The results: 7 facial products that live up to their claims to reduce fine lines, brown spots, dark circles, and more. And each winner costs less than $50! If you’re yearning to look younger, prepare to fall for these top picks. Meet Our Judges:
Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, assistant clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine; practices in New York CityTina Alster, MD, clinical professor at Georgetown University; practices in Washington, DCDavid bank, MD, associate professor at Columbia University/Presbyterian Hospital; practices in Mt. Kisco, NYDavid Goldberg, MD, clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; practices in New York, New Jersey, and FloridaRanella Hirsch, MD, past president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology & Aesthetic Surgery; practices in Cambridge, MAMary Lupo, MD, clinical professor at Tulane University School of Medicine; practices in New OrleansSusan Weinkle, MD, assistant clinical professor at the University of South Florida; practices in Bradenton, FL .
Best SPF Day Lotion Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion SPF 30 ($42; drugstores) Wrinkles, meet your match. This luxurious lotion packs two powerful peptides that work to smooth fine lines and firm skin by speeding the production of new collagen. Testers also noticed (or should we say didn’t notice?) fewer brown spots, thanks to niacinamide, a B vitamin that has the bonus benefit of increasing hydration–a plus for those with dry, sensitive skin, says judge Susan Weinkle, MD. Sunscreenphobes, rejoice: Though it’s packed with a broad-spectrum SPF 30, Florida testers loved how the lotion seeped quickly into skin without feeling heavy or tacky.Use it right: Slather on exposed areas at least 20 minutes before heading out the door. To ensure protection, allow it to soak in before putting on your makeup. Best Night Cream RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment ($25; drugstores) After 2 weeks, testers were hooked on this dream cream: “My skin seemed to glow in the morning,” says one. By week 8, judge David Bank, MD, reported significant improvement in fine lines and brown spots–as many as 10 spots on each tester faded away. He credits proven multitaskers like retinol and vitamin C, which rev radiance, smooth and firm skin, and lighten discoloration. Though both ingredients can be irritating, testers didn’t experience any side effects. They did report that the cream left their skin feeling soft all day, thanks to glycerin and vitamin E. Use it right: Apply a small amount to face and neck at night–ideally, 20 minutes before bedtime to maximize absorption. To avoid diluting its effectiveness, don’t use with any other leave-on products. Best Lip Treatment Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge La Base Revitalizing Lip Treatment SPF 10 ($29; lancome-usa.com) This elegant balm does more than leave lips smooth and supple–it plumps them up and gives fine lines the kiss-off! Testers reported that lips immediately looked fuller for up to 3 hours–and even longer with continued use. The workhorse ingredient is Pro-Xylane, a sugar molecule that boosts production of collagen and skin’s built-in moisturizers, says judge David Goldberg, MD.Use it right: Apply throughout the day, allowing it to sink in before putting on gloss or lipstick. Microdermabrasion Treatment Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment ($49.50; esteelauder.com) Ready to get your glow on? This skin polisher instantly boosts brightness, making it a great pick-me-up before an important event. But the real anti-aging benefits came from regular use: After just 1 month of weekly application, judge Mary Lupo, MD, detected that testers’ pores were smaller, fine lines were smoother, and skin was more radiant. That’s due to salicylic acid, glucosamine, and a blend of spherical beads that slough away dulling dead cells and dislodge debris that can trigger breakouts. Prone to irritation? Lupo gives this ultragentle moisturizing formula the thumbs-up even for sensitive skin.Use it right: Rub onto clean damp skin to activate the soothing warmth, which improves penetration; rinse after 5 minutes. Apply weekly at first (if using a retinoid, wait until skin adapts to it); increase to several times a week as skin becomes acclimated. Best Adult Acne Treatment Avon Clearskin Professional Acne Treatment System ($34; avon.com) This easy-to-use system scored an A-plus for beating blemishes. “Testers reported improvement within just a few weeks,” says judge Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD. But unlike teenagers’ treatments, which often dry out 40-plus complexions and make wrinkles more pronounced, this trio of products–a scrub, a toner, and an oil-free lotion–contains humectants that soften and smooth. The regimen relies on salicylic acid, which kills bacteria, dries oil, and unclogs pores, to eradicate existing pimples and prevent new ones. Meanwhile, it speeds skin turnover and stimulates collagen production, so you can forget about fine lines too.Use it right: Start by using the system once a day, then gradually increase to twice a day, if needed. Best Hand Cream Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30 ($6; drugstores) Talk about a hands-down winner! Testers gave this velvety-smooth cream high marks for providing all-day hydration that left even the driest skin soft and supple without feeling greasy. Judge Ranella Hirsch, MD, chalks up the improvement to heavy-duty humectants and emollients that attract and trap water into skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Potent UV protection helps keep future damage off your hands. The best evidence of all: Each tester said she’d buy it. Use it right: Apply every morning and after each hand washing–it’s concentrated, so you need only a dab. Best Eye Cream Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cell 2 Cell Anti-Aging Eye Treatment ($15; CVS pharmacy) If you’re seeing crow’s feet and dark circles, you’ll want to keep this eye cream in your sights. Made with peptides and dermaxyl, a nonirritating synthetic retinoid, it significantly decreased crinkles, brown spots, and undereye darkness in testers, minus any redness or peeling, reports judge Tina Alster, MD. Moisture magnets such as hyaluronic acid attract water to this thin, often dry skin, making it look youthfully plump. Makeup lovers sang its praises: “I got away with wearing less concealer,” says one tester. “It absorbed so quickly, I didn’t have to wait to apply my eye shadow,” says another. Even better, makeup didn’t slip and slide.Use it right: Gently apply a pea-size drop in the morning and evening. “Aggressive rubbing can cause irritation and wrinkling,” says Alster. Follow with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 in the morning to protect fresh cells.
