You want to maintain your youthful glow, and you’re willing to spend time and money to help delay premature signs of aging on your skin. And yet with so many products on the market, it can be difficult to suss out which ones have proven anti-aging ingredients and which ones are smoke and mirrors, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Some ingredients, such as retinol and sunscreen, do have scientifically proven anti-aging benefits, he says. Those aren’t the only ones to consider when building your healthy skin-care routine, though. Dr. Zeichner and other dermatologists recommend the following as the best anti-aging ingredients to help your skin look firm, bouncy, and glowing for years to come.

1. B Vitamins for Healthy Skin, Hair, and Nails

These essential vitamins appear in multiple forms and complexes in skin-care products. Yet the function of all vitamin B derivatives is the same: to convert food into energy, notes Mount Sinai. This fuels vital body processes, including those responsible for healthy, firm skin. “Vitamin B and all its derivatives are essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails,” says Joel Schlessinger, MD, a dermatologist in Omaha, Nebraska. B vitamins can be especially potent when used topically in moisturizers, Dr. Schlessinger says. When these vitamins are among the natural anti-aging ingredients in your skin-care products, damaged cells will heal and regenerate more quickly.

2. Coenzyme Q10 to Protect Collagen

Coenzyme Q10 (vitamin Q) is a strong antioxidant that can help build the foundation needed for younger-looking skin, as some studies and research have noted. “Coenzyme Q10 helps protect the elastic tissue and collagen that shape your skin,” says Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As we get older, our natural coenzyme Q10 levels diminish, which may slow the skin’s ability to rejuvenate and protect itself from damage, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. To build levels of the coenzyme, many find that taking a dietary supplement in addition to using topical creams yields optimal results. One randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study found that taking a specific CoQ10 supplement (the study was funded by the supplement’s maker) daily for 12 weeks improved the appearance of wrinkles and led to smoother skin. Other research concluded that topical application of CoQ10 effectively reduced free radicals (which cause aging) on the skin. 

3. Copper to Prevent Sagging and Fill Wrinkles

You’re probably imagining pennies, but the copper we’re talking about is found in trace amounts in skin cells, where it binds proteins together, noted a research review. Essential for collagen formation, the anti-aging ingredient helps support the skin to prevent sagging and fill in wrinkles. Clinical studies have shown that copper contributes to the clearing and renewal of fractured collagen, making it an excellent ingredient for those who wish to improve the look of sun-damaged skin and scars. Specifically, sleeping on copper-infused pillowcases for about one or two months helped diminish the depth of crow’s-feet lines compared with control groups, according to the review. “Copper is nonirritating,” says Dr. Wu, “so it’s a good alternative for those with sensitive skin who may not be able to tolerate retinoids.”