Your questions about anti-ageing day creams answered
What is the best anti-ageing day cream?
My top pick is the Murad superactive moisturiser, which can help protect the skin from ageing UV rays. It also transforms a dull skin tone to a radiant one, brightening discolouration for a more even tone and texture.
If you’re on a budget, the Facetheory glow-C daily moisturiser performs similarly but at a fraction of the price. It’s also infused with vitamin C, to help rejuvenate the skin.
How I tested anti-ageing day creams
I’m in my 40s, and as a beauty editor, I test day creams as they launch. Each product featured here has been tested for a minimum of 30 days, but I’ve been testing anti-ageing creams for IndyBest for years. Many have been trialled until empty or used on repeat, and only the best made the cut.
- Rejuvenating benefits: The most important consideration, I wanted formulas that smoothed, brightened or firmed my skin.
- Feel: All the formulas were marked on how they felt and looked on the skin after application.
- Value for money: The ingredients and overall results were evaluated against the product’s cost.
Do anti-ageing products really work?
You can’t reverse ageing, but certain skincare ingredients, such as vitamin C and niacinamide, can improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dullness and texture.
Remember, SPF should be used daily to help protect skin in the first place. Regular use will help limit damage from UV radiation, but also play an important role in protecting against fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
The best thing you can do to reduce the appearance of ageing is to take care of your skin as early as possible, with preventative steps such as applying SPF daily and always removing make-up before you go to bed.
Ingredients to look for in anti-ageing day creams
Antioxidants – These neutralise free radicals and protect the skin from UV rays, pollution and other environmental damage.
Ceramides – You’ll find ceramides in plentiful supply in cleansers, serums and moisturisers. While ceramides occur naturally in your skin, they decline gradually as we age. They protect your skin against environmental aggressors and prevent water loss, so they are great in topical skincare products, as they’ll leave skin feeling supple and hydrated.
Hyaluronic acid – This is one of the most commonly used ingredients in moisturisers, as it’s a humectant that attracts and retains moisture on the skin, giving a plumping effect.
Retinol – Derived from vitamin A, retinol is one of the most potent anti-ageing ingredients, thanks to its clinically proven results in improving fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 12 weeks. It can also fade acne scars and increase collagen production. It’s available over the counter in moisturisers and serums of varying strengths. However, retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, so it is particularly important to use a high SPF when using retinol products.
Squalane – This is an unfussy, oil-based moisturising agent that works well for mature, dry and dehydrated skin types, reducing water loss and strengthening the skin barrier by sealing in moisture.
How to use an anti-ageing cream in your daily beauty routine
Speaking to dermatologist Dr Zainab Laftah in our IndyBest guide to anti-ageing skincare, we discussed that a “commitment to regular use” is important when seeking results with anti-ageing products. Gleaning expert insight from further dermatologists – Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme and aesthetician Dija Ayodele – we established that the ideal order to apply your products is as follows:
- Cleanse
- Exfoliate
- Apply serums and/or retinol
- Moisturiser
- SPF
Does your skin type affect which anti-ageing cream you should use?
In short, yes. You should take into account your skin type when looking for a new moisturiser. Anything too oily or thick may exacerbate oil production, so if you want to avoid a shiny T-zone, opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic products that are lightweight and won’t clog pores.
Equally, if you have dry skin, you’ll need something nourishing to improve skin texture and suppleness that will hydrate while tackling fine lines and wrinkles.
How long does it take to see results?
It’s important to acknowledge that no matter what a brand might claim, no product has the power to truly repair the signs of ageing. “It’s important to have realistic expectations,” says advanced aesthetic nurse and clinic owner Amanda Azzopardi. “These products can help reduce the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing, but they cannot reverse the ageing process entirely.”
You also need to give a new product about a month to see visible results, as this is roughly the time it takes your skin to regenerate skin cells. However, this isn’t true for everyone. Skincare expert Ada Ooi warns that “significant changes can take several months of consistent use and depend on the depth of wrinkles and individual skin biology.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Sabine Wiesel is a beauty journalist in her 40s who specialises in mature and anti-ageing skincare and beauty products. She’s reviewed everything from the best neck creams to retinol eye creams to find the best-value products that actually make an impact on fine lines and pigmentation. Sabine has experience speaking to long-standing dermatologists and aestheticians, and is familiar with brands both high-end and affordable.
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