Dr. Sonya Abdulla, dermatologist

With so many anti-aging products on the market, knowing which to incorporate into your routine can be confusing. Skin care expert and dermatologist Dr. Sonya Abdulla breaks down the science behind the most sought-after anti-aging ingredients.

Q

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU RECOMMEND MOST TO YOUR PATIENTS?

A

The solutions I recommend for preventing and reducing the signs of aging include retinol, a powerful antioxidant like

vitamin C, daily sun protection, ideally with an SPF 30 or higher ... and hyaluronic acid. These are the gold standard for dermatological skin care ingredients. I’ve found that products containing these ingredients tend to be most effective over the years to prevent and reduce the signs of aging.

Q

HOW DO THE PRODUCTS CONTAINING THESE KEY INGREDIENTS TARGET SIGNS OF AGING?

A

Products with antioxidants such as vitamin C brighten and even out skin tone to reveal a more youthful appearance. To help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, I often recommend products with retinol. With time, the skin requires more intense hydration–look for products containing hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can absorb up to 1,000 times its own weight in water and leaves the skin feeling immediately restored.

Always be sure to use a product with SPF in the morning ifyou use retinol or vitamin C. These ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.