Take 5 Years Off Your Face

Reclaim your radiance with these complexion-perfecting tips.

The at-home fix: Most derms will tell you that retinols such as Retin-A are the fastest way to diminish deep wrinkles. They speed cell turnover, so skin looks smoother, says Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. But retinols have a potential downside: They can cause redness and flaking. If your skin is sensitive, try a serum laced with growth factors, instead. They're powerful yet gentle, helping repair cells and increase collagen, which may slow the formation of wrinkles-to-be.

Cell repair in a tube: DNA EGF Renewal Growth Factor Serum, $145.

Collagen-building peptides in Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex, $25, smooth skin.

Skin-tightening polymers in Avon Anew Clinical Lift & Firm Pro Serum, $54, nix sagging.

The pro solution: Botox is the leader of the pack when it comes to ironing out creases, but it's not a one-size-fits-all fix. The injectable relaxes the face-scrunching muscles in your forehead for up to six months. (Cost starts at $300.) For deeper lines in other areas, docs suggest hyaluronic acid–based fillers such as Restylane and Juviderm ($700 to $1,400 per visit). These also help spur skin to create more collagen-revving hyaluronic acid on its own.

The at-home fix: All those years of fun in the sun can leave you with lots of excess melanin. Translation: Major sun spots. Why? Over time, these melanin cells become damaged and produce too much color, resulting in lasting dark splotches. To lighten them, try treatments that have melanin inhibitors (like N-acetyl glucosamine) and skin brighteners such as kojic, azelaic and ellagic acid. These block the enzyme that tells skin cells to make more pigment.

La Roche-Posay Derm AOX Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Serum, $58, restores luminosity with vitamin C.

Fight free radicals with DDF Amplifying Elixir, $70, to slow aging.

The pro solution: New lasers (such as the Fraxel re:store Dual, which costs about $1,500 a session) use two wavelengths to correct unevenness. The first hits the top layer of skin to break down damaged cells on the surface; the second goes deeper into skin to target cells responsible for more severe spots, says Fredric Brandt, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC and Coral Gables, Florida.

Hang your head upside down for 10 seconds, then stand up, noting which parts of your face have the most color, says Darac, a makeup artist in NYC.

Pat cream blush on natural blushing points and the apple of each cheek; blend out toward your ears. Tap a pink powder over that with a flat-top brush for color that lasts beyond the bedroom.

Lay the foundation: Primer is the Spanx of makeup: Whatever you put on top looks seamless. Choose one with silky silicones to fill out fine lines so foundation and concealer won't settle in creases by day's end.

Conceal with care: When it comes to covering dark circles, more concealer isn't necessarily better. To camouflage subtly, use an eye cream with light reflectors for instant brightness, then apply a creamy liquid concealer on top. Stick with a highly pigmented formula only on problematic spots (such as inner corners of eyes), suggests Sandy Linter, a celebrity makeup artist for Lancôme in NYC.

Define yourself: If you apply it right, eyeliner can make you look refreshed, even when you're not. Line top lashes halfway, from center out, then kick the line a bit upward at ends for lift.

Be highbrow: Shaped brows open up the eye area. Brush hairs up and over with an eyebrow brush; dab highlighter under brow bones. A brilliant brow-grooming tool: Sephora Double Ended Brow Sculptor Brush No. 7, $18