The best anti-aging moisturizers, according to experts

There’s no one-size-fits-all in skincare. What works for one person may not necessarily have the same results for someone else. But it’s only natural to want the best! Luckily, our team of licensed dermatology providers are regularly reviewing and assessing products on the market and are happy to offer a few recommendations! So here, you’ll find the products that hold up to our rigorous standards.

Moisturizers are skincare superheroes that can hydrate and rejuvenate your complexion. But with a dizzying array of options, how do you find the best anti-aging moisturizer for you? Because everyone’s skin is different, the best choice for someone else may not be the right option for you—but our licensed dermatology providers do have plenty of great suggestions that you can consider. Here, we’ll break down some of the most effective ingredients for younger-looking skin and share our favorite anti-aging moisturizers.

The benefits of using a moisturizer

If you want to keep your skin youthful and vibrant, moisturizers can be your secret weapon. They offer several incredible benefits, especially when it comes to anti-aging.

Moisturizers provide essential hydration. They work to keep your skin moist and comfortable, preventing dryness and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We all know that hydrated skin looks plump and youthful! 

But moisturizers don’t stop there. They also play a crucial role in strengthening your skin’s protective barrier repair, maintaining the skin’s integrity, and assisting in its overall appearance.¹ Certain moisturizers may even come armed with anti-inflammatory ingredients, which may soothe redness and irritation. 

Moisturizers can also assist in wound healing. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid can speed up your skin’s recovery process, helping it bounce back faster from damage.²

By addressing dryness, maintaining the skin’s barrier, soothing inflammation, and promoting your overall skin health, moisturizers help you achieve a fresh, youthful glow. 

So, don’t underestimate the power of a good moisturizer in your skincare routine!

How to choose the best anti-aging moisturizer or cream

When searching for a good anti-aging moisturizing cream, it’s important to understand your skin type, choose products with the right ingredients, and stay away from potential allergens.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors to consider when choosing an anti-aging moisturizer:

Know your skin type.

Understanding your skin type is helpful when choosing the right anti-aging moisturizer. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s about tailoring your skincare routine to your specific needs.

First, identify your skin type. Is it oily, dry, or somewhere in between? This initial step will serve as your foundation for product selection. If you have oily skin, use gel-based skincare products to manage excess oil production. On the other hand, if you have normal to dry skin, cream or lotion-based products will provide much-needed hydration.

When it comes to moisturizers, it’s essential for all skin types to use products that contain both humectant agents (like hyaluronic acid and urea) and occlusive agents (such as petrolatum and mineral oil). This combination helps maintain your skin’s moisture levels.³ If you have normal to dry skin, consider water-in-oil formulations like creams or ointments for superior hydration. If you have normal to oily skin, lighter oil-in-water formulations like gels, lotions, or serums are more suitable.⁴

Look for the right ingredients.

When selecting an anti-aging moisturizer, you should understand the best ingredients for your skin. Aside from looking for moisturizing ingredients, there are other ingredients you should keep an eye out for. 

The following powerhouse components are scientifically proven to combat the signs of aging effectively:⁵

• Antioxidants: Antioxidants help slow down the signs of aging. Ingredients like vitamin C, E, and B3 are crucial in decreasing the concentration of free radicals in the skin tissue, which are notorious for causing skin aging. By helping to shield your skin against damaging UV radiation, antioxidants help stimulate collagen production, leaving your skin smoother and more youthful over time.

• Retinoids: Retinoids, including retinol, retinaldehyde, and tretinoin, are renowned for their ability to boost collagen synthesis, which translates to reduced wrinkles and improved skin elasticity.

• Peptides: Polypeptides or oligopeptides are like the architects of youthful skin. They mimic the structure of collagen and elastin, kickstarting collagen synthesis and activating dermal metabolism. Their actions result in firmer and more elastic skin, giving you that sought-after youthful glow.

• Sunscreen: Don’t underestimate the importance of proper sun protection. Sunscreens are your shield against photoaging, which includes wrinkles and pigmentary changes caused by UV radiation. Incorporating sunscreen or an anti-aging moisturizer with SPF into your daily skincare routine is a non-negotiable step in the fight against premature aging.

• Botanicals: Nature’s gifts, such as green tea polyphenols, offer additional antioxidant protection. They safeguard your skin from UV damage while providing that extra layer of defense against aging.

These powerful ingredients in an anti-aging moisturizer can be a game-changer for your skin. When searching for the right product, check the label for these skin-loving components. By harnessing the benefits of antioxidants, retinoids, peptides, SPF, and botanicals, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Avoid potential allergens

Knowing which beneficial ingredients to look for in an anti-aging moisturizer is important, but it’s equally critical to be aware of what to avoid. Allergens can lurk in these creams, and steering clear of them is paramount to prevent unwanted allergic reactions and skin troubles. 

Like many cosmetic products, anti-aging creams may contain common allergens such as fragrances, preservatives, dyes, and metals. These allergens may trigger an overreaction from your immune system, resulting in symptoms like itchy rashes or contact dermatitis. Allergies can strike at any age, and some of these allergens might not be explicitly listed on product labels.⁶

To keep your skin healthy, youthful, and irritation-free, opt for anti-aging creams free from allergens. Make it a habit to scrutinize product labels, especially if you have a history of allergies or sensitive skin. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of anti-aging skincare without any unpleasant surprises.

For more detailed guidance on choosing the perfect anti-aging moisturizer, explore our comprehensive guide on the subject.

5 best anti-aging moisturizers

Now that you know what to look for in anti-aging moisturizers, let’s get into our top picks!

1. Curology Gel Moisturizer

Our gel-based moisturizer provides a quick hydration boost without worrying about overdoing it. Its ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, work harmoniously to hydrate and plump the skin deeply.

2. Curology Cream Moisturizer

Perfect for dry skin, our cream moisturizer is powered by 6 super-ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, squalane, and allantoin. It restores the skin’s barrier and provides rich hydration without clogging pores.

3. Rose Ingleton MD Signature Moisturizer

This product offers a rich boost of hydration while maintaining the skin’s barrier. It contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter for optimal skin nourishment.

4. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

This protein-rich moisturizer combines signal peptides, amino acids, and pygmy waterlily stem cell extract to enhance your skin's texture and firmness along with strengthening and soothing the skin barrier. It suits various skin types and contains no essential oils, silicones, or fragrances.

5. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream 

This intensive wrinkle cream is formulated with retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan, and ferulic acid to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, lift and firm the skin, provide long-lasting hydration, and strengthen the moisture barrier. It’s clinically proven to deliver impressive results.

These options cater to different skin types and concerns, so you can select the one that best aligns with your skincare needs. 

Remember that skincare is a personal journey. What works best for one person may not be ideal for another. To ensure the most suitable product selection for your unique skin type and concerns, always ask a dermatology provider. Their expertise can help you achieve the best results on your path to youthful and radiant skin.

Rejuvenate your skin with Curology

We’re proud to spotlight Curology’s dermatologist-designed and rigorously tested moisturizer, which has proven its mettle in the realm of skincare. If you’re seeking a personalized approach to address anti-aging concerns, we wholeheartedly recommend exploring Curology's Future-Proofᴿˣ formula. With this innovative solution, you can journey towards healthier, more youthful skin tailored to your unique needs.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reclaim your skin’s radiance. Claim your special offer today and take the first step towards a rejuvenated and revitalized complexion!

P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

1. Purnamawati, S., et al. The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clin Med Res. (December, 2017)

2. Purnamawati, S., et al. The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clin Med Res. (Ibid.)

3. Rodan, K., et al.Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. (2016 Dec 14)

4. Rodan, K., et al.Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. (Ibid.)

5. Ganceviciene, R., et al.Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. (2012, July 1)

6. Food and Drug Administration. Allergens in Cosmetics. (n.d.)

7. M. A. Farage, et al. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in skin ageing: a review. Int J Cosmet Sci. (April 30, 2008).

8. Ganceviciene, R., et al. Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. Ibid.

Meredith Hartle is a board-certified Family Medicine physician at Curology. She earned her medical degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO.

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Written by

Curology Team