With the dizzying array of serums, moisturizers, and other assorted lotions and potions all promising to give us younger and more beautiful skin, what we should really be using and what really works can be very confusing. To clarify, Dr. Yan Wu M.D. and Member of Olay Global Derm Alliance answers the most pressing questions about anti-aging skincare.

Q) What’s the difference between a serum and a moisturizer? 

Serums are light, absorbent, and easy to spread. In comparison, a moisturizing cream, which is rich and nourishing, tends to contain ingredients that are a little bit heavier unless you opt for a lightweight formula.

Q) What are the most important parts of a skincare routine?

Dermatologists suggest there are three very important parts of the skincare routine. The first is to clean your skin, since you need to get rid of all kinds of dirt, cosmetics, and makeup. The second is to moisturize your skin and make it very hydrated. That makes it easier for your skin to absorb some nutrients and to make your skin healthy. And the third part is that you need to use sunscreen. No matter where you are, no matter what the season is, since the UV rays can increase your melanin synthesis and it can also degrade your collagen and make your skin saggy and wrinkle faster.

Q) What causes my skin to age prematurely?

There are two causes of skin aging: intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic skin aging is mostly caused by UV rays, air pollution, and bad habits such as smoking. So, if you don’t want your skin to age prematurely, you need to avoid that kind of exposure. And intrinsically, aging is caused by stress and not getting enough sleep. That will age your skin faster.

Q) When should I start using anti-aging creams?

There are no limitations. Our skin starts aging at around 20 to 25 years old, so you can use it as early as you can.

Q) When should I start using an eye cream?

Our skin around the eyes is very, very subtle, and very thin. So we need very gentle skincare as soon as we can because the skin around the eye area is the first to show age. Therefore, we need special care for that and essentially, there is no age limitation for eye creams.

Q) When will I see the effects of an anti-aging cream?

This depends in general on the skin type, the age, and the condition of the skin. For your anti-aging cream to work to its full potential, you should apply it regularly and you would see obvious results after several months.

Q) Which vitamins are important for the skin?

Our skin is just one part of our body, so all the things that are good for our body are good for our skin too. For example, vitamin C is a very good antioxidant. It is also very good for our skin, to fight against UV damage and pollution. And vitamin E is also a very good antioxidant. It can also make your skin feel very smooth. Vitamin B3 can inhibit melanin synthesis and can make your skin lighter and brighter. Vitamin B5 is also very soothing; it can make your skin calm down and is anti-inflammatory. And vitamin D is also key for our skin; essentially when you avoid sunshine for a long time, you will have vitamin D deficiency. So we need to take it in the form of supplements or drink more milk to supplement your vitamin D.