Anti-aging creams are usually made of a combination of moisturizers and a variety of anti-aging ingredients. Knowing the differences between the product ingredients and what they target will help you determine which ones to use.
Beta and alpha hydroxy acids are used for exfoliating and rejuvenating the skin. They are nonabrasive cleansers frequently used in face peels. As the name implies there are certain types of acid in the product and therefore you should use them carefully.
Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble and do not sink into the skin. They work best for sun damaged skin or really thick skin that does not have issues with blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
Beta hydroxy products are oil soluble. Because they penetrate deep into the pores these work best against blackheads and whiteheads as well.
Retinol is made for reducing the appearance of fine lines. In layman’s terms it is one of the animal forms of Vitamin A. Retinol is found in nearly all anti-aging creams because it aids in the rejuvenation of skin which leaves a clearer complexion. This particular product works well for all skin types.
Anti-oxidants are made to protect skin cells from free radicals. Simply speaking, these are damaging oxidants that we all encounter on a daily basis. Oxidants are the ugly things that land on our skin from things such as air pollution, sun exposure and certain foods. Anti-oxidants are found in most anti-wrinkle creams.
Vitamin C is one of the most commonly included ingredients in anti-wrinkle creams. Because Vitamin C assists with the healing process naturally, many people and companies claim it is the most effective ingredient in any cosmetic cream.
Peptides are a mini-proteins of active molecules that make up the collagen in our skin. Collagen is an important protein in the skin that keeps skin taut and supple. Unfortunately collagen breaks down as we age. Peptides trick the skin into believing that the collagen has just been damaged which prompts the skin to make more. The best peptides are found in the types of products that can penetrate the skin and get into the pores.
CoQ10 – also known as Coenzyme Q10 is a fat soluble, vitamin like substance that is present in all human cells. It is responsible for protecting the production of the cells and the body’s energy. CoQ10 works much like the peptides to stimulate the growth of healthy collagen. CoQ10 reduces UV damage caused by over exposure to the sun or tanning bed lights.
Although there are many other ingredients found in anti-aging products, those listed above are some of the most common. They can be found in both inexpensive and expensive anti-aging creams.
If you remember that it is not the price of the product but the concentration of the chemicals and the way they are applied that has the greatest impact, then you will go a long way in finding what works best for you.
