11-05-2025
I'm almost 50 but I look a decade younger — 11 affordable drugstore anti-aging beauty products that *actually* work
The fact is, as I get older, the skincare that once worked so well for me in my 20s and 30s doesn't cut it anymore in my 40s. I used to worry about blemishes and breakouts, but now, I would kill for the oily and bouncy skin of my younger years. Now, that doesn't mean a bright, glowy complexion is impossible after 45 — however, you need to find the right products for the skin you're in. Every once in a while, I splurge on some new celebrity-endorsed or viral product, but my tried-and-true beauty staples are much more affordable. When I need a top-up of my anti-aging creams, serums and supplements, I turn to my tried-and-true brands like Cerave, The Ordinary and L'Oréal.
Below, I've listed 11 anti-aging beauty products I turn to time and time again for their affordability, popularity and, most importantly, efficacy. To shop my 48-year-old skincare routine, including my go-to moisturizers, eye creams, and wrinkle fighters, check out my picks below.
Retinol is the holy grail of anti-aging. This serum contains encapsulated retinol for fine lines and wrinkles as well as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and fresh.
Just remember when using this fragrance-free formula to always apply sunscreen as retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
This lightweight moisturizer with 30 SPF is great alone or under makeup. Its three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid protect and nourish your skin all day long.
Even as I write this, I'm wearing a pair of these revitalizing eye masks. After a long night up with a sick kiddo, these cool masks are giving this tired mama a much-needed refresh.
It may not be the same as a good night's sleep, but the mask's vegan formula of orange juice and hyaluronic acid is helping to keep my dark circles and under-eye bags at bay. And at under $5, I don't travel anywhere without them!
I've been a fan of Bethenny Frankel since her Skinnygirl Margarita days on The Real Housewives, so when I read that she uses this Loreal lotion to give her skin a radiant glow, I was sold.
I'm all about getting a healthy sun-kissed look sans sun and this product delivers just that. Plus it comes in four different shades for a more customized look.
Made with clean, vegan ingredients, this easy-to-use retinol eye stick is perfect for travel and on-the-go application.
After a few weeks of continual use morning and night, fine lines and dark circles are visibly improved. Just be sure to apply gently and avoid tugging at the delicate skin area around the eye during application.
As I've said before, there is nothing ordinary about The Ordinary products. They are the perfect blend of awesomeness and affordability and this serum is no exception.
A few drops of this hyaluronic and B5 hydrating serum and your skin appears immediately plumper and more hydrated. Hands- down, it's my absolute favourite hyaluronic blend ever.
The anti-aging products I stick with the most are the ones that feel great on my skin. After a long day, this vegan toner from Sephora adds moisture and hydration to my tired skin. The fragrance-free formula gives my face a hydrating spa treatment right at home.
There's a reason why this product is a number one bestseller on Amazon — it actually works! This ophthalmologist-tested cream is ideal for even the most sensitive eyes. It absorbs quickly into the skin and with just a little bit twice a day, the fine lines around your eyes will improve. Trust me, I know.
Everyone I know over 45 uses or has used this "Amazon's Choice" product and loves it. With its powerful formula of pro-retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, this cream leaves my skin looking and feeling firmer.
If you would have told my acne-prone 16-year-old self that one day I would be applying oil to my skin, I would have never believed you.
Made with essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, this facial oil is exactly what my over-40 skin needs to rejuvenate and revive my dull complexion.
Nothing gives away your age more than the skin on your hands. This lightweight and fragrance-free hand cream is ideal for dry and damaged hands like mine. The ceramides and hyaluronic acid help keep my hands feeling soft and smooth all day long.
