Learn tips on skin care strategies as you get older, from over-the-counter products to laser treatments.

It’s a fact of life: As people age, so does their skin. Common signs include the beginnings of wrinkles (fine lines), wrinkles, age spots and sagging.

Thankfully, your skin doesn’t always have to age as fast as the rest of your body. Over-the-counter skin care products, prescription medication and treatments by a dermatologist can help. (Those are doctors that specialize in conditions affecting parts of the body including the skin, hair and nails.)

Different factors contribute to aging skin. Some, like genetics, you can’t control. Your skin’s elasticity decreases, because the body produces less collagen. That’s a type of protein that provides structure to tissues such as the skin.

For example, women’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first 5 years of menopause. But you can control other factors. Wearing sunscreen helps reduce the effects of sun exposure, which may damage your skin.

Anti-aging treatments address issues such as the loss of collagen and can help protect against further skin damage. Let’s take a look at some options.

See a dermatologist where and when it works for you. Learn about Teladoc’s HealthiestYou telehealth membership, which is $20/month.

Anti-aging skin care product tips

Here are some tips to help you get the most benefit out of anti-aging skin care products.

Tip #1. Visit a dermatologist. They can diagnose the condition you’re trying to treat. For example, age spots can be caused by exposure to the sun or bruising. It’s crucial to see a provider and get the appropriate treatment, or the issue could become worse.

Tip #2. Shop for the right products. Look for products that are hypoallergenic (less likely to cause an allergic reaction) and noncomedogenic (doesn’t clog pores).

Tip #3. Follow product directions carefully. After all, that’s what the directions are there for in the first place.

Tip #4. Give a product time to work. If you’re using a new skin care product, make sure you give it the proper amount of time to do its magic before stopping or adding a new treatment. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), most anti-aging products take at least 6 weeks to work. They can even take up to 3 months.

Tip #5. Expensive doesn’t always mean better. Effective anti-aging products, including drugstore brands, are available at a range of prices.

What kind of anti-aging skin care products can I get over the counter?

Moisturizer and sunscreen are the 2 most effective anti-aging products you can buy over the counter, according to the ADA. Moisturizers trap water in the skin and plump it up. This makes fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.

You can use a product that combines a moisturizer with sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher and water-resistant if you’re spending time in the water.

Another group of products that have powerful anti-aging properties are retinoids. They’re rich in vitamin A, which helps form and maintain healthy skin. Retinoids can:

• Boost collagen
• Diminish age spots
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Increase the turnover of surface skin cells (i.e., produce new skin cells to replace existing ones)

Retinol is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid. Another type, called Adapalene, is available in both OTC and prescription strengths.

To further boost collagen and treat fine lines and wrinkles, you could try a vitamin C serum or a skin care product with growth factors. (Growth factors are natural substances made by skin cells to repair damaged skin. For example, they boost collagen production.) Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps protect the skin from sun damage. It can help fade dark spots and under-eye circles. It also helps the skin produce collagen, which smooths out wrinkles.

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What kinds of in-office and prescription anti-aging treatments are available?

A dermatologist can prescribe anti-aging medications and perform in-office anti-aging treatments. These could include:

• Prescription retinoids. Prescription-strength retinoids are stronger than over-the-counter options. Retin-A is the brand name of a popular prescription retinoid. Tretinoin is the generic version.
• Injections. Botulinum toxin injected into muscles in the face or neck causes the muscles to relax. As a result, fine lines and wrinkles are less noticeable. Botox, Xeomin, Daxxify, Jeuveau and Dysport are all brand names for this type of treatment.
• Fillers. Soft-tissue fillers injected into sagging skin can restore the skin’s volume. This can be done by lifting the skin away from folds, wrinkles and hollowing of the face to diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
• Chemical peels. A chemical peel involves applying a chemical solution to the skin. The surface of the skin peels off, reducing the effects of pigmentation and age spots.
• Laser treatment. Laser resurfacing uses a laser to get to different depths of the skin, vaporizing the skin tissue. It also leaves sections in the healthy surrounding skin to stimulate collagen production.
• Light treatment. Also called intense pulsed light, this treatment uses an intense but gentle light to address pigmentation and improve the texture of the skin.
• Microdermabrasion. This treatment combines vacuum-like suction and tiny crystals placed on the skin to remove the top layer of skin. It can also smooth away age spots.
• Cryosurgery. This freezes age spots. As the skin heals, it has a more even tone.
• Microneedling. Tiny needles puncture the skin, which stimulates collagen production. The treatment improves the texture of your skin, while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

Does my insurance cover anti-aging treatments?

Anti-aging treatments are typically considered cosmetic procedures, which are generally not covered by health insurance. However, some of the procedures that have anti-aging benefits are also used to treat medical conditions, such as acne, which may be covered. Check your plan’s benefits for details.

One option could be buying a telehealth membership for $20/month. It can provide you virtual access to a dermatologist, who can treat skin conditions like acne, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and more. Learn more now, or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by UnitedHealthcare, and/or one of its affiliates, and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology. “Caring for Your Skin in Menopause.” November 20, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause

American Academy of Dermatology. “How to Maximize Results from Anti-Aging Skin Care Products.” Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/maximize-anti-aging-products Accessed October 30, 2024.

American Academy of Dermatology. “How to Select Anti-Aging Skin Care Products.” Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/selecting-anti-aging-products. Accessed October 30, 2024.

American Academy of Dermatology. “Retinoid or Retinol?” Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol. Accessed January 3, 2025.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Botulinum Toxin.” Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/botulinum-toxin Accessed November 10, 2024.

Baylor College of Medicine. “Intense Pulsed Light.” Retrieved from https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/dermatology/laser-surgery/intense-pulsed-light Accessed November 10, 2024.

Cleveland Clinic. “What Can Vitamin C Do for Your Skin?” December 12, 2022. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/vitamin-c-serum

Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. “Age Spots (Solar Lentigo, Liver spots).” November 27, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/age-spots-solar-lentigo-liver-spots-a-to-z

Healthline. “Retinoids for Wrinkles: Effectiveness, Safety, and Product Picks.” July 28, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/retinoids-for-wrinkles.

Mayo Clinic. “Age spots (liver spots).” Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355864. Accessed January 3, 2025.

Mayo Clinic. “Tretinoin (Topical Route).” Updated: February 01, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tretinoin-topical-route/description/drg-20066521

University of Michigan Medicine. “Chemical Peels.” Retrieved from https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/cosmeticderm/procedures/facial-treatments/chemical-peels Accessed November 11, 2024.

University of Michigan Medicine. “Fractionated Laser Resurfacing and Rejuvenation.” Retrieved from https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/cosmeticderm/procedures/laser-treatments/fractionated-laser-resurfacing-rejuvenation Accessed November 10, 2024.

University of Utah Health. “Microdermabrasion.” Retrieved from https://healthcare.utah.edu/cosmetic/-services/microdermabrasion Accessed November 10, 2024.

University of Utah Health. “Microneedling.” Retrieved from https://healthcare.utah.edu/cosmetic/skincare-services/microneedling Accessed November 10, 2024.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. “Dermal Filler Do’s and Don’ts for Wrinkles, Lips and More.” July 7, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/dermal-filler-dos-and-donts-wrinkles-lips-and-more

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