Flawless Skin Special: Turn Back The Clock

With the OTC version of proven wrinkle-fighter vitamin A, StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Day Treatment with SPF 30, $99, strivectin.com, helps to smooth lines as well as even out tone—and can be used in the a.m. for all day anti-aging.

“Vitamin A is still the most effective topical for all aspects of aging and it addresses spots, wrinkles, tone, texture,” says Francesca Fusco, MD, a dermatologist in New York City at Wexler dermatology. “The good news is that it is available in many formulations so that most skin types can tolerate it.”

“Retinol is loaded with vitamin A that treats fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots and dullness,” says David E. Bank, MD, a dermatologist and founder of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Mt. Kisco, New York. “Retinol speeds up cell turnover, while boosting collagen and elastin by stimulating cellular repair, as well as has the ability to pump up circulation, making your skin look healthier.”

Protect skin cells from oxidative stress—one of the leading causes of premature agin—with antioxidant-rich MitoQ Moisturizing Anti-Aging Serum,$110, mitoq.com.

“On a daily basis, a broad spectrum sunscreen is critical because it protects skin from ultra violet rays that can cause cancer and it screens out the UV light that cause brown spots, broken blood vessels, premature wrinkles,” says Fusco. The other every day essential: an antioxidant serum. “It helps to counteract and quench the free radicals that attack skin and make it age faster,” explains Fusco.

“Ingredients such as retinol, glycolic, antioxidants, peptides, growth factors are important for a daily skin routine,” says Bank. “We often create skin routines that uses more than one of these ingredients which all work in different ways—the ingredients complement each other to obtain better results than from one individually.”

A combination of artichoke extract, Siberian Ginseng, and niacinimide allow SK-II Essential Power Essence, $185, saksfifthavenue.com, make skin smoother, pores less noticeable and more hydrated.

Two must-have anti-agers: hyaluronic acid and peptides. “Hyaluronic acid draws and traps water into the skin without adding any extra oils, which increases hydration, making skin look and feel more supple without causing breakouts,” says Bank. “Peptides function to stimulate collagen production and they have the ability to help the skin repair itself—and work best when combined with other anti-aging ingredients.”

And Bank says that “serums are very similar to these facial oils in a few ways—some serums are blends of oils and active ingredients like antioxidants and botanicals.”

With micro-fine blurring particles plus, a complex of botanicals that target stem cells and decreasing dark spots, Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Perfector, $110, dior.com, is ideal for all ages to prevent and repair damage.S

“The perfect skincare combo includes, protection (sunblock), hydration, repairing and the wild card of correction (of whatever problem you have—wrinkles, dullness, brown spots, roughness, etc.),” says Fusco. “Protection plays a huge role in delaying the appearance of environmental aging and it’s never too late for repair, but of course the earlier the repair starts, the better.”

Shiseido White Lucent total BrighteningSerum, $125, shiseido.com, has a wide range of age-defyers including resveratrol, vitamin E, and 4MSK, a patented mix of brighteners.

“If you have oily skin and use stripping products to remove the oil, you will only make more oil—excess oil often comes from overly drying of the skin, causing it to produce more oil in an attempt to protect itself,” says Ruthie Harper, a dermatologist in Austin, Texas and founder of Skinshift, who suggest using botanical-oil based treatments as well as hyaluronic acid laced moisturizers.

As far as how to keep skin youthful? “Always take preventative measures!”says Harper. “It’s important to remember that it’s always easier to prevent than to repair or correct—as the skin ages, its slows down the healthy processes of collagen formation, healing and repair, etc. and aging sets in.” Harper tells her patients to start young and stick to a customized regimen that’s tailored to your skin’s specific needs.”