Gone are the days when beauty treatments were considered recession-resistant. From skincare products to face-lifts, Americans are spending less on their looks.

"People are starting to be more careful about where they spend their dollars," says Dr. Leslie Baumann, a dermatology professor and director of the University of Miami's Cosmetic Center. "They want things that really work."

Trading Down

The trifecta of anti-aging skincare, she says, is sun protection, antioxidants and retinoids, topical creams that have been shown to prevent and reverse wrinkles and lines. Sunscreen helps to shield the skin from ultraviolet rays, which hasten the effects of aging.

Some studies have shown that antioxidants may protect cells from the effects of free radicals, molecules produced by the body when it's exposed to ultraviolet rays, pollution and smoke. Scientists have yet to determine the most effective way to deliver antioxidants to cells, but Baumann recommends eating fruits and vegetables.

Retinoids, which the Food and Drug Administration has approved for anti-aging purposes, are a family of products that include retinol and Retin-A. They are available in over-the-counter and prescription forms.

More Than Skin Deep

The gradual breakdown of the body over time affects one's physical and mental abilities, a process that Nuland says can be stalled by intellectual engagement, social connectedness and exercise.

Mental and social stimulation offers "a sense that you are a value to other people" says Dr. Nuland. That mentality is a powerful antidote to feelings of irrelevance that can accompany getting older. Exercise is also vital for preventing chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can easily subtract 10 years from one's visage and, most importantly, life.

"The whole mindset needs to change about what really works," she says. "When [people] are doing all the right things, they're aging less and they feel more comfortable."