Minimizing the appearance of fine lines is all about choosing the right ingredients. “In the past, we thought the key to preventing wrinkles was simply more moisturization,” says Dr. Leslie Baumann, director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. “Wrinkles are caused by a breakdown in the skin’s support structure – the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and smooth. Now we’re thinking about ways to treat and prevent the breakdown of this support structure and, thus, prevent and repair wrinkles.”

The gold-standard ingredient is still retinol – it speeds up cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, which smooths the skin and helps you look younger longer. “It’s still the most proven and effective ingredient,” says Baumann. “I tell my patients to use it consistently for six months or a year – it may take a while before they start to see a difference, but they will see one.”

Baumann says that new research about the effectiveness of antioxidants has her excited about treating fine lines. Much like a diet rich in antioxidants will keep you healthy, a cocktail of antioxidants in your skincare cream may be the key to preserving the integrity of your skin. “Topical antioxidants save cells from a significant amount of environmental damage,” says Baumann. Antioxidants act like search-and-destroy operatives against free radicals – molecules that form in the body when it’s exposed to UV light, pollution and smoke – neutralizing them to prevent inflammation, DNA mutations and collagen loss.

Topical antioxidants like green tea, blueberries and coffeeberry can help prevent wrinkles and spots – and possibly even skin cancer. Other important fine-line-fighting ingredients include peptides and collagen, which renew the skin and stimulate collagen production.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ROC RETIN-OL+ DAY INTENSIVE ANTI-WRINKLE MOISTURISER, $44; L’ORÉAL PARIS DERMO-EXPERTISE ADVANCED REVITALIFT ANTI-WRINKLE CONCENTRATE, $25; SHISEIDO BIO-PERFORMANCE ADVANCED SUPER REVITALIZER CREAM, $88; LANCÔME HIGH RÉSOLUTION COLLASER-5X INTENSE COLLAGEN ANTI-WRINKLE SERUM, $78