When I started working at InStyle, Instagram and the iPhone hadn’t yet been invented, Netflix was just a DVD rental service, and Amazon was still an online bookstore. So, like many loyal InStyle readers, I’ve reached the point in life where I’m learning some big lessons: perimenopause starts when you least expect it, it’s a waste of time to worry about what others think of us, and the right anti-aging skin care routine won’t work miracles but it can help reduce the signs of aging.

During my time at InStyle, I experienced many beauty firsts, from dry shampoo to liposuction. I also wasted a lot of money on makeup and skincare products that were popular among celebrities, influencers, and my fellow editors, but weren’t. good for me. These days, I fall into the “mature woman” category, so I’ve seen my share of products that make big promises but don’t deliver. Luckily, I’ve tested most of them on myself, so I’m here to help you find the best products for you. The best part? They’re all available on Amazon, so you can improve your routine without leaving the house. (How I wish I could go back 20 years and invest in Amazon when Jeff Bezos was just starting to move away from books.)

Scroll down to see my best anti-aging skincare splurges and steals.

Retinol

My secret weapon for reducing fine lines, uneven skin tone and rough texture is a over-the-counter retinol serumbut I had to do some trial and error to find the right one. My first mistake? Diving in with tretinoin – a vitamin A derivative but not actually retinol – which made my skin peel off. After consulting my dermatologist, I found my go-to retinols. Thanks to Augustinus Bader’s retinol serum, I can wait longer between Botox appointments, even for the number 11 deep lines between my eyebrows. At $375 for 1 ounce, it’s expensive, so I use it on the areas of my face and neck that need it most, then top it off with the $25 CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. More than 20,000 Amazon shoppers agree: This affordable elixir smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and brightens dull skin.

Vitamin C serum

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

Moisturizers

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

Under-Eye Treatments

The skin under your eyes is thin and delicate, so I recommend a multi-tasking eye serum. With ingredients like algae, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and peptides, Osea Ocean Eyes Anti-Aging Eye Serum is a vegan gel that wakes up tired eyes. It has a roller applicator that cools as you go and also targets dark circles and bags. Neutrogena Rapid Retinol Pro+ Eye Cream is also an effective formula that reduces fine lines, bags, and dark circles, and it’s currently under $30, which is why over 20,000 Amazon shoppers have purchased it over from last month.

Facial cleanser

I’m a big fan of double cleansing, so I use two facial washes every day. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser doesn’t actually contain anti-aging ingredients, but the non-irritating formula includes ceramides to protect the skin barrier. I use it first to create a clean, hydrated canvas for the Augustinus Bader Gel Cream Cleanser, which contains the brand’s proprietary TFC8, a blend of amino acids, vitamins and peptides that has blurred my fine lines and my hyperpigmentation.

Tonics

Until I was 40, I wasn’t even sure of the purpose of a facial toner was. I now know that it completes the cleansing process and helps prepare my skin for the other products in my skincare routine. The star ingredient in Clear Lotion SK-II Facial Treatment Hydrating Toner is PITERA, a fermented yeast extract containing amino acids, minerals and organic acids that gently exfoliate to remove dead skin and dirt and diminish the signs hyperpigmentation. The toner also promotes skin cell renewal, so regular use gives me a more radiant complexion. I’ve been using Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner since I had my first rash when I was 12 years old. It is a natural “farm to toner” astringent with antioxidant properties that can help protect skin from environmental damage, which contributes to premature aging.

Night creams

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

Anti-aging beauty devices

When I lived in New York in my 20s and 30s, I was a chain-smoking, champagne-drinking red carpet reporter. It was certainly fun, but all the cigarette smoke and late nights took a toll on my skin. Moving to Los Angeles transformed my life; I no longer smoke cigarettes or drink, and now I spend my nights in a sensory deprivation float tank, take an infrared-heated spinning class, or get an IV NAD+ drip. So I’m always ready to try something new beauty device. My favorite is the TheraFace face mask. A 9-minute cycle includes three types of LED light therapy and a wonderful facial massage. I have noticed a dramatic reduction in hyperpigmentation and acne breakouts since I started using it 6 months ago. The Solawave Skincare Wand is red light therapy that fits in the palm of your hand, and a daily 3-minute session helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and blemishes.

Body oils

Applying a luxurious body oil after a hot bath is the cherry on top of a self-care cake. A good body oil provides nutrition that helps improve elasticity, which can make skin firmer and plumper and reduce the appearance of crepey skin. I recently became a fan of Grown Alchemist products: try them Anti-frizz shampoo And conditioner and thank me later. The brand’s body care oil is scented with musky floral notes of ylang ylang, which won’t please everyone’s nose. If you prefer something fragrance-free, I suggest the dermatologist-recommended Organic Oil, formulated for sensitive skin and costing just $14.

Why buy with us

Bronwyn Barnes | I have over 20 years of experience reviewing beauty products. For this story, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite anti-aging products, chosen after years of interviews with dermatologists and makeup artists and using information from my own tests. I’m not afraid to invest in an expensive beauty product or device, but only if it really works, but I also enjoy a budget purchase and often pack these products in my suitcase when I travel.