8 Must-Haves for Building an Anti-Aging Starter Kit

Let’s be real: you are beautiful at any age. And fine lines and wrinkles are nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, these tiny lines give our faces personality and reflect our hard-earned wisdom.

On the other hand, preventing and treating skin damage and going the extra mile to lessen deep-set lines or hyperpigmentation with clinically proven ingredients should be an active part of your skincare (and self-care) routine.

To help you figure out what to try, we’ve done our research and come with a beautiful list of 8 must-have products and tools for anti-aging.

1. EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen

If you aren’t already wearing sunscreen every day (yes, every day—even when you don’t go outside), then any of the anti-aging products and tools you’re using won’t be effective.

When it comes to premature aging, prevention is key, and sunscreen is the number one ingredient that will protect your skin day in and day out from damaging ultraviolet radiation that can slow down collagen production, cause wrinkles, melasma, hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, and more.

When looking for a sunscreen, you want broad-spectrum coverage that boasts SPF 30 or higher to protect from UVA and UVB rays. Whether you go for chemical filters, mineral filters, or a blend of both is entirely up to you.

Your preferences, skin type, and skin tone (darker skin tones may find it challenging to find a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a noticeable white cast) will decide which sunscreen is best for you.

This popular, well-tested, and dermatologist-approved mineral sunscreen by EltaMD is lightweight, soothing, and noncomedogenic.

It is a UV clear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 46 that protects the skin’s health and overall appearance. This formula also comes in a tinted version that gives the skin the perfect amount of healthy glow.

2. Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment Cream

Retinol (aka Vitamin A) is the stand-out ingredient when it comes to anti-aging. When applied topically to the skin, retinol increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen production—reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.

Retinol is also one of the best ingredients for fading discoloration from sun damage, aging, and acne scars.

And if you thought it couldn’t get better, hear this. Retinol also stimulates the production of new blood vessels (something we inherently lose as we age), promoting the appearance of youthful, naturally flushed skin.

This 1% retinol treatment cream by Paula’s Choice is an effective, high-strength retinol that supports anti-aging alongside ingredients like peptides, Vitamin C, and licorice extract.

Related: 9 Incredible Coconut Oil Beauty Hacks

3. Paula’s Choice Ultra-Light Antioxidant Serum

As you age, including antioxidants into your skincare routine is a must to protect your skin against sun exposure and free radical damage. And Paula’s Choice knows how to formulate these complex ingredients! This potent antioxidant serum serves up a fresh dose of coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C, and resveratrol.

4. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

If you are going to take the time to apply eye cream, you want to make sure it is packed with the most beneficial ingredients formulated to target the sensitive under-eye area.

Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair eye cream contains anti-aging ingredients like retinol and plumping hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to prevent and treat fine lines and crow’s feet.

5. Jade Rollers and Gua Sha

While we all thought that touching our face as minimally as possible was the best way to prevent signs of aging, it turns out that intentional facial massage increases oxygen and blood flow to the skin, keeping skin elastic and youthful.

Using specially crafted tools like a jade roller and gua sha can also support lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness in the face.

When you use tools (or even your hands) for facial massage, be sure to use a plant-based facial oil like jojoba oil to provide slip and prevent tugging. 

6. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Double-cleansing can make a whirlwind of a difference when it comes to removing makeup, cleansing away daily grime, and preventing aging.

Oil-based cleansers gently breakdown makeup and prep the skin for your second-cleanser so you can avoid pulling and tugging on your skin and sensitive eye area.

This award-winning cleansing balm is formulated with nourishing collagen to hydrate and plump the skin.

7. Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus

Combining skincare ingredients (Vitamin C, retinol, exfoliators, etc.) is tricky. Luckily, Naturium has done the hard work for us, creating a serum that combines Vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid into one supercharged product that brightens, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and actively firms and tightens the skin.

8. Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask

Versed skincare combines the triple-threat of AHAS, BHAS, and natural fruit enzymes into one face mask designed to exfoliate and speed up cell turnover.

AHAs like glycolic acid will reduce visible signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, while the pineapple and papaya enzymes provide a healthy dose of Vitamin C. The results? Brighter, more youthful skin that instantly feels softer.

Conclusion

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the amazing anti-aging products and tools out on the market. Still, we hope this list gives you some inspiration and knowledge on what ingredients and formulations you should be looking for when it comes to anti-aging skincare.

Preventing aging is always going to be easier than treating signs of aging. And the good news is that it’s never too late to start incorporating any of these ingredients or products into your daily skincare routines, as they will work with you long-term to prevent and treat signs of aging.