Skin tells the story of our life—and as the years pass, the plot changes. The surface becomes a little thinner and more delicate, with a slower turnover that can leave it looking less luminous. Deep within, starting in our late twenties and then accelerating in our fifties, collagen and elastin quietly decline, softening the skin’s bounce and giving way to fine lines and folds. Oil production tapers off, leaving skin looking lackluster, while sun-kissed memories show up as freckles, spots, and uneven tone. The fullness of youth gradually gives way to more sculpted contours as underlying fat diminishes.
The good news? A radiant chapter is still yours to write. Daily sunscreen, rich hydration, antioxidant care, and healthy habits like topical retinoid can help skin age gracefully—keeping it vibrant, supple, and glowing through every season of life. Pairing these daily skin care habits with procedures at Core Dermatology encourage more youthful collagen production while helping to replace radiance, improved skin texture, and more even tone.
I classify procedures used in aesthetic dermatology as corrective, preventative or both. Most people are familiar with Botox, which is both corrective and preventative. While it corrects the active frown lines by preventing the ability to create the expression of the furrowed brow, it also prevents the gradual deep etching of the resting frown lines over time. This blog will focus on the topical regimen and procedures I recommend most often for their preventative benefits, keeping in mind that they often have additional corrective benefits.
These are some of the more commonly recommended procedures used alone or in combination to maintain more youthful collagen production, improve skin tone, pump the brakes on skin aging.
— Morpheus (Microneedling with radio frequency). Morpheus is a fractional skin treatment that stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. Most patient need about 3 treatments for optimal improvement, and these are spaced out 3-6 weeks apart. Patient can expect minimal downtime (2-3 days), which involves some redness, swelling and mild peeling. Maintenance treatments are generally recommended every 12-18 months, typically.
— Sculptra injectable biostimulator for collagen boosting properties and overall facial volume replenishment. Sculptra gives a gradual, natural result with minimal risk of looking “overdone”. If correcting deficiencies in volume and texture, then an initial series of 3 treatments spaced one month apart is advised; then approximately yearly single maintenance treatments are recommended. Younger patients without volume deficit or significant skin laxity may start with just yearly maintenance treatments. The duration of effect is 2+ years, unlike traditional hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g. Restylane, Juvederm) which last about a year.
— BBL (intense pulsed light) alternating with microneedling every 3 months. (e.g. microneedling, wait 3 months, BBL, wait 3 months, microneedling, etc.). BBL can help to reverse lost collagen associated with aging and sun damage by stimulating the production of new collagen. Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing process, which results in the production of new collagen and elastin to keep skin looking plump and youthful. Alternating these treatments can help to maintain more even skin tone (BBL) while improving fine lines and wrinkles through collagen production (BBL and microneedling).
Topical skin care habits form the foundation of an anti-aging, preventative regimen. The four main categories are sun protection, retinoids, antioxidants/peptides, and hydration.
SUN PROTECTION: A good sunblock is the best anti-aging product you can buy. Always look for a product with zinc, titanium (or both) that is at least SPF 30. Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors. Remember that car window glass does not block UVA (the rays responsible for skin aging).
My favorites SPF products:
- For sport and activities, Elta MD Sport – Mineral zinc sunscreen that rubs in much easier than other brands. Sweat and water resistant and non-irritating. Elta Sheer is another good choice for face and body that is water resistant and contains vitamin C for antioxidant benefits.
- For daily use, you can choose tinted or untinted. Many people rely on tinted SPF for their daily foundation. Consider Elta Clear (tinted) or Elta Daily (untinted)
- For pure mineral sunscreen (zinc/titanium) I like Alastin HydraTint Pro SPF 36, Alastin SilkSHIELD SPF 30, Elta Physical tinted SPF 41, Elta AOX Mist SPF 40 (spray-on for face and body).
RETINOID: Vitamin A derivatives (tretinoin, retinol, Retin-A, tazarotene, differin) are the best anti-aging products you should be using along with your sunscreen. They have been proven over decades to improve collagen production and cell turnover, texture, fine lines, pigmentation, and skin thickness. A retinoid should be used consistently at night, at least 2-3 nights per week up to nightly, as tolerated.
My favorites (retinoids):
- Core Retinol Rewind: non-prescription strength, specially formulated to maximize absorption with minimal irritation.
- Core Hydrating Tretinoin (0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%): Prescription strength, specially formulated with hydrating ingredients for better tolerability.
- Alastin Renewal Retinol, 0.25%. Contains soothing anti-irritants and hydrating ingredients. This is the gentlest of the group.
ANTIOXIDANTS: Antioxidants help the body to clean up oxygen radicals formed in the skin by ultraviolet exposure, pollutants, smog, tobacco smoke, and pesticides. They provide a second line of defense behind sunscreen. There are literally hundreds of different antioxidants available for use in topical formulations. They can be used either AM or both AM and PM. Vitamins C+E are popular and have been recommended for many years. Quality formulations that maintain stability and penetration are key.
My favorites antioxidants:
- Core Super C+E: antioxidant blend with BHA formulated for efficacy and maximal absorption.
- SKNV Cool, Calm & Luminous Vitamin C calming serum: formulated for stability and tolerability, especially sensitive skin types.
- Alastin Restorative Skin Complex. This is a boosted antioxidant with powerful blend of antioxidants and peptides. Provides the protective effect of antioxidants plus added improvements in lines, texture, and elasticity.
MOISTURIZER: A proper moisturizer is essential for a better feel and look of your skin, especially in our dry climate. Dry skin is prone to cracking, crepey wrinkling and irritation. An effective moisturizer will maintain hydration of your skin throughout the day and replenish your skin’s protective barrier.
My favorites:
- Core Ultra Hydrate: I call this “a cool drink of water for a thirsty face”. Lightweight and effective without a greasy residue. Contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, ceramides, and petrolatum suited for dry climates.
- SKNV Dewy and Divine Ceramide Hydrator: Squalene formula to use alone or layered with another moisturizer to enhance hydration. Great for ezcema too.
- SKNV Hydrate & Happy Hyaluronic acid serum: Layer with existing moisturizer enhanced hydration. Optimal molecular weight for easy absorption by the skin.
- SKNV Bright & Tight Overnight Peptide Mask: Hydration enhancer with cetyl Hexapeptide-8 to minimize the appearance of fine lines and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 with retinol-like benefits, reducing the appearance of visible signs of aging.