By Cara Kagan, Prevention
Chances are you don't even have time for the anti-aging efforts you're already squeezing in. But as dermatologists know, you can take your skin's appearance up a few notches by dialing down your efforts. Here are 13 tricks to simplify your routine while maximizing the rewards.
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Chances are you don't even have time for the anti-aging efforts you're already squeezing in. But as dermatologists know, you can take your skin's appearance up a few notches by dialing down your efforts. Here are 13 tricks to simplify your routine while maximizing the rewards.
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Make your wrinkle cream multi-task.
Toss the separate neck and chest creams, and make your wrinkle-reducing face cream do double-duty instead. "The aging issues of the face, neck and chest are very similar," says Vermen Veralla-Rowell, MD, an international dermatologist based in Manila. "A product created for the face should do the trick everywhere you want to fight signs of aging."2.
Use products specifically created for your skin type.
"When you use the wrong products, it can make your skin overly sensitive, which means you'll then have to use additional products to soothe it," says Edyta Jarosz, a licensed esthetician based in New York City. For example, anti-aging ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, and vitamin C, though effective, can irritate those with sensitive or dry skin, says New York City dermatologist Dendy Engelman. Sound familiar? Limit retinol use to two or three nights a week and avoid layering it with fellow exfoliating ingredients vitamin C or glycolic acid. And if you don't have oily, steer clear of anything made for the skin type.3.
Practice portion control with products.
More isn't merrier when it comes to your products. "A big time-waster is overusing anti-aging products," says Miami dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD. "A small amount goes a long way, so always apply sparingly." That means about half a teaspoon of any anti-ager or cream should cover your face, and another half-teaspoon should do the trick for your neck and chest.4.
Apply your products in the right order.
To ensure products are their most effective—and that you're not wasting time by applying them in the least efficient way possible—you have to dab them on in the right order. "Apply products with a thinner consistency before the thicker, creamier ones—no matter what their active ingredients are," says New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD. "Products with heavy consistencies block lighter-weight ones from penetrating the skin." Give liquids, such as peel pads and toners, first dibs, then follow this order: serums or gels, then facial oils, then lotions, creams, and finally, any ointments or petrolatum-based solids like Vaseline.5.
Reach for retinol.
Experts agree that this multi-talented vitamin A-derivative delivers the most bang for its buck. "It works on pigmentation issues, lines and wrinkles, and reduces pore size," Brandt says. It's also been shown to work wonders on acne. In other words, one retinol-based product may effectively be able to take on the role of your brightener, line-smoother, texture-refiner and blemish blaster. Tip: visit your dermatologist to find the right concentration for you, or choose a basic formulation (rather than one designed to target just wrinkles or acne) like Strivectin Advanced Retinol Day Treatment With SPF 30 (strivectin.com) for all-around performance.6.
Get on the oil bandwagon.
"Oils are great multi-taskers. They can be formulated with anti-aging and soothing ingredients while also providing unbelievable moisture," Gross says. "And they penetrate into the skin beautifully, making them highly effective delivery systems." Swap separate solutions for a do-it-all oil like DG Skincare Triple C Peptide Firming Oil, which moisturizes, firms and repairs the skin's protective barrier function with a cocktail of peptides, vitamin C and botanicals (dgskincare.com), or Bio Oil ($20, ulta.com), which Engelman recommends as a moisturizer, blemish fighter, skin tone evener, and stretch mark solution.7.
Skip moisturizers that only moisturize.
"A basic moisturizer without active skin rejuvenating ingredients only improves the skin's water-holding capacity," says Carl Thornfeldt, MD, a dermatologist based in Fruitland, ID. "You can combine steps by looking for products that are proven to not only moisturize but also have anti-aging benefits." Look for creams infused with wrinkle-reversing retinols, collagen-stimulating peptides, and skin-smoothing ceramides, or look for hydrators in your anti-agers. "If your anti-aging product contains hyaluronic acid, shea butter, oils, ceramides and/or glycerin, then you know it has moisturizing properties," Brandt explains.8.
Apply sunscreen last.
You've probably heard (many, many times) that slathering on sunscreen is pretty much the most important part of a skincare regimen—and it is!—but not if you put it on before your other products. "For best results, you need to apply SPF last, since it's meant to sit on top of the skin and shield it from absorbing the sun's rays," says Craig Kraffert, MD, a dermatologist based in Redding, California.9.
Conceal, heal, and add color.
Kraffert's favorite time-savers are BB creams. "In a pinch, your BB cream can replace your serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen," he says. Just don't rely on your BB cream to keep your skin young. "BB cream will give you enough SPF, skin care benefits, and coverage to get through the day, but I wouldn't recommend replacing your daily anti-aging products with it," he says. "Traditional skin care products tend to have a higher concentration of active ingredients, which will yield greater anti-aging benefits long term."10.
Ditch cleansing wipes.
Turns out your favorite skin care short-cut is actually a waste of time: "Cleansing wipes don't effectively clean the skin; they just smear dirt, bacteria, oil, and makeup across it," says celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau. Water's rinsing action is what you need to remove the gunk, she says. More incentive to drag yourself to the sink: Anti-agers will work more effectively on your super-clean skin, since dirt, oil, and makeup prevent the active ingredients from penetrating, Brandt says.11.
Get cheeky with your blush.
Rouleau advises taking the tone of your blush up a notch to give your complexion a lift without adding a skin brightener or luminizer to your routine. "Wearing a brighter blush is one of the quickest ways to brighten dull, aging skin," she explains. We like Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Es Vedra (charlottetilbury.com), a deep rosy hue you can dab on lightly and blend to complement fairer skin or layer to flatter deeper tones.12.
Make cleansing a 2-for-1 deal.
While you can't skip a cleanse, you can sneak in an extra step when you do wash up: "Two of the easiest steps to combine are cleansing and exfoliating," Kraffert says. Upgrade your face wash to a gentle exfoliating cleanser, which can be used daily. We like Amarte Daily ExfoliPowder ( amarteskincare.com), which uses ultra-fine corn starch to lift dead skin cells without irritating sensitive skin.13.
