The Retinoid-First Anti-Aging Protocol

Tretinoin remains the single most evidence-backed topical for reversing photoaging, supported by over 50 years of clinical research—and its 40% collagen-boosting effect is 3x more potent than any serum on this list. The routine—cleanse, apply prescription retinoid, moisturize—is brutally simple, which is precisely why the skincare industry downplays it for proprietary serums. Unlike #1, this protocol requires a prescription, but its wrinkle reduction surpasses all over-the-counter alternatives.