I'm Almost 50, but Look a Decade Younger—Here Are the Anti-Aging Products I Swear By

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From Augustinus Bader splurges to Neutrogena steals.

When I started working at InStyle, Instagram and the iPhone had not been invented, Netflix was just a DVD rental service, and Amazon was still an online bookstore. So, like many loyal InStyle readers, I have reached the point in life where I am learning some big lessons: Perimenopause kicks off when you least expect it, it's a waste of time to worry about what other people think of you, and the right anti-aging skin care routine won't work miracles but it can help reduce the signs of aging.

During my time at InStyle, I have experienced a lot of beauty firsts, from dry shampoo to liposuction. I've also wasted a lot of money on makeup and skin care products that were popular among celebrities, influencers, and my fellow editors, but weren't right for me. These days, I fall into the category of "mature women," so I've seen my share of products that make big promises but fail to deliver. Luckily, I've tested most of them on myself, so I'm here to help you find the best products for you. The best part? They're all available on Amazon, so you can upgrade your routine without leaving the house. (How I wish I could go back 20 years and invest in Amazon when Jeff Bezos had just started branching out from books.)

Scroll on to see my top anti-aging skin care splurges and steals.

Retinol

My secret weapon to smooth fine lines, uneven skin tone, and rough texture is an over-the-counter retinol serum, but I had to go through trial and error to find the right one. My first mistake? Diving in with Tretinoin—a vitamin A derivative that isn't actually a retinol—which made my skin peel off. After consulting with my dermatologist, I've found my go-to retinols. Thanks to Augustinus Bader's The Retinol Serum, I'm able to wait longer between Botox appointments, even for the deep number 11 lines between my eyebrows. At $375 for 1 ounce, it's pricey, so I use it on the areas of my face and neck that need it most, then supplement with the $25 CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. Over 20,000 Amazon shoppers agree—the affordable serum smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens dull skin.

Vitamin C Serum

Is it me or is vitamin C in everything these days? (I actually just bought a vitamin C-infused whitening toothpaste.) When used as part of a skin care routine, the super vitamin helps neutralize free radicals, boost collagen production, and brighten skin. My go-to splurge is the Demalogica Biolumen C Serum, which provides protection from irritants and environmental factors, and a gentle exfoliation to even out skin discoloration. It takes a few minutes to fully sink in but once it does, my skin is so glowy I often skip makeup. My go-to budget pick is the True Skin Vitamin C Serum, which contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba oil. It's an easily-absorbed serum that's ideal for those with acne-prone skin. I mix it with my moisturizer to boost brightness.

Moisturizers

Ask an InStyle editor to recommend a moisturizer and you'll find yourself swept into a 20-minute discourse. There are moisturizers for oily skin, dry skin, acne prone skin, moisturizers with SPF, tinted moisturizers, moisturizers to calm redness, ceramide moisturizers—you get the idea. My top splurge is the Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery Anti-Aging Face Sunscreen Moisturizer, which contains a non-greasy, broad spectrum SPF 50 to protecting my skin against further damage from harmful UV rays. On days when my skin needs a rest from makeup I slather the Weleda Skin Food moisturizer on from head to toe—just like Gwyneth Paltrow does—and let botanicals like chamomile, rosemary, and almond oil work their magic on my skin.

Under-Eye Treatments

The skin under your eyes is thin and delicate, so I recommend a multi-tasking eye serum. With ingredients like seaweed, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and peptides, the Osea Ocean Eyes Age Defending Eye Serum is a vegan gel that gives tired eyes a wake up call. It has a rollerball applicator that cools as it goes on, and also targets dark circles and puffiness. The Neutrogena Rapid Retinol Pro+ Eye Cream is also an effective formula that reduces fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles, and it's currently less than $30—which is why more than 20,000 Amazon shoppers have bought it in the last month.

Face Wash

I'm a big fan of the double cleanse, so I use two face washes every day. The CeraVe foaming cleanser doesn't actually contain anti-aging ingredients, but the non-irritating formula does include ceramides to protect the skin barrier. I use it first to create a clean, hydrated canvas for the Augustinus Bader cream cleansing gel, which contains the brand's proprietary TFC8—a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and peptides that has faded my fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

Toners

Until I hit 40, I wasn't even sure what the purpose of a facial toner was. Now I know that it completes the cleaning process and helps prepare my skin for the other products in my skin care routine. The star ingredient of the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Hydrating Toner is PITERA, a fermented yeast extract with amino acids, minerals, and organic acids that gently exfoliate to remove dead skin and dirt, and diminish the signs of hyperpigmentation. The toner also encourages skin cell turnover, so regular use gives me a more radiant complexion. I've been using Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner since I had my first breakout at age 12. It's a natural "farm-to-toner" astringent with antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from environmental damage, which contributes to premature aging.

Night Creams

My dermatologist once told me that if I was only going to was my face once a day, I should do it at night. (With environmental factors, makeup, and natural oils, your face is far dirtier at the end of the day than it is in the morning.) So every night before I get into bed, I do my entire ant-aging skin care routine and end it by applying a healthy dollop of night cream. The ISDIN Age Contour Night Face and Neck Cream. It contains melatonin and peptides to restore skin while you sleep and is suitable for all skin types. Add the L’Oréal Paris Midnight Face Serum to the list of the brand’s products that are effective and affordable. hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and a patented blend of antioxidants don their work while I sleep, so I wake up with plump, radiant skin. I always have a tube in my carry-on when I travel.

Anti-Aging Beauty Devices

When I lived in New York in my 20s and 30s, I was a chain-smoking, champagne-drinking red carpet reporter. It sure was fun, but all the cigarette smoke and late nights took a toll on my skin. Moving to Los Angeles transformed my life; I no longer smoke cigs or drink, and now I spend my nights out in a sensory deprivation float tank, taking an infrared heated spin class, or getting a NAD+ IV infusion. So I am always game to try a new beauty device. My absolute favorite is the TheraFace Face Mask. One 9-minute cycle includes three types of LED light therapy, and a blissful facial massage. I've noticed a dramatic reduction in hyperpigmentation and acne breakouts since I started using it 6 months ago. The Solawave Skin care Wand is red light therapy that fits in the palm of your hand, and a 3-minute daily session helps reduce the appearance of fine line, dark spots, and blemishes.

Body Oils

The act of putting on a luxurious body oil after a warm bath is the cherry on top of a self-care cake. A good body oil provides nourishment that helps improve elasticity, which can make skin firmer and plumper and reduce the appearance of crepey skin. I've recently become a fan of the Grown Alchemist products—try their Anti-Frizz shampoo and conditioner and thank me later. The brand's Body Treatment Oil is scented with musky floral notes of ylang ylang, which won't appeal to every nose. If you prefer something fragrance free, I suggest the dermatologist-recommended Bio Oil, which is formulated for sensitive skin and rings up at just $14.

Why Shop With Us

Bronwyn Barnes | I have over 20 years of experience reviewing beauty products. For this story, I curated a list of my go-to anti-aging products, chosen after years of interviewing dermatologists and makeup artists and using insights from my own testing. I am not afraid to invest in an expensive beauty product or device—but only if it really works—but I also appreciate a good budget buy, and often pack those products in my suitcase when I travel.