10 Best Anti-Aging Creams for Men in 2023
The world of skincare is full of gimmicks and buzzwords. Every brand out there claims to have its one-of-a-kind fountain of youth in a bottle. With endless aisles of skincare products and a dizzying array of breathtaking promises, how do you find the right one for you? When you’re on the hunt for the best anti-aging creams for men, it’s essential to know the fundamentals of skincare science and understand what works.
Lost in a sea of anti-aging options, a lot of guys just step away from it all. After all, we’re lucky to have the higher levels of testosterone and thicker skin that help us age slower than women. Eventually, age catches up with us all, though…and that’s okay! The goal isn’t to stop aging. What we truly want is to age more like George Clooney and less like a windswept castaway on a desert island.
To help you slow down the hands of time, let’s take a closer look at the top products of the year and how they work. It’s time to dive into the ultimate guide to the best anti-aging creams for men in 2023 for every budget, age and type of skin.
1. Best Anti-Aging Cream: All-Around Winner: Blu Atlas Moisturizing Cream
Looking for an easy skincare product that works for every skin type at every age? If you want an effective grab-and-go solution, there is one anti-aging cream that ticks all the boxes: cult favorite Blu Atlas.
When it comes to anti-aging creams for men, Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer is hard to beat. This one-size-fits-all anti-aging moisturizer is one of those rare creams that can be everything to everyone. This preservative-free powerhouse is made with strategically chosen premium ingredients.
Like everything from Blu Atlas, this product is paraben-free, synthetic-dye-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free and vegan. The face cream is made with 98.5% ingredients that are from natural origins, such as plants, fruits and minerals. Blu Atlas Moisturizing Cream uses a proven blend of clean ingredients, including the ultimate triple threat: seaweed extract, vitamin C and mango seed butter.
Why This Stuff Works
This ultra-hydrating moisturizer targets dry patches and revitalizes dull skin thanks to its active ingredients. These smart ingredients have been backed by science, and that is precisely why we love Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer.
Like all the best anti-aging creams for men, this powerful formula uses vitamin C to slow down the hands of time. This antioxidant can prevent oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. Studies have also shown that vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation (those telltale dark spots that we call sun spots, age spots or liver spots) and boosts collagen production.
In addition, this cream uses mango seed butter for a rich blend of vitamin E and even more vitamin C. This creamy butter protects your skin from the sun’s harsh rays, pollution and the blue light that radiates from the screen you’re looking at right now.
Last but not least, Blu Atlas Face Moisturizer uses laminaria seaweed extract to exfoliate dull patches of skin. This will work to brighten your face while regulating oil production.
Expert Tip: While anti-aging cream is good for your face, you’ll get better results by pairing it with an eye cream. The skin around your eyes is not the same as the skin on the rest of your face, and you should never treat it with the same product. Getting too close to your eyes with facial cream can cause irritation and chronic dryness and redness. Even in the best-case scenario, it will simply leave you with lackluster results. To banish fine lines, reduce puffiness and eliminate dark circles, reach for the Blu Atlas Restorative Eye Stick.
2. Best Anti-Aging Treatment for Acne Scars and Sun Spots: Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
One of the perks of getting older is that acne tends to disappear. Unfortunately, for those of us who struggled with breakouts in our younger years, those annoying pimples and zits have left their mark on our faces. On the other end of the spectrum, the lucky ones who spent their younger years lounging at the beach with their flawless skin will start to see sun spots rear their ugly head. Fortunately for all of us, with the right dark spot corrector cream, you can erase dark spots and create a clear, uniform skin tone.
Since patenting their unique resorcinol technology, Murad has become the go-to product for correcting discoloration and banishing dark spots. Their Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum works with every skin tone and has been shown to reduce discoloration in as little as two weeks.
This new and much-hyped resorcinol technology is blended with glycolic acid to not only help you get rid of acne scars and sunspots but also prevent them from coming back. And that is more important in the anti-aging game than you might think! Preventing dark spots is going to make a monumental difference in how quickly your face appears to age. These subtle dark spots rarely show up in our younger years, which is why we often call sun spots “age spots” and view them as a sign of old age.
Why This Stuff Works
Murad’s resorcinol technology is a much bigger deal than you might realize. Their famous 4-ethyl resorcinol was five decades in the making. After countless laboratory trials and research studies around the globe, this new tech has made a major impact on the world of skincare. While hydroquinone had been the gold standard for discoloration for a generation, Murad has successfully clawed its way to No. 1. Today, you won’t see a serious discussion about creams for uneven skin tone without mention of their resorcinol tech.
3. Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel
There is a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need hydration. When your skin’s oil production is in overdrive, it might seem like the last thing you need is a hydrating cream. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. Oily skin needs TLC as well, and the best anti-aging creams for oily skin can make your skin less greasy while reducing breakouts and slowing down the aging process.
When you are searching for the best anti-aging creams for oily skin, keep your eyes peeled for moisturizers that are both lightweight and mattifying. These are the two crucial components that are going to make all the difference. Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel checks both of these boxes, and many more. The weightlessness of their gel doesn’t leave any oily residue and the calming niacinamide fights inflammation while reducing pore size. Thanks to its unique antioxidants and niacinamide, this anti-aging gel also protects your skin from everyday radiation in the environment while minimizing the look of fine lines.
Why This Stuff Works
Paula’s Choice is a pioneer in the world of skincare, and this lightweight gel shows that they truly understand the unique needs of oily skin. One hundred percent fragrance-free and dye-free, with calming niacinamide and anti-irritants, this moisturizer prevents inflammation and redness. The gel consistency leaves you with a matte finish that provides strategic hydration. Since it’s an oil-free formula, your skin will absorb it quickly without leaving a greasy residue.
4. Best Anti-Aging Cream for Uneven Skin Tones: Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30
As you get older, it’s more than just wrinkles that tell your age. Though you might be less aware of hyperpigmentation, it is one of the biggest factors in how old your skin looks. The dark spots that appear from daily sun exposure may be small, but they create an uneven tone to your complexion that tells the tale of long afternoons by the pool.
And sometimes it’s more than just sun spots. Hormones, pollution, medications, injuries and a range of other factors can create an uneven appearance. As you age, you develop more and more areas of uneven skin, especially if you have a light skin tone.
The popular Kiehl’s skincare brand offers a powerful five-in-one anti-aging face cream. This cream works to smooth fine lines, improve your skin texture, firm your skin and create a subtle lift. Gentle but effective on all skin types, including sensitive skin, this cream gives your skin a targeted boost.
For generations, people dealing with uneven skincare have reached for bleaching agents. These are downright dangerous and counterproductive. A smart product like Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream corrects skin issues while nourishing rather than just stripping away the damage.
Why This Stuff Works
Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30 uses a unique blend of beech tree extract and sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. The beech tree extract works to increase the density of your skin while firming and plumping it. Sodium hyaluronate, which comes from hyaluronic acid, is an emulsifier and viscosifier that can seal in hydration. Emulsifiers are a key component of any good anti-aging routine because they draw moisture beneath the surface and lock it in rather than leaving it on the surface of your skin.
Expert Tip: Anti-aging creams with SPF may sound great, but it’s important to pay attention to the fine print. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently. If you check out the label on Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream SPF 30, you’ll see it recommends reapplying its cream every couple of hours. That’s because they know that SPF protection won’t last all day. It’s not a weakness of the product; it’s simply the nature of SPF. That’s why it’s crucial to always use a separate SPF cream. Invest in a small bottle that you can tuck in your pocket or bag whenever you will be outside (even on overcast days).
5. Best Anti-Aging Creams for Dry Skin: Olay’s Regenerist Ultra-Rich Fragrance-Free Cream
As we age, our skin gets drier. This is an annoying fact of life for those of us who have always been battling dry skin. The activity in our sebaceous glands drops as our metabolism slows and our cells regenerate more slowly. The protective hydrolipidic film on your face provides less of a barrier and your moisture level is zapped in no time.
Not only does all of this leave your skin feeling parched, but it makes the signs of aging even more visible. That’s why it is essential to use an ultra-hydrating cream.
When you are looking through almost any list of anti-aging wrinkle creams that work, you will see Olay included. It’s a popular brand at a reasonable price that you can find just about anywhere. Above all, their products get the job done. Olay’s Regenerist Ultra-Rich Fragrance-Free Cream is no exception.
Made with vitamin B3+ peptides, this non-greasy hydrating cream is free from fragrances, synthetic dyes, mineral oil, parabens and phthalates that can irritate dry skin.
Why This Stuff Works
Vitamin B3 is the heavy lifter here. This potent stuff helps your skin hold on to moisture for longer while boosting your cell turnover rate so you’re always generating fresh cells. You’ll find vitamin B3, also labeled as niacinamide, in many of the best anti-aging products because it is among the most effective ingredients out there.
The amino peptides in this cream are another effective element, helping your skin become more resilient while smoothing it. And, of course, they didn’t forget the ultra-soothing shea butter that will leave even the driest skin feeling silky.
6. Best Anti-Aging Creams for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Not only does skin become drier with age; it also becomes more sensitive. As you get older, the lipid barrier that protects your skin regenerates less often. Because of this, your skin will become more easily irritated as the years go by.
Even if you didn’t have sensitive skin in the past, it’s important to proceed with caution as you get older. Test new products on a small area and pay attention to your skin’s reaction. If you notice any sensitivity, move to an anti-aging cream made for sensitive skin.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is a dream for those with dry, red and raw skin. It’s powerful enough to fight against eczema while plumping up your skin to reduce fine lines. This dermatologist-tested cream is free from the moisture-zapping alcohols in so many big-name moisturizers. The gentle alcohol-free formula means that even the most reactive of skin types is soothed and smoothed.
Why This Stuff Works
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream was made with sensitive and reactive skin in mind. It uses colloidal oatmeal, which is one of the few FDA-designated ingredients for protecting skin against eczema irritants. Meanwhile, allantoin calms and soothes your skin while shea butter acts as an emollient that moisturizes your face while protecting your skin barrier to lock in the moisture.
7. Best Anti-Aging Cream for Combination Skin: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Combination skin can be tricky. Creams made for dry skin can cause breakouts in oily areas, while products geared toward oily skin will leave you parched. On the mission to prevent wrinkles on combination skin, you’ve got to be strategic.
Drunk Elephant is a favorite among skincare science geeks, and it’s easy to see why. Their potent moisturizer uses a smart blend of peptides, supportive amino acids and powerhouse ingredient pygmy water lily to create both instant and long-term improvements in your skin’s texture, tone and firmness. Their patented Protini formula is made to fight fine lines and the visible sun damage that increases as you age.
Why This Stuff Works
Drunk Elephant compares this cream to a protein smoothie. That’s because their peptide complex works to build stronger and more resistant skin. The blend of nine signal peptides is made from the amino acids that produce the proteins of your skin while firming and restoring it.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream uses pygmy water lily stem cell extract for a shot of hydrating nutrients and antioxidants, along with soybean folic acid ferment extract for the vitamin B that your skin needs to stay elastic and smooth.
8. Best Anti-Aging Treatment for Your 30s: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+
Let’s say you are in your 30s with no particular skin concerns. Your face looks fine and you’re just hoping to hang on to your youthful looks for as long as possible. Rather than reaching for an anti-aging cream that is going to roll back the clock, you should be thinking about prevention at this stage.
In a perfect world, we’d all be protecting and looking after our skin from day one. You’d be shielding yourself from the sun as a teenager and hydrating daily throughout your 20s. In the real world, however, most of us don’t even think about anti-aging until our 30s. And that’s okay! It’s never too early or too late to take care of your skin.
The best thing you can do for your skin in your 30s is to reach for the SPF. You probably already know that it is important at every age, but it becomes essential as the years pass. Protecting against sun damage is the single best thing you can do for your skin. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Even the best anti-aging cream in the world can’t erase a lifetime of sun damage.
If you only use one product, make it sunscreen. While you will find countless sun cream options out there, few can touch La Roche-Posay. This SPF 50+ pick offers maximum protection in a lightweight formula that is suitable even for oily and acne-prone skin types.
Why This Stuff Works
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the key ingredients in this mineral sunscreen. You might have heard of mineral sunscreen and the debate over whether it is better than chemical sunscreens. While there are pros and cons to both, mineral sunscreen is widely seen as the best anti-aging pick.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top of your skin and provide a physical barrier that prevents UV rays from hitting your skin. When you use a chemical sunscreen, the UV is absorbed into your skin and converted into heat. This can cause discoloration and aggravate rosacea. Simply put, opting for mineral sunscreen can prevent the visible damage and irritation that comes with sun exposure.
9. Best Anti-Aging Treatment for Your 40s: The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
In your 40s, your skin stops refreshing itself. New cells aren’t coming to the surface as quickly as they once did. As your body starts to slow down, your skin loses a bit of its glow as dead skin sits on the surface for longer and blemishes heal more slowly. Signs of aging start to show as collagen and elastin production begin to slow. This is the time to start looking at both prevention and treatment.
When it comes to powerful anti-aging ingredients, nothing can touch retinol. From acne to uneven skin tone to texture issues to wrinkles, retinol can tackle it all. As you lose collagen and elastin, retinol speeds up skin renewal for a fresh and renewed look.
The Ordinary is a popular brand among serious skincare fans. It’s an ultra-affordable label that allows you to mix and match to create your perfect routine. While creating a customized skincare routine is fantastic, it’s not essential. You can use retinol on its own for incredible results. Thanks to the addition of squalane in this product, the power of the sometimes-drying retinol is accompanied by a soothing and hydrating agent to prevent irritation.
Why This Stuff Works
Retinol is a type of retinoid. There are a few different types of retinoids. All come from vitamin A, and are classified by strength level. You’ll see different percentages of retinoids on the shelves. Behind the counter at the pharmacy, there are more potent versions called retinoic acid, which is sold under the brand name Retin-A or as a generic tretinoin.
It’s a common misconception to think that more is better and you should simply reach for the highest percentage. For the best results, however, you should start with a lower percentage and work your way up. Retinoids can be irritating to the skin. If you start with a percentage that is too high, you’re going to end up with raw and irritated skin. Increase your percentage and how often you use it over a long period.
10. Best Anti-Aging Treatment for Your 50s: Most Effective Anti-Aging Cream for Men: Retin-A
In your 50s and beyond, it’s crucial to keep focusing on prevention while progressively using stronger treatment options. Once again, it’s time to reach for the king of anti-aging treatments: retinoids. Despite all of the loud claims, retinoids are the only vitamin that has been tested and approved by the government for anti-aging.
Prescription retinoids were primarily used for acne treatment until someone realized how incredibly well they work to treat pigmentation and photoaging. Today, Retin-A is the ultimate anti-aging treatment. Like all good remedies, its results are enhanced with time and consistent effort. Ideally, during your 40s, you’ll start with the retinol we recommended above. After progressing through the higher percentages in your 40s, it’s time to bring out the big guns.
When you move to a prescription retinoid, you’ll find strengths of 0.018%, 0.025% and 0.05%. Your doctor can help you decide which is best, and then you’ll have to start testing at home. To maximize irritation, you can apply a moisturizer before the Retin-A. This will create a buffer that prevents overdrying. From there, applying just a pea-sized amount over your moisture will give you powerful results.
This small dose once a week will be enough to get started on the journey. As you move forward in your skincare routine, it’s important to pay attention to your skin. You might notice what people call “purging” during the first month or so. This transition phase is when your skin breaks out as it gets used to the product. This is far more common for people using Retin-A for acne rather than aging, but it’s still a possibility. As you get used to it, you can weather a few breakouts without changing up your routine, but do scale back on tretinoin usage anytime you see irritated patches of skin.
Why This Stuff Works
Yeah, it’s a hassle going to the doctor just to get an anti-aging cream, but it’s worth it. Retin-A blows away the competition when it comes to results. It will stimulate new skin cell growth on a different level. And, as you now know, it’s the slowed-down skin renewal that causes your skin to look aged in the first place. As the retinoid goes to work and brings fresh skin to the surface, you’ll see fewer fine lines, less irregular pigmentation and an improved texture.
While Retin-A speeds up cell turnover, it will also push your skin to boost collagen production. This is a major benefit as it increases your skin elasticity and strength. This stronger, more flexible skin will sag less and look plumper and more youthful.
Deciding on the Best Anti-Aging Creams for Men: Picking the Right Option for You
Getting started with an anti-aging routine comes with a lot of questions. When should men use anti-aging products? How do I know which anti-aging cream is best for me? While the answers can be complicated, they can also be straightforward. Start today and remember that the best skincare routine for guys in their 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond is the one that you commit to doing. Consistency is king in skincare. Don’t expect to see results overnight. Pick your anti-aging product and stick with it until you’ve finished the bottle. When you have finished the product, then you can look to see the results. Only give up on it if it’s causing real irritation; otherwise, give those effective anti-aging ingredients a chance to show themselves.
Above all else, in the battle for that youthful glow, wear SPF! If there is only one thing that you do to look better as you age, reach for sunblock. Slather it on 365 days per year, regardless of the weather. Keep in mind that even the best men’s face cream for anti-aging with SPF and all the bells and whistles still needs an extra dose of sun protection every two hours that you’re outside.
And, that’s all there is to it. Equipped with a good-quality anti-aging cream for men and your trusted bottle of SPF, you’re on the path to aging like a fine wine.
