Concealer That Firms Photo by Getty Images To tighten skin under your eyes, try concealer with peptides, like Covergirl + Olay Eye Rehab Concealer ($12, ulta.com) or Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer ($28, sephora.com). Peptides, the building blocks of proteins, make lines less prominent in two ways: by signaling cells to produce more collagen and by helping facial muscles relax. That’s why they make sense in concealers. “The skin around your eyes is thin, so these agents can penetrate deeply and work effectively,” says Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. They’re less irritating than anti-aging products like retinoids, making them suitable for this sensitive area. Another benefit: plumping thin under-eye skin makes circles less noticeable, so over time you may need less concealer. Foundation That Smoothes To improve your complexion all day, try foundation with retinol, like L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Makeup ($10, walmart.com) or Pürminerals 4-in-1 Liquid Foundation SPF 15 ($36, dermstore.com). Decades of research proves that retinoids even out skin tone and ease fine lines. “If you also use a nightly skin treatment, a foundation with retinol allows you to fight aging 24-7,” says Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine. Research from L’Oreal shows a 31% improvement in wrinkles after 4 weeks of wearing just a retinoid-packed foundation. It’s a plus for the acne-prone, too, because retinol helps prevent breakouts by keeping pores clear. The most effective options are liquids or creams, as the the texture and stability of retinol makes it difficult to blend into powders, explains Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist in Chicago. Bonus: these moisturizing formulas won’t seep into lines and exaggerate wrinkles. MORE: 5 Easy Makeup Tricks To Look 10 Years Younger Blush That Boosts Glow Photo by Stephen Smith/Getty Images Antioxidants are a plus in all makeup because they offer an extra dose of protection from free radicals. But because the cheeks, chin, and forehead are exposed to high concentrations of UV light (a potent source of these damaging molecules), wearing a blush or bronzer infused with antioxidants is a smart youth-boosting move. For the best protection, look for products that include a variety of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, white and green tea, or polyphenols like grape seed extract and coffeeberry extract, says Alexiades-Armenakas. A blend of antioxidants casts a wider net to stop the damage from other sources of free radicals. Try GloMinerals GloCream Blush ($25, gloprofessional.com), which contains vitamins A, C, and E and green tea extract, and BareMinerals Ready Bronzer ($24, sephora.com), which has grape seed oil and carrot root extract. Lip Color That Plumps Photo by Getty Images The skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid, a humectant that fights dryness. But as HA levels nose-dive with age, skin becomes less plump, and wrinkles look more pronounced. While cosmetics with HA can hydrate the skin all over your face, it’s especially effective in lipstick. “The skin on the lips lacks oil glands, so lips are particularly prone to drying—making them look thinner and more wrinkled,” says Wu. Lipsticks packed with this moisture magnet, like the peptide- and hyaluronic acid-containing Perricone MD No Lipstick Lipstick ($30, perriconemd.com) and Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($30, esteelauder.com) help lips regain fullness. Even better, the results can continue long after the lipstick wears off. In clinical research conducted by LipFusion, a lip care company, the plumping and hydrating benefits of lipsticks with HA lasted as long as 48 hours. MORE: The Right Ways To Apply Your Anti-Aging Beauty Products So They’ll Actually Work
