The best anti-ageing skincare is a short routine built on ingredients with real evidence: a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or more every morning, a retinoid such as retinol at night, a vitamin C serum in the morning, and a moisturiser to keep skin plump and comfortable. A gentle cleanser completes it. Sun protection does the most to prevent new damage; retinol does the most to improve lines and texture over time.
Anti-ageing shelves promise lifting, tightening and instant results. Most of those claims are marketing. Skin experts keep coming back to the same handful of ingredients, and none of them needs to be expensive. Here is how to build a routine around them, starting from the basics of a good skin care routine.
The Anti-Ageing Ingredients With the Best Evidence
| Ingredient | What it does | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen | Prevents the UV damage behind most wrinkles, dark spots and roughness | Every morning, last step |
| Retinol and retinoids | Speed up skin cell turnover and slow the breakdown of collagen, softening fine lines | At night, introduced slowly |
| Vitamin C | An antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals and supports collagen production | Morning, under sunscreen |
| Moisturiser | Hydrated skin looks plumper, so lines are less visible | Morning and night |
| Peptides and niacinamide | Supporting players that can help firmness, tone and the skin barrier | In a serum or moisturiser |
This is the routine recommended by physician assistant Samantha Stein for Cleveland Clinic: a gentle cleanser, vitamin C, retinol, moisturiser and sunscreen, and nothing harsh. Her advice: keep it simple, because less is more.
A Simple Anti-Ageing Routine
| Morning | Evening |
|---|---|
| 1. Gentle cleanser | 1. Gentle cleanser |
| 2. Vitamin C serum | 2. Retinol (start two or three nights a week) |
| 3. Moisturiser | 3. Moisturiser |
| 4. SPF 30+ with 4 or 5 UVA stars | No sunscreen needed |
Want to know why the serum and moisturiser are separate steps? See serum vs moisturiser. The same routine can be extended to your neck and hands, which also show signs of age.
How to Start Retinol Without Irritation
- Start low and slow: a mild retinol two or three nights a week, building up as your skin adjusts.
- Use a pea-sized amount for the whole face, on dry skin after cleansing.
- Buffer it if needed. If retinol stings, apply a thin layer of moisturiser first, then the retinol.
- Expect some dryness or flaking in the first few weeks. Ease off if your skin becomes red or sore.
- Wear sunscreen every day, as retinoids can make skin more sensitive.
Pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby? Avoid retinoids, including over-the-counter retinol, and ask a pharmacist or GP about alternatives.
Tips for Buying Anti-Ageing Products
Choose Opaque Packaging
Vitamin C breaks down in light, so avoid clear bottles and wide-mouthed jars.
Replace Vitamin C Often
It loses effectiveness over time; Cleveland Clinic puts its shelf life at around six months.
Do Not Pay for the Name
Lower-cost vitamin C products can work just as well as pricier versions.
Be Realistic
Skincare improves lines and tone gradually over months. Instant smoothing effects are temporary.
A Lightweight Anti-Ageing Day Cream
Anti-Wrinkle Light Day Cream by Klara's
A fast-absorbing, lightweight moisturiser with hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed marine collagen, made to hydrate, smooth the look of fine lines and sit well under make-up. The brand says it was Highly Commended in the Hero Moisturiser category at The Beauty Awards 2023. Follow it with sunscreen in the morning.
View ProductFrequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective anti-ageing ingredient?
Sunscreen prevents the most damage, and retinoids have the strongest evidence for improving existing fine lines and texture.
At what age should I start anti-ageing skincare?
Daily sunscreen is worth starting at any age. Many people add retinol in their late 20s or 30s, when early lines begin to appear.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?
Yes, but at different times: vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. Using both in one routine can irritate.
Do expensive anti-ageing creams work better?
Not necessarily. Ingredients and consistent use matter far more than price.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, The 5 Products You Need for Younger-Looking Skin (Samantha Stein, PA-C); Harvard Health Publishing, Skin serum: What it can and can't do.