The Best Anti-Aging Products for Day (a.k.a The 3 Products I Actually Use On My Own Skin)

From top: Skinceuticals Phloretin CF Gel; Elure Advanced Brightening Lotion; Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion SPF 50

Simply by nature of what I do, I end up switching beauty products a lot. Part of working in beauty is trying new things, so even if you find something you love, you end up cheating on it with some other hot new thing. There are exceptions to this though, especially with skin-care. 

Although I will always try new beauty products, once I find something that works for my skin--or that I'm particularly excited about--I can end up being loyal to it for quite awhile. Here are three products that I'm totally committed to. I use them every single morning--and don't plan to stray any time soon.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF Gel - I edited a big magazine story recently all about the basic skin-care ingredients every woman should be using in her anti-aging regimen (the summary: antioxidants, retinol, brighteners, and sunscreen). Antioxidants are part of that group because they act as a shield during the day when you're exposed to the full-scale assault from things like UV rays and smog, helping to protect your skin from damaging, wrinkle-causing free radicals. I've used Skinceuticals antioxidants for years now and this one is my current favorite. I've always been really impressed with the science that goes into Skinceuticals products and I also love that this is a gel. I find it really easy to spread the gel over my skin, plus, top antioxidant researchers always recommend using serums or gels for antioxidants, versus lotions or creams. (Antioxidants are notoriously unstable, and these delivery systems tend to be more potent and more easily absorbed, experts say.)

Elure Advanced Brightening Lotion - This is the newest addition to my regimen. Here's why it made the cut: Over the past year or so, it has seemed like every other dermatologist I have interviewed has been recommending this product. Seriously. After I heard it mentioned for what must have been the tenth time, I decided there had to be something to it. It is a two-step system (you apply a lotion and then follow with a second "activator" lotion) that claims to reduce discoloration and even out skin tone. I don't have huge pigmentation issues, but I do have a few spots that I'd love to see disappear. I've been using it for about a month now, and while it obviously hasn't (yet!) totally erased my spots, my skin is noticeably brighter and clearer overall. I'm excited to keep using it and see what it does after another month or two.

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion SPF 50 - I've been using this one for years. Years. Here's the thing: I have access to (literally) the fanciest, most expensive creams in the world for free, and this is what I use. I really love it. It's incredibly light--moisturizes effectively but doesn't feel at all greasy or heavy--and it's got a very high SPF, which is super important to me. Also, I have sensitive, breakout-prone skin, and I've never had a problem with it in that way, and that is key.

So, that's the trio that I slather on every morning, without fail. :) Do you guys have an anti-aging regimen that you stick to or any favorite skin-care products? If so, please tell me in the comments below--I'd love to hear what you love!

And if you have any questions about my morning skin-care regimen, feel free to ask me below. And let me know if you'd be interested in hearing about my nighttime routine. (That one's a bit more complicated!)