The Complete Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Your defense strategy begins with morning skincare practices. The combination of hydration and protection should be your main priority because UV rays and pollution accelerate the aging process.

1. Cleanser: A non-stripping, gentle cleanser that removes oil from the skin while preparing it for the next steps.
2. Antioxidant Serum: The antioxidant serum contains Vitamin C or niacinamide, which functions to combat free radicals.
3. Mousturizer: The moisturizer contains ceramides or hyaluronic acid, which provide hydration to the skin.
4. Sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ as your number one anti-aging protection every morning.

Science-backed support: Daily sunscreen use can reduce visible signs of aging by up to 24% over four years, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Your skin starts repairing itself during nighttime hours. The application of active ingredients during this time helps your skin produce collagen while it replaces cells and fixes its protective barrier.

The following steps outline your nighttime skincare routine:

Cleanser: Start with a double cleansing process when you have sunscreen or makeup on your face.

Treatment (optional): Exfoliating acids should be used as a treatment product 2 to 3 times per week.

Active Serum: The active serum contains retinol, peptides, or niacinamide, which work to repair aging skin.

Moisturizer / Night Cream: The combination of moisturizer and sleeping cream functions to protect your skin from dryness while maintaining its natural barrier throughout the night.

Pro Tip: Apply retinol to dry skin before adding a moisturizing product to reduce potential irritation.

If you’re new to skincare, start with this minimal, barrier-friendly routine:

AM

• Cleanser
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen

PM

• Cleanser
• Moisturizer

Optional Add-On: Niacinamide serum (calms skin and improves texture).

Once your skin adjusts, you can start layering proven actives.

AM

1. Cleanser

2. Vitamin C or Niacinamide Serum

3. Moisturizer

4. Sunscreen

PM

1. Cleanser

2. Retinol or Peptide Serum

3. Moisturizer

Optional Add-On: Exfoliating toner with lactic or glycolic acid (1–2 × per week).

Longevity Decoder Tip: Always patch-test new products before adding them to your whole routine.

For experienced users or those targeting multiple concerns (wrinkles, dullness, uneven tone):

AM

1. Cleanser

2. Antioxidant Serum (Vitamin C)

3. Hydrating Serum (Hyaluronic Acid)

4. Moisturizer

5. Sunscreen

PM

1. Cleanser (Double Cleanse if needed)

2. Retinoid or Peptide Serum

3. Barrier Repair Cream or Overnight Mask

Optional Add-Ons:

• Microcurrent or LED device (2–3 × per week)

• Exfoliating acid on alternate nights

Alternate actives: Retinol one night, acids the next—never both together.

Even great ingredients can become ineffective when misused. The following mistakes should be avoided in your skincare routine:

• Mixing Vitamin C and Retinol: Vitamin C should be applied in the morning, separate from Retinol, which should be used in the evening.
• Skipping sunscreen after actives – Not applying sunscreen after using active ingredients exposes your skin to UV damage, which can undo all your progress.
• Over-exfoliating – more than twice per week will cause damage.
• Ignoring barrier repair: When your skin becomes dry and tight, it indicates that you have overdone it with your skincare products.

Golden rule:  Place hydrating products between your active treatments. You should always sandwich treatments between two hydrating layers.