There's no denying that just about everyone these days is consumed with the idea of hanging onto (or recapturing) the beauty of youth. Even young people today are using sunblock (or staying out of the sun entirely) in order to preserve their smooth skin and prevent the wrinkles and spots that come with sun damage. Although people throughout history have been obsessed with finding products that would keep them looking young and firm, modern society has used scientific study to find ways to retain elasticity and firmness, reduce wrinkles and sun damage, plump up sagging skin, and combat the many changes that are a natural part of aging. In fact, the research has been so extensive that there are now a plethora of products on the market to choose from. So how do you pick the one that's right for you?
Being informed is a good place to start, so let's look at the active ingredients in some of these products and discuss what they can do for you. Antioxidants are a biggie that everyone seems to be pushing these days and they do all manner of good things for your body and your skin. However, the main thing they do is counteract the free radicals (created by the sun, pollution, and any number of sources) that attack and degrade your cells, leading to premature aging. Since these free radicals come from all around us in the environment and are not always easy to avoid, you may want to look for an anti-aging cream that has antioxidants. One of the best (and easiest to find these days) is vitamin C, which not only increases your protective barrier and collagen production (helping you to fight damage and reduce wrinkles), but also reduces inflammation and discoloration.
Another ingredient that gets a lot of hype is retinol, and like antioxidants, it performs several useful functions. Its main claim to fame is that it boosts collagen production, which helps to firm your skin and improve the texture. However, it also beefs up your skin's natural protective barrier so that fewer harmful contaminants seep in and necessary products like moisture and nutrients stay put. Vitamin C and retinol together are like a one-two punch for anti-aging.
Of course, you should probably throw some vitamin E into the mix, as well. Although you might not think it's doing much (it mainly works to protect your cell membranes), it acts cooperatively with vitamin C so that you get the most benefit from each ingredient. Other ingredients you may want to consider are ceramides (a bonding agent already found in skin that is depleted over time), niacinamide, which promotes hydration, and linoleic acids, which reduce inflammation and replenish cells to reverse some of the damage caused by outside elements.
If you want to know more about these ingredients and what they can do for you, or find out if there are anti aging products that can do more to combat your particular age-related skin problems, you can locate many resources for information online. However, considering how much misinformation (or spotty data) is found on the internet, you might want to visit a trusted dermatologist for a consultation, assessment, and recommendation.
(Guest Post by Carol Montrose)
Being informed is a good place to start, so let's look at the active ingredients in some of these products and discuss what they can do for you. Antioxidants are a biggie that everyone seems to be pushing these days and they do all manner of good things for your body and your skin. However, the main thing they do is counteract the free radicals (created by the sun, pollution, and any number of sources) that attack and degrade your cells, leading to premature aging. Since these free radicals come from all around us in the environment and are not always easy to avoid, you may want to look for an anti-aging cream that has antioxidants. One of the best (and easiest to find these days) is vitamin C, which not only increases your protective barrier and collagen production (helping you to fight damage and reduce wrinkles), but also reduces inflammation and discoloration.
Another ingredient that gets a lot of hype is retinol, and like antioxidants, it performs several useful functions. Its main claim to fame is that it boosts collagen production, which helps to firm your skin and improve the texture. However, it also beefs up your skin's natural protective barrier so that fewer harmful contaminants seep in and necessary products like moisture and nutrients stay put. Vitamin C and retinol together are like a one-two punch for anti-aging.
Of course, you should probably throw some vitamin E into the mix, as well. Although you might not think it's doing much (it mainly works to protect your cell membranes), it acts cooperatively with vitamin C so that you get the most benefit from each ingredient. Other ingredients you may want to consider are ceramides (a bonding agent already found in skin that is depleted over time), niacinamide, which promotes hydration, and linoleic acids, which reduce inflammation and replenish cells to reverse some of the damage caused by outside elements.
If you want to know more about these ingredients and what they can do for you, or find out if there are anti aging products that can do more to combat your particular age-related skin problems, you can locate many resources for information online. However, considering how much misinformation (or spotty data) is found on the internet, you might want to visit a trusted dermatologist for a consultation, assessment, and recommendation.
(Guest Post by Carol Montrose)
Your blog is filled with lots of information about skin care, Thanks for sharing such a blog.
ReplyDeleteThe Olay Regenerist products are very good, and can be found at Target etc. Be sure to use a light moisturizer under your makeup and it should contain sunscreen. Don't go to bed with a dirty face and if you do these things, you will stay beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think the best antiaging cream is sunblock,
ReplyDeleteOther creams to always use are ones with retinol, and try CE Feurlic.
Use one in the morning and the other at night, but always use a sunblock.
OLAY!
ReplyDeleteI was never engrossed with all these vanity until I reached the magic number of my age outside the calendar. Now more than ever has it become more imperative to take on the beauty that science has to offer.
ReplyDelete