As much as I've tried to love the two fine lines that made a permanent home on my forehead right before my last birthday, I'm not quite ready for wrinkles just yet. They stare back at me in my selfie screen, taunting me every time I try to post a filter-less photo, and make me all around nuts. Because of this, I've made it my mission to see what I can do to get rid of them, and in my quest have actually found some wrinkle-fighting products that really work.
I'll be honest: These two suckers were a long time coming. I pretty much ignored my skin for the first 24 years of my life (I slept in my makeup, rarely moisturized, and spent a lot more time in the sun than I'd like to admit) and only really started taking care of it after my first wrinkles popped up. By some miracle of the universe, it wasn't too late. With a careful regiment made up of various products full of Vitamin A, collagen and glycolic acid, I've been able to reduce my first wrinkles (at least for now).
Here are the five products from my skin care routine that I personally swear by for anti-aging, because I'm not ready to grow up quite yet.
1. Susan Ciminelli Cleanser
Susan Ciminelli Algae Deep Cleanse, $70, Amazon
As far as wrinkles go, double cleansing has changed my life. First, I remove makeup and dirt with a regular drugstore cleanser (I'm currently using this one from Aveeno), and then do a second wash with Susan Ciminelli's Algae Deep Cleanse. It smells a little funky, but it acts as a light, daily facial peel while it cleans. It's cooling and non-abrasive, but melts away dead skin particles deep within pores, hence why you need a pre-cleanse to let it work to the best of its abilities. It stimulates circulation while it cleans, which is what helps with reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Cleanser, $7, Amazon
2. Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Serum
Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten + Firm Vitamin C Serum, $78, Sephora
I saw a difference in my skin after the first time I used this serum (in the morning, after cleansing) which was straight-up shocking. It combines collagen amino acids with Vitamin C, which helps increase collagen production to accelerate the repair of skin imperfections, including expression lines. I love that it's a two-for-one with collagen and vitamin C, both of which help fight wrinkles on their own and are virtually unstoppable when they're combined.
3. Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel
Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel, $29, Amazon
The thought of giving myself a full-on facial peel with a single wet wipe seemed too good to be true at first, but I couldn't believe how well these little Murad moist towelettes worked on my skin after I used them. They combine 10 percent glycolic acid with Vitamin C, which offers an extra-strength peel that instantly brightens and re-texturizes skin. And, rather surprisingly given the level of acid, they don't irritate my skin at all.
4. Kora Organics Rosehip Oil
Kora Organics Luxurious Rosehip Facial Oil, $49, Amazon
Miranda Kerr swears that this product, from her own Australia-based skin care line, is what kept her from getting stretch marks after the birth of her son. I feel similarly about its effects on my wrinkles. I use this oil as a serum under my moisturizer, and take extra time to rub it in little circles over my forehead wrinkles. I don't know how, and I don't know why (maybe the extra moisture?!) but it works. You can also get rosehip oil at the health food store for a lower price, and it should still do the trick.
5. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial
Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial, $80, Sephora
It's not common to find a product that warrants the moniker "lifechanging," but that's exactly how I feel about Drunk Elephant's baby facial at-home treatment. It does exactly what it promises to do, which is leave my skin feeling as smooth as a baby's butt. It's 25 percent AHA and 2 percent BHA (so, it's a lot of acid) but works as a facial to leave skin feeling smooth, clear and — yup — wrinkle free.
