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Tips from a dermatologist to help reduce the signs of skin aging
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Getting the most out of your anti-aging products can be easy by following some simple tips from dermatologists.
“People often think that the more expensive a product is, the more effective it is,” says Susan S. Taylor, a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and director and founder of The Skin of Color in St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. “That’s not always true. People need to be smart about what they’re buying, because sometimes you can find incredibly effective, affordable skin care products on the shelves at your local grocery store.”
To get the most out of your anti-aging products, Dr. Taylor recommends following these guidelines:
- Use sunscreen, as the sun's rays accelerate the skin's aging process. Use a broad-spectrum cream or moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30. Make sure the product is applied to the entire skin surface not covered by clothing.
- Don't sunbathe! Sun tanning and tanning beds expose your skin to harmful ultraviolet rays, which in turn accelerate skin aging, causing wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer.
- Moisturize! Moisturizing locks water into your skin, which helps slow down the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making your face look brighter and younger.
- Test products! Even those labeled as hypoallergenic. To test, apply a small amount to the inside of your forearm twice a day for four to five days. If there is no reaction, the product is likely safe for your face, too.
- Use the product strictly as directed. If overdosed, the active ingredients can cause more harm than good. Using more than the recommended amount of the product can cause clogged pores, blemishes on the face, and other unwanted effects.
- If a product not prescribed by a dermatologist causes severe pain or burning, stop using it. Signs of aging become more noticeable due to skin irritation.
- However, some products prescribed by a dermatologist can actually cause pain and burning. In this case, under the supervision of a dermatologist, the procedure will be safe and effective.
- Limit the number of products! Using too many products, especially more than one anti-aging product, can irritate your skin, which in turn makes the signs of aging more visible.