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Getting older isn’t necessarily fun, but it doesn’t have to be so hard, either. While we’d all like to reverse the aging process – man has searched for just such a solution for centuries – the truth is that we really can’t.
In other words, our bodies, including our skin, are going to age, whether we want them to or not.
While that’s not necessarily a happy thought, the good news is that modern technology and science allow us to treat the symptoms of aging to give us a more youthful appearance overall.
In this post, we’ll discuss anti-aging creams for men and some great ways you can support your anti-aging skin care regimen.
We will also talk about what to look for when buying an anti-aging cream, how to use it, and compare creams with other types of treatments for aging skin.
Let’s dig in.
Quick summary
Before you buy: 6 Things to consider when purchasing anti-aging creams
So, you want to buy an anti-aging cream? We’re here to help with some advice on what to think about before you choose an anti-aging product.
1. What is your skin type?
Skin type is an important, non-negotiable factor, no matter what type of skincare product you buy. Let’s take a closer look:
- Oily skin – Oily skin has a slightly greasy look and feel with larger pores. If you have oily skin, you’re also more prone to acne symptoms, such as blackheads and whiteheads. Look for creams that are lighter than normal and oil-free. Non-comedogenic is the magic phrase here – i.e., a cream that doesn’t clog pores. This is especially important if you suffer from acne. Purchasing a cheap anti-aging solution could end up blocking pores and make acne breaks more likely. Not great if you’re trying to minimize skin irritation and scarring.
- Dry skin – Dry skin feels tight, is often itchy, and is more prone to irritation. Look for products that have hydrating ingredients, such as aloe. Moisture is different from oil, so you don’t need a heavy, oily product to hydrate the skin properly. Ensure that your current skin care products are not overly aggressive in how they remove oils and grime – this could be a cause of your dry skin. Another commonly overlooked cause is using too much shampoo or using it too frequently. This makes it more likely to make contact with the skin on your face – again stripping away oils and moisture.
- Sensitive skin – Sensitive skin is easily irritated by skincare products, shaving, and harsh weather conditions. Look for products that don’t contain dyes, fragrances, or other potential irritants.
- Normal skin – Most skincare products are suitable for men with normal skin.
- Combination skin – Many men have “combination” skin, in which they have dry and oily patches on their face at the same time. Search for products that don’t use harsh abrasives and gently clean skin while providing light moisture.
2. Ingredients
Take the time to read a product’s list of ingredients. Ingredients, like skin type, are vastly important when choosing any skincare product.
We like products with natural ingredients, but we also understand that many of those that aren’t all-natural work exceptionally well. Here are some key ingredients in anti-aging creams:
- Retinol – Retinol (vitamin A) is a key ingredient in the majority of anti-aging creams. Retinol may eliminate wrinkles but also may dry out your skin if you’re not careful. That said, aloe vera, which contains retinol, is a gentler source of vitamin A. Several studies have demonstrated and proven retinol’s mechanism of action, or put simply, how it works. Rubbing Retinol into your skin creates glycosaminoglycan, which binds any nearby water, creating a hydrated area under the skin. It also promotes collagen production, which reinforces the underlying skin structure and helps smooth out wrinkles. Aside from improved appearance, these changes induced by retinol make it more likely to resist both damage and disease.[7]
- Hyaluronic Acid – Hyaluronic acid has superior moisturizing capabilities, and, as we age, our hyaluronic acid levels decline. Hydrating the skin with a moisturizer such as hyaluronic acid helps to reduce lines that cause wrinkles.
- DMAE – OK, let’s get the big scientific name out of the way first: Dimethylethanolamine. Sure, it sounds like an ominous, synthetic chemical that must be bad for humans, but it’s a natural ingredient that prevents the loss of elasticity in the skin. If you are scientifically orientated, you recognize the natural chemical; it is a precursor of acetylcholine. DMAE makes the skin look smoother, firmer, and have fewer wrinkles. It has been studied thoroughly as a topical treatment, with clinical trials showing that a 3% topical application of DMAE is both safe and effective. Specifically, it has been shown to reduce fine lines on the forehead and around the eyes whilst also improving lip fullness and the overall appearance of facial skin.[8]
- MSM – Big Chemical Name Alert, Part 2: Methylsulfonylmethane. MSM is found naturally in foods such as spinach and kale and helps skin cells be more absorbent while creating more elasticity. In fact, it has several benefits from treating gastric upset and lower back pain. MSM is slowly being discovered as a novel anti-inflammatory agent with multiple therapeutic applications. Certainly, a compound to keep an eye on as even more research gets released. MSM also helps reduce age spots and other skin pigmentation issues via antioxidant activity.[9]
- Antioxidants – Products that include antioxidants are beneficial because they absorb free radicals that may damage your skin. Common antioxidants to look for include vitamin C, vitamin B3, and vitamin E. Each of these three vitamins is absorbed easily into the skin. Why are antioxidants important? Although we know that the sun causes the majority of damage to our skin, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other significant factors. The ‘runner-up’ is, in fact, air pollution. Noxious chemicals cause oxidative stress on the top layer of your skin, with cascading negative effects into deeper layers. The application of antioxidants to the skin has been found to provide protection from both environmental pollution and UV radiation, making them an essential addition to any anti-aging routine.[10]
- Coenzyme Q10 – Coenzyme Q10 is a natural compound found in food and available in supplement and cream form. Research has demonstrated it can significantly reduce wrinkles around the eyes while improving skin smoothness.[11] There are new, exciting studies now looking at how CoQ10 may be reversing aging by providing support to skin mitochondria. Preliminary results show that CoQ10 can reverse ’an age-related decrease in mitochondrial respiration and ATP production.’ It is, therefore, literally breathing new life and energy into aging skin.[12]
- Glycolic acid – Glycolic acid is a natural ingredient that acts as an exfoliating agent to remove dead skin cells. However, the most significant benefit of this acid is its ability to combat the effects of photoaging (sun damage), specifically skin texture, wrinkle severity, the brightness of complexion, and evenness of pigmentation.[13]
There are other types of ingredients to look for, including tea extracts, açaí oil, peptides, and caffeine (which includes antioxidants to tame free radicals in the skin). Again, read a product’s label carefully before making your purchase.
3. Your lifestyle
You may be debating whether you need anti-aging cream or not, but how you look often affects your confidence. If you’re in your 40s or 50s when signs of aging are more prominent, it’s helpful to know that effective skincare products can make you look a few years younger.
To get the most benefit from premium skincare products, you also have to practice a bit of self-care. A good place to start is ensuring the basics are covered: stay well hydrated, eat healthily, and get sufficient sleep.
Research has shown that those who sleep for 5 hours or less a day experienced increased water loss from their skin and recovered slower after sun exposure.[14]
It’s not just long term sleep problems that cause premature aging either. When people have just a single night of sleep deprivation, they immediately have darkened skin around their eyes and further changes throughout their skin because of disruption on a cellular level.[15]
4. Environmental exposure
We’ve already discussed the effects UV radiation has on the skin. If you’re a man who spends the majority of his time working in the sun, it’s even more important that you use anti-aging creams to reduce the signs of aging caused by direct sunlight.
Foremost men, you may think of applying SPF only when outside for long periods of time or when sunbathing. Aging, however, isn’t caused by single events but rather the compounding effect of many events over time. Utilizing sunscreen or sun protective cream regularly will show great benefit in the long run.
It also pays to reduce your exposure to other significant environmental factors as well. There has been an increase in air pollution over the past decades that is having major effects on human skin.[16]
These pollutants, including smoke from industry, cars, and cigarettes, combine with UV radiation to induce oxidative stress and aging in the skin. The skin has actually evolved to be a protective barrier to these potential dangers, but in our modern world, there is repeated and consistent exposure to these toxins.
This eventually becomes too much for your skin’s integrity, and it eventually breaks down over time. If you live in a heavily polluted area or city, you should consider the risk it adds to your overall health, not just your rate of apparent aging.
5. Diet
Again this is about taking better care of yourself so that your body is better able to support your skin health and fully utilize any products that you are applying.
Our food intake and diet choices are the main way we control what we take in to maintain and grow our bodies. Dermatologists have long understood that an imbalanced diet and poor eating habits are significant causes of skin aging.[17]
Whilst everyone may understand our need for water to hydrate your skin and reduce inflammation and aging, there are several trace elements like copper, zinc, and selenium that are also essential. These are found in a varied diet but simply not in high enough quantities in junk food and unvaried diets.
High sugar has a two-fold effect. Weight gain increases skin inflammation, hampering skin repair, and exacerbating infections and wounds. High sugar levels have been independently linked to increased skin thickness and inflammation.[18]
Of course, consuming alcohol and nicotine brings a host of their own problems. Tobacco accelerates aging by breaking down collagen, increasing skin pigmentation, and skin cell death. Alcohol changes the permeability of the skin, essentially destroying its barrier function and increasing hard skin growth.[19][20]
So before you complain that you have ‘untreatable’ skin and ‘no products work well,’ make sure you have taken your own steps to live a healthier lifestyle, which in turn will promote healthier and more youthful skin.
6. Fragrance
Many men’s skincare products are fragrance-free, partly because some ingredients used to produce scent may irritate your skin.
Next, let’s take a look at the best men’s anti-aging products in 2021.
8 Best anti-aging creams for men 2021
1. Brickell Men’s Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream For Men
Best features:
- Cutting edge, all-natural ingredients
- Superior anti-aging cream
- Produce great results with a sparing application
Best anti-aging cream for:
Men who want a great cream with a proven track record of happy customers. Suitable for most men’s skin types, which is likely a part of their current success.
Overview:
Brickell places a huge emphasis on natural ingredients in its men’s grooming products, and their Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream is no exception.
Not that natural ingredients are the key to developing a top-quality anti-aging cream, but it doesn’t hurt.
And Brickell’s Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream delivers a list of ingredients that includes DMAE, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, as well as green tea – an excellent antioxidant that reverses signs of aging while helping to protect against sun damage.
The real story, however, is that this cream works.
It produces terrific results for those who are just starting to show signs of aging. While it can’t stop the aging process – nothing can – it slows it down to make your skin feel and look younger.
It removes the deepest wrinkles and lines – two obvious signs of aging.
It’s also good for men of all skin types but works particularly well for dry and sensitive skin that doesn’t always respond favorably to other products.
The folks at Brickell recommend that you use their Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream twice a day (morning and night) after you’ve cleaned your skin with a quality face wash.
You’ll love this cream’s thick texture and how it feels on your skin. You don’t need to use a lot of it – no more than a dime-sized amount – which means that a 2 oz. Tub of it will last you quite a while.
Besides green tea, the Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream’s list of ingredients includes peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass oil – all of which contribute to the cream’s refreshing, revitalizing scent.
Brickell is a newer company that has made great strides in the world of men’s grooming in a short time, thanks, in part, to their commitment to using ingredients that don’t contain harsh chemicals and other toxins.
Pros
- 100% all-natural ingredients
- Reduces and eliminates lines and wrinkles
- Refreshing, natural scent
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Few, if any. More expensive than some other creams (but worth the price)
Bottom line
Brickell’s Anti-Aging Cream is a good place to begin your search for the best anti-wrinkle cream for men. It delivers quick, noticeable results and is an excellent choice if you have dry or sensitive skin.
2. ZELEN Life Night Cream (Anti-Aging)
Best features:
- Organic formula packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants
- Contains essential natural retinoids to regulate skin growth
- Smoothes out the skin and restores a more youthful skin texture and appearance
Best anti-aging cream for:
Those men with fine lines or developing wrinkles. This cream hydrates the skin whilst restoring its natural collagen structure, all whilst being hypoallergenic, great for guys with sensitive skin.
Overview:
ZELEN Life has made a night cream that really targets the core signs of aging, making it a great choice for men looking to prevent or treat fine lines, wrinkles whilst supporting skin cell regeneration.
The choice for those of us who want a cruelty-free, natural product, the ZELEN Life Night Cream does away with chemicals such as parabens in favor of rosehip and apricot oils. Packed full of these sources of antioxidants and nutrients, it boosts collagen production for firmer skin and improved elasticity.
Suitable for all skin types, it also minimizes and regulates sebum production. This leaves skin clear when you wake in the morning, great for guys who are prone to acne breakouts and clogged pores.
Like all good anti-aging creams, it contains retinol, smoothing out skin growth and repair, whilst acids from the apricot oil gently remove dead skin cells.
The result is fresh, smooth skin, built on a healthier underlying foundation.
If you are looking to delve into the world of anti-aging, it’s lightweight, non-greasy formula should attract newcomers who hesitate in starting a daily skin care routine.
ZELEN Life is a brand I am partly involved in, with someone who is no stranger to skincare issues, Jordan Sully. A completely natural and organic, Mediterranean-inspired skincare range.
Pros
- 100% all-natural ingredients
- Repairs skin from the inside out
- Both removes dead skin whilst managing and maintaining new skin growth
- Works well on sensitive and acne prone skin
Bottom line
ZELEN Life’s anti-aging night cream is a solid choice for men with any skin type, particularly sensitive and acne-prone skin. Attacking the aging skin problem from multiple angles, it alleviates the most significant aging processes within the skin, giving a fresh and bright complexion free from dryness, oil, or inflammation.
3. Tiege Hanley Skin Care System Level 3
Best features:
- Provides a done-for-you skincare system
- The Tiege Hanley system takes the guesswork out of improving and repairing your appearance
Best anti-aging cream for:
Men who want to dive in with a complete support system for their skin care and anti-aging needs.
Overview:
If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to helping your skin look younger, look no further than Tiege Hanley. Their Level 3 Skin Care System has you covered with multiple products that are great for the skin and deliver results when fighting the signs of aging.
It starts with their Daily Face Wash, which – as Tiege Hanley puts it – is the “cornerstone” of their skin care system. You can use it in the morning and evening to remove dirt, excess oil, and grime, and it also reduces inflammation and redness without drying the skin.
The Tiege Hanley Daily Wash is suitable for all skin types and works in tandem with Tiege Hanley’s other products, including those we’ll mention here.
Its key ingredients include cucumber extract, eucalyptus oil, Lavandula oil, and Salix alba bark extract.
The latter helps to reduce inflammation and irritation.
The Level 3 Skin Care System also includes an Exfoliating Scrub, a Morning Facial Moisturizer, a Bedtime Facial Moisturizer, an AM/PM Eye Cream, and an AM/PM Facial Firming Serum.
The AM/PM Facial Firming Serum, aka “Super Serum,” has a formula packed with anti-aging ingredients, antioxidants, and vitamins that work on even the toughest of skin.
The Super Serum helps enhance nutrient and water retention while keeping skin hydrated, smooth, and supple.
One of the Super Serum’s key ingredients is sodium hyaluronate, which promotes microcirculation to smooth out the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
The Tiege Hanley Exfoliating Scrub is good for twice-weekly use and scrubs away the old, dead skin cells responsible for wrinkles, acne, and dullness, but it’s also gentle and doesn’t feel like you’re scrubbing your face with sandpaper.
Meanwhile, the Bedtime Facial Moisturizer helps your skin repair and regenerate itself as you sleep while also attacking fine lines and wrinkles.
Pros
- Comprehensive approach to skin care
- Packed with anti-aging ingredients
- Highly-effective when used consistently
Cons
- Can’t order the products individually
Bottom line
Tiege Hanley’s products work wonders in fighting the signs of aging while also addressing other facial skin issues. They offer a comprehensive approach to men’s skincare.
4. Hims Anti-Aging Kit
Best features:
- Contains tretinoin, which ensures smooth skin repair and management whilst older cells are removed from the skin
- Also contains caffeine to help with skin complexion and coloring, especially around the eyes
Best anti-aging cream for:
Men with irritated and weakened skin, either from recurrent acne infections or other skin disorders.
Overview:
Hims is a men’s wellness brand that’s been making a lot of headway in a variety of areas – including skincare – since it was formed in 2017 in San Francisco. Their anti-aging kit offers a powerful solution for fighting the inevitable effects of aging on the skin.
A key ingredient in the hims kit is tretinoin, an antibiotic used to treat many bacterial infections. It’s highly effective for skin care in that it renews the skin’s surface and also increases collagen production in your skin.
Collagen is the protein that helps keep skin looking elastic but firm.
Hims also offers an acne-fighting cream that includes the many benefits of tretinoin.
All of the hims’ line of skin creams is available via prescription, although they cost less than a doctor’s prescription for cosmetic creams.
Back to tretinoin, which is a topical retinoid that speeds up the skin cell turnover process to allow your body to replace older cells on the surface of the skin with newer, fresher ones.
Tretinoin cream is available in several strengths; the strongest cream in the U.S. contains .1% tretinoin. Again, you only can purchase tretinoin cream by prescription in the U.S.
The hims complete anti-aging set includes a wrinkle cream which you apply at night to decrease puffiness and hyaluronic acid, while it also locks in moisture to keep your skin hydrated.
A key ingredient in the hims’ p.m. cream is caffeine, which is proven to have a variety of skin-healthy effects (don’t worry, the caffeine found in the cream won’t keep you awake all night).
The crew at hims advises that you apply this cream on a clean face three nights a week.
You can use it more as your skin becomes accustomed to the treatment – and continue to use it for a long time.
Note: If you’re interested in seeing a physician, hims matches you with an independent physician who will evaluate whether or not you’re an appropriate candidate for the prescription product.
Pros
- Contains tretinoin, a powerful anti-aging antibiotic
- Accelerates cell turnover
- Good for long-term use
Cons
- Skin may appear dry and flaky at first
Bottom line
Hims backs its line of skin creams with a lot of science and research, and it’s hard to argue with the results. You’ll notice the difference in your skin with consistent use.
5. Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Skin
Best features:
- Pure hyaluronic acid formula
- Ultra-hydrating
- Helps dark circles under eyes
Best anti-aging cream for:
Those with stubborn skin that is hard to hydrate or maintain. Best if you are looking for quick results after stressful skin events (like a week sunbathing or being exposed to harsh environments).
Overview:
Like retinol, hyaluronic acid is something of a magic ingredient for treating the signs of skin aging. It hydrates, which is important because our skin loses some of its self-moisturizing components as we age, and it fixes uneven skin tone.
The Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Skin does exactly what its name suggests: it provides maximum hydration to dry skin, which, in turn, helps prevent and reduce typical signs of aging on a man’s face.
It makes your skin softer, plumper, and smoother (i.e., healthier) and uses a gentle formula that’s clinical strength yet also suitable for men with sensitive skin.
It’s suitable for men of all skin types, for that matter.
There are many reasons to include this serum on our list. For one, reviewers love that it results in visible improvements that are quickly noticeable.
For another, its ingredients are paraben-free and vegan-friendly, so you can use it without worrying about causing “hidden” damage to your skin.
It even helps to reduce those dark circles under your eyes that make you look perpetually weary.
It’s also fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about it following you around like bad cologne.
We recommend only using the best, most sexy colognes, but that’s another story.
Just a note: it’s a serum, which means that it’s a bit more watery than other anti-aging creams and products, but it works.
Pros
- 100% concentrated hyaluronic acid
- Quickly diminishes the look and signs of wrinkles and fine lines
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Different people may experience different results
Bottom line
You won’t find nasty ingredients in this paraben-free serum, but you will find a heavy dose of hyaluronic acid – which is a good thing when it comes to skin health. It boosts skin that loses some self-moisturizing qualities as you age.
6. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Night Cream Treatment
Best features:
- Combines all core anti-aging ingredients
- Non-comedogenic
- Kind to sensitive skin
Best anti-aging cream for:
Men who are looking to give maximum moisturize and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles without overloading the skin.
Overview:
For years, women have raved about the benefits of applying a facial cream at night, and the benefits are many, including that creams continue to moisturize your face while you sleep. Remember: proper hydration is the name of the game when it comes to skincare products.
While Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Night Cream Treatment is suitable for morning use, it’s recommended that you use it at night to provide your skin with superb overnight hydration. It also has other advantages and benefits, including:
- It contains retinol, an essential ingredient in treating wrinkles, including before they develop.
- It acts as a cleansing agent that removes dirt particles and oils that accumulate in your skin’s pores.
- Its formula includes sun protection, and it’s rich in nutrients and vitamins.
- It’s also hypo-allergenic, which means you don’t have to worry about your skin becoming irritated the longer you use it.
- Another key ingredient found in Neutrogena’s Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Night Cream is an alpha-hydroxy acid, another powerhouse in the fight against wrinkles.
- You don’t need to use it in conjunction with a conventional moisturizer.
- It’s oil-free, so men with oilier skin can use it with confidence.
- It’s suitable for men and women.
- It includes vitamin B5 and vitamin E to aid in moisturizing the skin while also working to even out skin tone.
Another thing Neutrogena has going for it is that it’s a highly-recognizable, popular brand name that sells its products in over 70 countries.
Not that big brand names always produce high-quality products, but Neutrogena is a trusted name that gets plenty of thumbs-up from dermatologists.
Pros
- It’s the best anti-aging night cream
- Good for men and women
- Unclogs pores
Cons
- Perhaps not as suitable for men with sensitive skin as other anti-aging products
Bottom line
Neutrogena knows what it’s doing when it comes to skincare products for men and women.
Their Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream provides a nighttime solution for keeping your face hydrated and free of wrinkles.
7. Rugged & Dapper Face Moisturizer for Men
Best features:
- A mix of moisturizer, aftershave, and anti-aging cream
Best anti-aging cream for:
Guys who don’t have much time for their skincare routine and want a moisturizer that does it all.
Overview:
Rugged & Dapper’s face moisturizer already earns high marks for what its name implies – as a moisturizer– but it also packs an anti-aging punch that makes it one of the best all-around skin products for men.
Hey, it even works as an aftershave, albeit an unscented one (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).
The thought process at work for the developers of the Rugged & Dapper Face Moisturizer for Men is this: while you can’t prevent your skin from aging, strong daily hydration will prevent it from showing signs of aging.
So, just apply a couple of pumps of their face moisturizer after you shower or shave and watch those wrinkles fade away.
As with a lot of top men’s grooming products, Rugged & Dapper’s Face Moisturizer has several natural and organic ingredients, including botanical hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, jojoba, and shea butter, as well as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.
A couple of other reasons we include this moisturizer on our list of the best anti-aging creams for men is that it’s good for all skin types, that it leaves a non-glossy finish that’s decidedly masculine, and that it absorbs quickly into the skin.
Rugged & Dapper’s products have made serious inroads in the men’s skincare market behind a philosophy that men need products that
1) fit into their often hectic lives
2) have long-term positive effects
3) are simple yet effective.
Rugged & Dapper founders Ryan and Janine Labaqui also believe in the effectiveness of quality natural and organic products over other skincare products that include harmful toxins and chemicals.
Like their Face Moisturizer for Men, their products cover all the bases.
Pros
- It’s an all-in-one moisturizer that also serves as an aftershave
- Natural, non-toxic ingredients
- Leaves a smooth, gloss-free finish
Cons
- Doesn’t contain sun protection like some anti-aging creams
Bottom line
It’s hard to beat a product that serves a variety of functions and also qualifies as one of the best facial moisturizers available today. Your skin will get a thorough dose of hydration that will keep fine lines and wrinkles away.
8. Brickell Men’s Restoring Eye Cream for Men
Best features:
- Restores life and vitality to even the most tired of eyes
- Reduces the appearance of dark circles
- Boosts collagen
Best anti-aging cream for:
Men who seem to be aging most around the corners of their eyes and are developing bags underneath them.
Overview:
Your skin is the same in most parts of your face – except around the eyes. That’s easy enough to see as you age; there are “crow’s feet,” bags under your eyes, and other signs of aging lingering around your eye sockets.
Many factors make the skin around your eyes different. For starters, the skin is 10 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. You also use that skin a lot, even if you aren’t conscious of it (did you know that blinking produces 10,000 movements per day?).
The constant tugging and pulling cause the skin to lose elasticity gradually, which eventually leads to lines, wrinkles, and bags.
It only stands to reason that an anti-aging cream for the skin around your eyes has to be fundamentally different than creams for the rest of your facial skin, and Brickell has just such a product with its Restoring Eye Cream for Men.
How does it work? Here’s a closer look:
- Brickell’s Restoring Eye Cream strengthens the skin surrounding the eyes to reduce wrinkles, puffiness, bags, and dark circles. One of its key ingredients is Matrixyl 3000, a blend of protein peptides that boost collagen production. Collagen is the main protein in the structure of the skin.
- Caffeine is another of its ingredients, and caffeine acts as a natural stimulant that improves blood circulation and reduces eye puffiness and dark circles.
- It also includes methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which helps reduce age spots and other common pigmentation issues associated with aging.
As is the case with other Brickell products, their eye cream has a variety of natural and organic ingredients, including aloe, vitamin C, and green tea.
The cream is lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin, and it doesn’t have a greasy feel (or leave a shine). You also can use the Restoring Eye Cream on other parts of your face as a skin toner.
The folks at Brickell stand strongly behind their Restoring Eye Cream and say their product is clinically-proven to reduce wrinkles and boost collagen by 45% in only two months.
Given their track record of developing top-notch men’s grooming products, we have no reason not to believe them.
Pros
- Designed to reduce signs of aging around the eyes
- Smooth, creamy feel
- Absorbs quickly and produces fast results
Cons
- Container isn’t overly big
Bottom line
There are a variety of products available that target the skin around the eyes, but we think none are better than Brickell’s Men’s Restoring Eye Cream. It strengthens the skin surrounding your eyes to eliminate obvious signs of aging.
The when & how of it: Applying anti-aging cream (A simple, illustrated guide)
People – and their skin – age at different rates.
Yes, that’s pretty obvious, but it’s relevant to our discussion because many men wonder when they should begin to apply anti-aging creams to their faces. It’s a valid question – certainly one to consider before you purchase your first cream.
Here are a couple of rules of the road.
First, there’s no need to jump the gun and start applying it in your 20s, even if you notice a few wrinkles. Experts say that your skin repairs itself during this stage of life and that applying anti-aging creams may harm sensitive spots and cause irritation.
Most people notice signs of aging in their 30s. Their skin becomes dull because the rate of skin cell turnover (which normally lasts two weeks) becomes slower.
You’ll notice more lines and wrinkles in your 40s, imperfections that often are corrected by moisturizers, but anti-aging creams should be in every man’s arsenal once they hit 50, if not sooner.
Applying anti-aging cream isn’t all that complicated, but it’s a process that has its own set of rules and suggestions.
1. Don’t mix products
You may think that bombing those fine lines and wrinkles with a multitude of anti-aging products will create unprecedented results. It won’t.
Instead, using several anti-aging products at once may irritate your skin and make the signs of aging more noticeable.
Stick with one product and give it time to work (up to two months or more). If you don’t see results by then, and only then, switch to another product.
2. Don’t stop when you see results
Whatever you do, don’t stop using a product when those lines and wrinkles disappear. Doing so invites those signs of aging to make an encore performance.
3. Don’t continue to use a product that causes irritation
Look for another product if your anti-aging cream or serum stings or burns your skin. Irritated skin enhances wrinkles and other signs of aging.
One way to test a product is to apply a small amount of it to your inner forearm for a few days to see it causes a reaction on your skin.
4. Don’t skimp on the amount – but don’t use too much, either
A marble or quarter-sized blob of cream should cover every inch of your face.
Start with your cheeks and continue over your neck and the base of your throat. An anti-aging cream also may provide sun protection, so you don’t want to apply too small of an amount, but don’t overdo it.
Using too much product may dry your skin and leave it with an unwanted sheen.
5. Go easy around the eyes
The skin is much thinner and more delicate around your eyes, so carefully apply your anti-aging cream to those areas.
Don’t rub or tug too hard, but make sure you rub the cream deeply enough that it disappears from the surface of your skin.
Put a small amount of cream on your finger and swipe it once under your eye while moving toward your nose. Blend it in with gentle, sweeping motions.
6. Use it after you’ve washed, shaved, and moisturized your skin
Using a moisturizer in conjunction with an anti-aging cream provides extra hydration that helps trap water in the skin.
Extra moisture reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Moreover, anti-aging ingredients penetrate more deeply into damp skin, but be careful not to irritate sensitive skin.
7. Consider using it at night
Certain anti-aging creams work best at night (see Neutrogena’s Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Night Cream above), but don’t be afraid to use your regular anti-aging cream at bedtime. You’ll get an extra dose of hydration that moisturizes your skin as you sleep.
Anti-aging creams vs. all the rest
Most issues in life have more than one solution – not all, but some. The same holds true for resolving the dilemma of wrinkles and other signs of aging on your face.
We’ve talked at length about face creams, the most popular solution, but by no means is it the only game in town.
Basically, skin aging comes down to two things: natural (such as chronological) processes and environmental (such as exposure to the sun and air pollutants).
Both causes create the most obvious signs of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, discolorations, and skin sagginess, but the primary question becomes how to treat aging skin in a way that addresses both issues.
Let’s look at three ways of dealing with the question: anti-aging creams, Botox, and fillers.
Anti-aging creams
Anti-aging creams are topically-applied solutions that have ingredients that treat the symptoms of aging skin. They don’t stop the physical process of aging – again, nothing does – but they have a variety of ingredients that improve the appearance of wrinkles.
Many anti-aging creams include retinol (vitamin A), hydroxy acids, which help exfoliate the skin while stimulating new skin growth, peptides, and even sunscreen.
Results may vary depending on which anti-aging cream you use, but the best ones provide consistent results that reduce wrinkles and lines.
While results may not happen immediately, users typically notice a difference within a few weeks and will continue to do so if they continue to use their anti-aging cream on a regular basis.
In most cases, you can apply anti-aging cream one or two times a day, and some skin care experts suggest that you apply it at bedtime to give your skin an extra dose of hydration while you sleep.
Botox
Botox treatments remain a fairly common method – albeit expensive – for treating aging skin.
A skincare specialist injects botulinum toxin into facial tissues; the toxin is a protein used in various other cosmetic treatments.
Botox works by relaxing the muscles in the skin, which in turn smooths out wrinkles.
The good news is that a single Botox treatment will take away common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, crow’s feet, and fine lines, with the effect lasting for a few months.
Does it stop the aging process? Again, no, but Botox patients often talk about how noticeably younger they look after treatment.
Another advantage to Botox is that it’s not a surgical procedure, but one performed on an out-patient basis.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of Botox treatment is its cost. A single treatment may cost a few hundred dollars, and additional treatments are needed to maintain the look of younger skin.
Just remember that, like the fillers discussed below, Botox doesn’t actually counteract the real signs and causes of aging underneath the skin. So while your skin may temporarily look smoother, you haven’t done anything constructive to improve its health or longevity into the long term.
The money is probably better spent on excellent anti-aging creams and improving your diet!
Fillers
Fillers often are confused with Botox treatments because they involve injections into the skin, but most fillers contain hyaluronic acid in a gel form. The gel plumps sagging skin to reduce the appearance of lines. Juvederm is a common type of facial filler.
Like Botox injections, however, fillers only last for several months or less, and treatments must be repeated to retain the same youthful look.
Fillers – also known as dermal fillers – have the potential of causing more side effects than botox; side effects may include bruising, numbness, and scars.
Causes of skin aging
The skin is our biggest organ and the one that is most exposed to external, environmental factors. As a result, it receives combined damage and stress from both internal and external, which can work together to accelerate the aging process.[1]
When we talk about skin aging, we are really talking about the end result of a lot of individual and intertwined processes. Not all are immediately visible to others, but the human brain is very good at picking up subtle signs and changes, which is why someone can ‘look old’ even though they may not have classic deep wrinkles and lines on their face.
Some of the signs of aging that our recommended creams are treating include: loss of elasticity, sagging, wrinkling, rough texture, poor circulation, and more.
So why do we care about skin aging? Well, there is, of course, the aesthetic look of your face. But as we know, looks have a much deeper meaning than this. Not only do they imply youth or age, but they also indicate personal health, social standing, economic status, and sexual state.[2]
In other words, ‘looking old’ is a hardwired biological signal (for the onlooker) that we are declining in health, status, and sexual desire. Not something any of us want to be saying about ourselves!
Molecular aging
So while we may think of wrinkles and skin sagging when we think of aging, there is a lot more going on under the surface that contributes to an older look. As well as changes within skin cells on the surface, there are more extensive structural and functional changes in underlying skin components such as collagen and elastin.
These shifts in skin physiology lead to drier skin, fine wrinkles, and a slow weakening of skin structure. These issues are then compounded by multiple pressures from our modern world, such as smoking, air pollution, sun exposure, and more.[3]
But what is the biggest cause of our collective skin aging?
Without a doubt, that would be long-term exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation, otherwise known as too much sun exposure.[4] If you have heard the term ‘photoaging’ before, this is what is being referred to.
In fact, studies show that exposure to UV radiation accounts for about 80% of facial aging.[5]
You don’t have to be a dermatology expert to realize that avoiding the strong sun and using sunscreen is, therefore, an essential part of any man’s anti-aging routine.
Whilst aging caused by internal factors thins the skin, UV radiation thickens the skin, deepening wrinkles and making the skin look rough and tough.
This is exacerbated by the UV effect on collagen. Collagen is a protein that holds our skin structure together, vital for retaining a youthful appearance. UV rays disrupt collagen production and break it down where it joins the dermis and epidermis (the top 2 layers of skin).[6]
It is this damage between the dermis and epidermis that accelerates the appearance of wrinkles. Without internal support to hold your outer skin in place, it starts to slide and wrinkle, no longer able to work against the constant effect of gravity.
These changes then go on to damage the tiny blood vessels that flow throughout your skin, depriving skin cells of vital nutrients and hydration.
How to prevent and treat skin aging
Although we have shown how central the sun is in aging our skin, the cascade of effects that it produces all need attention in order to turn back time on the skin.
There are, of course, still other things like dehydration, smoking, and diet that need to be considered. Simply plastering sunscreen on, whilst it will help protect you from UV radiation and photoaging, will not restore and revitalize your skin.
This is where our list of best anti-aging creams comes in. Selected for their holistic quality, they target many of the varied areas that contribute to premature aging of the skin.
How we chose the best anti-aging creams for men
One of the many things people discover when researching anti-aging creams for men is that the majority of creams have the same ingredients.
The best ones, such as those listed here, include a vast array of natural ingredients, but most contain retinol, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.
That said, separating the effective from the not-so-effective when it comes to skin creams isn’t easy, but by focusing on results, we were able to narrow the list.
User reviews become important – you have to pay attention when a product gets hundreds of positive reviews on a site such as Amazon – but so do other factors, such as versatility (is it good for all skin types?) and whether it properly hydrates the face or not.
Creams that are too drying attract a skeptical eye.
We also considered price and strive to present a list that includes products to fit all budgets. All in all, we think you’ll benefit from choosing any of the products listed here.
Conclusion
That wraps up another product review, gents, and your feedback is welcomed, as always.
What’s your experience with anti-aging creams? Have you tried any of the creams listed here?
We’d love to hear from you.
References
- Zhang, Shoubing, and Enkui Duan. “Fighting against Skin Aging: The Way from Bench to Bedside.” Cell transplantation vol. 27,5 (2018): 729-738. doi:10.1177/0963689717725755
- Blanpain C, Fuchs E. Epidermal stem cells of the skin. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2006;22:339–373.
- Krutmann J, Bouloc A, Sore G, Bernard BA, Passeron T. The skin aging exposome. J Dermatol Sci. 2017;85(3):152–161.
- Mora Huertas AC, Schmelzer CE, Hoehenwarter W, Heyroth F, Heinz A. Molecular-level insights into aging processes of skin elastin. Biochimie 2016;128–129:163–173.
- Friedman O. Changes associated with the aging face. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2005;13(3):371–380.
- Contet-Audonneau JL, Jeanmaire C, Pauly G. A histological study of human wrinkle structures: comparison between sun-exposed areas of the face, with or without wrinkles, and sun-protected areas. Br J Dermatol. 1999;140(6):1038–1047.
- Kafi R, Kwak HS, Schumacher WE, Cho S, Hanft VN, Hamilton TA, King AL, Neal JD, Varani J, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Kang S. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol. 2007 May;143(5):606-12. doi: 10.1001/archderm.143.5.606. PMID: 17515510.
- Liu, Su et al. “Effects of dimethylaminoethanol and compound amino acid on D-galactose induced skin aging model of rat.” TheScientificWorldJournal vol. 2014 (2014): 507351. doi:10.1155/2014/507351
- Butawan, Matthew et al. “Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement.” Nutrients vol. 9,3 290. 16 Mar. 2017, doi:10.3390/nu9030290
- Burke, Karen E. “Mechanisms of aging and development-A new understanding of environmental damage to the skin and prevention with topical antioxidants.” Mechanisms of ageing and development vol. 172 (2018): 123-130. doi:10.1016/j.mad.2017.12.003
- Žmitek, Katja et al. “The effect of dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 on skin parameters and condition: Results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.” BioFactors (Oxford, England) vol. 43,1 (2017): 132-140. doi:10.1002/biof.1316
- Schniertshauer, Daniel et al. “Age-Dependent Loss of Mitochondrial Function in Epithelial Tissue Can Be Reversed by Coenzyme Q10.” Journal of aging research vol. 2018 6354680. 5 Sep. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/6354680
- Rouvrais, Céline et al. “Antiaging efficacy of a retinaldehyde-based cream compared with glycolic acid peel sessions: A randomized controlled study.” Journal of cosmetic dermatology vol. 17,6 (2018): 1136-1143. doi:10.1111/jocd.12511
- Oyetakin-White P, Suggs A, Koo B, et al. Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(1):17–22.
- Sundelin T, Lekander M, Kecklund G, Van Someren EJ, Olsson A, Axelsson J. Cues of fatigue: effects of sleep deprivation on facial appearance. Sleep. 2013;36(9):1355–1360.
- Puri, Poonam et al. “Effects of air pollution on the skin: A review.” Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology vol. 83,4 (2017): 415-423. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.199579
- Cao C, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ge C. Diet and Skin Aging-From the Perspective of Food Nutrition. Nutrients. 2020;12(3):870. Published 2020 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/nu12030870
- Balić A., Vlašić D., Žužul K., Marinović B., Bukvić Mokos Z. Omega-3 Versus Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020;21:741. doi: 10.3390/ijms21030741.
- Dupati A., Helfrich Y.R. Effect of cigarette smoking on skin aging. Expert Rev. Dermatol. 2014;4:371–378. doi: 10.1586/edm.09.33.
- Farkas A., Kemény L., Széll M., Dobozy A. Ethanol and acetone stimulate the proliferation of Ha Ca T keratinocytes: The possible role of alcohol in exacerbating psoriasis. Arch. Dermatol. Res. 2003;295:56–62. doi: 10.1007/s00403-003-0399-2.
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