Once women have hit their 30s, they begin worrying about looking older, which is why billions are being spent every year on Botox and other dermatological procedures. A cheaper alternative to these is using anti-aging products. To avoid falling victim to wrong or ineffective age-defying products, here are some tips you may consider.
Ingredients to look out for
Anti-aging skin care products are constantly marketing themselves as the solution to looking old. Only some of the brands are actually effective. Choose these products wisely by looking out for the following ingredients. Proper anti-aging skin care will begin once you start using products that contain the following:
- Vitamins A and C- These vitamins are found in most skin care products. Vitamin C is able to protect the skin from harmful UV rays while Vitamin A reduces the chances of wrinkles. Wrinkles are reduced via its inflammatory mechanism. The mechanism somewhat puffs up your skin to lessen the wrinkle depth. Vitamin C also brightens the skin by increasing collagen production and improving your blood’s circulation.
- Retinoids are a derivative on Vitamin A. These are useful in treating signs of aging by accelerating the production of new cells, thereby lessening the accumulation of a dead skin layer. The result is a smoother and a fresher-looking skin. Wrinkles are also reduced, thanks to the production of fresh cells. Be sure to use retinoid products continuously. Once you stop applying these, your skin will go back to producing wrinkles and the like.
- AHAs or Alpha-hydroxy acids are fruit acids that increase the exfoliation or removal of dead skin cells.
Other factors
A person’s lifestyle and genetic history also play a big role in the ageing process. Thirty percent of the body’s ageing manifestations come from our genes. Lifestyle factors that can increase the likelihood of ageing are regular smoking and constant exposure to the sun. If you are fond of tanning, it is time to take a break and only engage in it sporadically. Too much tanning can cause more wrinkles in the body. The added sun exposure also damages the skin.
Products that work
A study done by a magazine analyzed the effectiveness of anti-aging moisturizers and creams. In this study, 12 moisturizers were tested against 12 anti-aging cream products. The women testing the products did not know which category the products belong to. At the end of the study, they were asked to assess if the product was either an anti-aging or a moisturizing product.
The results report that the women using anti-aging creams did not notice any improvement on their skin. A small 10 percent only noticed a difference after using the anti-aging products. This could be due to the small amount of ingredients in the cream. Because the products are cream-base, they can only do much and probably performs more as moisturizers than anti-ageing products.
It is also recommended to not depend on one product to take away what your skin has developed for years. Some scientists even believe anti-aging products can damage your skin further. Sensitive skin is prone to irritation from retinoids and AHAs. Application of retinoids may lead to red discoloration, itching, and dry skin. AHAs may end up swelling the skin, exposing it to more UV damage. Like any other chemical or medicine, side effects are inevitable through using these products.
To ensure your body’s safety, read anti-aging product reviews online. These reviews discuss the possible effects of various creams, lotions, and soaps available in the market.
