The best anti-aging skin care products of 2024 are actually worth your $$

Benefits: Collagen boosting, wrinkle softening, complexion smoothing, redness reducing, brown spot diminishing | Formulation: Flexible silicone mask | Skin Type: All, but especially good for older skin | Device specs: 132 red and near-infrared bulbs

OK, let's just get this out of the way upfront: Wearing an LED face mask makes you look both ridiculous and terrifying, like a Jetsons-era zombie out for Astro's blood. These devices work when targeted, long-wavelength LED red light penetrates different layers of your skin, stimulating collagen production and sending your skin's natural healing process into overdrive along the way. For any kind of results, you have to use the masks consistently, for 10 minutes per day, every day, and in that 10 minutes you will for sure freak out anyone who encounters you, including your spouse and even your cat. 

But here's the good news: These suckers WORK. Within days of using CurrentBody's Light Therapy Mask, my skin looked tighter, particularly around my cheekbones. Within six weeks, the wrinkles on my forehead appeared less deep and so did those around my mouth. Within two months, my complexion was clearer overall. 

CurrentBody's version is my favorite of all the LED masks I've tried for a multitude of reasons. For one, it's powerful, with 132 bulbs (30% more than many popular masks) that deliver both red and near-infrared light enabling it to penetrate deeper layers of the skin. This mask is FDA approved. It's also clinically proven to significantly reduce wrinkles in 28 days. Additionally, it's more comfortable than many I've tried, made of a smooth, highly-flexible silicone that's easy to use and clean. However, while comfortable, the mask doesn't quite fit as snugly as I'd like, especially around the chin and jaw. This didn't seem to impact the results, but as many customers note, the fit is a little ... odd.

Last, a few safety notes: LED light masks are considered safe when and if you follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions — including protecting your eyes during use. Also important: Not everyone is a candidate for LED light therapy — for example, people with photosensitivity should avoid these devices, as should those with specific diseases like lupus and those taking certain medications. It's a good idea to consult with a dermatologist before purchasing and trying any LED light mask — including CurrentBody's. — Jennifer

Benefit: Helps reduce undereye discoloration, puffiness, the appearance of fine lines | Formulation: Cream | Size: 1.25 ounces | Skin target: Undereye area | Key ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng root, horse chestnut extract, lutein 

Sunday Riley's products are almost uniformly best-in-class and this extremely hydrating, almost instantly/magically de-puffing serum is no exception. It's packed with caffeine, ginseng and the anti-oxidant lutein and it's nearly scent-free, which makes it a great option for sensitive skin. The texture is silky and it both brightens dark circles and absorbs quickly, leaving behind a dewy glow I found pleasant. It also contains "light reflecting particles" which seemed like gibberish to me until I saw how it rendered my under eyes noticeably brighter within seconds of application.

One downside is the absence of retinol, which means it's not helping to build collagen in the area. Still, it's a high-quality cream I'd recommend to anyone concerned about fine lines, bagginess or, really, any under-eye issue you'll (annoyingly) find. — Jennifer

Benefits: Skin cleansing, soothing | Formulation: Gel | Size: 8 ounces | Skin Type: Oily, combination, dry, normal | Key ingredients: Kale, spinach, green tea, alfalfa, vitamin C, vitamin E

Once I started using this cleanser, my first reaction was anger — I got mad at myself for taking so long to try it! Now, I use it almost every day. It works extremely well to remove makeup (especially black liquid liner and mascara) — so well, in fact, that sometimes I don’t even need to double cleanse. 

On the ingredients side, it’s chock-full of superfood antioxidants that provide all kinds of good stuff, like protection from free radicals and increasing hydration. At about $40, it can be pricey for some, but it’s lasted me a long time, heavy eyeliner and all. A couple of pumps go a long way. — Marie

Benefits: Skin cell turnover, smooths complexion, evens skin texture | Formulation: Wipes | Size: 30 treatments + 5 bonus | Skin Type: Normal, combination | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, chamomile, retinol, resveratrol, green tea extract.

While interviewing celebrities about their beauty routines over the years, I’ve always taken note when a certain product keeps popping up to the point where it starts to feel like there's a skinspiracy going on. But sometimes it’s just a legitimately good product that people, famous or not, really love. One of those products is Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel pads. This popular chemical exfoliator does its magic via a two-step process. You use the first pad, which is soaked with five different AHA and BHA acids to lift away dead skin cells, then follow up with the second pad, which has retinol to fight wrinkles and lines.

While it's a celebrity favorite, you don’t have to take Sydney Sweeney’s word for it. When I use these regularly, my skin looks phenomenal, as if I’ve gotten a facial every single day. One time, my husband even asked me what I was doing with my face. I asked him why, and he said that I looked younger (kind of rude, TBH). The improvement in my complexion is noticeable enough that when I stopped using the pads, I actually stopped getting compliments (also rude). If you feel like you can’t be bothered to do a two-step product, which I understand, I’m here to tell you that it’s completely worth the extra couple of minutes to get that glow. There are also three types of peel pads, including "Ultra Gentle" for dry and sensitive skin and "Extra Strength" for oily skin, which is good for dark spots. — Marie

Benefits: Brightens skin and dark spots, reduces appearance of sagginess and fine lines, gives skin a "glow" | Vitamin C potency: 15% | Skin Type: Any, but may be too harsh for the most sensitive skin | Dosage: A few drops in the morning | Size: Just over 1 ounce in combination of serum and powder | Cruelty Free: Yes

Every dermatologist I've spoken to says vitamin C is an essential ingredient for any actually effective skin care routine. I love Drunk Elephant's C-Firma Fresh Day Serum for all sorts of reasons — including the fact that after six weeks of twice-daily use, it both lightened dark spots on my cheeks, noticeably tightened my skin and consistently gave my complexion a pretty, brighter glow. But what makes C-Firma superior to nearly any competitor is the unique way it's packaged: The formula arrives in two parts — a liquid serum along with an accompanying vial of pristine vitamin C powder. You mix the two just before your first use, maximizing the stability of the vitamin C molecules and thus ensuring freshness. Once mixed, the product remains potent for three to six months, depending how you store it (i.e., preferably in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet). 

And there's more to love: C-Firma contains ferulic acid and vitamin E, which boost its efficacy. It comes in an easy-to-use/easy-to-travel bottle with a convertible pump. It's lightweight and absorbs quickly, though the texture may feel a bit sticky for some. Finally, it's potent — it may even sting your skin a bit.  

As compared to its main competitor, Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, Drunk Elephant's C-Firma gains points for being both cruelty-free and free from a foul odor (C E Ferulic has a deeply unpleasant scent). While many beauty editors will tell you that C E Ferulic is the only vitamin C game in town, keep in mind that it's also $182 to $285 for just one ounce, making it inaccessible for most bank-account-having humans, at least for long-term use. (I don't care if it's made of gold, I am not spending that kind of money on something to dab on my face — and I don't think you should have to either!)

At $74, C-Firma is not exactly a steal, but the formula (plus the effect on your skin) is top-notch. My first bottle lasted four months with twice-daily use, so a little goes a long way. —Jennifer

Benefits: Skin hydration, evens complexion, reduces the appearance of fine lines Formulation: Gel | Size: 1.5 ounces | Skin types: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, star flower, sacred lotus

Of all the serums I've ever used, Saint Jane's Star Flower remains on my favorites list. So much so that whenever I see the bottle, I can't help but pump out a couple of drops and apply it right then and there. Micro pearls, which house all of the active ingredients, burst when you apply it to your skin, and it is like heaven. 

Not only is the formula deliciously hydrating, but it makes the pores on my nose and cheeks look smaller. For that reason, I love using this in the morning before sunscreen and makeup. The star flower not only sounds pretty, but it helps with redness, while sacred lotus helps diminish pores. My skin always looks more even when I use it regularly. — Marie

Benefits: Hydration, plumps up skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, helps reduce "crepey" appearance | Formulation: Cream | Size: 3.52 ounces | Skin type: Dry, dehydrated | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sea buckthorn water

CosRx has helped popularize snail mucin as a skin-care ingredient, but you shouldn’t sleep on its other products. Case in point: the Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cream. A favorite among the K-beauty crowd, this face cream packs and seals moisture into dry, dehydrated skin to prevent further hydration loss. I love this moisturizer for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula and antioxidant ingredients. The texture is perfectly rich without being too heavy and the product itself absorbs fast.

Bonus points: In addition to hyaluronic acid, this cream contains vitamin tree water (also known as sea buckthorn), which is filled with vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids that help strengthen the skin barrier and increase hydration even more. The midrange price point is the cherry on top. — Marie

Benefits: Reduces appearance of dark undereye pigment | Formulation: Cream | Size: .5 ounces | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid

This highest quality vitamin C eye cream from Paula's Choice is clinically formulated to brighten under eye discoloration while smoothing and firming the delicate skin in this area. The texture is lightweight and supple and it's packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is a must for the undereye area — since the skin in that area holds less moisture than the rest of the face. 

While it doesn't contain retinol, this is my top pick for a (fairly) affordable undereye cream for dark circles because of its ideal mix of antioxidants and active ingredients. — Jennifer

Benefits: Sun protection, hydration, disguises skin imperfections | Formulation: thin cream | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF: 40 | Size: 1 ounce | Water-Resistant: No | Reef safe: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At age 50, I started developing a bit of hyperpigmentation on my face and redness around my nose and chin, which means I now look better in makeup than I do without. Still, I despise foundation. It always feels too thick and too "done" for my everyday life, like I'm cosplaying (Kosplaying?) as a Kardashian at camp pickup. But once I came across this excellent tinted moisturizer (with bonus SPF!), I knew I'd finally found the complexion-smoothing solution this no-makeup makeup girl will actually use.

If you're searching for a light coverage foundation that will leave your skin dewy and noticeably luminescent like you got the best sleep of your life; with the kind of glow that suggests you actually drink all the water you plan on drinking and chase it down with a green juice, then Ilia's Skin Tint is for you. As a moisturizer-makeup-sunscreen hybrid, it's made for lazy people. It also comes in 26 shades and contains skin-fortifying ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide so you're treating your face while protecting it. —Jennifer

Benefits: Sun protection | Formulation: Cream | Volume: 2 ounces |Active ingredients: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide

Ask any dermatologist for the most important step in an anti-aging skin care routine and they'll undoubtedly say high-quality sun protection. Of all the sunscreens I've tested, EltaMD SPF is the most consistently top rated, especially by doctors who recommend a tinted mineral sunscreen like this one, which provides broad-spectrum physical coverage and hydration — and works well under makeup. Its also made of natural ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and leaves a smooth finish, even on dry or sensitive skin. — Jennifer

Benefits: Reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, improves circulation, refines complexion | Key ingredients: 5% glycolic acid, ginseng, aloe vera, fructose, sucrose | Size: 3.4 ounces | Skin type: All

In the world of toners, Pixi's Glow Tonic is one of the most celebrated and well-rounded. Beauty editors and experts have counted on Glow Tonic to improve their complexion for years. It has 5% glycolic acid for exfoliation and witch hazel to reduce the appearance of pores (one of my main issues), but it's gentle and soothing thanks to aloe vera and other botanicals. Interestingly, it also has ginseng, which is believed to help improve circulation. Plus, it's decently priced. For $15, you get 100 milliliters, and for under $30, you get a huge bottle — 250 milliliters.

It's always a good idea to start slowly with acids. I'm always careful when using a glycolic acid product, but Glow Tonic is incredibly gentle. I can use it every day without issue, and it's easy to apply (just a couple of swipes using a reusable cotton pad). My skin is smoother, my pores look less prominent and I have an overall brighter complexion. — Marie

Benefits: Skin hydration | Size: 1 oz | Skin Type: Oily, combination, dry, sensitive, normal | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, plum extract, polyglutamic acid, vegan collagen, silk protein, vitamin B

I'm not going to lie; I was first attracted to Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump’s good looks. That luscious, light purple bottle is divine! However, I was quickly pleased with how well the serum performed. The lightweight, soothing formula (that has a ton of antioxidants) feels incredible post-cleanse, absorbs nicely and makes my skin look fresh and dewy despite my feeling like a tired, wretched witch on the inside. (Note: You want to make sure your skin is a little bit damp when you apply for optimal absorption.)

Time for a quick lesson: Molecular weight is definitely a thing when it comes to hyaluronic acid. The smaller the molecule, the lower the molecular weight, and the further it can penetrate the skin (which is what we want). However, experts say the best thing to look for in a hyaluronic acid serum is a mix of differently-sized hyaluronic acid molecules. Glow Recipe's Plum Plump has five molecular weights: ultra-low, low, medium, high and ultra-high. — Marie

Solawave is the hottest name in skin-care tech: Using light and heat therapy, along with therapeutic massage, these versatile wands help reduce wrinkles, smooth scarring, increase blood flow and give skin a more even tone. The Radiant Renewal Wand is clinically proven and award-winning. When customers used it consistently (for just three minutes per day!) they saw results within weeks. — Jennifer

This ultra-nourishing salve is a favorite of professional makeup artists who often need to remove serious face paint without damaging their (often high-profile) clients' skin. It's filled to the brim with soothing ingredients like chamomile and lavender, and as the (many!) TikTok videos attest, it really works for both cleaning and plumping. — Jennifer

This serum stick is the ideal delivery system for softening fine lines, prepping skin for makeup and targeting dry patches. It's made of 80 percent squalane — a known skin fortifier — and is also fragrance-free, cruelty-free plus dermatologist-tested. When we tried this ultra-silky balm it left behind a dewy finish wherever it was applied. Plus, it's beyond amazing for smoothing the undereye area before applying concealer, to deter makeup from settling into fine lines. —Jennifer

E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! line of products is solid, so it's a natural choice as the top honorable mention for the best cleanser. Packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, it leaves skin clean, plump and hydrated, of course. And it's only $6! — Marie

I've interviewed approximately 7 million beauty experts in my life. The most honest usually say something along the lines of "You don't need expensive products; high-quality drugstore creams will do." Case in point: A few years ago, legendary beauty guru Jean Godfrey-June told me she uses this rich, all-natural, chamomile and calendula body cream on her face in the winter, that it's the best product she's found for protecting and treating chapped skin. It's also a gentle, non-irritating formula for dry hands, rough heels, scaly elbows or anywhere you might need a hydrating boost. I myself keep a tube by the kitchen sink to use after dishwashing duties. It's the best kind of gift in that it smells good and feels rich. —Jennifer

An easy, lightweight, affordable skin-care product that, when used consistently, softens wrinkles, smooths skin texture and even lightens age spots. I know snail secretions may seem weird, but truly this works: I've been raving about this product for years. — Jennifer