5 Amazingly Effective Products That Give You Younger, Clearer, Smoother Skin
These powerful compounds will help you win the war against wrinkles, acne, and more
The key to feeling younger? Acid. Not dropping it—wearing it.
“People think all acids cause damage or peeling,” says D.C.-based dermatologist Terrence Keaney, M.D.
But the truth is, they have a wide range of benefits. Some types are hydrating, while others exfoliate or work on lines and pigmentation. You just have to select an acid that’s right for your skin.
Related: How to Become Better Looking As You Age
Read on for five options that can give you a healthier, younger-looking mug.
How Salicylic Acid Gives You Clearer Skin
BEST FOR: Destroying stubborn blackheads as well as preventing blemishes in the first place.
Imagine taking a power washer to your face: This popular beta-hydroxy acid, found in most acne cleansers and spot treatments, penetrates deep into your pores to sweep away grime and oil and break down the bonds between dead cells.
Related: 5 Reasons You Still Get Zits As a Grown Man
As a result, that clean slate paves the way for other grooming products to work more effectively.
Other benefits: Salicylic acid promotes new skin growth, which tends to slow down starting around age 30, and it contains anti-inflammatory properties to calm irritated skin. It works for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin.
Your face can end up feeling parched, though, so apply moisturizer immediately after use.
TRY THIS: Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment
Vitamin B3 soothes your skin in seconds, while sulfur, a natural antimicrobial, keeps blemish-causing bacteria at bay. (Bonus: The stuff actually smells great too!)
($28, kiehls.com)
How Glycolic Acid Gives You Clearer Skin
BEST FOR: Sloughing away dead skin cells that cause acne and make your face look dull and gray.
Related: The Foods That Really Cause Zits
Glycolic acid molecules are the smallest members of the alpha-hydroxy family, which means they’re sneakily helpful, slipping inside your pores to boost production of elastin and collagen (the glues that hold your face together).
They’ll also instantly brighten a blotchy mug and help eliminate ingrown hairs.
Unlike beady scrubs, glycolic acids exfoliate your skin without being abrasive.
A couple times a week, soak a cleansing pad in the acid (usually sold in the form of a peel, toner, or gel) and gently wipe your face with it, suggests Cheryl Burgess, M.D., a dermatologist based in D.C.
Just don’t use too much pressure or reapply too often—doing either can leave your skin feeling raw.
TRY THIS: Malin + Goetz Resurfacing Glycolic Pads
The only ingredients you’ll find in these simple cleansing pads are water, glycolic acid, and ammonium hydroxide. Expect a slight tingle—that means it’s working.
($69, amazon.com)
How Retinoic Acid Makes You More Attractive
BEST FOR: Filling in deep wrinkles, eliminating dark spots and acne, and smoothing out bumps.
If you were stranded on a desert island, this is the one product you’d want to have besides sunscreen and a case of Corona.
That’s because retinoic acid is the most well-studied and effective anti-aging product on the market—hands down. It smooths your skin while promoting the growth of collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your face firm and supple, Dr. Burgess says.
Related: Your Complete Guide to Taking Better Care Of Your Skin
One hitch: It may leave your face flaky and red during the first few weeks of use if you overdo it, so start with just one or two applications a week and build up to using it nightly.
Some formulas can leave your skin susceptible to UV damage, so apply it at night and use SPF 30 sunscreen during the day.
TRY THIS: Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Apply a few dabs of Roc’s concentrated cream before bed to fight fine lines and other signs of aging. It has no added fragrances, which can be irritating to, well, everyone.
($17, amazon.com)
How Ferulic Acid Makes You Look Younger
BEST FOR: Fighting off free-radical damage that contributes to skin cancer and weathered-looking skin.
Ferulic acid works like a bouncer for your skin, keeping cancer-causing particles off the guest list.
Related: 5 Pictures That Show You Exactly What Skin Cancer Look Like
“Every day, your face is assaulted by pollutants and free radicals, which can damage your DNA,” says Dr. Keaney.
Supplementing your skin care arsenal with an antioxidant like ferulic acid will block those free radicals and slow signs of aging. Because this cancer-thwarting cocktail is so beneficial, you can use it up to twice daily, says Dr. Keaney.
If you do decide to be that vigilant, look for a serum in a dark bottle and store it inside a cabinet; the acid can be deactivated by sunlight. You’ll want to apply it after your shower but before you put on your daily moisturizer.
TRY THIS: Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum
Wrinkle-fighting retinol and licorice root combine to quickly reduce under-eye puffiness. Gently dab it—never wipe—beneath your eyes and on your lids to avoid wrinkles.
($57, amazon.com)
How Hyaluronic Acid Gives You Smoother Skin
BEST FOR: Adding and retaining moisture deep in your skin and making it smoother and plumper.
Men tend to have thicker skin than women do. Because of that thickness, men need a moisturizer that’s lightweight but still able to penetrate their skin.
Hyaluronic acid is the answer—a natural lubricant and a crucial component found in the fluid of your joints and eyes. A favorite of dermatologists, this natural acid is a moisture magnet, drawing hydration deeper into the skin.
Related: How to Get Rid Of the Bags Under Your Eyes
Hyaluronic acid is also an essential ingredient in many hair products, helping reverse UV damage and taming frizzy hair, according to Whitney Bowe, M.D., a professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine.
TRY THIS: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Hyaluronic acid teams up with waxy lipid molecules called ceramides to maintain moisture and keep eczema to a minimum. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly.
($11, amazon.com)
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