Remember how your skin looked and felt like as a child? It’s smooth, bouncy, and radiant – you definitely know that was what “good skin” is like and you also know it looks and feels different now. Thus begins your search for the best anti-aging cream in the market. But before we get to the right products that can help, let’s begin with some general anti-aging tips.

Anti-aging tips: Why do our skin age?

When skin looks “youthful”, it is because it has a nice and smooth epidermis (top layer of skin). More importantly, when your skin cells are healthy, they can perform their function as a good barrier to environmental aggressors, producing abundant collagen and elastin, and being able to repair themselves.

There are two processes that we look at when we talk about anti-aging: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging.

Intrinsic aging is what we can’t change; it refers to the natural aging process that will occur in everyone. In fact, from the time we hit 20 years old, our skin produces 1% less collagen every year. What this means is that it becomes thinner and more fragile.

Apart from this statistic, our skin also performed more poorly in elastin production and the functioning of our sweat and oil glands. All these factors lead to the appearance of signs of aging like wrinkles.

And then there’s the extrinsic aging process. Extrinsic aging refers to how environmental aggressors cause damage to our skin. These aggressors include UV rays and pollution – both of which are very hard to avoid in sunny Singapore.

As we are exposed to more of these aging factors, our skin responds by thickening its cornified layer so it looks rougher, more uneven, and duller. Environmental aggressors can also cause a substantial loss in collagen and elastin, leading to skin that sags and has visible wrinkles.

When should we start using anti-aging creams?

So when’s the best time to start including anti-aging products in your skincare routine? If you remember, we mentioned that our skin starts aging more obviously in our 20s. Instead of only treating the problem when it occurs, having a head-start in skin aging prevention from your 20s will make sure the appearance of signs of aging is slowed down.

You may be worried that anti-aging products are going to be too rich or overwhelming for your skin if you use it while your skin still appears youthful. Well, that’s a stereotype that isn’t particularly true.

First, anti-aging products have improved by leaps and bounds since our mothers’ time and there are many great options out there that offer lightweight textures while delivering effective anti-aging benefits.

Next, many brands have also take into consideration the higher demand by women in their 20s and 30s who are looking to prevent signs of aging. This is why there are also options for prevention of first signs of aging available. All you need to do is to find the right ones that are suitable for your skin and concerns!

Best anti-aging creams to consider

Thankfully, there are many anti-aging creams in the market that can help. Look out for products that contain the following ingredients:

• Amino acids: There are many different types of amino acids. Amino acids such as Arginine and Lysine are great at improving our skin’s ability to repair itself.
• Antioxidants: One of the reasons why UV exposure cause our skin to age is its creation of free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that take energy from healthy cells, leading to oxidative stress. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals so they effectively guard your skin from aging.
• Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is getting all the limelight in the beauty community of late. This ingredient has been proven to help skin look firmer and brighter.

Now that you’re aware of the key ingredients that can give you that anti-aging boost, let’s take a look at the best anti-aging creams to consider.

1. SK-II R.N.A. Radical New Age Cream & R.N.A. Power Airy Milky Lotion

When it comes to anti-aging moisturisers, SK-II is definitely a brand that comes to mind. Remember Niacinamide, one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients around? SK-II carries two moisturisers – Radical New Age and Airy Milky Lotion – which contain this skin-loving goodie, from their award-winning R.N.A Power skincare line.

These two moisturisers are also enriched with RNArchitect Complex, a nourishing anti-aging complex of PITERA™ (the same ingredient that powers the iconic Facial Treatment Essence) and hydrolyzed soy and yeast extracts. These ingredients help to lock in moisture effectively while helping skin look firmer and more radiant.

The result? Intensely hydrated skin that is bouncy and supple to touch and exudes a radiant glow.

The key difference between the two amazing products is in their textures. Radical New Age cream is a soft cream that can be easily absorbed by the skin and is suitable for all skin types, while Airy Milky Lotion has a fluffy and lighter texture that’s soft to touch and gives a refreshing sensation that those with oily skin types will love. The latter can also double up as a great base to prep skin for makeup application.

SK-II R.N.A. Power Radical New Age retails at SGD149 (50g) and is available at all SK-II counters. SK-II R.N.A. Power Airy Milky Lotion retails at SGD149 (50g) and is also available at SK-II counters.

We did a review of the SK-II R.N.A. Power Airy Milky Lotion – read it to find out what we think!

2. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C+E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer

This moisturiser is intensely hydrating and is formulated to prevent and repair visible signs of premature skin aging. Besides providing antioxidant support, thanks to vitamin C in its formula, it also contains a natural source of AHA to give skin a gentle exfoliation for better absorption of other skincare goodies in the product.

The Sunday Riley C.E.O. C+E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer retails at SGD92 and is available at Sephora.

3. 111skin Celestial Black Diamond Cream

This product is out of the world – quite literally. Using an innovative delivery system of rare diamond particles believed to have formed in space, this anti-aging moisturiser promises to help skin regenerate in order to retain its youthful appearance.

In addition, it contains brightening ingredients and other age-defying goodness to make sure that you achieve an overall youthful-looking and radiant complexion.

111skin Celestial Black Diamond Cream retails at SGD1,200 and is available at Robinsons The Heeren.

4. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Anti-Aging Moisturizer

This anti-aging moisturiser is formulated with ingredients like retinol and ferulic acid, which are both proven to have corrective effect on skin. The product has a nourishing, velvety formula that deeply hydrates skin and promises to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, smoothes rough texture, and perking up your overall complexion.

Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Anti-Aging Moisturizer retails at SGD110 and is available at Sephora.

5. Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-lite Anti-aging Cellular Repair

This anti-aging moisturiser features a patent-pending technology – a complex of four different peptides – that promises to help firm, tone, smooth, lift, and clarify skin. On top of its powerful anti-aging benefits, it also contains a suite of vitamins to nourish skin further.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Naked retails at SGD140 and is available at Sephora.

This article was created in collaboration with SK-II.