It’s never fun to see a new wrinkle, age spot or other sign of aging when you look at yourself in the mirror.Â
Getting older is a natural part of life, with wrinkles and other signs of aging issues that everyone deals with as they enter their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.Â
A range of factors play a role in skin aging. Some of these are genetic and outside our control, while others can be slowed down, controlled and even reversed through the use of moisturizer and other anti-aging products.Â
While it’s easy to find lists of best moisturizers online, the reality of preventing aging is that it’s much more about choosing the best ingredients over specific products.Â
Below, we’ve explained how moisturizers can slow down and prevent the signs of aging in your skin. We’ve also explained what to look for in the best moisturizers for reducing and preventing wrinkles, age spots, discoloration and other common signs of skin aging.Â
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatology practitioners agree that moisturizer — along with sunscreen — is one of the most effective anti-aging products you can use.
In fact, many expensive, high-end anti-aging creams and other treatments consist primarily of exotic-sounding ingredients mixed in with moisturizer.
Moisturizer works by trapping moisturize inside your skin and stopping it from escaping. This has several benefits when it comes to preventing aging:
With these benefits in mind, it’s important to understand what moisturizer can and can’t do for your skin.Â
By protecting and hydrating your skin, moisturizer can protect it from several types of damage and wear. When you use moisturizer regularly, your skin is less likely to become overly oily or dry — two factors that can worsen issues like acne, redness and irritation.Â
Thanks to the immediate effects it has on your skin, moisturizer can also make some wrinkles, lines and other signs of aging less visible.
However, moisturizer generally can’t completely get rid of things like deep wrinkles, lines and other signs of aging. While these might look less visible after moisturizing, getting rid of them completely usually requires more intensive products and treatments.Â
As we mentioned above, choosing the best anti-aging moisturizer is more about looking for the right ingredients than picking a specific product.
From peptides to vitamins such as niacinamide, some ingredients that are used in moisturizers are scientifically proven to treat certain aspects of aging.Â
As such, any moisturizer that contains these ingredients should offer real benefits for your skin as you age. We’ve listed these ingredients below, along with more information on why and how each one helps to slow down or stop the effects of aging on your skin:
Finally, one key factor to look for in an anti-aging moisturizer is its SPF rating, or sun protection factor.
UV radiation from the sun is a key cause of wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging. In fact, experts believe that exposure to sunlight and UV radiation is responsible for 90 percent of the visible changes that occur to your skin as you get older.Â
Because of the huge impact UV rays have on your skin, it’s important to keep yourself protected from the damage sun exposure can cause.Â
When you’re comparing moisturizers, look for products that offer broad-spectrum protection and an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
Alternatively, you can use a regular moisturizer that doesn’t offer any sun protection, then apply a broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ sunscreen after.
If you’re shopping for an anti-aging moisturizer, it’s more important to focus on active ingredients than brand names.Â
Try to look for ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid and alpha or beta-hydroxy acids. These are linked to measurable improvements in wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation and other common signs of aging that can affect your face.Â
Once you find the right moisturizer for you, use it consistently. With daily use, you may notice an improvement in your skin over the course of several months.Â
From moisturizer to creams, medications and even surgical procedures, a variety of options are available for slowing down and reversing the effects that aging can have on your skin.
Our guide to anti-aging for men goes into more detail on the most effective ways to protect and maintain your skin as you get older, from skin-friendly habits and lifestyle changes to products, treatments and more.Â
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.