5 Anti-aging Moisturizers 2021 Top Picks for Beginners

Perhaps you decided to glance at this article because you have observed yourself more frequently over the past 10 months, since lockdown began, or perhaps you have begun noticing the creeping signs of age on your skin when you look in the mirror.

Regardless of the cause, it is undeniable that we have never been so confronted with our own appearance and reflection than this past year, where our entire lives went online.

We spent how much of this time in Zoom meetings or Messenger calls, FaceTime, you name it…constantly being reminded of our own face in a small square in the corner of our screen and conscientious that the person on the other side is possibly seeing you in high definition, in closeup; not very flattering is one way to put it.

Has the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles been a concern, loss of tone or elasticity of your skin? Do you feel like your skin has less bounce?

Then look no further dear and have no fear, one of the best ways to delay the signs of time and to have healthy, glowing skin, youthful skin, regardless of their age is to make sure you have a great moisturizer.

Suggestion #1 : You need way more moisture and OIL!

As we age, our skin becomes more adapted to the various products we use, and the efficiency of the products may wane with the passage of time. Many skincare customers are often very loyal and may have been using the same products for years, this obviously makes the cosmetic companies happy; however, is your skin happy with that same choice? Remember that your skin’s needs changes with time.

In your early years, the skin can take more abuse and it generally needs a simple cleansing and moisturizing and sun protection system.

In the years of early adulthood, I recommend adding serums, and essences to add more specific care to any of the issues you may have (redness, dryness, uneven tone, large pores, acne, etc.)

Once you are in your Thirties, I recommend a more serious approach, with more targeted care and possibly more serums to manage the expectations you have for you skin.

One of the great discoveries I made in the recent years was that though my skin was more combination oily, because I was getting older it did not have the same elasticity and the fine lines were beginning to show more frequently.

I began by doubling my serums and then I decided to double and sometimes even triple my hydration, especially at night.

I always mix products that are fragrance-free and I do not mix ingredients or actives that are not compatible with each other at the same time.

I also make sure that the last moisturizer I use on my skin is truly occlusive. An occlusive moisturizer is one that has a combination of water and oil, the oil in the product helps to seal in the water, it prevents it from evaporating on the skin and creating water loss. The plumper and fuller your skin is with retained water from the moisturizing, the younger and plumper and fuller your skin will look.

I always add to this a coat of a face oil, a finely cold -pressed oil that is safe for the face. Marula oil, Rose Hip oil, Sweet Almond oil, Chia oil and Argan oil are prime examples of recommended oils to use on the face. I use a few drops over my last occlusive moisturizer to seal the added hydration into my skin.

In Aesthetics, you learn that only products with oil can be considered moisturizers, you need the oil in water combination, otherwise you are using hydrators.

Hydrators are great at bringing water to the skin, their job is not to keep it in place, the oil-based products are the only ones that can do this.

So, to all of you buying oil free moisturizers, you may inadvertently be doing more harm than good to your skin.

I was deathly afraid of oils because of my breakout and acne prone skin, I thought it would be the worst thing I could put on my face and I was wrong. My skin has embraced it and my skin does not overproduce oil as it once did.

I have suggested this technique to several friends and clients, and they have since sworn by the added moisture and the ending occlusive layer. And everyone keeps telling me I am ageing backwards, so there is something to this that seems to work with older and more dehydrated skins.

Suggestion #2 : Change your Moisturizer!

If you have been using the same moisturizer for years, the time to change it has finally come. Your skin needs different things depending on the season, as well as the period in your life.

Here are a few suggestions of moisturizers I have discovered over the last year that I am completely in love with. Starting a skincare routine, doesn’t mean you need to buy all your Anti-aging Moisturizers at once! Like a wine or record collection, you can build slowly.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin

Not only does this massive tub last an incredible amount of time, but it is also, one of my favorite products that I discovered last year. I had originally bought this for a friend and had not intended to use it personally. I ended up giving my friend another product and I decided to try this product on a whim. Since that day I have been using this moisturizer daily. It is filled with ceramides which are lipid molecules that help to repair any damaged skin, by helping to repair the skin’s moisture barrier. It is also highly occlusive; it will seal and lock that moisture in all day. Though the product is not sexy or flashy, it feels unbelievably great on the skin. Fragrance-free as well!

Neutrogena – Hydro-Boost Gel for Sensitive Skins -Fragrance Free

Another pharmacy discovery that I never thought I would enjoy. I had not used Neutrogena since I was a kid, it often gets negative reviews for its unnecessary use of chemicals and fragrance. When I read up on the amazing skin plumping benefits of this moisturizer, I was too curious to pass it up, especially when I saw it on special.

I am on my second jar right now and I am loving this moisturizer. It is highly effective at making the skin more youthful in appearance as it fills the skin with hydration. As a first moisturizer I highly recommend it, it does really make the fine lines and wrinkles diminish as the product is loaded with Hyaluronic Acid.

I’m from – Mugwort Cream

I’m from is one of my Eastern Beauty discoveries. A South Korean beauty company, they create mid range to high end luxury skin care items that are delightful to use. I have discovered several of their products this year and none of them have disappointed me.

The Mugwort Cream is not something you will find at Hogwarts, though it does have a Potteresque ring to it. Mugwort is a more common name for plants coming from the Artemisia vulgaris family. Mugwort has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties which make it wonderful for soothing troubled skin or blemish prone skin.

This cream is so light and fresh and feels positively incredible when applied to the skin. I will be repurchasing this product again as it is highly soothing for the skin.

COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 – All in one Cream

Another South Korean discovery, COSRX is an indie skincare brand that exploded in South Korea and is now selling internationally. Their products are made from simple, clean formulations and are highly efficient and fragrance free for the most part.

The Advanced Snail 92 – All in one Cream is made from snail secretions called mucin. Science has discovered that the mucin , the substance that snails produce as the slither and move around is designed to help repair any damage to their bodies as they are always moving across rough, sharp and uneven surfaces.

Snails apparently produce 2 types of secretions, one that is highly beneficial to repairing damaged skin cells and the other secretion is more of a defense system and would be considered toxic for our skin. It is for this reason that the snails must be in a calm mood to secrete the substance. I was ethically concerned about an animal by-product as I know that typically, cosmetic companies do not care for the well being of the animals. However, COSRX claims that the snails are well treated.

The cream itself is a special, gel-type texture that is very hydrating on the skin and quite unique in the way that it applies on the skin. Completely fragrance free, this product is a life saver, absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling nourished while it gives the skin a dewy ,fresh finish.

The INKEY List – Bakuchiol Moisturizer

Bakuchiol is the newest addition to the anti-ageing arsenal of wonder ingredients. Bakuchiol is a compound discovered in the seed of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, commonly used in traditional Chinese and Indian Medicine. It has been named from its Sanskrit name, Bakuchi.

Recent research has shown that it has incredible properties that can act similar to retinol and help promote cellular renewal at a more rapid rate. This makes it an excellent moisturizer for anti-ageing. Add to that the price tag, The INKEY List, exclusive in Canada at Sephora online, is a newer company from the UK that focus on powerful, effective formulations at a low cost.

However this moisturizer is not available through Sephora anymore, I am very sad about this. You can order it directly from the company itself on the link attached.

I am on my fourth tube of this product and it is just heavenly on the skin. Fragrance-free and easily absorbed, this moisturizer will leave the skin feeling refreshed without feeling heavy.

I hope my tips and suggestions help you out and remember to pamper that skin and add the occlusive moisture barrier, you will thank me as soon as you see your skin appear firmer, plumper and fresher. Love your self and your skin!

Stay beautiful!