Retinol, peptides, collagen, NAD+ — the anti-aging aisle is a wall of buzzwords. The good news: only a handful of actives do the heavy lifting, and once you understand what each one does, building a firming, line-smoothing routine gets simple. Here’s the no-nonsense breakdown, plus the best anti-aging picks to shop.
The 4 anti-aging actives that matter
- Retinol (& bio-retinol) — the gold standard for smoothing fine lines, refining pores and boosting cell turnover. Newer “bio-retinol” blends offer similar benefits with less irritation.
- Peptides — amino-acid chains that signal your skin to support collagen, for firmer, bouncier skin over time. Gentle and layer-friendly.
- Collagen — hydrates and plumps the surface for an immediate smoothing, “filled-in” look, and supports a healthy moisture barrier.
- NAD+ — the newest entrant, a coenzyme tied to cellular energy and repair, used in lifting essences and creams for revived, resilient-looking skin.
Pair these with daily SPF (UV is the number-one driver of visible aging) and you’ve covered the fundamentals.
Our anti-aging picks
In-stock favourites from the Anti-Age Care range. (Prices in USD, may vary.)
numbuzin No.3 Blue Bio-Retinol Pore Refining Serum
A jelly-light next-gen bio-retinol serum that refines pores and smooths texture — the easy, low-irritation way to start retinol.
Best for: retinol beginners, pores and fine lines.
Shop Bio-Retinol Serum → ~$19
medicube Triple Collagen Cream
A rich, plumping moisturizer built on a triple-collagen complex to firm, hydrate and smooth for a bouncy, well-rested finish.
Best for: firmness, plumpness and dry, mature skin.
Shop Triple Collagen Cream → ~$25
numbuzin No.9+ NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner
An essence-like toner pairing NAD+ with PDRN to hydrate, firm and revive radiance from the very first step.
Best for: tired, dull skin that needs an energy reset.
Shop NAD+ Toner → ~$18
numbuzin No.9 NAD+ Retinol Volumetox Eye Cream
A volumizing eye cream combining NAD+ and retinol to firm the delicate under-eye, soften fine lines and add a luminous finish.
Best for: under-eye lines and crepey texture.
Shop NAD+ Eye Cream → ~$19Browse the full Anti-Age Care edit for more peptide and collagen options.
How to layer them
The golden rules: retinol at night, antioxidants and SPF in the morning, and introduce one new active at a time. A balanced week:
| Time | What to apply |
|---|---|
| Morning | NAD+ toner → peptide/collagen serum → moisturizer → SPF |
| Evening (2–3×/wk) | Cleanse → bio-retinol serum → collagen cream |
| Other evenings | Cleanse → peptide/collagen → rich moisturizer |
Start retinol slowly — two nights a week — and buffer with moisturizer if you’re sensitive.
When to go in-clinic
Topicals maintain and prevent; for visible lifting and deeper collagen remodeling, in-clinic treatments deliver more. At our partner clinic IPL Lab Medispa (Montréal & Laval), HIFU lifting and RF microneedling stimulate collagen at depths a cream can’t reach. Use your actives daily and add professional sessions for a bigger, longer-lasting jump.
Frequently asked questions
Retinol or peptides — which is better?
Different jobs. Retinol drives turnover and smooths lines; peptides gently support firmness. Many routines use both (retinol at night, peptides in the morning).
At what age should I start anti-aging actives?
Prevention can begin in your 20s–30s with antioxidants and SPF; retinol and peptides are useful whenever fine lines or laxity appear.
Can I use retinol every night?
Eventually, if your skin tolerates it — but build up slowly from 2–3 nights a week to avoid irritation.
Is NAD+ skincare worth it?
It’s a promising newer active for radiance and resilience. Treat it as a supportive booster alongside proven actives like retinol and peptides.
Do I still need SPF if I use anti-aging products?
Absolutely — daily SPF is the most effective anti-aging step, and retinol makes skin more sun-sensitive.
The bottom line
Keep it simple: a bio-retinol at night, peptides and collagen for firmness, NAD+ for radiance, and SPF every morning. Stay consistent, add in-clinic treatments when you want more, and your skin will look firmer and fresher over time.
For lifting and collagen-boosting treatments, book a free consult with IPL Lab Medispa.
