Best anti-wrinkle skincare for men
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Ageing is inevitable.
We’re all going to grow older and (hopefully) wiser, so we shouldn’t see our ever-maturing visage as a negative. Just take a look at 62-year-old George Clooney to see how it really is possible to age like a fine wine.
But, if the silver fox himself is on your future dream board, it’s important to take care of your skin in the meantime - after all, who wouldn’t want to hold on to their even complexion, perfectly plump cheeks and lack of fine lines forever more?
Although, like Cher, we can’t turn back time, the easiest way to cling to our beautiful youth for as long as possible is with a consistent skincare regime. A cleanser, moisturiser and SPF are the fundamentals, but if you really want to slow down the clock, it’s time to invest in an anti-wrinkle cream too.
The hardest part is choosing which will work best for you and your lifestyle. We caught up with Sarah Barker, CEO of Opalore Skincare, and Gemma Colao, founder of OTO, to find out more.
Do anti-wrinkle creams work?
In short, the answer is yes - the good ones, anyway. They’re packed with skin-loving ingredients which deliver a wide range of benefits, whether that’s nourishment or hydration, firmness or protection. Each formula is directed at something different, so you’ll need to choose the best for your needs.
Barker suggests pre and postbiotics are the best: “The best ingredients to look out for are pre and postbiotics. Like gut health, these feed the good bacteria of the microbiome which support the network of immune cells under the surface layer of skin.”
For Colao, CBD is the wonder product: “CBD's anti-inflammatory properties make it perfect for providing your skin with a refreshing boost. I combined it with the antioxidant benefits of chaga mushroom to strengthen the skin’s barrier, boost collagen production, and effectively soothe and brighten.”
When should I start using anti-wrinkle cream?
Everyone’s ageing process varies, so it’s hard to know the optimum time to take preventative measures. Colao’s opinion? “Typically our skin begins to age more dramatically in our forties, so starting a skincare routine earlier, perhaps in your thirties, can help mitigate those signs of ageing later.”
Barker turns to scientific evidence for her take: “Through our research at Opalore, we’ve discovered that an imbalanced microbiome is a root cause of ageing. By maintaining skin health from early adulthood, the onset of skin ageing can be delayed. Male wrinkles tend to occur later than females, but changes occur more quickly once they start. Prevention is key.”
What are the best ways to combat the ageing process?
An anti-ageing cream isn’t going to work alone, but when paired with a consistent skincare regime and a healthy lifestyle, you’ll start to reap the benefits.
Barker breaks it down: “Lifestyle choices such as eating a healthy fresh diet, reducing stress, avoiding drinking too much alcohol, protecting skin from UV rays and getting a good night’s sleep will help. When it comes to skincare, look for products that are kind to skin and avoid harsh preservatives and chemicals that disrupt the microbial balance.”
For Colao, consistency is key: “It's essential to find what works best for you and your lifestyle - keep it simple and keep it consistent. When it comes to skincare, you want to protect your skin during the day and use stronger actives at night. If you are just starting out with skincare, though, remember that something is always better than nothing.”
Keep scrolling for the best
Opalore The Brilliance Cream
A brand whose ethos is supporting skin’s health as it ages, Opalore is a specialist in the anti-ageing field - and the first to use microbiome science to counter the effects of growing older. Its moisturisers, which are numbered from one to five, are each designed with a different age group in mind, with ‘one’ being 18 - 29 and ‘five’ being 60+.
As you’d expect, the formulas get gradually richer, more nourishing and thicker as the recommended age gets higher - hence the price increase. Each of them is deeply conditioning, with a specific blend of active ingredients which both protect against future ageing and help with past damage. The brand’s comprehensive set of clinical trials speaks for itself.
Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector 15ml
Ah, the wonderful world of Murad. One of our favourite brands, we’re yet to come across a product we don’t like by the skincare expert - including this anti-wrinkle corrector.
Instead of turning to the likes of fillers and Botox, simply apply this powerful formula - which is infused with hyaluronic acid and squalene - directly to the problem areas with the delightfully smooth metal applicator, and even the most stubborn lines will be smoothed over.
Aesop Boosted Anti-Oxidant Hydration Blend
Whilst you may know Australian beauty brand Aesop from its deliciously smelling hand washes or body cleansers, its speciality is actually skincare. And, with options across dry, sensitive, blemish-prone, oily or normal skin, there’s something for everyone.
This parsley seed-infused combo is recommended for mature skin, thanks to its vitamin-rich credentials which are designed for deeply nourishing hydration. Mix a couple of drops of the oil with a pump of the moisturiser for best results.
Horace Face Firming Gel
Horace is the go-to for affordable men’s skincare which doesn’t compromise quality. Brimming with skin-loving ingredients - two forms of hyaluronic acid, peptides and kakadu plum included - this gel will firm the skin whilst reducing fine lines and imparting plenty of hydration. Better yet, it protects against pollution, too, thanks to antioxidant-rich wild ginger. All for an accessible £24 price point.
ESPA Age-Rebel Moisturiser
If you want your skin to feel hydrated, nourished and smoother (who doesn’t?!), then ESPA’s Age-Rebel cream is the answer. Formulated specifically to combat the ageing process, it’s a great all-rounder for those who want to start their anti-wrinkle journey early - especially as it’s suitable for all skin types.
Its blend of acai and black oat will soothe and moisturise the skin whilst extracts of seaweed and sea fennel will pep up your complexion - and beta-glucan and chitin will calm any signs of redness.
Oskia Renaissance 360 Cream
All of Oskia’s products are infused with the brand’s secret ingredient: MSM. It’s the most bio-available form of sulphur which is needed in over 120 bodily processes - including collagen production - so its positive effects on the skin are numerous.
As you’d expect, it powers this Renaissance 360 Cream, which will improve your skin’s complexion, elasticity and hydration - removing fine lines in the process. Other active ingredients include six types of vitamins, hyaluronic acid and lupin seed, resulting in a blend your skin can’t get enough of.
Malin + Goetz Advanced Renewal Moisturiser
If you suffer from sensitive skin, Malin + Goetz has you covered. Its entire offering is formulated with all skin types in mind with no harsh ingredients in sight - and this renewal moisturiser is no exception.
Its innovative biocompatible ingredients deliver moisture, antioxidant protection and hydration, resulting in a (clinically proven) reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike the vast majority of anti-ageing products, it’s a lightweight texture, so it’s easily absorbed into men’s traditionally rougher skin.
Augustinus Bader The Light Cream 30ml
Well known for The Rich Cream, Augustinus Bader’s cult product loved by beauty editors and celebrities alike, The Light Cream is the brand’s men-friendly skincare iteration thanks to the lighter consistency.
It’s a moisturiser that hydrates, balances, renews, and protects, improving the complexion’s appearance whilst preventing shine - you can expect less visible pores, a supple complexion, and a matte finish even in the heat. An investment worth making.
Patricks Anti-aging Night Serum 30ml
Designed to target lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, scarring, acne and enlarged pores, the Patricks night serum is packed full of ingredients that will return you to your youth. Containing granactive retinoid, which the brand describes as the ‘Rolls Royce of retinoids’, it’s ten times more stable than retinol, and paired with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and probiotics, you’ll wake up with youthful elasticity and suppleness thanks to stimulated cell growth and extra hydration.
Kiehl’s Age Defender Cream Moisturizer 50ml
Dating back to 1851, Kiehl’s have a wealth of experience when it comes to skincare. Formulated specifically for coarser skin, the brand’s Age Defender moisturiser is a powerful and exfoliating formula with linseed extract which absorbs easily into the skin to help visibly reduce lines and wrinkles for firmer-looking skin. For best results, use it morning and night, and try out the eye repair and power serum from the same range.
Typology Firming Moisturiser 0.2% Retinol + Tsubaki Oil 50ml
French brand Typology’s moisturiser with extracts of retinol will stimulate the production of collagen fibres to help reduce the signs of wrinkles and uneven pigmentation, as well as support the skin’s natural barrier with extracts of tsubaki oil. It’s a lightweight formulation that’s suitable for any skin type and works best when with a firming night serum.