Women's Health October 1, 2025 0 Comments

Could This Groundbreaking New Ingredient Be the Secret to Turning Back the Clock on Your Skin?

Ever feel like your skincare routine is stuck in a never-ending cycle of “miracle” creams and serums that promise the world but rarely deliver? Yeah, I’ve been there too—skepticism fully engaged when another product touts youthful, radiant skin overnight. But here’s a curveball: what if there’s a fresh player on the block that not only holds its own against the veterans like retinol and niacinamide but might actually outperform them? Enter pterostilbene—a powerhouse antioxidant cousin of resveratrol that’s quietly been turning heads in a recent study. Imagine firmer, more elastic skin with visibly fewer wrinkles in just 28 days. Sounds like the kind of upgrade your skincare stash has been waiting for, right? I’ve dug into the science and chatted with top dermatologists to bring you the real deal on this promising ingredient—and yes, where you can actually get your hands on it. Ready for the full scoop? LEARN MORE

A recent study uncovered a new topical ingredient with antioxidant properties that researchers believe may be superior to other traditional skincare actives.
After 28 days, study subjects using the ingredient had firmer, more elastic skin, with fewer noticeable wrinkles.
Top dermatologists reveal what you need to know about this exciting development—and where you can get the ingredient.

It’s fair to be a little jaded when nearly every cream and serum out there promises to give you younger, fresher-looking skin. While there certain ingredients proven to work on improving the quality of skin—we’re looking at you, retinol, niacinamide, and sunscreen actives—a recent study may have uncovered a completely new topical that may have even more of an impact.

This novel ingredient is called pterostilbene, and it helped study subjects achieve some pretty impressive results in just 28 days. In fact, this research suggests it might actually perform better than what’s currently out there—and dermatologists are impressed.

Meet the experts: Joshua Zeichner, MD, is the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, Ife J. Rodney, MD, is the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics.

For the complete low-down on this promising skin-booster, we looked at the study and talked to top dermatologists. Here’s what we found.

What did the study find?

For the paper, which was published in the Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology, researchers recruited 31 participants between the ages of 32 and 53 who were concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and reduced elasticity in their skin. The researchers gave the participants an emulsion that contained 0.1 percent pterostilbene, along with a base of water and glycerin. They were asked to slather the pterostilbene on one side of their face in the morning and at night for 28 days, along with a placebo emulsion on the other side.

The researchers monitored progress by video and measured the impact on day one of the study, halfway through, and on day 28. At the end of the study, the skin that received the pterostilbene emulsion was firmer and more elastic, with fewer visible wrinkles. This skin even had smaller-looking pores. When the researchers did a deeper dive with fluorescent imaging, they found that the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) had thickened thanks to an increase of collagen and elastic fibers on the pterostilbene side.

Not only that, the researchers pointed out that every study participant “expressed higher satisfaction” with the pterostilbene emulsion, noting that it had “superior” benefits compared to the control emulsion. “The findings emphasize the potent anti-aging efficacy of pterostilbene, reinforcing its value as an active ingredient in cosmetics formulations,” the researchers wrote in the conclusion.

What is pterostilbene?

“It’s essentially a cousin of resveratrol—it’s in the same family of compounds,” says Ife J. Rodney, MD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics.. Reminder: Resveratrol is a plant-derived polyphenol found in certain foods, such as grapes and blueberries. And this botanical extract, derived from some of the same foods, has similar antioxidant properties, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital,. “Early studies have shown that topical application helps improve collagen production and minimize the appearance of the pores,” he says. “Think of collagen like the frame of your mattress—it provides structural support that prevents sagging.”

Zeichner is not the only one who’s excited about these developments: Pterostilbene is a “really promising ingredient” that’s been getting a lot of attention lately, says Dr. Rodney.

What does pterostilbene do?

Similar to other ingredients with antioxidant properties, pterostilbene helps to reverse damage in your skin from oxidative stress, which is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your body that leads to cell damage, Rodney says. “Oxidative damage causes DNA damage and collagen breakdown in the skin over time,” Dr. Rodney explains. “Anything that functions as an antioxidant can help prevent some of those changes.”

But pterostilbene also seems to help build collagen and elastin fiber in your skin, both which keep your skin firm and bouncy. “Anything that can help replenish those can help de-age your skin or at least slow or prevent the signs of aging over time,” Rodney says. Pterostilbene may even have skin-brightening features and provide UV protection as well, she adds.

What products contain pterostilbene?

While preliminary research has had nothing but good things to say about pterostilbene, you can’t just pop over to your local Sephora or Ulta and scoop some up. “It’s still very new, so a lot of research needs to be done,” Rodney says. “But I think we’re going to see it popping up more in a lot of great skincare products over time.”

Still, Zeichner points out that pterostilbene hasn’t been tested head-to-head against more seasoned anti-aging ingredients like retinol. “While I am always excited about new ingredients, I never forget about the tried and true compounds like retinol and vitamin C,” he says. “We certainly will need more data on pterostilbene before it will replace our current skincare staples.”

For now, Rodney recommends using the right amount of sunscreen daily and applying a retinoid at night (see below for suggestions). “We do have solid data that these help to rejuvenate the skin and stimulate collagen production as well,” she points out. “Just keep an eye out for these new agents that can be useful as well.”

3 Effective Retinoid Products

Best For Mature Skin

Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment

A potent time-released retinol is paired with brightening ingredients like vitamin C and licorice root and three peptides to enhance the products skin-firming benefits. Despite the promise that this product is suitable for sensitive skin, start slow—using the product once or twice a week—to ensure you don’t experience any major irritation.

Best For Acne-Prone Skin

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Once available only by prescription, Differin’s gold-standard adapalene gel can now be purchased at mass retailers over-the-counter. It’s a once-daily treatment that can treat a majority of acne in just twelve weeks, according to one study.

Best For Sensitive Skin

Avene Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream

Now 30% Off

This product is formulated with 0.1% retinaldehyde to treat visible signs of aging and improve skin texture with little redness and itchiness or discomfort, making it a good option for those with easily irritated skin.

3 Great Sunscreens For Different Skin Types

Best For Oily Skin

Murad Superactive Mattifying Oil + Pore Control Moisturizer SPF 50

Murad is known for their acne-fighting products, so it’s no wonder the brand was able to whip up an SPF that’s a dream for oilier skin types. This product is one of our beauty director Brian Underwood’s favorite sunscreens for oily skin. “It has a blurry and mattifying effect that works wonders on my often-greasy T-zone,” he says. It’s also great for those with darker complexions as it’s chemical filters won’t leave a white cast. Plus, it features salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that can unclog pores and prevent future breakouts.

Best For Dry Skin

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

Now 13% Off

With a watery consistency, this formula is tops at providing weightless hydration that won’t leave behind an unflattering greasiness. It contains chemical filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) plus a heavy dose of humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to moisturize.

Best For Sensitive Skin

Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Mineral is the way to go if you have a cranky outer layer, and this inexpensive option features zinc oxide as its main sun protective ingredient. But it’s what’s not in there that is just as important: The formula is free of common irritants, such as fragrance, oils, dyes, phthalates, PABA, and parabens.

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.