Anti-aging skin products, or anti-wrinkle creams, are very popular today because some of these products can actually improve the appearance of your skin, making it clearer, smoother, and more youthful looking.
The effectiveness of anti-aging skin creams depends in part on how long you use the product and the amount and type of the active ingredient in the anti-aging skin products.
Here are some common ingredients that are used in anti-aging skin products that may result in slight to modest decreases appearance of your wrinkles. There are two categories of anti-aging skin care products. The first category of products uses antioxidants as the main ingredients.
Most of today’s nonprescription anti-aging skin creams are retinol-based. Retinol is a vitamin A compound and is the first antioxidant to be used in anti-aging creams. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals that is unstable oxygen molecules in the air that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Topical vitamin A is believed to help the skin produce collage, a structural protein, to give it back some of its strength and flexibility and minimize wrinkles.
Another antioxidant used in anti aging skin care products is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid plays a vital role in the skin’s ability to heal itself. Anti-aging skin creams with vitamin C in them work by helping the skin produce collagen. When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may also be used to lessen the severity of sunburns.
Besides vitamin C, vitamin E and lipoic acid are anti-oxidants also used in anti aging skin care products. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble anti-oxidant that is found in human blood and helps in building resistance against infection. Vitamin E has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. When applied topically, vitamin E improves skin’s hydration, softness, and smoothness and also provides modest photo protection. Vitamin E is also known to inhibit cancer. Liponic acid is known to combat the signs of aging very effectively by reversing the skin damage caused by the aging process.
The other category of anti aging skin care products uses phytochemicals. “Phyto” comes from the Greek word “phuton” meaning “plants.” Phytochemicals are chemicals that are extracted from plants. Phytochemical is not needed for our body functions and we do not suffer from not having enough of them. But phytochemical has been shown to be beneficial for human health, not only in preventing diseases, but also in reversing some illnesses. There are a variety phytochemicals that are in use in some of today’s anti aging skin care products. Phytochemicals prevent certain forms of cancer including breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer.
Some B vitamins like B5, B6, and B12 are also in use for anti aging skin care products.
The field of anti aging skin care products is vast and needs a lot of research. Though the currently available products have shown some effectiveness, they still need further development to become true solutions to wrinkled and damaged skin.
In any event, anti aging skin care products should be used only as a supplement to the natural ways of skin and body care. No anti aging skin care product by itself can ever be expected to achieve the desired results. Only by keeping the skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water, getting the adequate number of hours of sleep each night, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and eating habits and managing stress, supplemented by anti aging skin care products, can you hope to be succeed in delaying the natural process of aging.
