Hey guys — welcome back to Skin Obsessed Mary!

A couple of years ago, I shared my top five anti-aging ingredients, and a friend said, “You should redo that every year and see what’s changed.”
Honestly? Not much has.

And that’s actually a good thing. Because it means these ingredients aren’t trends — they’re the real deal. They’ve stood the test of time, in the research and in my own bathroom cabinet.

Before we jump in, though, let’s address the elephant in the room — that word anti-aging.

I don’t love it. I’m not anti-aging. I like getting older. I like being more confident, more chilled out, and less worried about what people think.

So when I talk about anti-aging, I’m not talking about fighting time. I’m talking about supporting your skin as it evolves.

What I am anti, however, is my skin giving up on me before I’m ready.

This is all about skin longevity — keeping your skin healthy, resilient, and strong for the long haul.

And yes, let’s get this out of the way right now: sunscreen is the #1 anti-aging product of all time. It always will be.

Growing up in Florida in the 70s, sunscreen wasn’t even a thing. I wish it had been — I could’ve saved myself a few wrinkles! But if you’re young and wearing SPF every day, I salute you. You’re already winning.

So let’s assume we’re all wearing sunscreen, every day, rain or shine. That’s your baseline.
No exceptions. No excuses.

Now, with that settled, let’s get into the five ingredient categories that never leave my routine — no matter what products I’m testing or which brand I’m currently obsessed with.

1. Antioxidants — Your Skin’s Backup Army

If sunscreen is your shield, antioxidants are your backup army.

They protect your skin from oxidative stress — all that invisible damage from sunlight, pollution, stress, and even your phone screen (yep, blue light counts).

My skin loves antioxidants, and honestly, I layer them like a salad bar. The more variety, the better.

Of course, Vitamin C is the most famous, but it’s not the only one. I also reach for green tea, niacinamide, resveratrol, ferulic acid, and glutathione — anything that helps neutralize those free radicals before they start messing with my collagen.

If your skin were a city, antioxidants would be the street sweepers — quietly cleaning up the daily mess so everything runs smoothly.

Right now, I’m loving the Allies of Skin Beta Glucan and Resveratrol Hydrating Serum. It’s got eleven antioxidants in one formula and doubles as a hydrating serum. Two birds, one stone. SOMARY for 20% off

And throughout the day, I spritz my Maysama Green Rooibos Hydrating Mist for an extra antioxidant boost. Mary10 for 10% off.

The key with antioxidants? Consistency. They don’t give instant results. They’re more like vitamins for your skin — quiet, steady workers that keep everything functioning long-term.

2. Peptides — The Conductors of Skin Renewal

Peptides are tricky little things to explain because there are so many types. Some boost collagen, some calm inflammation, some help repair damage, and some (my favorites) tell your skin to stop making wrinkles.

Basically, peptides are the messengers of your skincare routine. They tell your cells what to do and when to do it.

Allies of Skin Peptide & GF Serum SOMARY for 20% off

Think of your skin as an orchestra — peptides are the conductors, keeping everyone in tune.

I don’t chase one miracle peptide. I try to include lots of them across my serums, moisturizers, and eye creams. They’re not dramatic or overnight fixes, but over time, they make your skin behave younger.

Educated Mess Freeze Frame MARY10 for 10% off

If antioxidants protect your skin from the outside world, peptides organize it from the inside.

Naturium Multi Peptide Serum SOM15 for 15% off

3. Glycerin — The Unsexy Hero

This one doesn’t get the hype it deserves.

Glycerin isn’t glamorous, but it’s the quiet, humble workhorse that keeps your skin hydrated, soft, and strong. Everyone talks about hyaluronic acid, but for me, glycerin is the real hydration hero.

It’s cheap, barrier-supporting, and effective — and I always check ingredient lists to make sure it’s near the top.

You’ll find glycerin in so many of my go-tos:

3rd ingredient in my Allies of Skin products
2nd in Maysama
2nd in OneSkin Eye Cream MARY15 for 15% off
And the very first in Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Nectar Skin Obsessed Mary for 20% off

For me, hydrated skin is younger-looking skin — and glycerin gives me that bouncy, dewy feel that lasts all day.

4. Glycolic Acid — The Skin-Smoothing Janitor

Not the sexiest job title, but glycolic acid earns its place in any grown-up skincare routine.

As we age, our skin cells get lazy. They don’t turn over as fast, leaving behind a layer of dull, old skin that blocks all the good stuff you’re applying.

That’s where glycolic acid steps in — like a tiny janitor sweeping away the dead cells so the fresh, new ones can shine through.

It smooths texture, brightens tone, and actually helps your other actives — like peptides and antioxidants — work better because they can finally penetrate.

Start slow, once a week at first, until your skin builds tolerance. And here’s the kicker: glycolic acid doesn’t just exfoliate — it also tells your skin to make more collagen and hyaluronic acid.

YSE Exfoliating pads MARY-15 for 15% off

So, over time, you get firmer, plumper, glowier skin.

If glycolic feels too strong for you, try gentler acids like lactic, mandelic, or polyhydroxy acids — same concept, less drama.

5. Retinaldehyde — The Gold Standard (With Less Irritation)

We all know Vitamin A (retinoids) are the holy grail for smoother, firmer, younger-looking skin.

I’ve used prescription tretinoin on and off for years — it’s powerful, but not always practical. For me, it was too irritating to use nightly, and my skin needs consistency.

Enter retinaldehyde.

Retinal & Peptides repair night cream SOMARY for 20% off

It’s one step away from retinoic acid, which means it’s strong enough to work, but gentle enough to love. It’s like the middle child of the retinoid family — high-achieving, less drama, and no tantrums.

If you’re only adding one active to your nighttime routine, let it be this one. Retinaldehyde is the long game for firm, resilient, healthy skin.

The Bottom Line

To recap:

Sunscreen — always and forever.
Then antioxidants, peptides, glycerin, glycolic acid, and retinaldehyde — my 5 anti-aging heroes that never leave my routine.

They’re not new, not trendy, but they work.
And at this stage of life, that’s all I care about.

Of course, everyone’s skin is different.
If you’re sensitive, you might need gentler, calming ingredients.
If you’re oily, you might need something sebum-controlling.

But for me — this lineup is the backbone of healthy, resilient, ageless skin.

I’d love to hear in the comments on my YouTube channel — what are your can’t-live-without ingredients?

And if you’ve been with me since my last Anti-Aging Heroes video, tell me — did your lineup change?

Oh, and if you missed my 2023 version, scroll down — I’ll link the video below. It’s fun to see what’s stayed the same.

And of course…
Wear your SPF, because that’s the real hero of this whole story.

My 5 Anti-Aging Heroes for 2025: Ingredients That Actually Work