23-02-2025
Dr. Rishi Chopra's anti-aging skin care favorites include this gentle $8 face wash
Dr. Rishi Chopra's anti-aging favorites
Face peel: Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel
Brightening serum: Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum
Sunscreen: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50
Moisturizer: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Peptide serum: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum
Plenty of skin care products promise to lift, firm, brighten and rejuvenate the skin, but what does it actually mean when a skin care product is said to be anti-aging? According to Dr. Rishi Chopra, a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City, anti-aging is chiefly viewed through the lens of collagen, which he explains is a fundamental part of our skin and the easiest for us to see clinically and under the microscope.
'When I think about anti-aging, at least from a skin care perspective, I'm looking at [the] ability of a skin care product to prevent the degradation of collagen or produce more collagen so that we can maintain that elasticity and the integrity of the skin,' Chopra says. 'There's a variety of ways that you can do that, and it depends on what the mechanism is, but that's how I define it as a dermatologist.'
The key to keeping your skin looking as youthful as possible is to adopt good skin care practices sooner rather than later, Chopra says. 'Skin care starts at home and it starts early. I tell patients that the earlier you start and the more that you do at home, the less you'll have to do in the office,' he says. 'In your teens and your 20s, you want to maximize your skin care routine at home and that should include the fundamentals — sunscreen, retinol, vitamin C, some type of collagen-boosting or brightening serum, a good cleanser and a moisturizer.'
You don't need to break the bank to curate an effective skin care routine either, the New York-based derm stresses, though if there's one item worth the splurge, it's sunscreen. 'I do think it's important to splurge on the right sunscreen because what we're finding out more and more is that most of the sunscreen that you're probably putting on your face isn't protecting as much against aging as we think,' he says, adding that those sunscreens are great for preventing skin cancer but not the former.
If you want something that's going to help prevent aging, he recommends looking for sunscreen with high UVA protection. He also recommends people with more melanated skin incorporate a tinted sunscreen into their skin care routine to prevent hyperpigmentation, since he says regular sunscreens do little to nothing to help. 'That tint is not just a cosmetic camouflage; it's a filter, and it also helps prevent aging as well,' he says.
As Chopra notes, investing in the health of your skin or 'skinvesting' early on, will pay off down the road both cosmetically and psychologically, whether you're spending that money on an at-home skin care routine or a clinical procedure. In office, Chopra recommends investing in a resurfacing laser treatment and a wrinkle relaxer, like Jeuveau, which he describes as a newer version of Botox, to reduce the signs of aging.
Ahead, Chopra shares seven of the youth-boosting skin care products he uses in his own skin care routine, along with some additional product recommendations for those with mature skin.
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel
A part of Chopra's skin care routine, this peel from Dermalogica contains tranexamic acid, niacinamide, a blend of alpha hydroxy acids and polyhydroxy acids, a turmeric butter blend and an omega-3 blend to target dark spots and even skin tone.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
When it comes to facial cleansers, Chopra insists you don't need anything fancy, just a cleanser that's gentle on your skin and effective. He recommends this one from La Roche-Posay to all his patients, noting that it's affordable, nonirritating, effective and available at the drugstore.
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream
If you're looking to incorporate an active into your skin care routine, Chopra recommends adding a retinol and singles out this one from SkinCeuticals, which is available at different levels. The concentrated formula reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, while also helping with discoloration and minimizing the appearance of blemishes on the skin. Chopra notes he's a fan of the retinol because it's encapsulated, which he says helps prevent irritation.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash
In his own routine, Chopra uses this gentle foaming facial face wash, which helps support the skin's natural barrier and is formulated with niacinamide, prebiotic thermal spring water and ceramide-3.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer
Chopra's a fan of the hydrating Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer, which has a form of vitamin C that is less irritating. In addition to addressing dullness and dryness, the moisturizer also helps with wrinkles and evening the skin tone.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Glow Serum
This serum from Peter Thomas Roth is a part of Chopra's personal skin care routine and another product he recommends to patients. He says it's 'a powerhouse hydrator with 75% hyaluronic acid complex and 3% HydraFence technology that delivers deep, long-lasting moisture while visibly plumping the skin.' Chopra recommends this product to anyone who wants to minimize fine lines.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors and Inulin Body Lotion
Chopra recommends this body lotion from The Ordinary, which he says has 'a variety of skin-identical, natural moisturizing factors that hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.' He says that the lotion's nongreasy and lightweight formula makes it a suitable option for applying before getting ready.
SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum
Chopra personally uses this peptide serum, which he says 'combines advanced peptides and antioxidants to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin firmness." He also recommends it to patients looking to soften expression lines.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Matte SPF 50
To protect his skin and prevent aging, Chopra reaches for this sunscreen from Colorescience, which has a matte finish. Formulated to be sweat- and water- resistant, the sunscreen is rich in antioxidants and lightly tinted.
Alastin Restorative Neck Complex With TriHex Technology
Looking to improve the look of crepey skin? Chopra recommends this restorative complex from Alastin, which he says also helps with discoloration and fine lines, thanks to peptides and TriHex Technology.
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad-Spectrum SPF 50
Chopra recommends this mineral sunscreen from Murad. 'The Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 is enriched with antioxidants to combat pollution-induced oxidative stress, while its iron oxide-based soft-peach tint helps protect against visible-light-induced discoloration and provides an immediate complexion-evening effect,' he says.
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Chopra incorporates this hydrating anti-aging moisturizer from SkinCeuticals into his skin care routine. Formulated with a blend of essential oils, ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, the moisturizer helps to improve skin texture and brighten the skin.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
The derm also recommends this mineral sunscreen from Colorscience, which helps prevent aging. "The Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 delivers robust visible-light defense with iron oxides, making it ideal for those prone to hyperpigmentation,' he says. 'It also offers multiple tints to match a diverse range of skin tones, along with matte and classic versions for more minimalistic, lightweight coverage.' The derm is also a fan of Tower 28's tinted sunscreen, which has a 20-color range. Read our review
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer
This moisturizer from Peter Thomas Roth is another one of Chopra's recommendations. He says the hyaluronic acid in the product helps to draw in moisture while also preventing the loss of moisture from evaporation.
Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum
Another product in Chopra's skin care arsenal is the Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum, which brightens the skin, minimizes redness and reduces the look of discoloration. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when necessary to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, editorial coordinator Rachel Dennis asked board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rishi Chopra about the anti-aging products he uses in his own routine and the ones he recommends to patients.
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