Healthy Aging Skincare Routine: Products That Actually Work

Healthy Aging Skincare Routine: Products That Actually Work

It’s Healthy Aging Month. But first, there’s something we need to address. We’re not fond of the term ‘anti-aging skincare.’ It comes with baggage, and frames looking older as something to ‘fight’.
The reality is ‘anti-aging’ is still the most-searched skincare term on Google. It’s often used to describe products that help with fine lines, uneven tone, or a loss of skin elasticity — benefits that they happen to in common with healthy, resilient skin. So, just know that if you see us using ‘anti-aging’, it’s not by choice. Our approach will always be rooted in science and skin longevity, not time travel.
This article will help you achieve and maintain skin that looks and feels its healthiest, whether you’re in your twenties, forties or eighties. In it, our team will share their favourite dermatology-backed ingredients like retinoids, marine collagen, peptides and ceramides, with expert advice that simplifies the science — so by the end, you’ll have the right tools to build a routine that works for you.

Why Vitamin A and Healthy Aging Go Hand in Hand

If there’s one ingredient dermatology experts consistently recommend, it’s Vitamin A. This powerhouse family of active ingredients is collectively known as retinoids, and includes retinol, retinal, prescription-only tretinoin and adapalene, and more.

What are retinoids?

Retinoids are true skincare multi-taskers. They treat a range of skin conditions by speeding up skin cell turnover and encouraging your skin to produce more collagen and elastin. This effectively targets fine lines, uneven tone, acne and rough texture over time and helps reduce their appearance. [1]

Popular retinoids in skincare

Retinol: One of the most well-known cosmetic retinoids. Retinol is easily available without a prescription, because it works more slowly than stronger options so it tends to feel more gentle, but takes longer to see results.

Retinal (retinaldehyde): A next-generation retinoid that works 11x faster than retinol, while still being gentler than stronger or faster-acting types like tretinoin. Retinal is the hero ingredient in our Retinal System — a clinically backed retinal serum that comes in three strengths. This range was developed with our dermatologists to give you more control over your healthy aging journey, and let you progress at your own pace.

Tretinoin: A prescription-only retinoid that’s clinically proven to treat a range of conditions, from signs of aging and sun damage, to acne and hyperpigmentation. Tretinoin is still considered the gold standard treatment for visible signs of skin aging, but it must be prescribed by a dermatologist or licensed services like Dermatica.

Adapalene: Another type of prescription retinoid. Adapalene is most often used to treat acne, but studies show it boosts and enhances collagen synthesis too. This third-generation retinoid also helps improve skin texture and tighten loose or sagging skin. [1]
Note: Topical Vitamin A (retinoids) are not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or while trying to conceive. Do not use more than one Vitamin A product at one time, as it may cause irritation.

Not sure where to begin?

Most of our customers choose a personalized formula, as the active ingredients are tailored to your skin and are often more potent than over-the-counter options. Your formula is also adjusted as your skin gets used to it, so you can see results and reach your goals. Depending on the condition, customers who apply their Dermatica personalized formula consistently usually begin to see improvements to their skin from 6–8 weeks.

For customers who can’t sign up to a personalized formula, Dermatica’s multi-level Retinal System is the next best option. It’s designed to target signs of aging and help you build a routine that works for you — whether you’re new to actives, or ready to level up.

Start with Retinal 0.05% Serum: Level 1 if you have sensitive skin or are new to retinoids – it’s a gentle introduction to this powerful active ingredient.
Retinal 0.1% Serum: Level 2 is our moderate-strength serum – ideal for users who have used retinoids before, or have adjusted to Level 1 and are ready to take the next step in their anti-aging journey.

Retinal 0.2% Serum: Level 3 is the highest strength in our Retinal System. This is your final step before moving to a personalized formula with tailored ingredients that you can’t get over the counter.

Tip: If you have never used retinoids before, your skin may need time to adjust. Start by applying it 2-3 times a week, then gradually increase to daily use.

Collagen: Support from the inside, out

Collagen is a protein that’s already abundant in our skin, bones, tendons and other tissues in our body. Collagen in our skin is found in the dermis (the thicker layer beneath the surface), and provides it with structure, strength, firmness, elasticity — giving your complexion a healthy, youthful and radiant appearance. Essentially, the more collagen our skin can hold onto, the stronger and more resilient it is. [2]

Why collagen is essential as we age

After the age of 25, collagen production in our bodies gradually slows down, and we lose it faster too. Collagen loss is a natural part of aging, and why our skin tends to look less plump as we get older and fine lines and wrinkles become more visible. But many factors can speed up this process, including:
– Smoking
– Consuming high amounts of sugar
– UV rays
– Alcohol, and
– Highly processed food.
To help keep our skin firm, flexible and elastic, these are some science-backed (and pregnancy-safe ways) to help you hold onto collagen for longer.

Marine collagen supplements

Marine collagen is derived from fish or marine animals. It primarily contains Type I collagen, an essential protein that supports skin, hair and nail health. [4]
Promising clinical studies have shown that hydrolyzed marine collagen may help support skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, and boost your skin’s overall radiance. [5]
What’s unique about Dermatica’s marine collagen-based Collagen Complex is that it’s enhanced with powerful skin-supporting antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, biotin, Vitamin D and zinc to help keep your skin looking healthier, firmer and glowing for longer.

Peptides
Peptides are having a skincare moment — and with good reason. These short chains of amino acids are the building blocks of collagen, elastin and keratin. Your skin naturally makes peptides, which function like messengers, telling skin cells to repair, renew and boost collagen and elastin synthesis to keep skin firm and resilient. Benefits of peptides include better hydration, a stronger skin barrier and fewer visible wrinkles over time. You’ll find peptides in our Nourishing Ceramide + Peptide Moisturiser. [6]

Science-backed Skincare Routine for Healthy Ageing

When it comes to healthy skin, consistency matters more than chasing the strongest ingredients or the longest routine. Fortunately, you don’t need a 12-step skincare routine to see results, and in fact, less is often more, because:

a) Realistically, you’ll actually stick with it, and
b) Using too many products at once may overload or irritate your skin barrier, doing more harm than good.

Here are the fundamentals steps our dermatology team recommend:

Cleanse
Choose a cleanser that’s gentle, hydrating and nourishing, like our Caring Squalane Cream Cleanser. It’s a rich cream that transforms into a silky oil on contact with the skin, melting away makeup, dirt and sunscreen in seconds. Use morning and evening as step one of your skincare routine.
Follow with Balancing Glycerin Gel Cleanser in the evening if you enjoy a double cleanse.

Treat
Adding a science-backed active can help prevent and visibly improve fine lines, uneven tone and texture. A personalised formula is the most effective option, but if you’re not ready for a prescription or you found it wasn’t right for you, our Retinal System is the next best option.
If your skin feels dry or tight: Add a few drops of Daily Hydration 5HA+Cica Serum to clean, dry skin before applying your treatment. It contains multiple weights of hyaluronic acid, which help boost hydration and rebalance moisture levels. Cica (Centella asiatica) helps soothe and prep your skin barrier, ready for stronger active ingredients.

Moisturise
Lock in hydration and support your skin barrier with our Nourishing Ceramide + Peptide Moisturiser. If you have combination or oily skin, choose Soothing Centella Gel Moisturiser for a lighter, oil-free formulation.
Protect
Daily sunscreen is vital. Up to 80–90% of visible skin ageing isn’t down to time, it’s caused by UV exposure.
Without it, UVA rays can penetrate deep into the skin and gradually break down collagen and elastin, leading to lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness. Without proper protection, the damage builds up over time, often years before we see the true effects. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF30+) like our SPF50 Photodamage Defence Sunscreen, and think of sunscreen as future-proofing.
Tip: In the morning, pair sunscreen with our Vitamin C 15%: Fresh Batch Ascorbic Acid as its antioxidant properties add an extra layer of defense against environmental stress caused by UV rays and pollution, complementing the physical barrier that sunscreen provides.

Combining Retinoids + Marine Collagen For Long-Term Skin Support

Marine collagen and retinoids are backed by evidence to support healthy skin ageing. Retinoids work on the skin’s surface to boost cell turnover and stimulate collagen production. Internally, marine collagen supplements support your hair, skin and nails from within. Used together, they deliver compounded benefits: supporting hydration and structure for a smoother, firmer and more resilient complexion at any age.

Retinal System: Three strengths of retinal serum, developed with dermatologists to give you control over your retinoid journey.

Personalised formula: A tailored treatment plan and formula, made for your skin by dermatology experts. We base your formula on your skin type, concerns and needs.

Collagen Support: Marine collagen supplements and barrier-supporting moisturisers enriched with peptides and ceramides help support hydration,
Skin concerns are individual and deeply personal, so whether you choose to treat concerns like signs of ageing is completely up to you. At Dermatica, our focus has always been on building confidence in your skin at every stage of life, using clinically backed formulas, advice and ingredients for long-term skin resilience.

Ready to start building your healthy ageing routine? Explore Dermatica’s Retinal System or discover which formulas are suitable for your skin here.

References
Zasada M, Budzisz E. Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology [Internet]. 2019 Aug;36(4):392–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/
Wu M, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709/
2. The skin aging exposome. Journal of Dermatological Science [Internet]. 2017 Mar 1;85(3):152–61. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923181116308167
Evans M, Lewis ED, Zakaria N, Pelipyagina T, Guthrie N. A randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Parallel Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Freshwater Marine Collagen on Skin Wrinkles and Elasticity. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020 Sep 15;20(3).
4. 6. León-López A, Morales-Peñaloza A, Martínez-Juárez VM, Vargas-Torres A, Zeugolis DI, Aguirre-Álvarez G. Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications. Molecules. 2019 Nov 7;24(22):4031.