Nobody likes the thought of growing old and most people will do anything in their power to avoid it. That may well be the reason that the market for anti-aging skin care is one of the fastest growing sectors in the skin care industry.
Accordingly, the industry is investing large sums into the science of looking youthful, and anti-aging skin care is progressing in leaps and bounds because of it. With new “miracle ingredients” discovered so frequently we can barely keep up, there is now a baffling choice of products promising to minimise or reverse the signs of aging.
Antioxidants
Some of the most popular ingredients in anti-aging products are antioxidants. These help to neutralize free radicals, which are the by-products of harmful factors such as sun damage, smoking and alcohol.
The best skin care products will not only contain the most effective antioxidants, but will include them in quantities to make them sufficiently effective against free radicals.
Popular antioxidants include:
- Coenzyme Q10
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- Vitamin C
- Retinol (vitamin A)
- Green tea
It’s all very well boosting your skin with antioxidants, but if you’re simultaneously introducing more and more free radicals, you’re going to end up back to square one. Try to eliminate some of the more harmful chemicals contained in many skincare products, and you could also move towards a more healthy diet and lifestyle to minimize your levels of free radicals.
Collagen boosters
The next ingredient on your anti-aging list is collagen booster. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin firm and supple, and as you age, its production slows down. There are several anti-aging ingredients said to boost collagen production, including:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Phytessence Wakame
- Manuka honey
Exfoliating Acids
These help make your skin look brighter and firmer by removing the top layer of dead, dry skin cells to reveal the younger, fresher cells below. Exfoliation in this way can combat the dullness of aging skin, as well as pigmentation caused by sun damage or hormonal factors.
Some acids said to be most effective are:
- Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
- Salicylic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
The ingredients above come in the form of lotions, creams, serums and cleansers, and it is thought that combining more than one of these products could increase the effectiveness of the ingredient.
However, one very important point to remember is that the quantity of the ingredient is just as important as its presence in the product. When you shop for your anti-aging creams and serums, make sure that your chosen ingredient is not only listed on the packaging, but is present in a sufficient quantity to ensure it actually works.