What Is the Most Important Anti-Aging Cream Ingredient?

Most anti-aging creams may work no better than typical moisturizers. The daily application of sunscreen is considered to be the single most important thing to maintaining youthful skin.

This is the first in a four-part series on so-called anti-aging skin products. Stay tuned for:
• Topical Retinoids to Reverse Skin Aging ( )
• The Benefits of Topical Niacinamide for Reversing Skin Aging ( )
• The Benefits of Topical Vitamin C for Reversing Skin Aging ( )

For more on how to live your longest, healthiest life, preorder my new book How Not to Age ( ). (As always, all proceeds I receive from all of my books ( ) are donated to charity.)

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-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

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Leroy Johnson
 

  • Tatiana Roslyakova says:

    👍

  • Alicia B says:

    At 25 I was fortunate to have a dermatologist tell me to protect my skin. At 61 I’m glad I listened.

    I’m interested to hear your thoughts on trans retinoic acid/Tretinoin given the ban in the EU.

    Thank you for all you do. 🙏🕉

  • Casey Planck says:

    I’ve used sunscreen daily since end of 2020/beginning of 2021 and I have been told I look younger than before. I love sunscreen. The brand “BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN” is my favorite. I use the kids version because it’s the same as the adult one but cheaper.

  • Anthony Romano says:

    I would think eating a lot of water containing foods would moisturize your whole body.

    • Jotun says:

      Moisturisers work by forming a layer on the skin so the water you do have in the skin stays in the tissue and doesn’t leave the skin, not by introducing moisture from outside. So the moisture you already have and maintain by fluid intake is preserved.

  • A H says:

    I’m leery of putting chemical sunscreen on daily, I prefer to cover up (long sleeves, wide brim hat)

    • Sidilicious says:

      Me too. One summer a couple decades ago I used sunscreen on my forearms and developed a big age spot. I was already leery of sunscreen and never used it again.

    • Stephss says:

      I found Avene, which is a mineral sunscreen, and no fragrance. It works well, for those short sleeve days. ✌️

    • Michele M says:

      Try mineral sunscreen for your face plus long sleeves and a hat. It’s really impossible to protect the face with just a hat. Some sun exposure is from light bounced off of surfaces and up into your face. Plus a hat really only protects the top part of your face unless you live at the equator and it’s noon 😁

    • Ceidren V says:

      Then use organic, mineral sunscreens.

    • Sidilicious says:

      @Ceidren V pale white from iron oxide, no thanks.

  • Tango Masterclass says:

    Thanks for the information! I have used sunscrean every day since I was 23, also on cloudy days. Recently I started using moisturizer as well. I have ‘normal’ skin (not dry, not oily), so I never thought I needed it. But I read it helps to prevent wrinkles.

  • Alvin R. says:

    Years ago, a dermatologist prescribed retinol and unfortunately my face suffered the consequences. To this day, my facial skin is highly reactive to sunlight thanks to retinol. Considering the amount of melanin in my skin it shouldn’t be that way.

  • Meenakshi Jhalani says:

    Is there a recommendation on how much sunscreen amount to apply on each application and how many times per day?

    • Paul Cohen says:

      I’ve red a shot glass full of sunscreen every two hours and when you get out of the water if your sunscreen isn’t waterproof. At that rate, you’ll go through a bottle in a few days, I think.

  • Bob Dorris says:

    Thoughts on mineral vs. chemical? And brand recommendations?

  • Pantha Rhei says:

    Thank you so much for all these great videos! 🌸

  • betty maugeri says:

    I don’t know what ingredient I am allergic to but I get blotchy and or hives from most sunscreen.

    • Stephss says:

      I have had success with Avene (eau thermale) spf 50+. It’s a mineral, large spectrum, fragrance free lotion. it has a bit of a shimmer to it too. ✌️

  • TheCrusaderRabbits says:

    So I need sunscreen in the winter in canada?

  • Dr.Felipi Sulger says:

    Hi Michael! I’m a doctor in Brazil, I’ve been vegetarian for 24 years. Congratulations for your work. I would like to suggest you read the toxic effects of sunscreen on the development of cancer, melasma, autoimmune diseases. A hug!

  • Lone Wolfe says:

    I’d like to see a 3rd video in this series discussing the chemicals in sunscreen. Is the health risk associated with those chemicals worth it to save your skin from some wrinkles?

    • LogosSteve says:

      The answer is no, you’re better off with mineral sunscreen.

    • FuzzyCat says:

      The answer is: there is no evidence for health risks associated with modern sunscreen filters in humans. Both chemical and mineral as well as hybrid sunscreens are safe and effective. The only carcinogen you should worry about is the sun!

  • andrew pawley says:

    I love this channel!

  • David Risner says:

    I avoid the sun like the plague. My mother does as well and at 89 years old, NOBODY can come even close to estimating her age as she has few wrinkles and virtually no damage to her skin. She has been strictly plant-based for over 60 years as well.

  • Paul Cohen says:

    I dislike sunscreen, both the way it feels on my skin and the times it’s let me down and I got a bad sunburn. So I wear a large hat now and stay out of the sun as much as I can, even standing outside in shade or shoving my hands in my pockets. I also take a pill each day called polypodium leucotomos, which according to the national library of medicine, prevents sunburn and other skin problems.

  • likhin m says:

    2:03 Especially for those with pale skin😂😂

  • Xperience Evolution says:

    I love the Sun and never use Sunscreen. With healthy eating the body adapts and protects itself. Of course I don’t stay at high noon for 4 hours in direct sun but without the Sun we would not be able to live and our body makes Vitamin D from it. So for me it makes more sense to live naturally and listen to the body instead of the Industry

  • M T says:

    Thank you so much <3

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