Memorial Day deals are officially here, and my itchy, beauty-loving shopping fingers are ready to click “add to cart.” A big sales event is the best time to stock up on skin care products that would otherwise cost an arm and a leg. Anti-aging products loaded with active ingredients for mature skin are often on the pricey side, which makes the deals even more delicious.
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Below, I’ve rounded up a curated selection of dermatologist-recommended skin care products for people over 40 — all of which are on sale for Memorial Day. They include HuffPost reader favorites, editor must-haves and more, all of which have been approved by skin care experts. Keep reading and stock up while the deals last; your future self will thank you.
A HuffPost reader-beloved vitamin C serum (10% off list price)
In case you didn’t know, vitamin C is a really valuable player in the skin care game. In fact, after sunscreen and retinol, it’s the most helpful ingredient in defense against premature skin aging.
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Bradley Glodny shared in a previous HuffPost report. Per Glodny, vitamin C applied topically protects skin from external toxins and free radicals that cause premature skin aging, while enhancing collagen production.
This makes this popular serum’s enthusiastic reviews all the more viable. The nourishing formula works to reduce in fine lines, sun damage and aging spots — improving the appearance of skin conditions like melasma and an overall increase in skin brightness and radiance.
A famous sunscreen that is chock-full of anti-aging ingredients (20% off list price)
Time and again, experts have emphasized that wearing daily SPF is the best anti-aging tool in your arsenal. If you’ve got mature skin that needs a little more attention than it used to, you should also consider this one of your strongest skin care hacks.
This face and body SPF from dermatologist-beloved sunscreen brand EltaMD is made with zinc oxide and other powerful actives to keep your skin from harmful UV rays along with vitamin C to help reduce common signs of aging. We love a multitasking skin care product here, and this one is as good as it gets.
All the experts we previously spoke to suggested wearing a minimum of SPF 30 daily, regardless of the weather. “If you’re spending extended time outdoors, especially in direct sunlight, bump that up to SPF 50+ for optimal protection,” Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, board-certified dermatologist and dermatological surgeon and Real Self partner in California, told HuffPost.
In addition, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp suggested a tinted version of this sunscreen in our previous coverage of products to prevent melasma.
A high-potency hyaluronic acid dermatologists say yields fast results (25% off list price)
If you don’t have a hyaluronic acid in your beauty bag, you’re doing a disservice to your face and the rest of your skin care products, honestly. I write this as a proud daily user.
Hyaluronic acid can increase hydration overnight, according to a previous comment from Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates. “[It] binds 1000 times its weight in water, this plumping of the skin will improve fine lines and smooth the skin’s texture,” she noted in previous reporting.
Camp specifically recommended this high-potency serum from Kiehl’s.
“This fast-absorbing hyaluronic acid facial serum is formulated to replenish and intensively hydrate, leaving skin more plump, healthy and hydrated,” Camp said.
A de-puffing and brightening eye cream
“This brightening eye cream is made with vitamin C, niacinamide, ginseng, and caffeine to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles,” Camp previously said.
It comes in two tones to offer an instant and slightly tinted brightening effect to help conceal dark circles. The moisturizing formula also features niacinamide, an ingredient that Spearman said can quickly even skin tone and decrease inflammation.
A caffeine-filled moisture treatment to wake up skin (25% off list price)
Both Spearman and Camp previously spoke about the rapid-working benefits of caffeine, which, according to Spearman “will address dark circles, under-eye puffiness and tired skin very quickly.”
She suggested Kiehl’s Facial Fuel, an energizing moisture treatment that may be marketed for men, but anyone can benefit from it. The fast-absorbing and non-greasy formula contains not just caffeine, but an antioxidant blend powered by vitamins C and E from chestnut extract.
A set of teeth whitening strips (20% off list price)
In previous reporting, Dr. Bronwyn Hagan of the New York-based practice Fitzsimons & Hagan Dentistry recommended these Lumineux whitening strips for people with sensitive teeth. They’re non-toxic and peroxide-free, instead using natural ingredients like coconut oil and Dead Sea salt. The box comes with seven treatments that work in much the same way as the Crest strips: Apply them for 30 minutes once a day for four days, and then once a week after that or as directed by your dentist.
We all know what a difference shiny, white teeth can make to your overall youthful appearance, and this is an easy way to brighten up your complexion.
A vitamin-rich serum for aging skin
In previous HuffPost reporting, Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, recommended this Vichy serum. “Specifically designed for peri- and post-menopause, this serum combines a blend of proxylane, cassia extract, vitamins b3-C-E, omega fatty acids and Vichy volcanic water,” Garshick said.
She believes that this multi-tasking combination has the potential to improve the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, while also firming the skin and boosting hydration.,
A peptide and vitamin C cream (15% off list price)
“This cream works to boost moisture and improves radiance of the skin, offering both immediate and long-term improvements,” Garshick previously said of Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream, a luxe formulation of hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C and E and more, which she explained can plump skin and potentially reduce the appearance of fine lines.
A jar of exfoliating face pads full of dermatologist-approved ingredients (24% off list price)
Reviewers call these glycolic acid pads a “game changer” for mature skin. They’re infused with glycolic acid, an ingredient that dermatologists have recommended for its anti-aging and smoothing effects. These pads are known to be effective, easy-to-use and delightfully affordable.
Each container has 50 pads and comes with a little extraction tool so you can get each out without having to dig around and touch them. If you want deeper hydration, the pads can also be used as a sheet mask — just apply them to your skin and let sit for five minutes for your skin to absorb the toner.
An adapalene gel from a big name in acne treatments (15% off list price)
Like other forms of retinoids, adapalene, which until 2018 was only available by prescription, works by increasing the skin’s cellular turnover rate — a process that slows down naturally as we age.
This means that even though adapalene-based products are marketed as acne treatments, that they can also be used to help promote collagen production, according to a previous comment from Dr. Ariel Ostad, a cosmetic surgeon based in New York City. And more collagen can mean plumper, more youthful skin with fewer fine lines.
Based on this, we’re recommending a deal on this adapalene gel from Proactiv, a big name in acne treatment.
Promising Amazon review: “I’ve been stricken with horrible adult acne after having flawless skin my whole life. This product completely reversed my skin back to its original condition. It took about a month for results. Yes, my skin was worse for the first week and a half or so but it was worth it. Maybe start the product when you don’t have important plans for the next week. will never live without this product again!” — Molé
A PDRN serum packed with five different plumping peptides (13% off list price)
In previous reporting, Spearman suggested this recognizable pink serum, a Korean beauty brand that’s quickly become synonymous with tons of PDRN-based products, from jelly masks to toners and face creams. The PDRN peptide serum is one of Medicube’s best sellers on Amazon, and in addition to salmon sperm-derived PDRN, it’s enriched with a complex containing five different types of peptides. According to dermatologists that we previously spoke to, peptides are amino acid proteins known to boost collagen production, improve skin texture and promote wound healing.
You can also expect to find soothing basil leaf extracts to calm irritated skin, powerful hydrators to draw in moisture, and niacinamide, a well-studied antioxidant that can fade dark spots and brighten skin. [It’s] well-liked for the hydration capabilities and easy to layer with [the] matching mask,” Spearman said.
Through May 31, Medicube is offering up to 50% off select skin care products, 20% off all devices and free gifts with purchases over $70.
A powerful retinoid cream that tackles a variety of issues but is gentle enough for daily use
Spearman also previously recommended this Elm Biosciences cream is formulated with a new, gentler retinoid derivative that also contains barrier support ingredients. She said, “The retinoid helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles as with previous retinol/retinoid products, but does so with less irritation, so it can be used by those with more sensitive skin. It also firms and supports thinning skin with its peptides and anti-aging compounds. Finally, the lipids and ectoin help to counteract the dryness that is typically seen with older retinoids and cause less irritation.”
Elm Biosciences is offering 20% off sitewide for Memorial Day.
A reviewer-beloved PDRN cream (23% off list price)
We already know PDRN is dermatologist-approved, so why not jump on the PDRN bandwagon and give your skin a gorgeous pick-me-up? Made with a high concentration of PDRN along with niacinamide, panthenol and collagen, this cream harnesses the power of these dermatologist-beloved ingredients and can help to deliver bright, strong, and firim skin. One reviewer noted that it exceeded their expectations, while another proclaimed, “All the Korean aunties are right! I will buy again until death do us apart.”
A night cream that’s saved my parched skin (25% off list price)
I’ve previously written about the Medik8 Advanced Ceramide night cream, which proved to be a lifesaver for my parched skin, without triggering acne. As its name suggests, this luxuriously rich cream is powered by ceramides, the amino acids that are essential for a healthy and properly functioning skin barrier. It is also infused with an antioxidant complex and peptides that can contribute to the look of firmer, more glowing skin. It’s great for crepey skin, texture issues such as roughness or dark spots and typical signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
In past HuffPost reporting, experts have recommended products containing ceramides, like this cream. “They help create a healthy barrier and work to retain moisture in the skin,” said dermatologist Dr. Nada Elbuluk, professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Southern California. “They also keep out irritants like pollution, bacteria, allergens and chemicals.”
A firming microcurrent facial device that I own and love (26% off list price)
Back in 2022, HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores had the opportunity to try Foreo’s Bear micro-current device, an FDA-cleared tool that uses low-level electrical impulses to stimulate facial muscles in order to achieve a number of benefits for the skin, particularly firming and toning effects. The Bear combines its microcurrents with sonic massage to trigger muscle movement and help exercise the underlying areas of the face that are partially responsible for keeping skin perky and facial contours more prominent.
Throughout the years, with semi-regular use of the Bear, she has noticed a softening of some of the more stubborn fine lines, like the elevens in between her eyebrows and the marionette lines around her mouth and decreased jowling. She also likes to use it more frequently when her Botox has worn out, and it helps her go longer in between treatments.
Designed to help contour, tighten and tone facial skin, these anti-aging devices, which send a current of energy into the skin, are not just a passing fad or gimmick. In previous reporting, Dr. Brooke Jeffy, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based board-certified dermatologist, told HuffPost that “the purpose of these devices is to strengthen and tone the muscles of the face to increase volume and give a more youthful appearance. These devices also claim to improve circulation and enhance energy delivery to boost collagen and elastin.”
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If you use code MEMORIAL30, you can get an extra 30% off on Foreo’s entire site, including this bundle that includes the Bear and Foreo’s Supercharged conductive serum to use with the device.
A tried-and-true liquid exfoliant (30% off list price)
Containing beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to help clear the buildup of dead skin, this Paula’s Choice exfoliant can reduce enlarged pores, as well as blackheads and whiteheads. Flores has stubborn keratosis pilaris bumps along her cheeks and personally attests to how well this toner can also smooth skin’s texture while also improving the skin barrier. Every time we cover this popular exfoliating toner, it is one of our top sellers.
Experts have long recommended using chemical exfoliants for common signs of aging, like this one. Dr. Lindsey Zubritksy, a Mississippi-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told HuffPost that for most people, exfoliation is an important, beneficial step in a skin care regimen.
A targeted kojic acid soap for brightening underarms and other areas of the body and face with dark spots (20% off list price)
In previous reporting, Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose said, “Kojic acid, tranexamic acid, vitamin C and glycolic acid are some of my favorite skin care ingredients to treat and prevent hyperpigmentation. They work by interfering with melanin synthesis in the skin.”
This bar soap is surprisingly great for brightening skin and reducing hyperpigmentation. Both Flores and I are big fans of these Japanese-formulated bar soaps that are also packed with other skin-loving ingredients such as antioxidant-rich vitamin C, hydrating hyaluronic acid and retinol, which is essential for promoting collagen production. The soap comes in packs of two, and is worth every penny.
A face cream infused with kojic acid and turmeric to lighten dark spots (30% off list price)
If you prefer your kojic acid in a cream form, look no further than this popular K-beauty cream. It is formulated with a powerful blend of high-quality ingredients that can help to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots, while also soothing and calming irritated skin and fighting environmental aggressors. One reviewer said, “It really does do what it claims too! Even after a couple days of use I definitely saw a lightening of age/sun spots.”
A pack of medical-grade silicone scar sheets (19% off list price)
Scarring of any kind, but especially on one’s face, can definitely age you or make you self-conscious. This pack of sheets is made with medical-grade silicone, is easy-to-use and cut-to-size — it also has great reviews.
Actor Christy Escobar has been using silicone scar sheets following a health scare that left her with a gash on her forehead. “As an actress, I was pretty worried about having a visible scar after I had to get ten stitches on my forehead following a fainting incident. Besides religiously applying SPF (and getting bangs again, haha), the silicone scar sheets have been extremely effective in minimizing redness and bumpiness. I just put it on at night while I sleep, and it’s already looking so much better a month out,” she said.
Silicone scar tape can make a meaningful difference in the look and feel of a scar, and experts agree.
“It does not ‘erase’ scars, but it can meaningfully reduce redness, thickness, firmness and overall visibility, particularly for raised scars,” said Dr. Jenna Queller, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks in Boca Raton. “Clinical data shows it can help flatten and soften scars and even reduce the risk of developing hypertrophic scars when used early and consistently,” she added. (This type of scar tissue is characterized by its red, elevated appearance.)
Dr. Moustafa Mourad, a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City, noted, “I routinely recommend silicone scar tape to my patients because it is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve scar healing.” He explained that the silicone creates a protective barrier over the scar, keeping the skin well hydrated. “That hydration helps regulate collagen production during healing. When scars become thick or raised, it is usually because the body has overproduced collagen. Silicone helps slow that process down so the scar matures in a smoother, more controlled way. It also reduces irritation, which is another factor that can worsen scarring.”
Queller added that, “they also provide mild pressure and protection from friction, all of which can contribute to flatter, softer scars over time.”
An ultra-rich repair cream that’s helped my eczema (19% off list price)
For Memorial Day, First Aid Beauty, a brand that Flores considers to be a holy grail in her regular skin care arsenal, is offering up to 50% off on select favorites, like this intensive repair cream. She credits it for saving her itchy, flaky and eczema-prone skin on more than one occasion.
The moisturizing formula was even previously recommended by Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist in San Diego. “[It’s] a must-have for winter!” she said. “It’s a rich cream formulated with colloidal oatmeal, which relieves irritation, and shea butter, which protects and maintains our skin barrier. Allantoin also helps calm and soothe the skin.”
An affordable retinol cream with 41,400+ ratings (41% off list price)
HuffPost readers swoon over the LilyAna Naturals eye cream, but this retinol-powered facial moisturizer is even more highly rated at Amazon. Get all the benefits of retinol, like reducing typical signs of aging and smoothing skin, while the potent hyaluronic blend can help keep skin soft, supple and hydrated. You really can’t beat the price, especially when it’s discounted so generously for Memorial Day.
Jessica Weiser, a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group, previously told HuffPost that hyaluronic acid “is important for structural support of collagen and elastin in the skin.”
A pack of gentle disposable washcloths (23% off list price)
Experts have previously cautioned HuffPost readers that our washcloths and loofahs may be gross and cause problems for skin. One solution to bacteria-harboring washcloths are disposable face towelettes like these very highly-rated towels.
“Be cautious in using cleansing tools like washcloths, sponges or loofahs, because they can be irritating to the skin,” dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously told HuffPost. “Items like washcloths can be a breeding ground for microorganisms if they are left out wet and reused.”
An intensive 40% urea cream with salicylic acid (23% off list price)
This intensive moisturizing and softening cream contains a very high concentration of urea. Protective, intensely moisturizing and softening, this cream also features 2% salicylic acid to help exfoliate away patches of rough and flaky skin, as well as targeting things like calluses, corns and cracked skin. It’s a combination that can be useful for feet and elbows and even promote healthier-looking nails.
Dr. Carmen Castilla, a board-certified New York-based dermatologist, previously told HuffPost that urea in concentrations of 2-10% has “excellent hydrating effects for dry skin issues.” She said that multiple clinical trials on the use of urea-containing formulations have shown significant improvement in many of the dermatoses presenting with scaly and dry skin, such as atopic dermatitis.
According to board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Brendan Camp, this is because urea is both a humectant and a keratolytic, meaning it can draw and retain moisture into the skin and help it feel softer and smoother.
A microneedling serum for reducing fine lines (25% off list price)
Microneedling is an in-office treatment that typically yields visible results for just about every major skin concern and can start at almost $200. The Dr. Brandt Dermal Micro Points serum is meant to replicate, to some degree, microneedling using natural spicules that “create [three] million microchannels within [five] minutes in the epidermis,” according to the brand.
This product also contains other skin-boosting actives, like peptides, to help enhance penetration, boost collagen production and improve texture.
In previous HuffPost reporting, experts explained why peptides are such a popular ingredient and how they work. Peptides can also help skin “appear plumper and smoother” and improve skin hydration, texture and firmness, said Dr. Kseniya Kobets, a dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford, New York. They are particularly beneficial for “lines that form with expression, such as laugh lines around the mouth and eyes,” added Dr. Toral Vaidya, a dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York.
Be sure to use code FIREWORKS25 at checkout to save 25% on the entire Dr. Brandt site.
A three-part system that fades hyperpigmentation (20% off list price)
I previously wrote about the products that have helped reduce the hyperpigmentation and melasma that I developed during pregnancy. While I can attribute a wide range of products to the marked improvement of my condition, I give the most credit to the Major Fade line of products from Dr. Idriss, which are available to purchase as a set or individually.
The Major Fade Hyper serum has a really lightweight, dewy finish that makes the skin look illuminated upon immediate application, while hardworking ingredients that include alpha arbutin, kojic acid and niacinamide can help to fade long-term discoloration and nourish the skin.
Major Fade Active Seal moisturizer is chock-full of vitamin C, an antioxidant known for its brightening prowess. The addition of 4-Butylresorcinol gives it the power to help visibly fade hyperpigmentation while ceramides provide moisture and hydration.
The Major Fade Flash mask, while not intended for daily use, is a must in a spot fading regime. It’s made with glycolic acid, lactic acid and tranexamic acid, which work together to exfoliate, smooth, even skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots. It’s the sleeper hit of the trio.
In previous HuffPost reporting, experts have time and again recommended products with vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid and more — all of which can be found in this powerfully effective trio.
A resveratrol-rich blurring serum (25% off list price)
An instant shot of replenishing hydration for the skin, this multi-tasking serum from Korres uses grape seed extract, oils and resveratrol, a plant-based phenol that’s potent in terms of squelching free radicals and protecting collagen, according to dermatologists. The result is skin tone that has a blurred and velvety look and prolonged moisture.
A serum with a concentrated dose of retinal for wrinkles (25% off list price)
If you’ve ever wondered how to get your hands on some of the strongest retinoids, without a prescription, this is a much-talked-about option, which actually comes in six strengths for everyone from the retinol beginner to the seasoned expert. The Medik8 Crystal Retinal (in the mid-strength option) is also one of my favorites; it’s an effective yet gentle addition to my repertoire that I return to anytime I’m off tretinoin.
It leaves my skin looking and feeling great. Not only does it address typical signs of aging like wrinkles and texture quickly and efficiently, but it’s also helped to round out my anti-hyperpigmentation routine without stripping my skin of moisture or being overly harsh. The formula is balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated.
Time and again, experts have recommended skin care products with retinol to address mature skin concerns. Dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang has told HuffPost, “Retinol creams can help increase epidermal thickening, promote collagen synthesis and decrease collagen breakdown in photo-aged skin. By doing so, retinols can help prevent and soften wrinkles, smooth uneven skin texture and improve skin complexion.”
A Korean “glass skin” serum (20% off list price)
“Glass skin” is a K-beauty term that was coined long ago, and according to Korean beauty brand, Peach & Lily, it was one to originate it. Their best-selling Glass Skin Refining serum uses a gentle blend of peach extract and niacinamide (an oft-recommended ingredient) to brighten skin and fade hyperpigmentation. The luminosity-boosting formula also contains peptides to add plumpness to skin and boost hydration.
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Use code MDW20 to score 20% off Peach & Lily’s entire site for Memorial Day.
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