These Anti-Aging Creams Give You Smooth Skin in Your 20s

Best Anti-Aging Creams For 20s

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Most of us have realized that prevention is much, much easier than treatment. That’s why anti-aging skincare has become more about delaying the arrival of wrinkles than about treating existing ones. And that’s also why anti-aging creams are in demand among people in their 20s.

But as a general rule of thumb, the primary focus of your skincare routine in your 20s is protection and prevention. Because your wrinkles are active wrinkles and they’re not yet permanent. This is common knowledge. So there’s no need to obsess over reducing wrinkles that haven’t even formed yet.

With that being said, what your skin needs changes throughout this decade. So while you might want to go for gentle, preventive anti-aging creams in your early 20s, you can consider more potent options like retinol-infused anti-aging creams in your late 20s. Either way, I’ve got you covered!

Below are the best anti-aging creams to use in your 20s.

Best Anti-Aging Creams For Your 20s

1. Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Power Anti-Aging Cream

Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Power Anti-Aging Cream - Best Anti-Aging Cream For 20s

This anti-aging cream makes it easy to follow an anti-aging skincare routine! It combines the most important element in anti-aging skincare, which is sunscreen, with some of the most effective ingredients. Besides SPF 25, it has vitamin C, vitamin E, and Argireline, which is the peptide touted to work like Botox.

All those goodies are formulated into an incredibly replenishing base to hydrate the skin and lock moisture in. The anti-aging cream has a nice, pleasant scent and a fast-absorbing texture. If you’re someone who forgets to wear sunscreen or you don’t like layering multiple products, this is an amazing anti-aging cream that’ll streamline your routine.

Ingredients: SPF, Argireline, vitamin C
Great For: All-in-one anti-aging SPF cream
Skin Type: Dry, combination
Good To Know: Vegan
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

2. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer - Best Anti-Aging Creams For 20s

You don’t need potentially irritating active ingredients to anti-age in your 20s. If you’re not ready to commit to those, consider this one. This daily moisturizer contains signal peptides as well as growth factors. They help protect your healthy collagen while also stimulating the formation of new ones.

It has marula oil, which is packed with fatty acids to replenish the skin and support the skin barrier. The consistency comes out a little thick but as you rub the moisturizer into the skin, it thins out. It leaves no residue on the skin, works for all skin types, and is an amazing anti-aging cream you can use throughout your 20s.

Ingredients: Peptides, growth factors, amino acids
Great For: Preventative skincare, firming
Skin Type: All skin types
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, silicone-free
Size: 1.69 oz/50 ml

3. Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Oil-Free Moisturizer

Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Oil-Free Moisturizer

This one is a nourishing cream made to replenish and nourish oily and dehydrated skin. If you’re also suffering from oily skin in your 20s, you can hit 2 birds with 1 stone with this one. The oil-free moisturizer plumps up the skin with hyaluronic acid.

And it infuses the skin with watermelon extract, which is super rich in antioxidants and minerals. If you’re in your early 20s, this lightweight cream can be a great addition to your skincare to keep excess oil under control while providing the skin with a daily dose of antioxidants.

Ingredients: Watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, licorice extract
Great For: Hydrating without clogging, protection against free radicals
Skin Type: All, especially oily and acne-prone
Good To Know: Oil-free, non-comedogenic, vegan, cruelty-free
Size: 2 oz/60 ml

4. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream - Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Creams For 20s

If you’re dealing with dullness, uneven skin tone, or acne marks in your 20s, this brightening anti-aging cream is for you. It’s made with vitamin C, which is the ultimate ingredient to tackle said issues. Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, is also helpful in stimulating collagen production.

And it guards the skin against free radicals. Plus, it contains soothing Centella Asiatica extract as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid. And the fact that it’s oil-free makes it suitable to use on oily, acne-prone skin as well.

Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid
Great For: Evening out skin tone, brightening
Skin Type: All skin types
Good To Know: Contains fragrance, oil-free, dermatologist-tested
Size: 1.3 oz/40 ml

5. Bliss Bright Idea Moisturizer

Bliss Bright Idea Moisturizer - Best Affordable Anti-Aging Creams For 20s

And speaking of vitamin C, this is another one that combines vitamin C with signal peptides to increase collagen production. And it has green tea, which is one of the most powerful plant-derived antioxidants to erase and prevent signs of aging.

In addition, the niacinamide-infused cream also contains licorice extract to double the skin-brightening effects. If you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation, layer this one under your sunscreen to reduce dark spots and prevent the formation of new ones.

Ingredients: Vitamin C derivative, peptides, niacinamide, ceramides
Great For: Brightening, antioxidant benefits
Skin Type: All skin types
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, contains fragrance
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

6. Olay Total Effects 7in1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15

Olay Total Effects 7in1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15 - Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Cream For 20s

This is an affordable drugstore anti-aging cream for your 20s. It’s suitable for all skin types and it’s oil-free. It has your basic daily sun protection too! Besides green tea, it has powerful antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to guard the skin against free radical damage.

Moreover, the moisturizer contains vitamin B3, aka niacinamide, for its amazing skin-restoring ability to prevent moisture loss. The budget-friendly cream is lightweight and also contains retinyl propionate, aka vitamin A, to boost healthy collagen formation.

Ingredients: Chemical SPF 15, vitamins A, B3, B5, E
Great For: Preventing free radical damage, brightening, plumping
Skin Type: All skin types
Good To Know: Oil-free, fragrance-free
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

7. Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Cashmere Moisturizer

Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Firming Cashmere Moisturizer

This is a potent anti-aging cream perfect for your mid and late 20s. It has signal peptides for collagen and elastin growth. More importantly, it has an impressive antioxidant to target signs of aging: resveratrol. Besides its ability to neutralize free radicals, resveratrol also brightens the skin, reduces dark spots, and improves skin texture.

Additionally, it has hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and a comfortable texture to lock moisture in. It prevents dehydration and softens the skin, keeping it plump and bouncy. The consistency is a bit thicker than gel cream but not as thick as a balm. It absorbs fast and leaves the skin looking subtly radiant.

Ingredients: Resveratrol, hyaluronic acid
Great For: Plumping dehydration lines, brightening, firming
Skin Type: Normal, dry, sensitive
Good To Know: 97% natural ingredients, contains fragrance
Size: 1.6 oz/50 ml

8. Paula’s Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream

Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream - Best Anti-Aging Cream For 20s

Retinol is majorly anti-aging and you should consider it if you want to be preventative or if you’re already in your late 20s. This one is an effective anti-aging cream that retexturizes the skin with the help of retinol. It speeds up cell turnover and renews the skin from the inside out, making it smoother, softer, brighter, and healthier. Besides wrinkles, retinol also helps with acne and scarring.

The cream utilizes squalane and ceramides to prevent dryness, which can happen when you’re using retinol. Additionally, antioxidants from green tea and licorice treat and prevent free radical damage. If you’re interested in getting started with retinol and wondering what else is out there, remember to see our round-up of the best retinols for your 20s.

Ingredients: 0.01% retinol, green tea, licorice root, peptides, ceramides
Great For: Increasing skin turnover, softening wrinkles
Skin Type: Normal, combination, dry
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

9. Estee Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer

Estee Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Moisturizer - Best Anti-Aging Cream For 20s

And lastly, Estee Lauder has this antioxidant-rich moisturizer. The cream comes in different formulas: one for dry skin and one for normal/combination skin. The former has a rich base made with shea butter while the latter has a gel-like base. So you can choose the product depending on your skin type. Both creams contain chemical SPF, which is great if you tend to forget to wear sunscreen.

Both creams contain vitamins C and E, and plant-derived antioxidants. So you get nice sun protection as well as potent antioxidants to fend off wrinkles without using potential irritants. Both of them contain humectants like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin, making the cream an amazing anti-aging moisturizer no matter your skin type.

Ingredients: Chemical SPF 15, vitamins C, E, caffeine, hyaluronic acid
Great For: Antioxidant benefits, sun protection, long-lasting moisture
Skin Type: Available for different skin types
Good To Know: Contains-fragrance
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

So these are some of the best anti-aging creams to use in your 20s. It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin. So don’t worry too much about already seeing wrinkles or fine lines. Establish a good skincare routine and follow these tips to prevent wrinkles in your 20s.

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, keep reading for things to keep in mind and what to look for in anti-aging creams for 20-somethings.

How To Choose Anti-Aging Creams to Use in Your 20s

Active Ingredients

Active ingredient is an umbrella term used to define certain high-performing ingredients formulated into skincare products. Some of the most common ones are antioxidants like vitamin C, and retinol, niacinamide, peptides, and exfoliants. Active ingredients are what turn a basic moisturizer into an anti-aging one. So look for these in your anti-aging creams.

Skin Type

One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing an anti-aging cream to use in your 20s is your skin type. Whatever cream you’re using, it needs to be suitable for your skin type. Otherwise, you might experience breakouts, or sensitivity, or the cream may not work for you at all. For that reason, read the label and see if the product claims to work for your skin type. In general, go for oil-free, non-comedogenic anti-aging creams if you have oily skin. And go for thicker creams if you have dry skin. And try to avoid fragrance in your anti-aging cream as much as possible if you have sensitive skin.

SPF

Sunscreen is the most important aspect of anti-aging skincare. And it makes the best ingredient in an anti-aging cream. If you don’t have a separate sunscreen you use daily, look for SPF protection in your anti-aging creams. Make sure it’s at least SPF 30.

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