Anti-ageing and protection: the 3 must-have active ingredients recommended by the experts

Introduction

Vitamin C. Retinol. Sun protection. Trends change, but these three pillars remain at the heart of the most coherent anti-aging strategies: preventing oxidative stress, limiting photoaging and supporting skin renewal.

Why anti-aging always starts with protection

Prevention comes before correction: daily aggressions (UV rays, pollution, oxidative stress) accelerate collagen degradation, pigment irregularity and loss of radiance.

The most rational approach is to protect in the morning, then stimulate in the evening, while giving the skin time to recover.

1) Vitamin C: the benchmark antioxidant against oxidative stress

Vitamin C is an emblematic active ingredient, notably for radiance, even skin tone and antioxidant defense. Its benefits depend as much on the concentration as on the stability of the formula.

What you can realistically expect

• A brighter, more even complexion with regular use.
• Support for the skin in the face of daily oxidative stress.
• A contribution to the appearance of dark spots (an essential complement to SPF).

Where to place it in your routine

In the morning, after gentle cleansing and before sun protection.

PERS suggestion: Vitamin C Serum 10% antioxidant, radiance, anti-dark spot support.

2) Sun protection: the most underestimated anti-aging measure

Daily sun protection is the cornerstone of a healthy skin routine. Without it, inflammation and pigmentation tend to return, and the results of corrective active ingredients become less visible.

The key point

• Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB).
• Apply every morning, even on overcast days.
• Re-apply for prolonged exposure.

PERS suggestion: Protection SPF50+ in Gel very high protection, invisible finish.

3) Retinol: the most documented active ingredient in skin regeneration

Retinoids have been studied for decades to improve the appearance of wrinkles, texture and evenness. The key to a good experience is not immediate potency, but tolerance and regularity.

The golden rule: progression + alternation

• Apply exclusively in the evening.
• Start every other night.
• Reinforce the "barrier" routine on evenings without retinol.
• SPF essential the next morning.

PERS suggestion: Pro-Retinol Serum 0.3% high tolerance, smoothes and refines skin texture.

How to combine these 3 active ingredients without weakening the skin

Morning: PROTECT

• Gentle cleanser
• Vitamin C 10% Serum
• SPF50+

Evening : STIMULATE (1 evening out of 2) / REPAIR (other evenings)

• Cleansing (double cleansing if make-up/SPF)
• Pro-Retinol Serum 0.3% every other night
• Intense Repair Cream on "repair" evenings

Scientific sources

• Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017. PubMed
• Pillai S, Oresajo C, Hayward J. Ultraviolet radiation and skin aging... J Invest Dermatol Symp Proc. 2005. PubMed
• Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging... Clin Interv Aging. 2006. PubMed
• Kang S, et al. Topical tretinoin for photoaged skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001. PubMed
• Young AR. Photoprotection. Eur J Dermatol. 2002. PubMed