Anti-Aging and Wrinkles

Size:  1 oz.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

This antioxidant is loaded with the good stuff.  Vit C in the form of Ascorbyl glucoside (stabilized form of L-ascorbic so it doesn't deteriorate with time), Vit E to also stabilize the Vit C, green tea extract, and ferulic.  All are natural and hydroquinone free.

The pigment fighter I recommend is the 5-Point Brightener & Pigment Serum.  This serum goes under the Triple Antioxidant Serum, if you have pigment problems like melasma or brown spots.

The goal of MadisonMD is to produce skin care products that are better than existing lines, at a better price point, with a focus on active lifestyles.

Free of: Animal cruelty, parabens, propylene glycol, & fragrances

Key Ingredients

ACTIVE PRIMARY:  Ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), ferulic acid, tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, emblica, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol (B5), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), green tea leaf extract      

Size:  1 oz.

Who It's For

Most skin types except the most sensitive.  This product will usually be helpful for pigmentation problems also.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

In line with SkinCeuticals' superb antioxiants - a triple compound with L-Ascorbic 15%, Vitamin E 1%, and 0.5% Ferulic (a plant based antioxidant).  Acts to prevent damage to skin cell DNA from UV via reduced free radical formation and prevention of DNA mutations.  May stimulate collagen production slightly.

How to Use

Apply to freshly cleansed skin as the first layer.

Ingredients

Water, Ethoxydiglycol, L-ascorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Alpha Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate 

Size: 1 fl. oz

Who It's For

All but sensitive skin.  If you are sensitive, try this in a small amount for a few days on a test area.  

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

SkinCeuticals made its name originally by making the best antioxidants, and this one is no exception. 3 antioxidants in one, it contains L-ascorbic acid 10%, phloretin 2%, and ferulic acid 0.5%. My personal antioxidant under my sunscreen. The same high quality without the glass jars - love the new closed pump with its travel-friendly packaging. Oxidizes only minimally with time (turns slightly yellow).

How to Use

Apply after cleansing and under your moisturizer and/or sunscreen.

Ingredients

2% Phloretin, 10% L-Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), 0.5% Ferulic Acid

Size: 1 fl. oz

Who It's For

Normal to dryer skin types and a good choice for sensitive skin.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

As antioxidants go, I still think the higher quality SkinCeuticals products or the high quality Vitamin C serums are more effective.   But not everyone tolerates those or likes the serum formulation.  This is a good option for those who don't like the serums or gels or just need an antioxidant that's quite gentle.  Contains reservatrol and polyphenol (plant-based antioxidants) isolates.  Also, this is more affordable than the SkinCeuticals ones.

How to Use

Apply in the morning under sunscreen or at night under your Vit A cream. 

Ingredients

Purified Water, Squalane, Cyclomethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Caffeine U.S.P. Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Polyphenols, Resveratrol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutila (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polysorbate-20, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethanolaine, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA

Size: 1 fl. oz (30ml) 

Who It's For

Be cautious if you have sensitive skin.  Do not use if you are propylene glycol allergic.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

Antioxidants (especially the well formulated Vit C products) have beneficial effects on skin.  This product is another version based on the natural antioxidants found in grapes and wine. Antioxidants help prevent the damage to skin cell DNA  from UVA & UVB.  They also help prevent brown spots.  This one is meant to be used at night while their Phloretin CF is recommended under sunscreen in the am.  

Bottom Line: If you love your morning antioxidant, and get good results, try this one for use at night also.   It's not a substitute for a retinoid though.  Try alternating nights.

How to Use

Using the Resveratrol and a retinoid on the same night may be too irritating. Try  alternating it with your retinoid.  It's wise to start any new product cautiously at first and watch for irritation.  Not for sensitive skin.

Ingredients

Aqua / Water / Eau, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Caffeine, Sodium Chloride, Peg/ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Resveratrol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract / Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Disodium Edta

Size:  1.7 oz

Dr. Irwin's Review

This is one of the best performing neck creams we've tested and is popular with our patients. It improves the fine lines and mild laxity (sagging), if it's mild.  If you have loose skin, this will help a bit with texture, but not the sagging. Contains a high concentration (see the 3rd ingredient) of an extract from a red microalgae (porphyridium), peptides and green tea extract. It's not oily but moisturizing. Antioxidant with potentially anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua)​,​ Glycerin​,​ Porphyridium Polysaccharide,​ Cetearyl Alcohol​,​ Isosorbide Dicaprylate,​ Butylene Glycol​,​ Methylsilanol Carboxymethyl Theophylline Alginate​,​ Canarium Indicum Oil,​ Tricaprylin​,​ C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate​,​ Lauryl Lactate​,​ Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer​,​ Squalane​,​ Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract,​ Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract​,​ Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate​,​ Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38​,​ Helichrysum Stoechas Extract,​ Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract​,​ Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract,​ Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5​,​ Glyceryl Caprylate​,​ Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Triuoroacetate,​ Ceramide 2​,​ Solidago Virgaurea (Goldenrod) Extract,​ Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract,​ Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine​,​ Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract,​ Undaria Pinnatida (Algae) Extract,​ Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein​,​ Triuoroacetyl Tripeptide-2,​ Epigallocatechin Gallate​,​ Steareth-20​,​ Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2,​ Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12​,​ Hydrolyzed Manihot Esculenta Tuber Extract,​ Cetyl Alcohol​,​ Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester​,​ Diglucosyl Gallic Acid,​ Dicetyl Phosphate​,​ Steareth-10​,​ Ceteth-10 Phosphate​,​ Laureth-3,​ Tocopherol​,​ PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol​,​ Dimethicone​,​ Leuconos toc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate,​ Caprylyl Glycol​,​ Tribehenin​,​ Dextran​,​ Carbomer​,​ Disodium EDTA​,​ Hydroxypropyl Cyclodex-tran,​ Xanthan Gum​,​ Hydroxyethylcellulose​,​ Silica​,​ Aminomethyl Propanol​,​ Propanediol​,​ Potassium Sorbate​,​ Magnesium Chloride​,​ Citric Acid​,​ Sodium Benzoate​,​ Fragrance (Parfum)​.

Size: 1 oz

Who It's For

For sun-damaged skin and for those wanting to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and aging.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

 This is SkinMedica's updated version of the old Tri-Retinol Complex, and it is still an excellent over-the-counter retinol.  At this percentage, the effects are similar to Renova/tretinoin, etc. Use at night. If you can use the prescription version of tretinoin (like Renova), do so - but many people don’t want to be bothered with a prescription and the two retinols listed on this site are almost as good. This retinol also has vitamin E in a base that will not clog pores and is still compatible with moisturizers and sunscreens. Also see the Neocutis Nouvelle+Retinol Correction Cream.  Start with this one though if you have never used a retinoid before.

Retinoids are repair creams that have 20 years of science and experience behind them. They build collagen and normalize sun damaged keratinocytes (skin cells) and help to prevent precancerous growths and skin cancers if used regularly. 

How to Use

Apply one pump to the face at night. Always use at night - light inactivates it. Begin using twice per week, then increase gradually.  If this product irritates your skin a little, try applying your moisturizer first, then wait 10-20 minutes, then apply this. You must use a sunscreen every morning if you use a retinoid because your skin will be just slightly more sun sensitive.  Stop this product a week before sunny vacations and consider not using it if you can't be consistent with sunscreen or truly are outdoors constantly. 

Ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Squalane, Retinol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Ceramide 3, Bisabolol, Phytosterols, Squalene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax (Oryza Sativa Cera), Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lauryl Alcohol, Polyisobutene, Dextran, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Size: 1 oz

Dr. Irwin's Review

Same great, high quality retinol from SkinMedica, but twice the concentration as the 0.25%.  This one is a 0.5%.  If you are new to retinols, start with the lower strength (0.25) twice a week, gradually build up to nightly, and then try going up to this one (0.5%).

If you are dry or sensitive, use retinoids OVER your moisturizer.

If you have very oily, acne prone, tough skin, you can start with this.

Key Ingredients:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycine Soja Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Squalane, Retinol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Ceramide 3, Bisabolol, Phytosterols, Squalene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oryza Sativa Bran Cera,

Size: 1 fl. oz

Who It's For

Sun damaged or aging skin, especially for the time pressured.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

Cell Growth Factors/Antioxidants/ Peptides. Especially good for those women who want to do things as quickly as possible and have no patience with multiple steps. I wish I could bathe in this product, but it’s too expensive.

Use it at night or under your sunscreen in the morning or both. It’s the first “double pump” product I’ve seen that works well. You press the plunger and it dispenses your cell growth factor serum (TNS Recovery – the reddish one) AND your antioxidant and peptide mix at the same time. 

There are 7 different antioxidants so it’s hard to compare it with other antioxidant serums (7 is not always better than 1). Has some weak plant based skin lighteners.

Expensive but could be worth it, in my opinion, especially if you hate multiple steps. 

How to Use

After cleansing both morning and night, massage gently over entire face.

Ingredients

Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media, Water (Aqua), Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Unsaponifiables, Alpha-arbutin, Isoceteth-20, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ergothioneine, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Hydrolyzed Silk, Phospholipids, Ubiquinone, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aminobutyric Acid, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Squalene, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance

Size: 0.63 oz

Who It's For

Sun-damaged or aging skin, especially for the time pressured.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

Contains Cell Growth Factors - this was the original cell growth factor product by SkinMedica.  Still a good product.   This is a product with less science behind it than the retinoids and high quality antioxidants so make sure you're using those first and then add this as a third anti-aging product.  My recommendation is to use your antioxidant as a first layer in the morning, followed by moisturizer and/or sunscreen.  Use this as a first layer at night followed by moisturizer then Renova/Retin A/tretinoin.

The more expensive version just prior has added antioxidants and peptides. 

How to Use

Use it under your sunscreen in the morning or at night or both.  After cleansing both morning and night, massage gently over entire face. 

Ingredients

Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media, Ethoxydiglycol, Isoceteth-20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance

Size: 1.6 oz

Who It's For

See above - depends on the strength.  Some with sensitive skin will still get irritated even with the 10% so try cautiously at first if you are.  Unscented. 

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

Glycolic creams are still an excellent way to achieve results ........and especially if you consider their price point, which is  lower than other anti-aging products and some acne products.  The trick is to get a good formulation and know how to use them. Start with the 10% and work up slowly.

10% -  helps with sun damage on the neck and chest, great for more sensitive skin, with acne especially on other acne meds, and I use at night once a week or so as a break from retinoids

15%  -  See above, If you have no problems with the 10%, try going up to this.  Also, excellent for dry areas on the body like the lower legs. 

20%  -  If you have very oily skin, this may be the right one for you.  This also works super well for men who get the ingrown hairs with shaving (use nightly - NOT after shaving).  Great on the body (not for neck and chest in women) for those extra dry areas.

How to Use

Generally start lower and work up.

Ingredients

Purified Water, Glycolic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Cyclomethicone, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Green Tea Extract, Aloe Vera, Mucopolysaccharides, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea. 6/2/09

Size: 1.7 oz airless pump 

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

Niacinamide is the true active in both the AM and PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer from EltaMD.  It's listed as the 4th ingredient which means there is a good concentration of it in the product.  Niacinamide is a work horse. Most people will notice within 60 days improvement in texture, elasticity, pigment and fine lines.  Also contains a vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate), caffeine, and willow bark extract.

Other skincare products with niacinamide include Revision Nectifirm Advanced - also a great product.

Ingredients

Purified Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide,  Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Sodium Chloride, Piptadenia Colubrina Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Allantoin, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Palmitate.

Size: 1 fl oz (30 mL)

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

 Contains a ton of healthy skin oils some natural to skin like the triglyceride, and some just healthy oils like the grape seed oil.  Great for dry, sensitive, or eczema prone skin.  Not great for acne or oily skin.  Contains vitamin C and little vitamin A (retinyl palmitate).

Ingredients

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil and Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil.

Size: 2 oz.

Dr. Irwin's Product Review

 Pre-event or just feeling like you need a skin boost?  This helps!  Also contains antioxidants, and gentle exfoliants to make your skin glow.  Not great for super sensitive skin due to the pineapple and papaya extracts.  Good for normal, dry or oily skin.

Ingredients

AQUA, CARICA PAPAYA (PAPAYA) FRUIT EXTRACT, ANANAS SATIVUS (PINEAPPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, GLYCERYL STEARATE & PEG 100 STEARATE,L-ASCORBIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE, PHYTIC ACID, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A), SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE, ALGAE EXTRACT, MACROCYSTISPYRIFERA EXTRACT, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, PHENOXYETHANOL & CAPRYLYL GLYCOL & ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN & HEXYLENE GLYCOL, VITISVINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED EXTRACT, YEAST POLYSACCHARIDE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM RNA, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CITRIS AURANTIUM DULCIS-ORANGE BLOSSOM EXTRACT (ORGANIC), SILK AMINO ACID, SODIUM DNA, DISODIUM EDTA.