If you’re interested in diminishing the look of wrinkles, acne scars, sun spots or other skin features that develop with age, you may be considering expensive skin care products or treatments. But before you shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars on cosmetic procedures, it’s important to understand which ones can actually make a corrective impact and which ones can’t.
Certain common beauty treatments, including the use of Botox and topical SPF products, may be most effective when used preventively, before the skin changes. Meanwhile, other remedies, like fillers and chemical peels, are quite effective at reversing the appearance of aging in a corrective manner. To help you better understand the best treatment for your particular skin concern, we consulted five dermatologists and plastic surgeons for their expert advice.
Advertisement
What’s the difference between preventive and corrective skin care?
Most beauty treatments fall into one of two categories — preventive or corrective — and many can be used for both.
“Preventative treatments improve and strengthen the skin to keep the aging process at bay, while corrective treatments reverse aging or damage to the skin,” said Dr. Stacey Tull, a surgeon and cosmetic dermatology specialist in Missouri who is the owner and founder of St. Charles County Dermatologic Surgery.
Advertisement
If your skin is in good health, it’s imperative to use preventive skin care treatments to help keep it that way. Preventive treatments “can actually help maintain our skin’s health and delay the onset signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles,” explained Dr. Kimberly Lee, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills, California.
Meanwhile, “corrective treatments ameliorate brown spots, wrinkles, scars, acne scars [and] broken blood vessels,” added Dr. Anna Guanche, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Beverly Hills and Calabasas, California.
Advertisement
The best preventive skin care treatment is probably already in your medicine cabinet.
Above all else, the skin experts we consulted were insistent that the most effective and essential preventive beauty treatment is the use of an SPF product.
“The best prevention, skin care-wise, is consistent use of SPF 30 or higher,” Guanche said. Beyond helping to prevent harmful skin cancer, daily use of an SPF product can also have impactful cosmetic benefits. Guanche said that “UV [ultraviolet] exposure is the main cause of photoaging,” which results in visible effects on the skin such as wrinkles, loss of skin tone, uneven skin texture, and pigmentation changes such as age spots.
“If you [don’t use] sunscreen regularly, all of the other skin care products [you use] will not make up for the damage that happens over the years,” added Dr. Linda Lee, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Boston.
<div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="Slideshow" data-component-id="3814" data-component-props="{"index":15,"contentIndexByType":1,"contentListType":"slideshow","id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa7b","title":"10 Affordable Sunscreens With Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients","enhancements":{"fonts":{"primary":{},"accent":{},"caption":{}}},"dek":"","view":"slideshow","lastPublishedAt":"2023-05-06T05:27:02Z","slides":[{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da062500006100520f8f.png","queryParams":{},"width":2000,"height":2000,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa68","caption":"Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Designed to help you keep a youthful appearance, Neutrogena’s Age Shield facial sunscreen has a high SPF to keep you confident in the sun. The sunscreen is not only PABA-free and oil-free, but it’s also formulated to be moisturizing.
Promising review: “Best sunscreen for anti-aging. I have been using this sunscreen for years. I believe it has protected my face from much of the damage caused by the sun. It’s also a great daytime moisturizer.” — Marie E","source":"","title":"Neutrogena Age Shield oil-free sunscreen (SPF 70)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$9.58 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FNeutrogena-Age-Shield-Face-Oil-Free-Sunscreen-SPF-70-3-fl-oz%2F10309499&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":19,"positionInSubUnit":29}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da062500006100520f8f.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":2000,"width":2000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":18,"imagePositionInSubUnit":27,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da062400005f00147092.png","queryParams":{},"width":1600,"height":1600,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa6a","caption":"Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Obagi’s sunscreen uses micro-shield crystal technology, which promises to disperse damaging rays before they can harm your delicate skin. Beyond its innovative technology, it also is tinted to enhance your complexion.
Promising review: “Love love love. Will never use another tinted sunscreen. This sunscreen is smooth, light to medium coverage (but looks dewy/natural) and is excellent at blocking out sun. I have used for 7 years and wear it every single day. I spend a lot of time in the sun and it does not show bc this stuff works!” — Candice","source":"","title":"Obagi Sun Shield broad spectrum tinted sunscreen (SPF 50)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$53 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FObagi-Sun-Shield-Warm-Tint-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-50-Tinted-Sunscreen-with-Warm-Undertone-3-oz%2F135150614&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":17,"positionInSubUnit":26}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da062400005f00147092.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":1600,"width":1600,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":16,"imagePositionInSubUnit":24,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da062400006600265495.png","queryParams":{},"width":2000,"height":1772,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa6c","caption":"Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Formulated first-most as an anti-aging moisturizer, this product from DRMTLGY also has an added SPF 45. It uses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help moisturize skin and zinc oxide to protect you from the sun.
Promising review: “I always used Elta sunscreen. This product is just as good and half the price. I love the way it absorbs quickly and my makeup goes on smoothly after. Great product, great price!” — Kathy","source":"","title":"DRMTLGY anti-aging facial moisturizer with sunscreen (SPF 45)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$41 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FDRMTLGY-Daily-Anti-Aging-Facial-Moisturizer-Clear-Broad-Spectrum-Sunscreen-SPF-45-using-Zinc-Oxide-Features-Anti-Aging-Ingredients-Hyaluronic-Acid-Ni%2F273071176&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":15,"positionInSubUnit":23}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da062400006600265495.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":1772,"width":2000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":14,"imagePositionInSubUnit":21,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da062500005f009553a6.png","queryParams":{},"width":1500,"height":1500,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa6e","caption":"Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
EltaMD says this sunscreen will protect you from the sun and help improve existing sun damage. It’s also crafted with ginger root extract and saccharide isomerate, which are said to improve skin’s smoothness and decrease fine lines while minimizing dark spots.
Promising review: “Due to my melasma was told by my Dr to always use mineral sunscreen, problem is I have medium tone skin and all mineral sunscreen leaves a white cast on me. this one has been working very well, no more white cast. Blends very well.” — Evy","source":"","title":"EltaMD UV Restore tinted anti-aging face sunscreen (SPF 40)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$33.98 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FEltaMD-UV-Restore-Tinted-Anti-Aging-Face-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-40-2oz%2F653449167&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":13,"positionInSubUnit":20}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da062500005f009553a6.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":1500,"width":1500,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":12,"imagePositionInSubUnit":18,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da062400005f00147093.png","queryParams":{},"width":2000,"height":1011,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa70","caption":"Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Made with vitamin C, shea butter, and glycerin, this anti-aging moisturizer helps hydrate the skin. It also includes an SPF 25, so while it’s not primarily a sunscreen, it will still offer some necessary sun protection.
Promising review: “I’ll be 60 yes old in 4 days & have used this for about a year now. I think it’s great! Not oily & I have seen some smoothness of fine lines. This is a keeper, along with the night cream.” — Michele A C","source":"","title":"Neutrogena Triple Age Repair anti-aging moisturizer (SPF 25)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$19.98 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FNeutrogena-Triple-Age-Repair-Anti-Aging-Moisturizer-SPF-25-1-7-oz%2F34620362&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":11,"positionInSubUnit":17}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da062400005f00147093.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":1011,"width":2000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":10,"imagePositionInSubUnit":15,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da072500006100520f93.png","queryParams":{},"width":500,"height":378,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa72","caption":"Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Crafted as a 100% mineral sunscreen and a facial moisturizer, this facial product is sweat and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Along with hyaluronic acid, this sunscreen uses alpine moss, vitamin E, and vitamin B5 to help moisturize skin.
Promising review: “It’s hard to find a good SPF & moisturizer that’s 100% mineral-based. This one works great and doesn’t leave your face ghost white like other mineral sunscreens.” — Nick D.","source":"","title":"Oars + Alps mineral sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer (SPF 30)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$33.81 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FOars-Alps-Mineral-Sunscreen-and-Anti-Aging-Face-Moisturizer-with-Hyaluronic-Acid-Water-and-Sweat-Resistant-Oil-Free-SPF-30-2-Oz%2F210836412&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":9,"positionInSubUnit":14}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da072500006100520f93.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":378,"width":500,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":8,"imagePositionInSubUnit":12,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da0825000033009553a8.png","queryParams":{},"width":2000,"height":2000,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa74","caption":"Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
This sunscreen has basically all the ingredients you want in an anti-aging facial moisturizer: pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. The dermatologist-tested product has an SPF of 30 to keep your skin happy in the sun.
Promising review: “Perfect sunscreen and moisturizer. Love the added sunscreen protection of this product. Great for moisturizer under makeup.” — Dennis","source":"","title":"L’Oreal Paris Revitalift broad spectrum facial sunscreen (SPF 30)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$21.97 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FL-Oreal-Paris-Revitalift-Broad-Spectrum-Face-Sunscreen-Reduces-Wrinkles-SPF-30-1-7-oz%2F320257682&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":7,"positionInSubUnit":11}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da0825000033009553a8.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":2000,"width":2000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":6,"imagePositionInSubUnit":9,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da072400006600265497.png","queryParams":{},"width":1200,"height":1200,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa76","caption":"Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
This sunscreen from ISDIN is tinted with an SPF 50. The sunscreen also claims to repair skin from sun damage using a blend of peptides and antioxidants.
Promising review: “I tried this based on several dermatologist You Tube and website reviews. It has been my favorite tinted sunscreen to date because it goes on smoothly giving just a hint of color and keeps me protected from the sun. It hasn’t clogged my pores like other sunscreens I’ve tried. Also, there’s a large amount of sunscreen for the price compared to others so it’s a fair deal for a quality product.” — Barbara","source":"","title":"ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless tinted mineral sunscreen (SPF 50)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$70 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FISDIN-Eryfotona-Ageless-Tinted-Mineral-Sunscreen-SPF-50-Zinc-Oxide-3-4-fl-oz%2F185772992&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":5,"positionInSubUnit":8}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da072400006600265497.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":1200,"width":1200,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":4,"imagePositionInSubUnit":6,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da072400005f00147095.png","queryParams":{},"width":2000,"height":2000,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa78","caption":"Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Aveeno’s anti-wrinkle moisturizer can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also protecting from the sun. With over 700 reviews, customers have great things to say about this face lotion with SPF 30.
Promising review: “By far this is the best face lotion that I have used. I am 74 years of age, I started using the Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Daily Moisturizer about four months ago and have seen a marked improvement in the over all appearance of my skin. Less lines and color spots and an overall even of skin tone.” — Charmane","source":"","title":"Aveeno Absolutely Ageless antioxidant daily moisturizer (SPF 30)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$34.98 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FAveeno-Absolutely-Ageless-Antioxidant-Daily-Moisturizer-SPF-30-1-7-fl-oz%2F47431330&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":3,"positionInSubUnit":5}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da072400005f00147095.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":2000,"width":2000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":2,"imagePositionInSubUnit":3,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/6455da072500006100520f92.jpeg","queryParams":{},"width":2000,"height":2000,"credit":"Walmart"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"6455da08e4b00eb7e63baa7a","caption":"Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Green tea, pomegranate extract, vitamin C, and hyaluronic can help brighten, reduce fine lines, and hydrate skin. Somehow it does all that and still protects you from the sun with a strong SPF of 50.
Promising review: “This is the same product my dermatologist highly recommends. I’ve been using it for years and love it. I also love this fantastic price and quick delivery.” — Bobby","source":"","title":"Revision Skincare multi-protection broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50)","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$52.64 at Walmart","url":"https://goto.walmart.com/c/2706071/565706/9383?veh=aff&sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FRevision-Skincare-Multi-Protection-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-50-1-7oz-48g%2F136922382&subId1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","ampPositionInUnit":1,"positionInSubUnit":2}],"meta":null,"credit":"Walmart","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"6455da072500006100520f92.jpeg","type":"hectorUrl"},"credit":"Walmart","height":2000,"width":2000,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":0,"imagePositionInSubUnit":0,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null}],"settings":{"type":"standard","eventName":"","eventType":"standard"},"options":{"theme":"life","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://www.huffpost.com","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","slideshowAd":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"slideshowEndCard":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whats-the-difference-between-corrective-vs-preventive-skin-care-treatments_l_65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","entryTagsList":"beauty,aging,skin-care,dermatologist","sectionSlug":"style","deptSlug":"lifestyle","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"healthy-living,women","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.style","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065"},"customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":68},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":10},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_slideshow":{"count":86}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"Beauty","slug":"beauty","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/beauty","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/beauty","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/beauty"},"relegenceSubjectId":978020,"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Style & Beauty","slug":"style"},"topic":{"title":"Health and Beauty","slug":"health-and-beauty","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/health-and-beauty"},{"name":" aging","slug":"aging","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/aging","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/aging","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/aging"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Wellness","slug":"healthy-living"},"topic":{"title":"How We Live: Wellness","slug":"how-we-live-wellness","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/how-we-live-wellness"},{"name":"skin care ","slug":"skin-care","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/skin-care","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/skin-care","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/skin-care"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Wellness","slug":"healthy-living"},"topic":{"title":"Skincare","slug":"skincare","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/skincare"},{"name":"dermatologist","slug":"dermatologist","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/dermatologist","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/dermatologist","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/dermatologist"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Style & Beauty","slug":"style"},"topic":{"title":"Dermatologists","slug":"dermatologists","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/dermatologists"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
10 Affordable Sunscreens With Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients
What are other topical skin care products with preventive benefits?
Beyond sunscreen, “retinoids or vitamin A-based products are also great preventive ingredients. They are used to prevent mild fine lines, wrinkles, acne and dark spots,” noted Dr. Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist and the owner of Skinfluence in New York City. “Moisturizers that contain vitamin C and retinol are great at keeping skin plump and hydrated throughout the day to prevent skin dryness.”
Although “much of what determines sagging skin is genetics and age,” Tull advised that “using SPF and retinoids from an early age can help to prevent and postpone the onset of sagging skin.”
Advertisement
Furthermore, “using retinol over years has been proven on skin biopsies to have increased collagen compared to not using it,” Linda Lee said. (Increased collagen helps boost the skin’s elasticity.)
“Most people do not see any immediate change, and we consider this the slow burn of skin care,” she added. “Drastic results don’t come overnight, [but] the long-term results are definitely worth the investment.”
<div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="Slideshow" data-component-id="4403" data-component-props="{"index":22,"contentIndexByType":2,"contentListType":"slideshow","id":"659c6880e4b0bfe5ff646ca6","title":"These Retinals and Retinols Are Customer Favorites","enhancements":{"fonts":{"primary":{},"accent":{},"caption":{}}},"dek":"","view":"slideshow","lastPublishedAt":"2024-01-11T14:46:56Z","slides":[{"embedData":"
","title":"Retinal","type":"subhead","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68512300003700806a79.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Amazon"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68bde4b0bfe5ff646cab","caption":"Recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deanne Mraz, this serum \"combines the power of retinaldehyde, melatonin and bakuchiol with ultra-soothing ingredients, including niacinamide — together these actives renew, rejuvenate and revitalize the skin,\" she told me. It’s not cheap, but for those who are interested in a skin care splurge, it’s definitely worth checking out.","source":"","title":"Isdin Isdinceutics Retinal Advanced Rejuvenating facial night serum","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$166.50 at Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com/ISDIN-Isdinceutics-Retinal-Advanced-Retinaldehyde/dp/B0CC9W3VWR?tag=thehuffingtop-20&ascsubtag=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998%2C-1%2C-1%2Cd%2C0%2C0%2Chp-fil-am%3D0%2C0%3A0%2C0%2C0%2C0","ampPositionInUnit":43,"positionInSubUnit":57,"isAmazonLink":true}],"meta":null,"credit":"Amazon","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68512300003700806a79.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"Recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deanne Mraz, this serum \"combines the power of retinaldehyde, melatonin and bakuchiol with ultra-soothing ingredients, including niacinamide — together these actives renew, rejuvenate and revitalize the skin,\" she told me. It’s not cheap, but for those who are interested in a skin care splurge, it’s definitely worth checking out.","credit":"Amazon","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":42,"imagePositionInSubUnit":56,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68372200005400fafd10.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Dermstore"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c688fe4b0f9f6621dec26","caption":"I’ve long heard people rave about this highly-rated serum from Medik8, and I can’t say I\"m surprised. Everything I’ve tried from the brand thus far has been effective and left my skin looking and feeling great. This serum can help to address typical signs of aging like wrinkles, texture and tone quickly and efficiently. It’s balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated. It’s a great mid-price jumping-off point for anyone curious about trying a retinal.","source":"","title":"Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 serum","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$53 at Dermstore","url":"https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=29069&awinaffid=837483&campaign=&clickref=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dermstore.com%2Fmedik8-crystal-retinal-1-serum-30ml%2F12810716.html&platform=pl","ampPositionInUnit":41,"positionInSubUnit":55}],"meta":null,"credit":"Dermstore","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68372200005400fafd10.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"I’ve long heard people rave about this highly-rated serum from Medik8, and I can’t say I\"m surprised. Everything I’ve tried from the brand thus far has been effective and left my skin looking and feeling great. This serum can help to address typical signs of aging like wrinkles, texture and tone quickly and efficiently. It’s balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated. It’s a great mid-price jumping-off point for anyone curious about trying a retinal.","credit":"Dermstore","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":40,"imagePositionInSubUnit":54,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c684d2300001b00806a77.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Amazon"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68b6e4b075f4cfd3999f","caption":"I’m a big fan of Avène products; this French pharmacy staple always knows how to strike the perfect balance between using tried and true potent ingredients and nourishing goodness to help keep skin looking and feeling youthful, soft and plump. This cream is no exception, and can help to leave your complexion looking and feeling smooth, radiant, hydrated and fresh.","source":"","title":"Eau Thermale Avene RetrinAL 0.1intensive cream","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$63 at Amazon (regularly $79)","url":"https://www.amazon.com/Eau-Thermale-Intensive-Retinaldehyde-Rejuvenate/dp/B004MBQO6W?tag=thehuffingtop-20&ascsubtag=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998%2C-1%2C-1%2Cd%2C0%2C0%2Chp-fil-am%3D0%2C0%3A0%2C0%2C0%2C0","ampPositionInUnit":39,"positionInSubUnit":53,"isAmazonLink":true}],"meta":null,"credit":"Amazon","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c684d2300001b00806a77.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"I’m a big fan of Avène products; this French pharmacy staple always knows how to strike the perfect balance between using tried and true potent ingredients and nourishing goodness to help keep skin looking and feeling youthful, soft and plump. This cream is no exception, and can help to leave your complexion looking and feeling smooth, radiant, hydrated and fresh.","credit":"Amazon","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":38,"imagePositionInSubUnit":52,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68462200005400fafd14.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Sephora"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68ade4b0f9f6621dec28","caption":"If you’re looking to make a big investment in your skin, then look no further than this nearly perfectly rated serum from Murad. It balances out the anti-aging powers of encapsulated retinal with ingredients like kangaroo paw flower extract that can help firm and smooth skin along with olive, oat and alpha glucan to ensure a big boost of hydration and help to maintain and restore the skin’s barrier.","source":"","title":"Murad Resurgence Retinal ReSculpt overnight treatment","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$105 at Sephora","url":"https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Zb4jl9GtVeY&mid=2417&u1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sephora.com%2Fproduct%2Fmurad-retinal-rescuplt-overnight-treatment-P504438","ampPositionInUnit":37,"positionInSubUnit":51}],"meta":null,"credit":"Sephora","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68462200005400fafd14.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"If you’re looking to make a big investment in your skin, then look no further than this nearly perfectly rated serum from Murad. It balances out the anti-aging powers of encapsulated retinal with ingredients like kangaroo paw flower extract that can help firm and smooth skin along with olive, oat and alpha glucan to ensure a big boost of hydration and help to maintain and restore the skin’s barrier.","credit":"Sephora","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":36,"imagePositionInSubUnit":50,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c683c2200001f00fafd12.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Sephora"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c6897e4b0bfe5ff646ca8","caption":"This highly-rated and oft-reviewed serum utilizes retinal, niacinamide and ceramides to not only improve the look and feel of skin texture and and common signs of aging, but also reinforce the skin’s barrier, smooth skin, even tone and moisturize. It’s a powerhouse combo in the form of a lightweight serum that won’t feel heavy.","source":"","title":"Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth serum","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$72 at Sephora","url":"https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Zb4jl9GtVeY&mid=2417&u1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sephora.com%2Fproduct%2Fyouth-to-the-people-retinal-niacinamide-youth-serum-P482329","ampPositionInUnit":35,"positionInSubUnit":49}],"meta":null,"credit":"Sephora","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c683c2200001f00fafd12.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"This highly-rated and oft-reviewed serum utilizes retinal, niacinamide and ceramides to not only improve the look and feel of skin texture and and common signs of aging, but also reinforce the skin’s barrier, smooth skin, even tone and moisturize. It’s a powerhouse combo in the form of a lightweight serum that won’t feel heavy.","credit":"Sephora","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":34,"imagePositionInSubUnit":48,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68422300001900806a75.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Amazon"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68a5e4b0f9f6621dec27","caption":"I am loving the price of this highly-rated serum from Naturium because it proves you don’t need to drop an arm and a leg to get good skin care products. It uses sustained-release retinal that can help to refine skin texture and reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and even discoloration. It’s the radiance booster you’ve been waiting for. This is the .05% concentration, but if you’ve used it for a while or know your skin can handle a stronger amount, you can always swap it or alternate it with the .10% version.","source":"","title":"Naturium Retinaldehyde cream serum 0.05%","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$28.99 at Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com/Naturium-Retinaldehyde-Anti-Aging-Smoothing-Treatment/dp/B0BJL2W71K?tag=thehuffingtop-20&ascsubtag=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998%2C-1%2C-1%2Cd%2C0%2C0%2Chp-fil-am%3D0%2C0%3A0%2C0%2C0%2C0","ampPositionInUnit":33,"positionInSubUnit":47,"isAmazonLink":true}],"meta":null,"credit":"Amazon","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68422300001900806a75.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"I am loving the price of this highly-rated serum from Naturium because it proves you don’t need to drop an arm and a leg to get good skin care products. It uses sustained-release retinal that can help to refine skin texture and reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and even discoloration. It’s the radiance booster you’ve been waiting for. This is the .05% concentration, but if you’ve used it for a while or know your skin can handle a stronger amount, you can always swap it or alternate it with the .10% version.","credit":"Amazon","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":32,"imagePositionInSubUnit":45,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":"
","title":"Retinol","type":"subhead","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[],"meta":null,"credit":"","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"imagePositionInUnit":null,"imagePositionInSubUnit":null,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c686a2200001d00fafd1a.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Skin Better Science"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c690ae4b0bfe5ff646cbf","caption":"\"I love Skinbetter Science’s AlphaRet Overnight Cream,\" Mraz told me. She added that \"it combines retinoid with lactic acid and glycolic acids to exfoliate the skin and pairs those benefits with soothing, nourishing peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C + E making the formulation gentle enough for most skin types, including those prone to dryness.\"","source":"","title":"SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$135 at Skin Better Science","url":"https://www.skinbetter.com/shop-skincare/product-category/anti-aging/alpharet-overnight-cream-M001.html","ampPositionInUnit":31,"positionInSubUnit":44}],"meta":null,"credit":"Skin Better Science","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c686a2200001d00fafd1a.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"\"I love Skinbetter Science’s AlphaRet Overnight Cream,\" Mraz told me. She added that \"it combines retinoid with lactic acid and glycolic acids to exfoliate the skin and pairs those benefits with soothing, nourishing peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C + E making the formulation gentle enough for most skin types, including those prone to dryness.\"","credit":"Skin Better Science","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":30,"imagePositionInSubUnit":43,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68632200001d00ad4680.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Dermstore"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c6904e4b0f9f6621dec42","caption":"According to Mraz, you can’t go wrong with Skinceuticals Retinol, which comes in 3 strengths (.3%, .5% and 1% concentrations). \"This is a great option for anyone who needs to downshift to a gentler strength in the cold, dry winter months and turn up the volume [spring through fall],\" she recommended. It’s a great way for first-time users of retinol to enjoy the benefits while still protecting skin from potential irritating side effects.","source":"","title":"SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$78 at Dermstore","url":"https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=29069&awinaffid=837483&campaign=&clickref=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dermstore.com%2Fskinceuticals-retinol-0.3-refining-night-treatment-30ml%2F11888501.html&platform=pl","ampPositionInUnit":29,"positionInSubUnit":42}],"meta":null,"credit":"Dermstore","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68632200001d00ad4680.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"According to Mraz, you can’t go wrong with Skinceuticals Retinol, which comes in 3 strengths (.3%, .5% and 1% concentrations). \"This is a great option for anyone who needs to downshift to a gentler strength in the cold, dry winter months and turn up the volume [spring through fall],\" she recommended. It’s a great way for first-time users of retinol to enjoy the benefits while still protecting skin from potential irritating side effects.","credit":"Dermstore","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":28,"imagePositionInSubUnit":41,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68562200006f00ad467e.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Nordstrom"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68c5e4b075f4cfd399a3","caption":"This popular Sunday Riley retinoid serum is beloved by HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores. She shared that it’s “composed of a retinoid ester, encapsulated retinol and retinol-alternative extracts derived from blue-green algae, all of which can impart the texture-improving wonders that retinol is known for without overwhelming the skin and causing irritation.\"
She went on to explain that the formulation includes COQ10, an antioxidant that \"targets the appearance of sun damage while two different humectants soothe redness and draw moisture into the skin. After using this product consistently for two months, I’m noticing a significant reduction of my keratosis pilaris in that the texture is smoother, less red and with fewer clogged hair follicles. I’ve also noticed less congestion in my T-zone, fewer sun freckles and an overall increase in skin plumpness — all without those telltale signs of retinol-induced irritation.\"","source":"","title":"Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid serum","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$85+ at Nordstrom","url":"https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Zb4jl9GtVeY&mid=1237&u1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsunday-riley-a-high-dose-retinoid-serum%2F5326896","ampPositionInUnit":27,"positionInSubUnit":40}],"meta":null,"credit":"Nordstrom","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68562200006f00ad467e.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"This popular Sunday Riley retinoid serum is beloved by HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores. She shared that it’s “composed of a retinoid ester, encapsulated retinol and retinol-alternative extracts derived from blue-green algae, all of which can impart the texture-improving wonders that retinol is known for without overwhelming the skin and causing irritation.\"
She went on to explain that the formulation includes COQ10, an antioxidant that \"targets the appearance of sun damage while two different humectants soothe redness and draw moisture into the skin. After using this product consistently for two months, I’m noticing a significant reduction of my keratosis pilaris in that the texture is smoother, less red and with fewer clogged hair follicles. I’ve also noticed less congestion in my T-zone, fewer sun freckles and an overall increase in skin plumpness — all without those telltale signs of retinol-induced irritation.\"","credit":"Nordstrom","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":26,"imagePositionInSubUnit":38,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c685a2200001e00fafd16.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Sephora"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68f2e4b0f9f6621dec36","caption":"Before I made the switch to prescription retinol, I was devoted to this Paula’s Choice treatment. It uses a trio of ingredients — retinol, bakuchiol and peptides — to help firm up, hydrate and smooth skin, leaving it feeling soft and youthful. I was obsessed with how soft it left my skin and how quickly I noticed results. Like the rest of the brand’s lineup, it has a permanent spot in my heart.","source":"","title":"Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol treatment","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$64 at Sephora","url":"https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Zb4jl9GtVeY&mid=2417&u1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sephora.com%2Fproduct%2Fpaulas-choice-clinical-0-3-retinol-2-bakuchiol-treatment-P481348","ampPositionInUnit":25,"positionInSubUnit":37}],"meta":null,"credit":"Sephora","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c685a2200001e00fafd16.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"Before I made the switch to prescription retinol, I was devoted to this Paula’s Choice treatment. It uses a trio of ingredients — retinol, bakuchiol and peptides — to help firm up, hydrate and smooth skin, leaving it feeling soft and youthful. I was obsessed with how soft it left my skin and how quickly I noticed results. Like the rest of the brand’s lineup, it has a permanent spot in my heart.","credit":"Sephora","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":24,"imagePositionInSubUnit":36,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c685d2400001a0027efc0.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Nordstrom"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68f9e4b0f9f6621dec38","caption":"I always keep a pack of these in my fridge; it’s one of the safest ways to enjoy the benefits of retinol around the delicate under-eye area. Not only do these patches help to smooth and firm my tired eyes, but they are nourishing and hydrating as well. The combo of ingredients can even help to treat those tiny bumps that can appear around the eye. They are on the pricier side, but a single container contains 60 patches, which goes a long way even with multiple weekly use.","source":"","title":"Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Hydra-Gel eye patches","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$65 at Nordstrom","url":"https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Zb4jl9GtVeY&mid=1237&u1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fpeter-thomas-roth-even-smoother-glycolic-retinol-hydra-gel-eye-patches%2F7396384","ampPositionInUnit":23,"positionInSubUnit":35}],"meta":null,"credit":"Nordstrom","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c685d2400001a0027efc0.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"I always keep a pack of these in my fridge; it’s one of the safest ways to enjoy the benefits of retinol around the delicate under-eye area. Not only do these patches help to smooth and firm my tired eyes, but they are nourishing and hydrating as well. The combo of ingredients can even help to treat those tiny bumps that can appear around the eye. They are on the pricier side, but a single container contains 60 patches, which goes a long way even with multiple weekly use.","credit":"Nordstrom","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":22,"imagePositionInSubUnit":34,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null},{"embedData":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/659c68602200001e00fafd18.png","queryParams":{},"width":1080,"height":1080,"credit":"Nordstrom"},"type":"image","common":{"id":"659c68fee4b0bfe5ff646cbb","caption":"I’ve raved about this sleeping oil before and I’m doing it again. It’s an absolute game-changer. I happen to be obsessed with using Luna oil in conjunction with Sunday Riley’s Good Genes; it’s a powerful duo that leaves me swimming in compliments and glowing skin. If you’ve been on the fence about trying an oil or retinoid, then this is the perfect place to start. Soothing botanicals like blue tansy and German chamomile are paired with an advanced retinoid ester that supports skin health and elasticity, evens out redness and fights fine lines and wrinkles. Avocado seed oil plumps up the skin and delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants. It doesn’t clog pores, which is perfect if you are acne-prone like myself. It’s my favorite retinol delivery method.","source":"","title":"Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night oil","type":"image","summary":"","badge":"","cta":[{"text":"$55+ at Nordstrom","url":"https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=Zb4jl9GtVeY&mid=1237&u1=65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nordstrom.com%2Fs%2Fsunday-riley-luna-sleeping-night-oil%2F5201706","ampPositionInUnit":21,"positionInSubUnit":33}],"meta":null,"credit":"Nordstrom","creditUrl":"","authorship":{"author":{"id":"000000000000000000000000","bio":{},"urls":{},"urlName":{"text":"","transliterated":""}}},"social":{},"thumbnail":{"url":{"fileName":"659c68602200001e00fafd18.png","type":"hectorUrl"},"caption":"I’ve raved about this sleeping oil before and I’m doing it again. It’s an absolute game-changer. I happen to be obsessed with using Luna oil in conjunction with Sunday Riley’s Good Genes; it’s a powerful duo that leaves me swimming in compliments and glowing skin. If you’ve been on the fence about trying an oil or retinoid, then this is the perfect place to start. Soothing botanicals like blue tansy and German chamomile are paired with an advanced retinoid ester that supports skin health and elasticity, evens out redness and fights fine lines and wrinkles. Avocado seed oil plumps up the skin and delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants. It doesn’t clog pores, which is perfect if you are acne-prone like myself. It’s my favorite retinol delivery method.","credit":"Nordstrom","height":1080,"width":1080,"ops":""},"textWrap":"wrapped","imagePositionInUnit":20,"imagePositionInSubUnit":30,"authors":[],"isLiveblogSlide":false},"provider":null}],"settings":{"type":"standard","eventName":"","eventType":"standard"},"options":{"theme":"life","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"us","name":"U.S.","link":"https://www.huffpost.com","locale":"en_US"},"originalEdition":"us","slideshowAd":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"slideshowEndCard":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whats-the-difference-between-corrective-vs-preventive-skin-care-treatments_l_65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","entryTagsList":"beauty,aging,skin-care,dermatologist","sectionSlug":"style","deptSlug":"lifestyle","sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"healthy-living,women","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"us.style","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc111dcf87c2cd2f5d8bf","overrides":{"front_page_top_videos":{"desktop":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","mobileweb":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d"},"top_media":{"desktop":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","mobile":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"anthology":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"},"content":{"desktop":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","mobile":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","iphone":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","ipad":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","androidphone":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","androidtablet":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c"}},"playerUpdates":{"5668ae6ee4b0b5e26955d6a6":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","56aa41bae4b091744c0440d8":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81","5841b2b5cc52c716ec6e5a7f":"60b8e355cdd90620331ba185","58b5e2b8d85a10302feee895":"60b64316b171b7444beafdb2","58b74698f78ced31417819ae":"60b8e5bec5449357a7ad9b52","58b74ccecebcea57e2c3a3d1":"60b8e5eac5449357a7ad9ca5","58cff690d85a100b9992bc39":"60b8e616cdd90620331bb0ba","58cffb3fb6d9b972a49a3c9d":"60b8e643cdd90620331bb1f6","58cffdd74d96935d7d6ec180":"60b8e671c5449357a7ad9f66","58d03a84f78ced6518eb2fa7":"60b643c82e76be41f112735c","592edf20e0fa177b0c26f7fd":"60b8e699c5449357a7ada04c","5b35266b158f855373e28256":"60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","5c116f29f79c4171d82b7c2a":"60b64440b171b7444beb040b","5c1170fc600c9a697bf0c6b9":"60b646102e76be41f1127ffc","5c47791afa1b317df8ae0c4f":"60b8e6bdc5449357a7ada147","5c477987a6b48b35f164773d":"60b8e701c5449357a7ada2ee","5c4779ee943c3c2a64f28371":"60b8e747cdd90620331bb861","5c477a26fcd67b26879bc7c2":"60b8e788c5449357a7ada67b","5d8921a78c3ae845f366c9b6":"60ae7be5f3a7c13a30417ff9","58b98b00ba82aa39a6534321":"60d0de7c9340d7032ad1146c","58b9d14cb6d9b96c9ec32af3":"60d0dec19340d7032ad115a0","58cff8eccebcea42931e0436":"60d0e005b627221e9d819d44","592edf5de0fa177b0c26f95b":"60d0e38fb627221e9d81adcf","58cff72fd85a100b9992c112":"60d0e447b627221e9d81b0da","56b4d34fe4b022697697c400":"60d2472d9340d7032ad7e443","60b8e4c0c5449357a7ad957d":"60e869dc7c5f3b17b6741b81"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"ff7fdddc-5441-4253-abc4-f12a33fad58b","clickToPlayPlayer":"d014396e-b366-4c17-aeac-3ce906fa3fd0","videoPagePlayer":"f010447b-d244-4111-a314-7b4542ae4145","verticalPlayer":"e58cb05a-0bc8-4210-9108-fea82726c065"},"customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":68},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":10},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_slideshow":{"count":86}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"65bd4f33e4b05c8779f92998","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-us"},"tags":[{"name":"Beauty","slug":"beauty","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/beauty","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/beauty","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/beauty"},"relegenceSubjectId":978020,"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Style & Beauty","slug":"style"},"topic":{"title":"Health and Beauty","slug":"health-and-beauty","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/health-and-beauty"},{"name":" aging","slug":"aging","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/aging","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/aging","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/aging"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Wellness","slug":"healthy-living"},"topic":{"title":"How We Live: Wellness","slug":"how-we-live-wellness","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/how-we-live-wellness"},{"name":"skin care ","slug":"skin-care","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/skin-care","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/skin-care","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/skin-care"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Wellness","slug":"healthy-living"},"topic":{"title":"Skincare","slug":"skincare","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/skincare"},{"name":"dermatologist","slug":"dermatologist","links":{"relativeLink":"topic/dermatologist","permalink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/dermatologist","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffpost.com/topic/dermatologist"},"department":{"name":"Life","slug":"lifestyle"},"section":{"title":"Style & Beauty","slug":"style"},"topic":{"title":"Dermatologists","slug":"dermatologists","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffpost.com/life/topic/dermatologists"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
These Retinals and Retinols Are Customer Favorites
Botox has both preventive and corrective benefits.
One treatment that can help achieve results before and after wrinkles set in is Botox.
“When Botox is used preventatively, the main purpose is to prevent wrinkles and fine lines forming around the forehead and eyes and the frown line. It is usually used on younger patients,” Peredo said. “Correctively, Botox is effective in reducing the appearance of already-formed deeper lines and wrinkles like crow’s-feet, frown lines and forehead wrinkles. In addition, we can use Botox correctively to slim the jawline [and correct] neck creepiness, facial asymmetry and excessive sweating.”
Still, there are limitations. “There is a point that is ‘too late’ for Botox,” Linda Lee noted. “Once wrinkles are set in the skin, it can be too late for Botox to make any significant difference. The best point to start Botox is when you have minor wrinkles with movement, and they are just starting to become deeper — this is the perfect time for preventative Botox treatment.”
On the other hand, the trend of starting Botox younger may also have a negative impact. “People can develop immunity to Botox, so you should not start too early,” Linda Lee said. “You should avoid touching up too frequently. Ideally you start when you are developing wrinkles which are bothersome to you, and you do the lowest dose that works for you. You should space treatments to be at least three months apart.”
Advertisement
Some topical skin care treatments can also have corrective benefits.
If you’re already experiencing changes in your skin and would like to diminish their appearance, there are a number of things you can try that don’t involve needles or scalpels. Kimberly Lee recommended “retinoids that promote and accelerate cell turnover,” as well as “alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, which exfoliate the skin and unclog pores and improve skin texture.” Furthermore, azelaic acid and hydroquinone can fade hyperpigmentation, while kojic acid can lighten dark spots.
Glycolic acids can also work to reduce fine lines as well as brighten dull skin, Guanche added.
Chemical peels — which involve a chemical solution that is applied to the skin to remove the top layers — “are more commonly used as corrective treatments to address issues like sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and uneven pigmentation,” Peredo said. However, they can also be done preventively “to promote skin renewal and reduce signs of aging,” Peredo noted.
Here are the in-office procedures that offer the best corrective results.
Certain skin treatments should only be used after unwanted effects have set in. “Fillers are exclusively corrective for the effect that gravity has on aging, such as the cheeks, jowls, nasolabial folds and lip atrophy,” Tull noted. They help restore volume loss, smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and fill hollow areas.
Botox can also be corrective for dynamic fine lines, but if the lines are deeper in the skin, “filler is a better corrective treatment” and can be done in tandem with Botox, Linda Lee explained, “so one prevents and the other corrects.”
Laser skin resurfacing — a facial rejuvenation procedure that uses a laser to improve the skin’s appearance or treat blemishes — promotes collagen production. “This is often used as a corrective treatment for moderate to severe skin concerns including wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, and acne scars,” Peredo said.
Advertisement
Microdermabrasion, which works by “removing the most superficial skin layers to reveal smoother, healthier skin … can be used to correct various skin concerns, including acne scars, fine lines and uneven skin tone,” Peredo added, saying that it can also be used preventively “to maintain skin health and improve texture by gently exfoliating the outer layer of the epidermis.”
For those experiencing skin sagging, thread lifting — a procedure that uses temporary sutures to produce a subtle but visible “lift” in the skin — “is the most effective way to address sagging skin nonsurgically,” Tull said. The effects will last approximately one to three years. However, it may come as no surprise that the most effective method to address skin sagging in the face involves a scalpel. “The gold standard is with surgical procedures such as face and neck lifts,” Tull said.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Support HuffPost
A Healthier, Happier 2024
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
This is your moment to build a happier, healthier life — and HuffPost is here to help you do it. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $2.
This is your moment to build a happier, healthier life — and HuffPost is here to help you do it. We’ve got you covered on everything from health to food to relationships, and so much more. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $2.
A decade ago, when I hit 60, I began to see that birthday gifts were overrated, that what I needed were shared experiences. As my 70th approached, I felt motivated to do something meaningful. Something personal. I asked myself, what can I do to fill my memory bank? Swim 70 laps? Make 70 charity donations? String a necklace with 70 heirloom beads? More than anything, I wanted to spend cherished time with loved ones. And I was not alone. According to research, people derive more happiness from experiences. Spending quality time with friends and family fosters satisfaction and enduring memories become embedded in the brain.
My objective was to do something that would sidestep the fret of sorting out a guest list as well as the fuss of planning and hosting a party during the holidays, a particular chore for me, given that I was born the day after Christmas. A list maker, I landed a plan. I would log 70 experiences during the year with the people I love. Their job: to propose. My job: to say yes.
Advertisement
On January 4, 2023, I composed the following email:
Dear person I love,
Having just rolled past 69, I am thinking about the large number looming on the horizon.
To honor that large number, I want to log in 70 experiences in 2023 with people I love. My goal is to say yes to whatever you might propose, no matter how big or small. Anything from a cup of coffee to a trip to a national park; from a walk in the woods to a Broadway show; from a manicure to a dance party.
But please, no thrill-seeking. No roller coasters or bungee jumping. And nothing that involves a shark tank.
Advertisement
I look forward to saying yes to your proposal, to a calendar full of one-of-a-kind events and to fully enjoying memorable moments with you.
With love,
“Grooving with my sisters at the Monterey Jazz Festival,” the author writes.
Courtesy of Megan Vered
Advertisement
I pressed send, wondering if people would take my request seriously or regard it as yet another big idea, a so-called Meganism. My daughter was the first to respond, Best plan ever! My inbox quickly swelled with offers. Come pick raspberries on my farm. I’ll make you pizza. Let’s go glamping!How about a theater trip to London? We can walk a labyrinth. Let’s sip high tea wearing hats and gloves at a fancy hotel. A special walk along the bay?I’m taking you to a modern dance class.
As responses multiplied, I felt gratitude for my fabulous roster of longtime friends and for the inspired menu being laid out before me. But I wondered, will I have enough pizzazz for six experiences every month? The desire for that many one-on-ones out in the world? What about my writing deadlines, teaching schedule and all my other obligations? And what about the general busyness of the people in my life and the fact that many of them live across the country or even in another country altogether? I decided that if in 2023 I didn’t manifest the full palette of experiences, I could stretch my birthday into 2024, like mouth-watering taffy.
“Some photo booth silliness with my friend Stephanie back in the day,” the author writes.
Courtesy of Megan Vered
I created a journal to keep track of my ambitious undertaking. As offers came in, I added them to the master list.
Despite distance, full schedules and plain old inertia, I eked out a handful of new experiences each month. Though I did not visit a nudist colony, hang glide, or eat insects — all of which were suggested — I hiked, kayaked, picnicked, rode the ferry and train, drank steaming cups of coffee and chai, dined out, listened to live music, visited museums, danced, attended literary events, confabbed with writing pals, road-tripped to LA, and traveled overseas to stay with friends in Europe.
Advertisement
While in Holland, I ate the biggest and tastiest artichoke at Café Restaurant Amsterdam, gorged on sweet and sour pickles at the Yiddish pickle store that has been there since 1850, braved the largest summer storm the Dutch had seen in 50 years while on a canal boat, toured museums, rode buses and bikes,and shopped in secondhand stores.
While driving the North Coast 500 with my husband in Scotland, I tasted my favorite scotch at the Cardhu distillery, sipped a variety of teas, became a haggis and cranachan connoisseur, hiked, toured gardens and other landmarks, dodged frequent downpours, and survived a horrendous bout of food poisoning. And, everywhere I went, there were bookstores, old and new.
“Here I am seeing Pink Martini with my friend Karen (left),” the author writes.
Courtesy of Megan Vered
My year was filled to the rim. I carved out intentional time to have fun with friends and family and am grateful to all who indulged me. To my surprise, most of the experiences that rose to the top were within driving distance of my home, did not break the bank, and, most important, with each experience I learned something about myself and made a memory with a loved one.
I embraced the glee of playing tourist in my hometown while riding the hop on, hop off bus through San Francisco’s many and diverse neighborhoods with Stephanie, who has known me since the days of baby teeth. I discovered that a woman my age can up her glow without being garish as I weeded through the overabundance of black and gray in my wardrobe with Lindi. I bartered teenage insecurity for a senior sense of cool during a modern dance class with Jen. I reaffirmed that some things are best left in the past while listening to Pink Martini with my once high school rival, now lifelong pal Karen. I observed, while floating in the healing waters of Calistoga with Quinn, that though we were missing Lolo, our third Musketeer, traditions live on even after friends die.
Advertisement
“This is me (right) on the ferry to Bainbridge with my writer pal, Jen,” the author writes.
Courtesy of Megan Vered
Having crossed the threshold to 70, I feel full, not in a cake-and-ice-cream way, but filled with memories of a year well spent. My birthday project confirmed for me that artistic inhibition is a state of mind; rivalry over a hot boy ain’t worth it; what matters is the thrill of my own inner experience; and though the eras pass us by, the voices of the past live on. My year of fun helped me see that though I may slow down as I age, neither my dazzle nor my friendships have dimmed. I won’t stop dancing until the floor drops out from under me.
Many people, upon hearing my plan, told me they were going to follow in my footsteps on their next big birthday. Should you decide to do the same, the process is a breeze: 1) count the number of years you’ve been on the planet; 2) compose an email, setting an intention that expands your comfort zone, even if only a wee bit; and 3) send it to your people. I trust they will respond. If you prefer a DIY approach, set your bar to match your milestone and let the fun begin: create a certain number of ethnic meals, learn songs in other languages, recite poems by your favorite poet, or crest never-hiked mountains. Use your birthday to browse through the continuing education catalog of life.
“Kayaking on the sparkling water of the San Francisco Bay with my husband and my Westie, Hamish,” the author writes.
Courtesy of Megan Vered
As I recount the events of my milestone birthday and look ahead toward the upcoming year, I wonder-dream what I might do to fill my 71st cup with delight. Surely there are more experiences to curate, more memories to mint. Earlier this week, while watching the sun settle over the swells of the San Francisco Bay, I remembered a treasured life motto, as imparted by a longtime friend: “Find a reason to say yes.” And I did. Seventy times.
Advertisement
Megan Vered, a native of Berkeley, California, has been writing for most of her 70 years. Her essays and interviews have appeared in Shondaland, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and the Writer’s Chronicle. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Megan serves on the board of Heyday Books and leads local and international writing workshops. If you tell her a joke she will always laugh. For her 71st birthday, she hopes to dance with Taylor Swift, Please visit her at www.meganvered.com.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
At HuffPost, our editors put thought, care, and intention behind every personal story we share — because we know that authentic first-person accounts can change your life. That’s why we’re determined to keep HuffPost Personal — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free.
Help us continue to share these awe-inspiring essays by contributing as little as $2.
At HuffPost, our editors put thought, care, and intention behind every personal story we share — because we know that authentic first-person accounts can change your life. We want everyone to feel the transformative power of real people telling real stories about their real lives, which is why we’re determined to keep HuffPost Personal — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free.
You won’t find the stories from HuffPost Personal anywhere else. Help us continue to share these awe-inspiring essays by contributing as little as $2.
Martha Stewart is revealing her secrets behind her never declining face card.
On Thursday, the home decor mogul, 82, dished about how she’s achieved her timeless look on the iHeartRadio “The Martha Stewart” podcast.
While chatting with her cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Dan Belkin, Stewart cleared the air about how much work she’s had done on her face.
Advertisement
“Everybody is so interested when they see a selfie of me posted on the internet,” she said. “So many comments are about my face lift, and who did it and when did I have it done and how much retouching is on the photograph, and I just want to set the record straight.”
During the episode, Dr. Belkin detailed the types of treatments he’s given Stewart, including skin tightening, fillers in her cheeks and muscle-relaxing injections in her neck and jawline.
“We’ve done a little bit of skin tightening on you,” Dr. Belkin explained. “We’ve done a little ultrasound tightening I think, a long time ago. We did a little softwave, which is an ultrasound based tightening device. And we’ve done a little bit of Ulthera, which is a great ultrasound based skin tightening that works.”
But Dr. Belkin insisted that it doesn’t take him much to keep Stewart looking youthful because the TV personality takes care of her health.
Advertisement
“So it’s not so complicated,” Stewart added, shutting down the plastic surgery rumors. “And it’s not cutting me and sewing me up. It is really preventative and very encouraging because it really does make me look better.”
The cookbook author then doubled down on a healthy lifestyle being her “secret” behind looking ageless.
“I don’t think a lot about age, and I don’t really want to look my age at all,” she explained. “And that’s why I really work so hard at it. I exercise… my diet which is a very healthy, normal diet. I don’t do any fad diets or any pills or anything like that. I just eat really well, and I watch what I eat and that’s really a secret.”
Stewart is no stranger to pushing back on aging stereotypes. She most recently established herself as the thirst trap queen due to her internet-breaking sultry selfies on social media.
Last October, the Martha Stewart Living founder slammed the notion that women should be “dressing for one’s age.”
“Dressing for whose age?” she questioned with a laugh.
“I don’t think about age. I think people are more and more and more [fabulous] than they’ve ever been in their senior years, and I applaud every one of them,” Stewart explained.
She added: “I’ve dressed the same since I was 17. If you look at my pictures on my Instagram, I look pretty much the same.”
“The Martha Stewart” podcast episodes air every Wednesday.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to having well-informed voters. That’s why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That’s why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we’ll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can’t find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
For people who grew up in the ’90s and 2000s, plastic surgery of any kind was still very much in its “hush-hush” era. While there was immense pressure to never age, it was still taboo to admit to receiving any kind of medical enhancements.
But things are different in the 2020s, the era of TikTok.
Now, celebrities and influencers are more open regarding their anti-aging treatments. On the one hand, this sheds some much-appreciated transparency that explains why so many famous people seem to age differently than the rest of us. But the greater awareness around these procedures has also normalized them, causing many viewers to wonder, “Do I need to get this procedure, too?” And it’s affecting people at a younger and younger age. (Ever heard of “baby Botox”?)
Advertisement
So, are these treatments and procedures appropriate for everyone? Considering so many followers of beauty-focused social media accounts are below the age of 25, could these young users be influenced to get anti-aging treatments that are detrimental in the long run?
We asked four dermatologists whether they think their younger patients should consider baby Botox and other trendy anti-aging procedures.
There’s one procedure dermatologists say MIGHT be appropriate in your 20s
“‘Baby Botox’ refers to the use of targeted neuromodulators (such as Botox)… at lower doses than traditional dosing,” said Dr. Ahuva Cices, a cosmetic dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “This allows for more subtle, softer results.”
Essentially, this smaller amount of neurotoxin creates less of the “frozen” look that results from Botox’s muscle-paralyzing effect.
Advertisement
“When patients first get Botox, it’s very common for them to allude to, ‘Don’t give me too much. I still want to be able to show my expressions and smile and emote,’” said Dr. Teo Soleymani, a California-based, double board-certified dermatologist.
With the lower dosages of baby Botox, patients can enjoy the best of both worlds.
“Instead of 30 to 40 units for muscle groups, 10 to 20 units are used instead,” said Dr. Elaine Kung, a board-certified dermatologist, assistant professor of dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Hospital, and founder of Future Bright Dermatology. “Baby Botox prevents lines from deepening while preserving facial expression in people who are younger.”
But these lower Botox dosages might not be suitable for all patients. If you already have prominent lines, even the full dosage of Botox will only do so much.
“We found that [Botox] doesn’t do much for [deep] wrinkles that are already formed,” Soleymani said. “What we found is that [Botox] is much better at paralyzing the muscles that form dynamic lines, or lines that show up during movement.”
That’s why many dermatologists recommend that patients interested in Botox begin treatment as early as their 20s or 30s ― whenever they first notice wrinkles and lines starting to form when their face is at rest.
Advertisement
Vesnaandjic via Getty Images
So-called “baby Botox” uses lower dosages of neurotoxin injections than traditional Botox treatments.
“The best way to treat a wrinkle is to address it early before it permanently sets in, or to prevent it from developing at all,” said Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine.
But if you aren’t yet seeing the first signs of wrinkles, the dermatologists suggest skipping baby Botox. “If a patient does not have any lines, then I do not recommend getting Botox,” Zeichner said.
It’s difficult for medical professionals to determine which muscles need to receive Botox if there are no lines showing where long-term wrinkles could develop in the first place. It’s also important to remember that the facial structure you have in your teens and early 20s might not be the same structure you have later in life.
“If your facial musculature and anatomy are still developing, which is in your teenage years, then I think [Botox] is premature,” Soleymani said.
Advertisement
The procedures derms say you should NOT get in your teens or 20s
“There is a trend among younger patients that follow various aesthetic and beauty accounts on TikTok and Instagram requesting more invasive and advanced treatments,” Cices said. But the dermatologists we spoke with all warned against getting the following procedures at a young age.
Fillers
Most of us are aware, to some extent, that many beauty standards are cyclical—the pencil-thin eyebrows of the ’90s and 2000s giving way to the thick brows of the mid-2010s before laminated eyebrows took the spot as the current eyebrow trend.
The fact that many hyaluronic fillers supposedly dissolve naturally, or could be dissolved with hyaluronidase injections, gave many people peace of mind that fillers would be a “reversible” procedure once the full-lip trend was “out.”
However, Soleymani pointed out that while these fillers may be reabsorbed and dissolved to a certain extent, the residue of fillers can remain at injection sites.
“There are many people I’ve operated on which I’ve pulled out filler from their cheek, face, or lip, and they haven’t had any injections for five, six, seven years,” Soleymani said.
Advertisement
He also noted that getting fillers too early and too often can potentially change the structure of our facial features as we inject more and more over time, as evidenced by the infamous “duck lips.”
“Over time, the weight of that filler persists in the lip, and then you get elongation and this duck billing that occurs,” Soleymani said. “Trying to correct those is so much harder than just not having it done too early in the first place.”
Surgeries like buccal fat removal, mini face lifts and brow lifts
It’s safe to say that current beauty trends lean more “mature,” with a dramatic, angular, “snatched” look. And many people are getting procedures like cat- and fox-eye surgeries, brow and mini face lifts, and buccal fat removal to achieve this aesthetic.
However, younger patients should be cautious with these surgeries ― particularly with buccal fat removal ― as their faces haven’t fully developed yet.
“Adolescence is a rollercoaster of hormonal and physical changes, often bringing fluctuations in weight. These fluctuations can dramatically affect the size and position of the buccal fat pads, making any surgical interventions premature and unpredictable,” Kung said. “Think of it like trying to tailor a suit before you’ve finished growing ― you might end up with an ill-fitting look later on.”
Advertisement
It might be tempting to think “I can fix those issues later down the line with more surgeries.” But it’s important to remember that surgery has limitations. Every time you go under the knife, you risk further complications and the development of scar tissue.
“Any time you manipulate something, you are going to leave long-term, permanent footprints in its place,” Soleymani said. “Obviously, there’s only so much skin that can be stitched and cut.”
So if you’re young and there’s a specific feature you’re insecure about, or something you’d like to change, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is wait.
“Generally, the rule of thumb is anything that you want to do that can change the appearance or the structure of your face or skin, you should do when your body reaches a more static time in your life, when you’re not continually developing or [changing],” Soleymani said.
Social media, your dermatologist, and you
With the rise of social media and the various filters that make our favorite influencers look flawless 24/7, as well as the increased time we’ve spent staring at our faces on video calls, our standards of beauty have become warped.
Advertisement
“I had way fewer patients in their early 20s asking for filler three years ago than I do now. A lot of them complained about the way they look on Zoom or video conferencing,” Soleymani said. “They had more time to spend in front of Zoom, with virtual meetings, virtual work settings, and more time just in idling, which resulted in more scrutiny of their appearance.”
Before rushing out to get surgery, it could be a good idea to evaluate your relationship with social media and Zoom. (Rest assured, no one looks good on Zoom.)
And if you do decide to move forward with receiving any kind of treatment or procedure, remember that what worked for your friend or your favorite influencer might not be suitable for you.
“It is important to recognize that every patient is unique and can benefit from a personalized approach prior to receiving any aesthetic treatments,” Cices said. “When patients come in for cosmetic consultations, we discuss treatment goals and evaluate what can be done to achieve those long-term results.”
Support HuffPost
A Healthier, Happier 2024
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
This is your moment to build a happier, healthier life — and HuffPost is here to help you do it. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $2.
This is your moment to build a happier, healthier life — and HuffPost is here to help you do it. We’ve got you covered on everything from health to food to relationships, and so much more. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $2.
Keeping up a solid morning skin care routine is a key to achieving healthy skin. And of course, your skin’s needs change as you age, requiring different products and routines. How you treat your skin in the morning affects you throughout the day, protecting against pollution and harmful UV rays. (Your nighttime routine, on the other hand, includes more actives to heal the skin overnight.)
“As we age, our skin care routine needs to do more of the work that our skin was able to do itself [when we were younger],” said Dr. Luke Maxfield, a board-certified dermatologist. Due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors, the skin creates less oil and can be more fragile, featuring an uneven texture and tone.
Advertisement
The skin can also become drier due to hormonal changes, your pigmentation can increase and you’ll see a decrease in collagen. “Cell turnover slows down as we age. We need to hydrate more and exfoliate in strategic ways to keep up a vibrant, healthy-looking face,” said Dr. Nava Greenfield, a board-certified dermatologist.
But these changes happen at different rates, depending on your age. Read on to find out the routines the experts recommend for each decade of life.
In your 20s
During your 20s, the morning routine is all about preventing damage, focusing on a mix of antioxidants and adequate sunscreen protection. Now is the time to set up good, consistent habits. “The skin has volume, it is full of collagen and the discoloration is minimal. Keeping these qualities is the focus,” Greenfield said.
At this age, you might still be dealing with adolescent acne or rosacea, explained Dr. David Li, a board-certified dermatologist at Boston Derm Advocate. “It would be a good idea to integrate a cleanser to target these concerns,” Li added.
Advertisement
Maxfield highlighted the importance of an antioxidant serum in conjunction with sunscreen during your morning routine. Sunscreen is of course the hero, “Everything else in skin care is wasted, is trashed, if sun protection is ignored,” he said.
“Most of the skin cancers that we diagnose and remove in-clinic are due to decades of cumulative sun damage, and the compounding effect of using a good sunscreen in your 20s cannot be understated,” Li added.
Sunscreen: Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Face because “it’s economical, rubs in really nicely without leaving a white cast and offers broad spectrum coverage.”
In your 30s
In this decade you can start incorporating anti-aging products while keeping up with damage prevention and antioxidant protection. “The 30s have been defined as the aging decade by some,” Maxfield said.
“The skin starts to lose some hydration and develop some fine lines and discoloration from sun damage build-up,” Greenfield said. “I recommend adding a product that will not only protect and hydrate but also treat some of these issues.”
“While many but not all grow out of acne by this time, this is when rosacea most commonly manifests,” Maxfield said. Rosacea can appear as flushing, oil gland growth, eye irritation, or pimples. Sulfur is Maxfield’s preferred ingredient to combat these.
You may now consider adding an eye cream to protect the delicate eye area, which becomes dry and thinner in your 30s. Maxfield recommends ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, caffeine and peptides, which are gentle and can help with the texture, tone and collagen production.
You may also begin to experience collagen loss during this period, so Li suggests using antioxidants and keeping up with hydration.
Antioxidant Serum: Skin Better Sciences Alto Defense Serum. “This contains vitamins C and E17 which provide abundant antioxidants for young skin to protect and maintains skin tone and vibrancy.”
Loss of collagen could become more pronounced in your 40s.
In your 40s
In this decade, wrinkles start becoming deeper and more abundant, and the skin may appear duller, Greenfield notes. “While many active ingredients are introduced in the evening routine, the morning is also an opportunity to incorporate a couple of helpful products,” Greenfield added.
Advertisement
“We want to maintain and start addressing some skin barrier aging changes,” said Maxfield. The stratum corneum (the uppermost skin layer) hydration peaks at 40 and then declines, so Maxfield recommends a ceramide moisturizer to support it.
Li explained that the loss of collagen is becoming more pronounced in your 40s and skin laxity may also be an issue, with sagging skin under the eyelids, cheeks, nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
Li’s morning routine for your 40s
Maxfield’s morning routine for your 40s
In your 50s
Hormonal changes may start causing skin issues in your 50s, especially if you are perimenopausal. This will make your skin dry, so focusing on hydration is important, as well as correcting any damage done in the previous decades.
Advertisement
“Remember the protection step we started in our 20s? Well, depending on how consistent we were with this, now we really start to notice a dramatic difference,” said Maxfield. A hydrating cleanser is essential at this stage, as well as “replacing lipids and oils that are no longer optimally produced in our skin,” he added.
The loss of volume becomes more prominent, resulting in a hollowing appearance and scars or trauma become more noticeable as the collagen levels decrease.
Li’s morning routine for your 50s
Maxfield’s morning routine for your 50s
Greenfield’s morning routine for your 50s
Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images
Your skin can begin to thin in your 60s.
In your 60s
Skin begins to thin, and Maxfield suggests using an exfoliating cleanser. “Exfoliation and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) signal collagen growth, which can not only help even out tone but also signal and boost collagen growth,” he advised. With the added exfoliation you have to be consistent with your sunscreen, as acids can make the skin more photosensitive.
”Brown spots from the sun and genetic predisposition will continue to manifest, as well as worsening of pre-existing wrinkles and skin laxity,” said Li. Undereye puffiness may be more pronounced, so a hydrating cream can help.
The general focus is on hydration, antioxidants and brightening, said Greenfield.
Li’s morning routine for your 60s
Greenfield’s morning routine for your 60s
In your 70s
“In our 70s, some of the structural changes on the face, bone resorption, fat pad migration, and tendon laxity become more prominent,” said Maxfield. Continued collagen loss may make your skin more prone to sensitivity, dryness and even bruising.
Due to the increased sensitivity, you might consider removing any products with fragrances from your routine.
The experts agreed that the dryness of the skin also affects the body, and this is something not talked about enough. The skin cell turnover is slower allover and the natural skin oils are reducing, causing flaky, cracked skin.
An exfoliating product like a shower gel or lotion, paired with a thick moisturizer, can address these issues. Add a specialized exfoliating foot product and you’re good to go.
Antioxidant moisturizer: Cetaphil Restoring Body Lotion with Antioxidants. “Use this liberally: apply a generous layer to gain the benefits of the niacinamide and vitamin E and meadowfoam seed oil.”
“One of the main concerns people notice in their 80s is thin skin, especially on the arms, which results in solar purpura (purple/red discoloration) or spontaneous bruising of the arms from time and sun exposure. And while nothing dramatically reverses and completely treats this, thickening the skin with a body retinol and exfoliant could only help,” said Maxfield.
Transepidermal water loss is a concern here, so keep up with your reparative moisturizers. You can also add an emollient-based product (like Vaseline and Aquafor) for the hands, arms and legs, to target the flaky skin.
Li’s morning routine for your 80s
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
No matter our age, most of us are guilty of saying, “I must be getting old,” when we can’t quite find the words to describe something or an important item on our to-do lists slips our minds. Indeed, our brains do change with age; research suggests that the brain shrinks about 5% per decade starting at age 40.
But as we get into our 50s and 60s, what can we expect to happen to our brains? What little slip-ups can be attributed to normal brain aging, and what can signify something more serious? We spoke with doctors to find out:
Advertisement
Brain Changes To Expect Once You Hit Your 50s
In your 50s, your brain is already shrinking. “The cortex ― outer layer of the brain ― becomes thinner, the myelin sheath surrounding the fibers of neurons may begin to degrade, and receptors don’t fire as quickly,” explained Dr. Dylan Wint, a neurologist and neuropsychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic.
That being said, most people are still pretty sharp in their 50s — but they may start to notice some changes in their cognition. “In your 50s, cognitive functions such as on-demand recall of names and numbers, processing speed, rapid task-switching and spatial skills can diminish,” Wint said. “This tends to continue in the decades ahead.”
More noticeably, during this time you might see a subtle decline in what is called episodic memory, or “the mental diary that includes ‘meta-tags,’ such as who was present at a meeting last week and on what day that meeting was held,” Wint said. “On the upside, other facets of cognition, such as moral judgment, wisdom and emotional regulation, usually continue to improve during this period.”
Dr. Dale Bredesen,a neuroscience researcher at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, added that hormonal changes can contribute to cognitive changes as well.
Advertisement
“In our 50s, hormonal changes due to menopause in women, and andropause in men, typically occur,” he said. “Cognitive decline can occur due to a sudden drop in hormones, such as the drop in estradiol associated with menopause. People often find more fat accumulation in the 50s as well, which is associated with cognitive decline.”
As you enter your 60s, Wint said, brain shrinkage becomes more noticeable. “Although you retain your lifetime of accumulated knowledge, your brain becomes less efficient at accessing that knowledge and adding to it,” he explained.
Bredesen noted that issues that are more likely to pop up in your 60s, such as heart disease and chronic inflammation, can further contribute to cognitive decline.
Thomas Barwick via Getty Images
Your brain shrinks as you get older, but exercise and other healthy habits can keep it as sharp as possible.
Normal Signs Of An Aging Brain — And When To Worry
It’s normal to experience some cognitive decline as we age. But when is forgetfulness a sign of something more serious?
Advertisement
“The most prominent effect of typical aging is probably the slowing of mental processes, particularly coming up with names, switching tasks, changing ingrained habits and incorporating new information,” Wint said. “Our brains usually compensate for these changes, so we can still function robustly and independently.”
Cognitive decline becomes concerning when it starts to interfere with daily functioning. “This is never normal, and is formally called dementia,” Wint said. “However, in between typical cognitive aging and dementia is a zone of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), where cognition is not normal for age — formal testing may be necessary to detect this — but does not interfere with routine daily activities. About 50% of people with MCI will progress to develop dementia over the next three to five years.”
If you are experiencing forgetfulness, trouble with communication, or other symptoms that concern you, Wint suggested that you consider a consultation with a geriatrician or neurologist.
“It doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, but a specialist can help to narrow down the cause and any potential treatments or lifestyle changes that may be helpful,” he said.
How To Keep Your Brain Healthy As You Age
While there’s not a lot that can be done about the natural brain shrinkage that comes with aging, both Wint and Bredesen emphasized that lifestyle can make a huge difference for your brain.
Advertisement
“Exercise has the largest effect on brain health,” Wint said. “Regular, moderate aerobic exercise reduces the risk of cognitive decline. It’s also important to stay connected as we age, as a rich in-person social network provides support, reduces stress, combats depression and enhances intellectual stimulation.”
Since many medical conditions are strongly linked to a decline in brain function, maintaining body health is a huge component of maintaining brain health.
“Keep your blood pressure and weight at healthy levels, take medication as prescribed, minimize salt and sugar, keep active, and stay socially connected and positive,” Wint said. “Sleep quality is very important, too, and you should see a professional if your sleep is inadequate in quantity or quality.”
Bredesen added that brain health should be thought of as a lifelong goal, so if you’re in your 20s or 30s, it’s important to take steps now.
“Try to avoid processed food, avoid street drugs and heavy alcohol use, avoid smoking ― yes, even vaping ― avoid sleep loss and major stress, and keep your gut microbiome and oral microbiome optimal,” he said.
Advertisement
Aging happens whether we like it or not. But as both Wint and Bredesen emphasized, lifestyle can make a huge difference in the rate at which your brain health declines, and whether you develop dementia down the road. So start now — your mind and memory will thank you.
Support HuffPost
A No-B.S. Guide To Life
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
HuffPost is your trusted source to help you lead a better life. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
HuffPost is your trusted source for stories that help you lead a better life. We’ve got you covered on all things health, wellness, food, style, parenting, relationships, work, travel and lifestyle. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
They say trends are cyclical, but when it comes to beauty and makeup fads, some really need to be put to bed. Supersized Flock of Seagulls-esque hair and skinny eyebrows? They can go, though Gen Z seems dead set on reviving the latter, for reasons we don’t fully understand.
And we definitely need to say goodbye to tanning beds, given what we know about skin cancer.
In the spirit of letting go of legitimately bad trends, we asked ladies over 50 to share the style and beauty trends they’re glad no longer exist (or at least seem to be on the way out.) See what they had to say below.
Advertisement
1. Using orange juice cans as hair rollers
“In the days before blow dryers and round brushes, we made our own beauty products! We would slather our hair with Dippity-Do and roll it on repurposed frozen orange juice cans. Have you ever slept on metal rollers? There are two possible positions: face down, or with your head hanging over the side of the bed. I would take the rollers out in the early morning hours, smooth my hair down and lie on my back trying not to move, then try to sleep.” ― Jennifer Ebelhar, a 69-year-old style coach and @theStyleEquation on TikTok
2. The oil-and-foil approach to tanning
“Oil and foil is the first beauty trend I’m thrilled is gone. If you’re too young to know, this is how we used to get a tan back in the ’60s: You’d oil up your skin and put foil nearby to reflect the sun. Yes, it’s nuts.” ― Sonia Lovett, a 71-year-old who runs the fashion blog Style Beyond Age
“We used to slather baby oil all over our body when we were younger. In fact, when I was in college at UCLA, we had a tanning competition, where we would put a small sticker on our body as a baseline for comparison and then slather on the baby oil and bake all day. I nearly won the dubious event and had my damaged skin as the prize! And we’d never wear sunscreen. I was one of the few people I knew who wore 15 SPF and people thought I was nuts.” ― Cynthia Gouw, a 60-year-old broadcast journalist and beauty influencer
Romano Cagnoni/RETIRED via Getty Images
“We had a tanning competition, where we would put a small sticker on our body as a baseline for comparison and then slather on the baby oil and bake all day,” said Cynthia Gouw, a 60-year-old broadcast journalist and a beauty influencer.
Advertisement
3. Overplucking eyebrows
“Please don’t wax or pluck them yourself like I did. Like countless others, they just never grew back! In the ’90s, extremely thin and arched eyebrows were considered fashionable, and many women, myself included, resorted to excessive tweezing or waxing to achieve this look.
“I have resorted to buying so many eyebrow pencils, gels, powders, not to mention the huge amount of money I have spent on microblading, micro-feathering and any new eyebrow products I see on Instagram. I have learnt how to fill and fluff them to the best of my ability and they look OK, but if I could tell the younger me anything, it would be, ‘Leave them alone!’” ― Violet Trikilis, a model and style influencer
4. Asymmetrical hairstyles with bleached bangs
“I’m 57 years young now. But when I was in high school, Madonna was huge! We all wanted to be her with our neon pink lace skirts and ripped sweatshirts that fell off our shoulders. And we all wanted to have hair just like her, including my girlfriend and I. So, what did two idiot teenagers do? We grabbed a pair of scissors and cut each other’s hair in an asymmetrical shape. Then we found some hair bleach, took a chunk of our bangs, and bleached them. For reference, my natural hair color is dark brown. Well, we both ended up with orange bangs … not Madonna!
“My mom freaked out and brought me to get it fixed and I ended up with a pixie cut and almost jet-black hair because the bleach did so much damage. My Madonna dream hair ended that day!” ―Michele Baratta-Detwiler, a 57-year-old fashion and DIY content creator
Michael Putland via Getty Images
Sadly, the Madonna look really only worked on Madonna.
Advertisement
5. Cake-like makeup
“I also haven’t seen super matte setting powder in a while. Solid cake setting powder used to be in fashion. Now I look for a balance, you have to keep a little glow and glisten when you age, at the same time you don’t want to look like the tin man… so all of these very luminous products have to be used sparingly and in strategic spots rather than everywhere as we age gracefully.” ― Carla Rockmore, a designer and style influencer
6. Helmet head hair
“The days of Aqua Net and perfectly coiffed hair are thankfully gone, especially because I have never wanted to take too much time primping. Anything too obviously done does not read modern to me. I prefer a polished yet ‘je ne sais quoi’ to my look.” ― Lovett
Jena Ardell via Getty Images
Helmet hair, pictured here in a stock photo, was definitely a thing.
7. Using milk of magnesia on oily skin
“The one beauty trend that made me grit my teeth was using MOM (milk of magnesia) on the face to control oil. This one really got under my skin because my skin is oily. In my beginning stages of wearing makeup I struggled with learning how to control the oil while wearing makeup. I tried everything, including this so-called hack. But after learning the potential risk to the skin and seeing actual makeup clients of mine suffer from the side effects, I emptied that bottle in the toilet. Now I’m an advocate for not following every trend without due diligence. I’ve recently seen younger women using Calamine lotion for the same reason. I hope this one fades as well.” ―Dorciah Sloane, a 53-year-old makeup artist and style influencer
8. Outrageous eyeshadow shades
The ’80s was the period for the most outrageous colors in eyeshadow and one simply could not get enough glitter! The brightest blues, yellow, orange, fuchsia donned our eyelids and at times all the colors of the rainbow balanced precariously on our eyelids. At the time, I worked as a makeup consultant and spent hours on applying my makeup that was so bright you could see it from the moon! In the 80s, eyeshadow and lipstick stayed on for days, it was so long lasting it was hard to remove ― probably due to the carcinogenic ingredients that went into the products.
Advertisement
“These days, I am happy with a more natural look with eyeshadow that enhances not takes over your face! I prefer mineral-based makeup and treatment ― makeup that cares for your skin.” ― Jayne Dalton, a 61-year-old style influencer
Rebecca Handler via Getty Images
Did you really live in the ’80s if you didn’t have eyeshadow in every shade of the rainbow?
9. Curled bangs
“You know what was awful? The ’80s curled bangs split horizontally with one half curled down toward your face and the other flowing back towards your crown made frozen by Aqua Net! As junior class president and vice president in high school, my twin sister and I were in charge of decorating the gym into a prom paradise! The night before our senior pictures we spent all night decorating and got about two hours of sleep in order to wake up at 5:30 a.m., dry our permed hair, and get our bangs just right! With tired eyes we got to school and stood in line to take pictures. The assistant to the photographer grabbed a comb and some Aqua Net and told us our hair would look better on camera if she fixed it. In a daze we agreed and took the shots! Later on between bells, we went into the bathroom and gazed in horror at the mall bangs she gave us. Granted, we did curl ours down, but never backwards, and now we sported that look in our senior pictures. To this day, we avoid bangs.” ― Tegan Higgins, a 51-year-old influencer who runs @tandttwintalk on Instagram and TikTok with her twin sister
10. Thinking makeup is a must
“I am glad that we’re starting to go more natural with our makeup trends, so we don’t see so much heavy contouring anymore. Pamela Anderson has set an example by showing up all nude. I like that. We should celebrate more natural looks and features as the new normal.” ―Mette Sørrig Andersen, a 53-year-old content creator
Advertisement
Support HuffPost
A No-B.S. Guide To Life
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
HuffPost is your trusted source to help you lead a better life. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
HuffPost is your trusted source for stories that help you lead a better life. We’ve got you covered on all things health, wellness, food, style, parenting, relationships, work, travel and lifestyle. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
Kathy L. is a 46-year-old mother of three in North Carolina. Five years ago, she moved her family back to her hometown in order to help care for her aging parents, but for the past year and a half, the family has devoted significant time and resources to caring for her husband’s aunt, who has dementia. Her children were ages 15, 11 and 9 when the aunt came to live with them last summer.
Initially, the plan was to care for the aunt at their home for 12 weeks, at which point her long-term care insurance would kick in to cover the cost of an assisted living facility. But after 8 weeks, the family decided to pay out of pocket to move her into one.
“Our family hit a breaking point,” Kathy L. told HuffPost.
“Dementia patients can often get aggressive because they are confused/scared and don’t know what’s going on,” she explained. While her two older sons were able to handle the aunt’s outbursts, her youngest child struggled. Kathy L. said her 9-year-old daughter was “crying every day and was terrified to say or do anything that would set her off.”
Advertisement
In addition, her husband was granted power of attorney for his aunt, taking care of her finances and clearing out and selling her home.
In spite of these challenges, Kathy L. says the experience of providing this care wasn’t all negative. “I also feel very honored to be able to help,” she said. “There are a lot of layers of feelings involved.”
People like Kathy L. who find themselves in the dual — and at times competing — roles of providing child care and elder care simultaneously are sometimes referred to as the “sandwich generation.”
With an aging population and a declining fertility rate globally, more and more families are likely to find themselves in this situation.
A research group at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock, Germany, headed by Diego Alburez-Gutierrez, recently published a paper entitled “Projections of Human Kinship for All Countries.” Using data from the UN World Population Prospects 2022 report (the most recent year available), researchers were able to make probabilistic predictions of what the families of the future will look like.
One important finding is that family networks — measured by the number of biological relatives a person has — are going to get smaller. (While the researchers understand that family can mean much more than the people who are biologically related to you, for the purposes of this research, they did not include other kinship relations such as spouses, in-laws, adopted children or LGBTQ family structures.)
People are going to have fewer living relatives, on average. “At every age, we see that as we move into the future, families will become smaller,” Alburez-Gutierrez told HuffPost.
For example, a 65-year-old woman in 1965 could be expected to have 41 living relatives, while a 65-year-old woman living in 2095 is projected to have only 25. The drivers of this change are delayed childbearing and declining fertility rates. Some countries have already seen their birthrates decline, while others may experience this in the years to come.
Another trend shaping demographics, the researchers found, is that families are becoming “more vertical,” Alburrez-Gutierrez said. “That means that you’re going to have fewer lateral kin — siblings, your cousins — and because people are living longer, it means that you will have more genealogical generations at the same time.”
Advertisement
In other words, you will probably have fewer siblings and cousins, but you’re more likely to get to meet your great-grandparents.
One finding that Alburez-Gutierrez found striking, he said, was that “the probability that a newborn baby will have a living grandparent, let’s say in countries of the Global North, it will be 100% in the coming years.”
Also, “in Europe, it will be increasingly common [for a baby] to have up to six living great-grandparents when they are born.”
The researchers also found increasing age gaps between generations in families, leading to people becoming grandparents (and great-grandparents) at later ages. For example, if you have a child when you’re 20 and that child has a child when they’re 20, you become a grandparent at age 40. But if you have a child at age 40, and then your child has a child at age 40, you won’t become a grandparent until you’re 80. Increasing life expectancies mean that you’re more likely to be around to see the birth of grandchildren — and great-grandchildren — but these increasing age gaps mean that you’re more likely to be frail or disabled when you do meet them.
There are advantages and disadvantages to these population changes.
A big advantage of increasing longevity is that we are more likely able to meet, spend time with and build relationships both with our grandparents and even great-grandparents.
Advertisement
Ellen Carbonell, a professor of social work at Rush University, explained that the roles of grandparents in the U.S. have changed over time.
“Today, grandparents’ roles are more diverse than ever before,” Carbonell told HuffPost. In addition to their “traditional roles as family historian, and provider of love, support and wisdom,” Carbonell explained, grandparents are more likely to function as childcare providers.
“No longer simply ‘babysitting’ grandchildren to give parents some free time, many grandparents are providing childcare for grandchildren on a regular basis,” Carbonell said.
Since grandparents are older, on average, when their grandchildren are born, they are also more likely to be retired.
“There can be a greater ease and enjoyment of the role without the competing tasks that come with employment. This greater flexibility can be seen in grandparents who relocate to be closer to their out-of-state children and grandchildren so they can be more involved in their day-to-day lives,” Carbonell said.
Advertisement
These advantages assume good health, which isn’t a guarantee and becomes less likely the older a grandparent gets. Older grandparents also may lack financial stability.
“Many have been unemployed or underemployed for years, or have contributed financially to the care of others, leaving them particularly strapped financially during their grandparenting years,” Carbonell said.
When a grandparent needs financial support or caregiving, the burden may fall to family members who are also caring for children, creating the “sandwich” dynamic.
These dynamics can both be at play at the same time within one family. Kathy L., for example, was able to turn to her mother for help with childcare at the same time that she was serving as a caregiver for her own father and her husband’s aunt. The layers of her situation were both emotional and logistical.
With so many generations living at the same time, there are increasing instances of what Alburez-Gutierrez called the “grand-sandwich” and Carbonell called the “club sandwich” of one generation caring for parents, children and grandchildren. Such a load can take a heavy “physical, emotional and financial toll,” Carbonell said. Increased longevity, in other words, can make for more caregivers but also more caregiving responsibilities.
Advertisement
“The increased availability in the sense of grandparents and great-grandparents in the future, which we think is going to happen, doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be more sources of informal care within families,” Alburez-Gutierrez said. “Actually it may be the other way around. We’ll place more of a burden on the current generation.”
Grand- or club-sandwich caregivers, Carbonell explained, may put their own needs last and delay preventative health care. The sandwiching also creates an unstable network that is likely to collapse if an emergency arises.
“With no built-in backup for care provision,” Carbonell continued, “we can see how the fragility of a tightly stretched care system can be pushed beyond its ability to cover care needs.”
The ramifications of these demographic changes extended beyond individual families.
With fewer living relatives within each generation, the caregiving duties will fall to a smaller number of people, increasing their responsibilities. It will also mean that more families look to public and private institutions to provide care for the members of their family who need it.
“One challenge will be that even in countries that have taken into account the aging of the population, and introduced measures to try to address that in terms of restructuring pension schemes or changing the retirement age, is they have still assumed that there was going to be this constant pool of informal support” to provide care, Alburez-Gutierrez said.
Advertisement
Grandparents stepping in to fill the child care gap. Kathy L. and her husband stepping in to care for his aunt. Without this unpaid labor, our society wouldn’t be able to function. If a shrinking, aging population means that we have to outsource more of this labor, and pay for it, it will require a huge financial investment.
Carbonell pointed out that caregiving, whether for children or elders, often falls to women. When they take time out of the workforce to care for family members, they lose both seniority and years of accumulated pension or social security contributions.
Paid caregivers also tend to be women, many of them immigrants, and the pay for such work is often low, leading to a high turnover rate.
As it stands, the system is fragile, and the combination of increased longevity and declining birthrates continue to add stress.
“This country has no comprehensive long-term care system, particularly for older adults. It is crucial that this issue be explored and dealt with promptly, as an increasingly aging population will be needing care for which there is currently no plan,” Carbonell said.
Advertisement
While these are serious concerns, a “sandwich” situation in which your children witness you caring for elderly family members can also be a source of meaning and insight.
“As hard as it was this past summer, I think our kids saw what it looks like to take care of family,” Kathy L. said.
“Our 15-year-old saw us cleaning up after our aunt one time … and said, ‘Wow, I can’t wait ‘til it’s my turn to do this for you guys.’ And I was struck with two competing feelings: One, I hope you never have to do this for me, and two, I’m so thankful that you automatically expect that’s what you’ll do.”
Support HuffPost
A No-B.S. Guide To Life
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
HuffPost is your trusted source to help you lead a better life. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
HuffPost is your trusted source for stories that help you lead a better life. We’ve got you covered on all things health, wellness, food, style, parenting, relationships, work, travel and lifestyle. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
Forget new TikTok beauty trends like coffee scrubs and makeup underpainting. In our book, the best beauty hacks tend to be time-tested, passed down from one generation to the next: Your grandma’s jojoba oil cure for dry winter skin, or your favorite aunt swearing by Retin-A and ample sunscreen.
We recently turned to post-50 beauty influencers and asked them to share the beauty hacks they swear by. From tips on chemical peels, to cheap alternatives to pricey products, see what they had to say below.
Vaseline is good for everything.
“The running joke is I love Vaseline more than my husband. On my last press trip, I took a photo with my beloved Vaseline. It’s a staple I use daily. I rub Vaseline on my wrist, legs, and neck daily before applying my favorite scent because Vaseline acts like a skin primer, and the fragrance adheres to your skin, thus staying on longer. It’s a great way to extend the life of your perfume.” ― Tomiko Harvey, the 52-year-old luxury content creator at Password & Grub
Advertisement
Photo courtesy of Tomiko Harvey
Tomiko Harvey jokes that she loves Vaseline more than her spouse.
Beauty comes from within ― and with the help of Vitamin C.
“If you want to join the exclusive club of ‘aging gracefully,’ start now with becoming the person you always should’ve been: You do that through creating a life of confidence of purpose, harnessing your regrets, embracing kindness, and adding a heaping dose of Vitamin C and retinoids to your skin care regimen. I’d also recommend rapidly deploying massive quantities of sunscreen to slather all over your body. Don’t forget your neck!” ― Cynthia Gouw, a 60-year-old broadcast journalist and a beauty influencer
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Gouw
Cynthia Gouw’s glow is a credit to Vitamin C and retinoids.
Don’t underestimate the power of a full night’s sleep.
“Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining and enhancing your natural beauty. Lack of sleep can lead to puffy eyes, dull skin, and overall tired-looking appearance. Prioritize getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body to rejuvenate and repair itself.” ―Jo Placencio, a 54-year-old blogger at Peace Love Glam
Advertisement
Photo courtesy of Jo Placencio
Jo Placencio does her best to get a good night’s rest.
Get a prescription for Retin-A or Tretinoin.
“If I had to do it all over again, I would invest in my skin care routine sooner rather than later. If it comes down to choosing a beauty item, definitely run to your dermatologist and ask for a prescription Retin-A or Tretinoin. This one product is going to help with hyperpigmentation, acne, wrinkles and the overall improvement of your skin. SPF has saved me from so much heartache. As I approach 50 this year, I wish I had known about the importance of using it when I was younger but it’s never too late to start.” ―Shalonda Miles, a lifestyle content creator
Photo courtesy of Shalonda Miles
Shalonda Miles recommends getting a prescription for Retin-A or Tretinoin.
Use olive oil as a makeup remover.
“I come from an Italian family and olive oil is used in everything including my skin care regimen. As I’ve mentioned on TikTok, I like to use it to remove my makeup and to give my skin a natural boost of hydration and nourishment. I know what you’re thinking: Won’t it clog my pores or make my skin oiler? Nope! Its lightweight texture won’t clog pores, making it great for all skin types. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins E and K, which work wonders in keeping your skin soft, smooth, and radiant. Olive oil not only helps to moisturize deeply but also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for soothing irritated skin. Think of it as a little bottle of liquid gold that pampers your skin and leaves you with a healthy, natural glow!
To remove your makeup, grab a washcloth and a good quality organic oil. The best oils are extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or one of my favorites, jojoba oil. Now for the cool part: Slather on your oil of choice and massage it into your skin and over your eyes. Don’t worry, it won’t irritate your eyes or make them feel cloudy. While you’re doing that, run some super hot water over a washcloth and wring it out. Now, put it over your face, making sure it’s had a bit of time to cool down. It should create a steam-like feeling like you are at the spa having a facial…my fave! Now gently take the cloth and remove all your makeup. It’s like magic!” ― Michele Baratta-Detwiler, a 57-year-old fashion and DIY content creator
Advertisement
Photo courtesy of Michele Baratta
Coming from an Italian family, Michele Baratta uses olive oil in everything, including her skincare regimen.
Beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin.
“In the early stages of my career when I worked for Bobbi Brown, I would have clients young and old sit in my chair and want a miracle cure for their skin. When I give consultations I always begin with skin care. Depending on the client, I would adjust my consultation according to their skin concerns. Then as the consultation went on I would of course end with makeup. I’d say 85% of individuals would pass on the skin care and get the makeup, which they would use as a bandaid to their skin concerns. This tore at my heartstrings. That experience kickstarted my transition into educating people on how beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin. Skin care should always be your number one priority if you want your makeup to look good.” ―Dorciah Sloane, a 53-year-old makeup artist and style influencer
Photo courtesy of Dorciah Sloane
“Skin care should always be your number one priority if you want your makeup to look good,” said Dorciah Sloane.
Enhance your natural features, don’t mask them.
“My timeless beauty tip for younger generations? Focus on enhancing your features rather than masking them with heavy makeup and full face contouring, the trend the Kardashians were pretty famous for. The ‘less is more’ beauty trend is about embracing and enhancing one’s natural skin and beauty, promoting self-confidence and cultivating a style that stands the test of time.” ―Violet Trikilis, a model and style influencer
Advertisement
Photo courtesy of Violet Trikilis
Violet Trikilis isn’t a fan of overdone contouring.
Don’t be afraid of unconventional beauty products.
“As a tea specialist, I’m a proponent of utilizing tea in my beauty regime, like in S’Able Lab’s Rooibos micellar water ultra-fine mist, which adds replenishment before cleansing.”― JoAni Johnson, a model, activist and tea blender
JoAni Johnson uses tea in her beauty regime.
Look into chemical peels.
“My favorite beauty hack is chemical peels. They range from superficial peels to deep peels according to skin type and results desired. When administered by a trained professional, they can be game-changing for the skin, resulting in skin that glows. Hyperpigmentation from acne scars are lightened, and fine lines improve. One of my favorite benefits of a peel is that it results in better absorption of skin care products.” —Elaine Davis, a fashion influencer who runs the blog Square Pearls
Photo courtesy of Elaine Davis
Elaine Davis loves a good chemical peel.
Advertisement
Not every trend is for you.
“Remember: Just because a beauty trend is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for you! Pick and choose but remember it’s important to update your beauty look just like your wardrobe if you want to look modern and effortless.” ― FiFi Milne, editor of The FiFi Report
Annamaria Kalebic says ample SPF and a big floppy hat is a must if you’re in the sun.
“SPF is so important. I like Trish McEvoy’s Beauty Booster cream SPF 30. It glides on beautifully, disappears into the skin and doesn’t change my skin tone. You can seek out all facelifts in the world, but if you don’t take care of those three areas, you will not have accomplished what a facelift is meant for.” ― Sonia Lovett, a 71-year-old who runs the fashion blog Style Beyond Age
Advertisement
Wear color close to your face.
“Wearing color close to your face is a major beauty hack because as you age, your natural luminescent complexion starts to evolve. Adding colors that suit your skin tone on your neckline or to your lip, will boost your beauty quotient and substantially add life into your skin.” ― Carla Rockmore, a designer and style influencer
Photo courtesy of Carla Rockmore/Stewart Cohen Dream Pictures
Carla Rockmore recommends introducing more color to your wardrobe, especially in pieces around your face.
Don’t underestimate the power of Ponds Cold Cream.
“The best beauty hack and one we have used for years is to finish your nightly routine with Ponds Cold Cream! On TikTok, they call it slugging now. Our Nana used it and she had the most glorious skin! As 8-year-olds perched on ottomans bookending Nana sitting at her gorgeous mid-century modern blond makeup table, I can remember her saying, ‘Put this on your face every night and your skin will thank you when you are my age.’ We used it religiously starting in our late teens. Now we use all types of creams, but if you were to take a look in our bathrooms, our Ponds Cold Cream is front and center on our mirrored trays. The vintage rose and powder smell reminds us of our Nana, a vibrant woman who we considered the most beautiful woman on the planet. Whenever we think of aging and how society can be particularly harsh on women aging, we harken back to our youthful minds recognizing the beauty of our grandmother.” — Tiffany Dietz, a 51-year-old influencer who runs @tandttwintalk on Instagram and TikTok with her twin sister Tegan Higgins
Photo courtesy of Tiffany Dietz and Tegan Higgins
Twins Tiffany Dietz and Tegan Higgins both love Ponds Cold Cream, a product recommended to them by their grandma.
The cheapest hack yet? Embrace your natural beauty.
“Looking back at the silly hair styles and garish makeup of my youth (blue eyeshadow and frosted lilac lipstick!), my hack is simple: Instead of chasing every new style, embrace your natural beauty. Trends come and go, but what makes you unique is timeless. Thirty years from now, you will be astonished at how beautiful you were. You’ll also be sad that you spent so much time following the ever-changing whims of popular trends.” ― Jennifer Ebelhar, a 69-year-old style coach who goes by @theStyleEquation on TikTok
Support HuffPost
A No-B.S. Guide To Life
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
HuffPost is your trusted source to help you lead a better life. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
HuffPost is your trusted source for stories that help you lead a better life. We’ve got you covered on all things health, wellness, food, style, parenting, relationships, work, travel and lifestyle. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
Remaining healthy and sharp are goals for most people as they age. But one group of people — known as “SuperAgers” — is said to have this all down as they go through life, even into their later years.
The term SuperAgers was created by researchers at Northwestern University, who define it as “adults over age 80 who have the memory capacity of individuals who are at least three decades younger.” Northwestern University is one of just a handful of institutions in the country that have SuperAging research programs.
Advertisement
Experts stress that SuperAgers are not the same as people with good longevity, with the main difference between them being one’s brain. Studies show that SuperAgers’ brains resemble those of much younger people.
Specifically, less brain volume loss is seen in SuperAgers in comparison to a person who just has good longevity, according to Northwestern Medicine, an affiliate with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. For example, someone who is, say, 87 years old with good longevity, may have a brain that also matches their age.
Tamar Gefen, an assistant professor at the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at the Feinberg School of Medicine, noted that “there is no special trick to becoming a SuperAger — at least not yet.”
“Like most trajectories of age, or conditions of life, it is a combination of biology, environment and personal agency,” she said.
Advertisement
According to Jennifer Ailshire, an associate professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California, some SuperAgers may have certain qualities, though.
“We think of SuperAgers … as people who are reaching 85 years of age, so they’re exceeding the typical or average life expectancy for … their cohort,” Ailshire said. “For us, a SuperAger is not just someone who’s long-lived. It’s also someone who’s maintained a fairly high level of physical, cognitive, psychological and social well-being.”
How people go about accomplishing these qualities can be vastly different.
“For some, it is drinking a beer [or a few] at night. For others, it’s abstaining from vices. Some are still running successful businesses, while others have been retired for years,” Gefen said. ”I suppose the common denominator is that most appear to be socially active or engage in continuous, meaningful activity. But there are exceptions.”
The researchers we spoke to stressed that there is no direct roadmap to becoming a SuperAger. That being said, there are some positive habits you can adopt from them to bolster your cognitive and physical functioning well into your later years. Here are the key habits to practice:
1. Move your body regularly.
“A lot of research shows that daily body movement is associated with both longevity and healthy aging,” Ailshire said. “I don’t use the word exercise, though, because I think we all have a connotation with exercise that’s like hitting the gym or running or something. But these may just be activities like gardening, doing crafts, kind of working around the house.”
Advertisement
Even walking counts as movement, with Ailshire adding that a focal point for SuperAgers is avoiding sedentary behavior.
“It is a little hard for all of us to avoid sedentary behavior — most of us have computer jobs,” she said. “But they’re very physically active and they have been their entire lives.”
2. Engage in social activities.
People who age well regularly socialize, whether it’s spending time with friends or family, volunteering or spending time at work with colleagues, Ailshire said.
Research shows people with strong social connections live longer and have better cognitive and physical health.
FG Trade via Getty Images
Having a strong social network is an important part of healthy aging.
Advertisement
3. Do what you can to reduce controllable stress.
Between work, money, medical issues and family problems, life is inherently stressful. But keeping your brain and body sharp means reducing unnecessary stress at all costs.
“Some [SuperAgers] have basically said, ‘I haven’t gotten involved in other people’s drama and tried to keep from being angry a lot, from being stressed a lot,’” Ailshire said. “I find that kind of striking that they’ve at least avoided stress to the extent they could — they didn’t create their own stress.”
4. Challenge your brain.
According to Ailshire, cognitive stimulation is important for healthy aging, too, and there are many ways you can challenge your mind as you grow older.
“You’re never too old to learn a new language, learn a new way of picking up an instrument or do something that really challenges you cognitively or mentally,” she said.
However, the key is making it mentally stimulating for you. Gefen noted that if a certain task, like a crossword puzzle, induces panic, don’t bother.
Advertisement
5. Make time for the things you enjoy.
Based on the published scientific literature she’s read, as well as the SuperAgers she’s spoken to, Ailshire summarized that these healthy older individuals are “people who are doing the things that make them feel happy and fulfilled.”
Gefen seconded this, saying: “Depending on whether one has the luxury to do so, one recommendation is to engage in activities that are engaging, enjoyable, motivating and not stress-inducing.”
Support HuffPost
A No-B.S. Guide To Life
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
HuffPost is your trusted source to help you lead a better life. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.
HuffPost is your trusted source for stories that help you lead a better life. We’ve got you covered on all things health, wellness, food, style, parenting, relationships, work, travel and lifestyle. Our reporters rely on research, expert advice and lived experiences to address all your concerns, big and small. So when you’ve got questions, you know you can trust our answers.
We’re determined to keep HuffPost Life — and every other part of HuffPost — 100% free. Help us do that by contributing as little as $1.