What are the best anti-aging products for skin, lashes, and brows?

If your social feed is full of influencers claiming they’ve finally found the holy-grail, must-have anti-aging product you need, you’re not alone. Sifting through promotions, sponsored content, and traditional advertising in the anti-aging arena can feel like an impossible task, especially when you’re made to feel bad about your body aging naturally. Before you know it, you’ve bought products based on false promises, wasting precious time and money in your quest for a healthy, well-cared-for appearance. 

Knowing which products are effective, when to use them, and where to get them doesn’t have to be mysterious or anxiety-provoking. Caring for your skin, lashes, and brows is easier than ever, and quality products that actually deliver on their promises are within reach. 

When is the Right Time to Start an Anti-Aging Routine?

When it comes to anti-aging, it’s best to start early and focus on prevention. Just like how you’d manage potential health risks with preventive care, it’s possible to care for your skin, lashes, and brows as you age. 

Skin aging can be attributed to a variety of genetic and environmental factors–some of which we have control over and some which we don’t. The biggest environmental factors that impact aging are sun exposure, smoking, stress, and diet.

If you’ve already started to log the wrinkles or texture changes in skin and volume losses in hair, don’t despair. Taking action now, no matter your age or appearance, can make a meaningful impact on how you look and (most importantly) feel. Caring for your skin, lashes, and brows yields results over time, making today a great day to start your new-and-improved routine. 

Where to Treat for Maximum Impact

As you start noticing some changes in your skin or hair as you age, it’s natural to want to take action to turn back the clock. You likely want to keep looking and feeling your best, and products, procedures, and life changes often promise that outcome. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to begin, but we’re here to help. Read on for some tips about what areas you should pay special attention to:

Skin: Your body’s largest organ has a big job — protecting the rest of your organs from the outside world. And after decades of standing guard from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, environmental toxins, and the like, your skin might change.. Skin texture, tone, and the volume (or plumpness) behind your skin can all change with time and your lifetime of experience.   Even if you’re just getting started with skincare, a good routine can help your skin in the long-run. 

Lashes: Just like the hair on the top of your head, delicate eyelashes can thin over time. Plus, long-term use of waterproof mascaras or forgetting to remove your mascara before bed can result in weaker lashes over time. 

Brows: Just like their eyelash neighbors, eyebrows can lose volume and thickness over time. But unlike other hairs on your body, eyebrows grow more slowly. And if you survived the over-pluckification of brows in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, you might still be urging your brows to grow back.

Building a Foundational Routine for a Youthful, Vibrant Look

Just like any major undertaking, it’s important to approach your goals with a plan. To do so, you’ll need to be clear on the tangible outcomes you’re hoping to achieve. Reduce fine lines and wrinkles? Grow thicker lashes and brows? It’s all up to you, but it’s a good idea to name the changes you’d like to see. Next, determine how much time you’re willing to dedicate to your anti-aging routine. Also,consider your interest in the range of treatment options available today: from those done from the comfort of your home, to those performed in-office or through clinical procedures. Taking the time now to outline your plan can help you strengthen the foundation of your anti-aging routine, for the best results over time.

Cleansers: This skincare standby is the first step to improving your skin.. Throughout the day, your skin deals with a lot more dirt, oil, and grime than you might realize, so it’s important to restore it to a balanced state each day. Look for a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and makeup,  without stripping valuable moisture. Cleansers containing ceramides, which help lock in moisture, are widely loved by dermatologists, making them a great option to consider. Many skincare experts swear by double cleansing (washing with two different products, like an oil-based balm and then a water-based cleanser), but doing so isn’t a requirement for great skin. However, it’s essential to ensure that you gently and completely remove any makeup sitting on your skin at the end of the day, as this can build up over time when not removed properly. Use micellar water to gently break down even the toughest waterproof mascaras, using extra care around wrinkle-prone areas. Skip harsh or stripping cleansers and abrasive makeup removal products, all of which can remove essential moisture and clear the way for wrinkles over time.

Exfoliants: Physical exfoliants like scrubs can help slough off dead skin cells and stubborn cosmetics, but they can also expose your skin to micro-tears that don’t do you or your skin any favors. Chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can offer better results, as they smooth skin texture, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and can even unclog pores all at once. When using a chemical exfoliant in your skincare routine, be sure to use extra care to manage sun exposure and always wear SPF, as AHAs can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. 

Antioxidants: Known powerhouses within the body, antioxidant treatments like vitamin C can do wonders for your skin. Applied topically (directly on the surface of your skin) and widely available, vitamin C can enhance the efficacy of sunscreen, help with dark spots, and even stimulate collagen.  Other antioxidant treatments include niacinamides, vitamin E, and vitamin A, the last of which deserves its own category thanks to its versatility. If incorporating too many products feel overwhelming, look for blends to reduce your skincare bottle count and keep your routine easy to maintain. 

Retinol: This standalone antioxidant has earned its place in skincare routines for its impressive results.Also known as vitamin A, prescription-grade retinol can help improve skincare issues in both youthful and mature skin. Available in varying concentrations, the right dosage can reduce acne, smooth wrinkles, improve overall texture, and increase cell turnover (leading to a feeling of smoother, fresher skin). Drugstore options exist, but pay special attention to the concentration of the retinol ingredient, which will impact its effectiveness. In general, it’s best to start low-and-slow with retinol, incorporating it into your routine a few days a week before increasing to daily use. This helps to ward off irritation like flaky, dry skin that can come from intensive use.  If you’re planning a pregnancy,  discuss safe skincare options with a medical professional, as retinols and retinoids aren’t recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Hydroquinone: Natural aging, sun exposure, and hormonal factors–including pregnancy, menopause, and some kinds of birth control can result in  a kind of hyperpigmentation and melasma. Under the guide of a dermatologist, using hydroquinone can help to lighten dark spots and even out discoloration, for a more consistent tone. By reducing dark spots and uneven pigmentation your skin may appear more youthful. As an added bonus, you might even be able to skip the foundation and concealer.

Moisturizers: If you have dry skin, slathering on a thick layer of moisturizing face cream may feel good in the moment, no matter what type you try. But choosing the right moisturizer for your skin is imperative. No matter if you have oily, dry, or combination skin, we’d recommend a lightweight moisturizer for daily use. Some moisturizers include SPF, in which case you should choose one with a protective factor of 30+ for regular daytime use. Keeping your moisturizer light will help it play nice with any makeup you routinely use. If you have dry skin, you can also seek out formulas with ceramides to pull double-duty in retaining moisture.

For evening, focus on repair with formulas that act as a barrier, especially if you are using them after a retinoid or retinol which can sometimes cause dryness and irritation.  Read all labels, as some formulas are designed for nightly use while others are to be used less frequently. Some may require a wait period between skincare steps for the best results, especially those with active ingredients. 

Serums: Highly-concentrated tinctures of serums allow for focused treatment for your maturing skin, lashes, and brows. Packed with powerful active ingredients, they deliver direct benefits to problem areas. Nourish sparse brows or thirsty skin using serums designed for targeted use, instead of relying on catch-all products to help.

Bimatoprost: Specified serums for lash growth, like FDA approved Latisse with 0.03% bimatoprost, can replenish lash volume lost to aging. It can also improve lash length for maximum impact. Eyelash volume is lost over time, which can play a role in your experience of aging. Often, women associate their eyelashes with femininity and attractiveness, so as they shed, confidence can take a hit. Cosmetic preferences like lash extensions, glues, and pomades (and their removal) can weaken hair follicles, making the issue worse. A quality serum can help users attain long-lasting effects. 

When to Go to the Professionals for Expert Assistance

Sometimes it’s best to call in the experts, and rounding out your anti-aging routine is no exception. While at-home skin, lash, and brow care options have evolved, many cosmetic options are still only available (safely and legally) under the care of a physician or other licensed professional. 

Lasers: While they may sound like an invasive procedure, lasers designed for skincare can be both gentle and effective. A variety of lasers are available to target skin concerns associated with aging—-with wavelengths designed to target redness, brown spots, and even water in the skin. These procedures can address concerns about both skin tone and texture. Some laser treatments can even help improve the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. New technologies have enabled the treatment of a wider range of skin tones. To learn more, it’s important to discuss options with an experienced dermatologist.

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels chemically exfoliate the skin, and can penetrate a variety of depths, ranging  from superficial to deep. A variety of chemical peels are also available to improve the skin’s appearance–with  glycolic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, and trichloroacetic acid being some of the more commonly used ingredients.

Peels can improve the appearance of acne scars, discoloration, and overall texture. When used over time and with proper sun protection afterward, users can see significant improvements in the smoothness and evenness of their skin.. Plus, their wide availability and short downtime make them more accessible than surgical procedures for most people. 

Microdermabrasion: A popular in-office exfoliation treatment, microdermabrasion resurfaces skin to reveal a brighter, more even texture. These treatments are often performed using devices that gently remove dead cells while infusing newly resurfaced skin with nourishing serums.

Treatments and serums work better during this process, as the exfoliation of the skin lets the skin absorb more of the good stuff you’re applying. Microdermabrasion is also one of the most flexible and gentle in-office treatments—it’s an option even if you’re pregnant.  With regular treatments, you may see visible improvements in the overall appearance of your skin. 

Microneedling: Hundreds of tiny needles puncturing your skin may not sound like a good time, but the results might convince you to give microneedling a try. Microneedling treatments done by a professional create micro-punctures in the skin. Much like microdermabrasion, these tiny punctures improve the skin’s ability to absorb other topical skincare treatments, stimulate collagen, and increase cell turnover. Microneedling can be used to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of pores, and even treat acne scars. 

Your Anti-Aging Routine is an Essential Part of Your Commitment to Self-Care 

When you’re creating your anti-aging routine, it’s important to remember that it’s  not all about your looks. Most importantly, it’s about improving how you feel. Caring for your body is one of the best ways to stay healthy inside and out. Physical exercise and healthy diets may get the hype, but establishing an anti-aging routine and sticking to it may yield benefits beyond your reflection. 

Seek out treatment options that meet your criteria for the goals you’re targeting. If you’re looking for non-surgical options, focus on at-home treatments, many of which can be prescribed online and delivered straight to your door. As everyone’s skin is different, look for customized treatments for your unique skin concerns. 

Explore solutions to retain and grow your brows and lashes, both of which decrease in volume over time. Lash growth serums containing bimatoprost are an easy addition to your routine, and their impact can subtly improve your overall appearance. 

Prioritize your self-care time to improve your skincare routine’s effectiveness. With your high-powered serums, strategically selected treatments, and consistency, your outward appearance will continue to reflect the beauty that’s within. You’ll age on your terms, welcoming the years ahead with well-nourished skin, healthy lashes and brows, and the knowledge that you’re taking care of the most important person — you.