic acid and peptides which help reduce lip lines and increase fullness and firmness over time. (Testing time was 4 weeks.)
Gold Winner: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy ($25 at fresh.com). Testers raved it instantly softened lips and minimized fine lines on and around the lips after a month’s use. “The thin lines on my lips have disappeared,” said one volunteer. Others liked its lemony scent and easy-to-swipe-on balm formula.
Silver Winner: Veneffect Anti-Aging Lip Treatment ($85 at Neiman Marcus). While this didn’t minimize the appearance of fine lines as well as the Fresh, it narrowly edged it out when it came to making lips look fuller after four weeks. Testers liked its non=sticky texture and fast absorption.
*The Fresh product should be stored in a cool place because its consistency can get very soft in the heat.
BODY LOTION
Body lotions moisturize, firm, and soften the appearance of fine lines. (Testing time was 4 weeks.)
Gold Winner: Fresh Sugar Acai Age-Delay Body Cream ($65 for 6.8 ounce at fresh.com). Lab tests found it to be a first-rate skin moisturizer and firmer while testers raved, “very pleased with the results on my chest” and “first product I found that improved my skin.” Some didn’t like its caramel-citrusy aroma while others thought it “divine.”
Silver Winner: Aveeno Positively Ageless Skin Strengthening Body Cream ($10 for 7.3 ounce at drugstores.) This tied in lab tests with the Fresh product. Testers loved its soft scent and nongreasy feel. Most testers though rated its anti-aging effect as only fair.
*You can cut costs by using anti-aging lotion on the parts of your body you’re most concerned about and use a plain (and less expensive) moisturizer for other areas.
Big difference in some of the pricing, and some are still relatively expensive, depending on your budget. BUT if they actually work, the price may be worth it to you. Some of us need more products while others don’t. For some, using just a moisturizer with SPF in the morning and a night cream will do the trick. Others, like me, who didn’t treat my skin very nicely when I was younger, I need everything! A lot of people actually use too much product or products they don’t need.
Here’s a breakdown on skin-care and how to use it…listed in the order of use.
- SERUM – Use a pea-size amount in the morning, evening or both. Always apply before moisturizer to allow for maximum absorption.
- INSTANT WRINKLE-SMOOTHER – Apply a thin layer on areas like crow’s-feet and forehead lines in the morning. For best results, use after serum but before moisturizer and makeup.
- FACE MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 30 – A quarter-size amount, about a teaspoon is what you need in the mornings. If you’re also applying it to your chest and neck, you’ll need about a tablespoon.
- DARK SPOT-FADING SERUM – A pea-size amount, applied all over your face in the morning, evening or both. *If it contains retinol, don’t use a retinol cream or moisturizer over it.
- EYE CREAM – A pea-size amount all around the eye in the morning evening or both. If it interferes with your morning makeup, use only at night.
- NIGHT CREAM – A pea-size amount if it has retinol. If it doesn’t contain retinol, use a dime-size amount. Use in the evening. Give it time to absorb into your skin before bed so it doesn’t get wiped off on your pillowcase.
- ANTI-AGING LIP TREATMENT – As little as much as you like can be applied in the morning, evening or both. Absorbs better before bed while you’re sleeping but can be used during the day too.
- AT-HOME PEEL – Follow the product instructions. Use in the evening but if you’re using a night or day cream with retinol skip the cream the day before, after and day of a peel.
- BODY LOTION – Use as much as you need/want whenever. If you put it on right after a shower or bath, it will help lock in the moisture.
Thanks Good Housekeeping for testing products and letting us women know what and what doesn’t work!
*I actually have been using Mary Kay products more than anything else and I do like them. But I’m always trying out other products and natural items on my face so I don’t use the same thing on a regular basis….next on my list to try are a couple of these listed above just to see if they actually deliver…I’ll keep you posted.
I seldom write comments, but i did some searching and wound up here Top
2013 Anti-Aging Products