You don’t have to spend a million dollars on skincare to look your absolute most glowing. And that message goes double if you’re over 40 — a time when pricey anti-aging products can be aggressively marketed to you. By creating a skincare routine that consists of a few reliable ingredients that contain active ingredients and sticking to that routine (remember: consistency is everything), you can smoothen your skin, provide it with the hydration it needs, and keep it looking healthy. Before you blow your budget at Sephora, this is the cheap anti-aging skincare product derms say every woman over 40 should use daily.
Retinol
There are actually a few ingredients that can be purchased at a good price and make a world of difference in the texture of your skin. Sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF is a must for preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and sun spots caused by UV damage. Hyaluronic acid is a great pick for hydration. But retinol often comes out on top when dermatologists are asked to select just one product they recommend for people over 40.
“Retinol is part of the retinoid family — close relative to vitamin A,” said Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Yoram Harth, medical director of MDhair. “The retinol molecules penetrate the deeper layer of the skin (dermis) to boost the production of elastin and collagen. Building more collagen and elastin reduces retinol and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.”
Retinol works by exfoliating the epidermis (the upper skin layer),which improves skin texture, reducing hyperpigmented and dark spots, Dr. Harth explained. “This exfoliation effect will also help unclog skin pores and reduce blackheads and whiteheads,” Dr. Harth said. “Retinol also increases the epidermis retinoids’ cell turnover and dilates the capillaries in the dermis, providing a fresher, younger look to the skin.”
And if you really want to make an impact on your skin, Dr. Harth recommends combining retinol with niacinamide to further expand its effect on aging skin and adult acne.
“It is best to start using retinol at 25 and continue for life,” Dr. Harth said. “To prevent skin redness and irritation. It is recommended to use retinol at a lower concentration (0.25%) twice a week and gradually increase the concentration and frequency of application. When using retinol, one needs to reduce sun exposure and apply sunscreen daily.”
Product suggestion:
Dr. Harth recommends two affordable retinols:
MDacne’s Retinol Treatment Cream from Amazon. Or the Retinol system that includes Retinol 0.25% and niacinamide 2% + Retinol 0.5% and niacinamide 4%.
“It has two versions, one with Retinol 0.25% and niacinamide 2%, the second with Retinol 0.5% and niacinamide 4%,” Dr. Harth said. “Pure retinol unclogs pores and prevents acne blemishes and fine wrinkles without over-drying the skin. Niacinamide (vitamin B3), a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient, protects the skin’s natural protective layer, hydrates the skin, improves the skin’s texture, and helps fade post-acne dark spots. Other skin-enhancing ingredients include aloe, tea tree oil, and chamomile extract. Specially formulated for people with acne-prone skin, it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic. MDacne’s retinol is derived from vitamin A and, unlike tretinoin or adapalene, is synthetic and more irritating.”
The availability of two different retinol/niacinamide concentrations allows the skin to gradually adjust to the retinol, easing into the treatment with minimal discomfort, Dr. Harth said. “First-time retinol users can start with Retinol 0.25% and switch to the more potent retinol 0.5% when the skin adjusts to the retinol.”
If you only have a limited skincare budget, skip the many products that contain nice-sounding fillers (that don’t do a whole lot). Snag a quality retinol and incorporate it into your routine to reap its many benefits.
