When we think about skincare ingredients that are marketed for wrinkle reduction and collagen production the few that come to mind are, no doubt, active ingredients. Skincare serums and creams containing retinol are probably foremost on the mind — these are proven effective for faster skin cell turnover and collagen production, both of which help replace old skin cells with new ones, revealing fresher, smoother skin. But retinol and other actives can also be drying and irritating. And sometimes your skin requires gentle TLC with “rejuvenating” skincare ingredients — which can also help keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay.
If you’re ready to enter your well-hydrated, glowing skin era, take notice: these three skincare ingredients deliver exactly what you need to strengthen and protect your skin barrier.
1. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws in water and can actually help your skin retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water. What that means for your skin, of course, is that it will benefit from major hydration. When your skin is well hydrated, it retains its resiliency and can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles (it won’t make them vanish completely). You can purchase HA in a variety of price points and it comes in cream and serum format. Apply it to your skin after cleanser and before night creams or your regular daytime moisturizer and sunscreen.
2. Vitamin C Serum
The sun’s UV rays create considerable skin damage, including hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and fine lines. So it stands to reason that the better protected your skin is from UV rays, the more youthful it will appear. Sunscreen is a key product that should be in your daily routine, but you don’t have to stop there. Incorporating a vitamin C serum or cream to your morning routine provides an antioxidant that neutralizes cell-damaging free radicals, protects skin from environmental pollutants, and adds “an extra layer of protection on your skin," says Dr. Angela Casey, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skincare line Bright Girl.
3. Glycolic Acid
Exfoliating your skin once or twice a week will slough away old, dead skin cells and make your complexion look healthy and bright. But physical exfoliants with grainy particles aren’t the way to go — these can create tears in your skin and actually damage it. A chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid is a gentler product that speeds up cell turnover and helps boost collagen production.
"Glycolic acid is my favorite ingredient that is rejuvenating," Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, notes. She explains that its "anti-aging properties" also help it serve as a "skin brightener" when used in a serum.
