Hydrate, Smooth, Plump: Best Anti-Aging Skincare Past Age 25

25 years old is often said to be a turning point for many signs of aging, from sagging skin and emerging wrinkles to a drop in stamina and metabolism. It's never too early to get started with anti-aging skincare. But – are anti-aging skincare products alone enough?

When skin ages, its cell metabolism begins to slow down, reducing sebum secretion. This lowers our skin's moisture-retaining abilities and accelerates water loss, so that skin often feels dry, tight and stripped. Dryness can contribute to fine lines in thinner areas such as around the eyes or at the corners of the mouth.

To combat skin aging, 'hydration' is a key focus as much as it is the fundamental of general skincare. When our skin is quenched and satisfied, you'll notice a clarified, natural radiant complexion, and the rest of your skincare routine goes on much more smoothly. Pair adequate moisturisation with gentle yet effective anti-aging skincare products, and you get a golden routine that synergises for optimal slow aging benefits.

Common Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredients

① Retinol
A vitamin A derivative, retinol is an A-list anti-aging ingredient that helps promote cell renewal in the human body while stimulating collagen proliferation. It prevents skin aging while addressing existing signs of maturing skin, including sagging and wrinkles.

② Peptides
Small molecules of multiple chained amino acids, peptides are smaller in size than collagen and therefore more easily absorbed by the skin. They stimulate collagen production, helping to improve elasticity and firmness.

③ Collagen
Collagen, which accounts for about 30% of the body's total protein, supports tissue structure and maintains tissue elasticity. It makes skin appear fuller and more elastic, which also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Common Hydrating Skincare Ingredients

① Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring moisturising ingredient in the human body in charge of maintaining skin moisture. Skincare containing hyaluronic acid helps to replenish lost moisture and improve skin health and appearance. It also plumps with a smoothing and rejuvenating effect to reduce the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

② Ceramides
Around 40 % of the skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum, is made up of ceramides. This is why ceramide skincare can help repair the damaged skin barrier, prevent water loss and improve moisture retention to keep skin nourished and dewy. This moisturiser is crucial in alleviating dryness-induced discomfort, such as itching and flaky skin.

③  Panthenol
Panthenol, a vitamin B5 derivative, is a highly absorbent humectant that locks moisture in the stratum corneum, boosting skin's moisture content and leaving it soft and smooth. Restoring the skin barrier and enhancing its integrity and moisture retaining abilities, panthenol is a repairing and anti-aging two-in-one that lets you enjoy porcelain-fine, bouncy and smooth skin.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum Recommendations

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜APLB Collagen EGF Peptide Ampoule Serum

This bottle is all your skin needs for its daily dose of collagen. A fusion of the powerful anti-aging ingredients collagen and EGF peptide, this ampoule fills the skin from top to bottom with moisture at once, restoring elasticity and plumpness. Boosting radiance and smoothing fine lines, even fatigued and stressed skin grows smooth and delicate again.

All ingredients are awarded an EWG green rating and are blended into a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formula. The addition of a triple centella complex also helps to moisturise and soothe sensitivity.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜APLB Retinol Vitamin C Vitamin E Ampoule Serum

Anti-aging and brightening ingredients go hand in hand in this dual function formula! In addition to the anti-aging ingredient retinol, this serum also brightens with vitamin C, a blemish-fading agent. Promising brightening, lifting, plumping, and wrinkle-reducing benefits in one, this is your genie's lamp when it comes to skincare.

All ingredients are awarded an EWG green rating and are blended into a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formula. The addition of a triple centella complex also helps to moisturise and soothe sensitivity.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Matrixyl 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule

Introducing SKIN1004's latest drop – a sensitive skin-friendly microneedle serum! This spicule treatment delivers high concentrations of peptides and other actives deep into skin with microneedle ingredients smaller in size than pores, fully maximising anti-wrinkle and firming effects.

The moisture-rich texture is infused with moisturising ingredients like panthenol and hyaluronic acid, as well as Madagascar Centella Asiatica extract for extra calming and repairing bonuses, to protect the skin from external irritation.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜Trilogy CoQ10 Booster Oil

Concocted with meticulously selected botanicals that repair your skin with the pure, pristine power of nature, this face oil blends comfortably nourishing plant-based oils, antioxidant coenzyme Q10, and a proprietary anti-glycation complex. It revitalises skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and hydrates skin while ensuring the moisture stays locked in within skin.

The fresh soothing aroma leaves your body and mind relaxed, adding an indulgent touch to your everyday skincare routine.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜BIOHEAL BOH Probioderm Collagen Remodeling Booster Shot Program

Korean medical aesthetics treatment care with PDRN – right in the comfort of your home. This comprehensive 2-step set targets all key concerns of mature skin with a dual-ingredient microneedle formula of collagen and PDRN. Microneedling enables the ampoule to penetrate deeper and faster into skin to tighten pores, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten dull skin tone. It rejuvenates for skin to become lively, vibrant and radiant again.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜VT Red Booster Reedle Shot 100

The viral Reedle Shot often found sold out at Olive Young stores in South Korea, with accumulative sales having surpassed 3.3 million units! It promotes your skin’s absorption of active ingredients to improve metabolism and revitalize your skin, with an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effect.

The Reedle Shot comes in varying levels of intensity, from 50 to 1000, and with different functional ingredients, including collagen, cica and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to suit different needs and conditions.

The Red Booster Reedle Shot is enriched with 'dragon's blood', a botanical extracted from the Calamus Draco in Peru. Rich in antioxidants and skin-friendly nutrients, it has slow aging benefits and helps improve skin firmness and vitality.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil

Formulated with 0.5% high purity retinol and 'super vitamin E' Tocotrienol, COSRX's retinol oil offers powerful repairing effects through the synergy between the two anti-aging agents. Squalane in the formula also moisturises and adds hydrated plumpness to skin. Reach for a bottle, turn back time and marvel at smoothed fine lines and visibly rejuvenated skin!

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

This COSRX booster is a preparatory serum for the first step of your routine to really elevate your whole skincare regime. The 6-peptide formula targets multiple skin aging problems – it smooths wrinkles, firms, lifts, moisturises, repairs, and brightens dullness all at once, while doing all of this in a lightweight, toner-like texture that works wonderfully even on oily skin.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜celimax The Real Noni Energy Ampoule

Enjoying newfound popularity recently, the noni fruit is a superfood rich in more than 150 nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Famous as a quick fix for fatigued skin after an all-nighter, this Korean serum is packed with 71.77% Noni Extract for powerful moisturising, soothing, and antioxidant benefits. It revives compromised skin with an abundance of energy and nutrition, repelling dullness and keeping your skin's glow on!

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Serum｜BIODANCE Pore Tightening Collagen Ampoule

Noticed aging-induced pores growing larger and more visible? Here's a pore-shrinking and anti-aging two-in-one for you! Supplying skin with a rich variety of collagen, the serum version of the viral overnight BIODANCE collagen masks plumps skin from deep within. It immediately increases your skin's collagen content by an impressive 168% after use, leaving a firming effect you can feel. Not only does it improve enlarged and stretched pores but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and nasolabial folds, so that skin is smooth, supple, and youthful.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream Recommendations

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜BIOHEAL BOH Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream

Want to lift and firm sagging skin without the hassle of a medical aesthetics treatment? This revolutionary anti-aging solution is just what you need. This cream combines proprietary lactobacillus and elasticity-boosting ingredients for a maximised lifting and tightening effect designed for saggy, aging skin. Resculpting your facial contours, it offers an anti-gravity lift you can feel and see.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream

Bestseller of the traditional Korean Hanbang-inspired brand Beauty of Joseon, this cream fuses rice bran water with a variety of moisturising ingredients for an all-round hydrating formula you can't go wrong with. The light and spreadable texture glides like water on skin and instils a rich dose of nutrients and nourishment, keeping your natural barrier moisturised and strengthened. Quench your skin and let it glow with health.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-Wrinkle Cream

An anti-aging moisturiser designed for sensitive skin, this nourishing formula smooths signs of aging, hydrates, and repairs in one go. The soft, comforting texture is imbued with two kinds of hyaluronic acids and vitamin B5 for deep, intensive hydration, moisture retention, and smoothing benefits. Skin is pearly and radiant once again. La Roche Posay's patented skin-loving thermal spring water is also added to relieve irritated redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜Dr.Althea Rapid Firm Sculpting Cream

Find yourself admiring the smooth, firm skin of Korean influencers? Look no further than the Dr.Althea Rapid Firm Sculpting Cream. Formulated with Edelweiss extract from Korea, it infuses fatigued skin with rich nutrients and moisture, helping to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and tighten the facial contour. It comes in a highly spreadable, creamy texture that is lightweight and non-sticky, quickly penetrating deep into the skin to form a lasting moisture film.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜Medicube Triple Collagen Cream 4.0

Introducing your go-to for rejuvenated skin elasticity and a 180% boost in plumpness! Medicube's collagen cream spreads in a delightfully light texture filled with gentle ingredients swiftly absorbed by the skin. Continuous usage helps to strengthen your natural barrier's defences, improving wrinkles and fine lines, and instil tangible bounce into your skin. This formulation reshapes your face into the firm, well-contoured facial lines of youth.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream

If you're new to retinol, or have sensitive skin, reach for COSRX's retinol 0.1 cream. The mildly concentrated 0.1% retinol formulation improves fine lines and firms without risks of irritation and discomfort. It's also infused with hyaluronic acids and shea butter to nourish and keep your natural barrier hydrated, leaving skin softer and smoother.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜Bonajour EGF Time Recovery Solution Cream

If you want top-notch, exquisite care for your skin, here it is. Bonajour's EGF cream is a moisturising, repairing, and anti-aging 3-in-1 formula richly concocted with nutritious components like premium EGF ingredients and black truffle extract. Talk about indulgence! Its powerful repairing benefits work wonders on signs of aging, leaving skin rejuvenated, plump and glowing with vitality.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Cream｜TIA'M Vita A Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer

This vitamin A cream lifts, reduces wrinkles and plumps with the anti-aging dream team of vitamin A and collagen. The skin-loving formula is free from artificial fragrances and uses the gentlest form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, to minimise irritation for vitamin A beginners and those with sensitive skin.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask Recommendations

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜ROUND LAB Camellia Deep Collagen Firming Gel Mask

ROUND LAB's newest collagen mask leaves skin vibrant, youthful, and dewy with patented camellia extract and low-molecular collagen. Targeting wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging, it promises comprehensive care for mature skin – not to mention pore-minimising benefits! The lightweight yet snugly adhesive wear is bound to be a favourite regardless of your age and skin type.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜Mediheal Hyper Mask Sheet

Each piece of Mediheal's Hyper Mask is extravagantly infused with a whole bottle of collagen ampoule serum. High-concentration elasticity boosters fill each layer of your skin, plumping wrinkles from deep down and powerfully lifting the five key areas of your face to erase traces of time.

These collagen gel mask sheets are clinically proven to improve elasticity in key areas like the corners of the eyes, nasolabial folds, corners of the mouth, cheeks, and jawline to restore firmness.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜Numbuzin No.9 NAD Bio Lifting-sil Full Face Mask

Who said a sheet mask could only go on your face? Designed to improve sagging skin and reshape your overall facial contours, the numbuzin No.9 Full Face Mask features a unique ear-hooking design that envelopes and lifts your entire chin and jawline.

Its blend of elasticity-enhancing skin nourishers, including a whopping 50 kinds of peptides, can firm and lift to redefine your jawline contour and keep loose, saggy flab at bay.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜BIODANCE Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask

Claiming top spots on Olive Young rankings right after its launch, Biodance's collagen masks are selling out not just in South Korea but all over the world. Each sheet is infused with an entire bottle's worth of serum to instantly boost skin elasticity and reduce fine lines.

Containing ultra-low molecular collagen and the Pitera 'miracle ingredient' Galactomyces, these masks deeply nourish and inject hydration and elasticity deep into your skin. Its magic works in about 3 hours, though you can always keep it on overnight and enjoy the luxury of waking up to soft, clear and glowing skin and foundation that goes on perfectly.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜Rejuran Healer Skin Protection Mask Sheet

Not quite ready to try the Rejuran injection treatment? Then be sure to try Rejuran in a sheet – the Healer Skin Protection Mask! The patented high-purity PDRN formula promotes skin regeneration and repairs damage. Offering intense hydration, it strengthens skin barrier defences against external stimuli. Enjoy medical-grade cosmetic effects from the comfort of your own home!

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask

Medicube has also jumped on the collagen gel mask bandwagon to launch masks concocted with not just PDRN but also pink peptides. Boosting hyaluronic and collagen synthesis, it leaves skin soft and bouncy and improves moisture retention for a rejuvenated and energised complexion.

Moisturising and Anti-Aging Face Mask｜Medicube Collagen Lifting Mask

Triple collagen jelly essence works alongside moisturising hyaluronic acid to fully recharge your skin's elasticity and tangibly firm and plump. See an improvement not just in overall contours but also in small defects like fine lines! The gentle, hypoallergenic nature goes well on any skin type and is especially ideal for sagging, dry, rough, and sensitive skin.