There are literally thousands of products on the market which purport to return that youthful look to your face and your skin, but have you read the ingredients that these products contain? What exactly are these ingredients and what do they do for you?
Why is one product superior to another? Is it a specific combination of ingredients, and what should you look for on the label?
We will examine several "desirable" ingredients and briefly explain what the purpose of the ingredient is, and what it supposedly does to benefit you and your skin.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #1 - Moisturizers
As we approach our forties, our skin becomes much dryer than before. This can be attributed to many factors, including the fact that skin can appear dry, patchy and dull. Much of this appearance of the skin can be corrected by doing proper exfoliation and appropriate moisturization.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #2 - Glycolic Acid
This ingredient assists with removing the layers of dead skin cells which build up on the skin's surface. Glycolic acid helps to improve the texture and color of the skin and keeps the pores free of clogs, allowing the skin to absorb moisturizers. One main aspect of this ingredient is its ability to bind with water which assists in the absorbing of moisturizers, keeping your skin looking supple.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #3 - Peptides
Peptides can assist with triggering or even inhibiting the various functions of cells and are an ingredient which lessens the appearance of wrinkles.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #4 - Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is both an exfoliant as well as an anti inflammatory. It can assist with the production of collagen, improve the thickness of your skin and increase the functionality of your skin's barrier properties. After all, your skin is your first line of defence, so the barrier properties are especially important.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #5 - Sun Screen (SPF)
This is one of the most important ingredients for skin treatments today. The sooner you start protecting your skin with SPF, the sooner you can prevent premature aging that will ultimately show up on your skin first. Your skin exposed to the sun becomes more dry, and much more damaged. Sun exposure can also accentuate wrinkles and fine lines.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #6 - AHAs
AHAs are basically ingredients that assist in brightening your skin tone. If you have sun damage, it can impair your skin's ability to renew itself. Often, hyperpigmentation is the undesired result of changes in your skin. AHAs are found in ingredients such as ferulic acid, waltheria indica leaf extract, licorice extract and bearberry extract.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #7 - Sirtuins
These are a type of enzyme which assist in extending cell life and help to prevent the premature again of skin cells. These are often found in "Dermaglow" type products.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #8 - Anti Oxidants
The main function of anti oxidants is to counter act the damage caused by free radicals. They do not reverse pre-existing damage, but they prevent the damage from progressing. Free radical damage has been associated with various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, arthritis and alzheimer's disease.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #9 - Retinol
Retinol when used as an ingredient in a product and then applied to the skin breaks down into retinoic acid which helps the skin cells to behave normally. It promotes healthier skin as well as promoting the production of elastin and collagen which tend to make skin appear more youthful.
Anti Aging Skin Care Tip #10 - Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps to increase the effect that SPF protection has, while providing extra protection to the top layers of the dermis (skin). It also accelerates healing, if you have any cuts or scrapes. You can simply apply it directly to your skin and rub it in if you purchase the oil filled capsules.
It can often be confusing when you read the labels of beauty products, attempting to determine what is effective and what is "junk science". If you understand what each ingredient's purpose is before you purchase a particular product, then you can be more aware of the eventual effects. You expect certain results for specific issues, so if you know what the effect should be if a certain ingredient is contained, then you are well ahead of the game.
Many people choose products because they are recommended by a friend or a co-worker. Of course, if a person has used a product and is impressed with the results, they are much more likely to recommend that product, and you will also likely have noticed the results that they have achieved.
