Amazon, Dermstore
Patience may be a virtue but, when it comes to getting rid of that pimple or softening those fine lines, I don’t want to wait. While no over-the-counter serum or cream can create a miracle, I wanted to know if which skin care products and ingredients could deliver the most rapid results.
Fortunately for me and anyone else who loves instant gratification, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Brendan Camp said that such a thing may exist. Certain skin care ingredients may have almost-immediate — albeit more temporary — effects, he said.
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“These include hyaluronic acid, which effectively hydrates skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles [and] caffeine, which constricts superficial blood vessels, can reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles,” he said.
(This is opposed to ingredients like retinol, which promotes cellular turnover over time and delivers noticeable results in 2-3 months.)
There are a few other ingredients and skin care products that Camp and other dermatologists named as capable of offering fast-acting results, depending on your skin concern. Take a peek at their product picks in the list ahead.
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HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
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Amazon
A visible redness-reducing moisturizer
Camp said that green-tinted moisturizers can help offset the appearance of background redness in the skin temporarily and suggested this La Roche-Posay moisturizer that is probably best to wear during the day, rather than overnight due to its tint.
"Formulated with glycerin and prebiotic thermal spring water, this redness-reducing cream contains color-correcting green pigments that instantly improve the appearance of visible facial redness," Camp said.
The Rosaliac AR face cream also contains neurosensine, a type of peptide that can help soothe troubled skin for long-lasting comfort.
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Amazon
A peptide and ceramide cream
Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates, suggested this skin-renewing night cream by CeraVe, a beloved drugstore brand that features three essential ceramides in all its products.
"Ceramides [are] part of the skin’s barrier," Spearman said. "External use of them helps to restore that natural barrier when it has been damaged. They provide immediate relief for dry, irritated, or dehydrated skin, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated
In addition to CeraVe's signature ceramide-filled formula aimed at strengthening the skin's barrier, the Skin-Renewing night cream is enriched with a peptide complex. Dermatologists previously told HuffPost that certain peptides can help boost collagen production and elastin, which can result in skin that's firmer, plumper and with fewer fine lines.
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Amazon
A popular water gel moisturizer
According to Spearman hyaluronic acid can increase hydration of the skin overnight. "Hyaluronic acid binds 1000 times its weight in water, this plumping of the skin will improve fine lines and smooth the skin’s texture," she said.
Spearman said she "loves" Neutrogena's Hydro Boost water gel moisturizer, which contains purified hyaluronic acid and has a "light and non-greasy but still boosts hydration noticeably."
4
Kiehl's
A high-potency hyaluronic acid dermatologists say yields fast results (25% off)
If you don't have a hyaluronic acid in your beauty bag, you're disservicing your face and the rest of your skin care products, honestly. I write this as a proud daily user.
Hyaluronic acid can increase hydration overnight, according to Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates. "[It] binds 1000 times its weight in water, this plumping of the skin will improve fine lines and smooth the skin’s texture," she noted with HuffPost Shopping writer Tessa Flores in a previous report.
Board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Brendan Camp, specifically recommended this high-potency serum from Kiehl's.
"This fast-absorbing hyaluronic acid facial serum is formulated to replenish and intensively hydrate, leaving skin more plump, healthy and hydrated," Camp said.
It's the perfect time to grab this for your dry skin woes with its 25% discount.
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Dermstore
A multi-dimensional hyaluronic acid-intensifying serum
Recommended by Camp, this multi-dimensional serum by the dermatologist-loved SkinCeuticals is more than a standard hyaluronic acid serum. It's actually a hyaluronic acid intensifier that can "amplify the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels by 30%," according to the brand.
"In addition to hyaluronic acid, this serum contains botanical extracts of licorice root and purple rice to support the skin’s moisture levels to improve the appearance of firmness, smoothness, and facial
plumpness," Camp said.
6
Amazon
A caffeine-filled moisture treatment
Both Spearman and Camp spoke about the rapid-working benefits of caffeine, which, according to Spearman "will address dark circles, under-eye puffiness and tired skin very quickly."
She suggested Kiehl's Facial Fuel, an energizing moisture treatment that may be marketed for men, but anyone can benefit from it. The fast-absorbing and non-greasy formula contains not just caffeine, but an antioxidant blend powered by vitamins C and E from chestnut extract.
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7
Nordstrom
A de-puffing and brightening eye cream
"This brightening eye cream is made with vitamin C, niacinamide, ginseng, and caffeine to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles," Camp said.
It comes in two tones to offer an instant and slightly tinted brightening effect to help conceal dark circles. The moisturizing formula also features niacinamide, an ingredient that Spearman said can quickly even skin tone and decrease inflammation.
8
Dermstore
A famous vitamin C serum with antioxidant protection
The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is Spearman's favorite vitamin C serum. She asserts that vitamin C is a brightening powerhouse that "reduces dullness and boosts radiance with a brighter complexion after one use."
This isn't the first time that derms have sun the praises of this serum, which contains a 15% concentration of pure vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid), vitamin E and ferulic acid — an antioxidant-rich combination that can replenish skin lipids and fend off oxidative stress that can cause premature skin aging.
9
Amazon
Skin renewing treatment pads
Khalifian mentioned these skin-brightening and texture-renewing treatment pads from SkinMedica because they contain 10% glycolic acid, an ingredient he said is "like a reset button for dull skin."
"Glycolic acid will help lighten pigmentation, brighten your skin tone and tighten your pores," Khalifian said, adding that these pads also contain tranexamic acid, which is often used to help manage stubborn pigmentation issues, according to Khalifian.
These brightening pads are suitable for the backs of the hands, neck and face.
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10
Sephora
An affordable 7% glycolic acid toner
If you're interested in the benefits of glycolic acid but want a more affordable option than the one above, we chose to include this crowd-favorite toner by The Ordinary, which contains 7% glycolic acid to even irregular skin texture and brighten tone. I'm a seasoned fan of this product and can attest to how much smoother and less decongested my skin feels after using this.
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Amazon
A gentle exfoliating cleanser
“This cleanser has salicylic acid, which will help unclog pores, reduce acne marks, and improve texture," Khalifian said of this exfoliating cleanser by SkinMedica, “[a]s well as ultra-fine jojoba beads to provide a light physical exfoliation, [this] cleanser carries a blend of citrus oils which provides a nice, fresh scent and will act as an astringent to aid in minimizing large pores.”
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Amazon
A ceramide-packed salicylic acid cleanser
If you're interested in a more affordable cleanser that contains salicylic acid, we recommend this sensitive skin-friendly exfoliating acid cleanser. The skin care holy grail has amassed 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon and enthusiastic recommendations from both board-certified dermatologists and HuffPost editors alike.
In fact, one HuffPost reporter claimed it completely cleared her acne. The gentle, yet effective formula starts as a gel and then transforms into a rich foaming lather that contains salicylic acid to help slough away dead skin cells revealing brighter, smoother and clearer skin.
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Sephora
A calming and redness-reliving serum
"Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and swelling, while deeply hydrating and cooling the skin. This can provide immediate relief for irritated, sunburned or inflamed skin," Spearman said.
Using her guidance, we found this serum from The Ordinary containing 2% aloe to calm and hydrate and palmitoyl pentapeptide, an ingredient that may support the skin's barrier and improve any textural irregularities caused by acne, enlarged pores or a buildup of dead skin cells.
14
Amazon
A peptide-filled "neck correct" cream
Board-certified dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics Dr. Saami Khalifian, said that some of his patients swear they can see their morning cleavage wrinkles disappear before their eyes with this product — a clinical cream formula by SkinMedica that targets signs of aging on the neck and chest, like sagging, and fine lines.
"[It] has peptides that support the enrichment of the extracellular matrix, encouraging collagen production," Khalifian said.
It also contains an antioxidant blend that can protect skin from free-radical damage and other extracts that are aimed at increasing thermal thickness, which can be great for those who want to treat thin crepey skin.
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Amazon
A skin brightener for hyperpigmentation
If one of your main skin concerns involves melasma or hyperpigmentation, Khalifian suggests this targeted treatment that can add radiance and luminosity to the skin and minimize fine lines.
"This product brightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation promoting a more even-toned brighter appearance," he said. It contains niacinamide and tranexamic acid, which Khalifian said is an ingredient he suggests to patients to manage difficult unwanted pigmentation. The inclusion of silver mushroom may also keep skin hydrated.
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