With all the endless marketing out there, glossy print ads, and photoshopped models, its hard to know where to start with skin care products. Plenty are super expensive yet ineffective,even though they promise results.
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| Courtney Cox for Kinerase |
So if you are looking for youth in a bottle, or at least a way to minimize the fine lines and wrinkles that are showing up on your lovely face, here is a list of key ingredients to look for when buying anti aging skin care products, and a mini breakdown of what they mean.
1. Retinol.
This is a topical form of vitamin A, and is one of the strongest anti wrinkle ingredients on the market, if used correctly. It does cause extreme sun sensitivity, so you must use it at night time only. You can find Retinol/RetinA products over the counter, or get a prescription from your dermatologist for a more power packed version.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
As you age your body loses hyaluronic acid, making skin less supple and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid holds hundreds of times its own weight in water, and is a much loved and lauded ingredient in moisturizing skin creams and lotions, as it is super effective in skin surface hydration.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Serum leaves the skin smooth, soft and supple. Find it at beautyatskindeep.com
3. Kinetin
This one promotes cell division and helps to reduce fine lines by reducing photo damage. The thought is that having faster cell renewal promotes healthier, younger looking skin. Researchers are saying it can reverse the signs of photo aging, or damage from the sun.
Kinerase lotion is said to diminish acne scarring, even out skin tone and texture as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
4. CoEnzyme Q10
Known to promote heart health and help prevent cancer when ingested, some dermatologists say this ingredient when used topically helps strengthen skin cells, tightening skin and improving its texture, thereby making it look more youthful.
Mama Mio's Boob Tube is designed to keep your neck and bustline firm
5. Acetyl Hexapeptide 3
I've been reading about this new ingredient also known as Argireline, which is said to inhibit the muscles around the face that cause wrinkles. Conceptually a topical form of a botox like ingredient.
It can be found in Bioelements products
6. Vitamin C
This super powerful antioxidant is proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen, which is essential, as your body naturally loses collagen as you age. Skin gets lighter, brighter, firmer and smoother with the use of Vitamin C. It is however, very unstable, and the only useful form of it in skin care products is thought to be L ascorbic acid. Many companies boast Vitamin C or its derivatives but plenty are ineffective despite the higher cost, so do your homework on this one.
7. Kojic Acid
Kojic acid was only discovered in 1989, so is still very new. It is derived from fungus (mushrooms) and is used to correct pigmentation problems and age spots. It is a lightening agent, similar to hydroquinone.
8. DMAE
If you’ve heard of fish referred to as brain food, you can thank DMAE. This substance is naturally produced in the brain, but DMAE is also present in anchovies, salmon and sardines, boosting the production of acetylcholine, which is important for proper mental functions. DMAE in skin care products shows remarkable effects when applied topically to skin, resulting in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
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| personal favorite - Perricone MD Cold Plasma |
9. Copper Peptide
Copper peptide is often referred to as the most effective skin regeneration product, even though it’s only been on the market since 1997. Here’s why: Studies have shown that copper peptide promotes collagen and elastin production, and also acts as an antioxidant. It also promotes production of glycosaminoglycans (think hyaluronic acid, as an example). Studies have also shown that copper-dependent enzymes increase the benefits of the body’s natural tissue building processes. The substance helps to firm, smooth, and soften skin, doing it in less time than most other anti-aging skin care products. Clinical studies have found that copper peptides also remove damaged collagen and elastin from the skin and scar tissue because they activate the skin’s system responsible for those functions.
