Finding Your Way Around The Arena of Anti Aging Skin Care Products

November 23rd, 2008 by author

A few years ago, Americans purchased $6.4 Billion worth of anti aging skin care products (also referred to as “cosmeceuticals.”) Most of these products are purchased over-the-counter without a prescription, although that can make it more difficult to select an effective solution that works. There are some options you can educate yourself on, but if you feel particularly overwhelmed staring at an entire aisle full of dry skin care products, such as anti wrinkle creams, retinoids, exfoliants, alpha hydroxys and wrinkle reducer face washes, then you may prefer a consultation with a licensed dermatologist first.

As we age, not only are we exposed to more cumulative sunlight, which is responsible for 90% of all skin changes, but there is a breakdown of DNA, collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and other supporting molecules in the dermis. Into our fifties, oil glands will secrete less frequently, and we’ll experience uncomfortable skin tightening, in addition to noticing lines and wrinkles. When shopping for anti aging skin products, don’t overlook the importance of a daily moisturizer. In fact, moisturizers can help restore the skin’s elasticity, easing wrinkles and creating softer, smoother skin. Ingredients like petrolatum, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and cyclomethicone encourage your skin’s water retention. Many dermatologists also recommend Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Cream, avoiding hot or frequent showers and substituting bar soap with a moisturizing body wash.

You may have also noticed a wrinkle reducer cream among the skin care products. These are generally comprised of cell damage reversing antioxidants like vitamin A (retinoids), B, C or E that are intended to neutralize free radicals and stimulate your body’s natural collagen production. As you know, collagen injections are a popular and relatively inexpensive way of bolstering your skin’s rejuvenation process. You can try Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream, Retinol or L’Oreal’s Line Eraser. Alpha Hydroxy Acids are a less potent first line defense against skin aging and Peptide products like StriVectin, Olay’s Regenerist Serum or Estée Lauder’s Perfectionist are cosmeceuticals that also stimulate natural collagen production.

Many people don’t think of diet when they’re browsing anti aging skin care products, but doctors suggest that the best way to stay young is to exercise and eat well. Drinking lots of water helps remove free radicals from the body and keeps rejuvenation processes regulated. As we age our blood sugar levels will fluctuate, causing mood swings and skin aging, but a low carb diet can help stabilize the system. Try substituting white bread, refined foods, cereals, sugar, white rice and potatoes with fruit, beans, vegetables, sourdough, multigrain bread, Japanese short grain rice, honey and sweet potatoes. New research suggests that fish seed and flax seed oil rid the body of free radicals in amazing ways. Also, doctors recommend that your diet contains no more than 10% saturated fat to ensure younger looking skin.

Many consumers are befuddled by the wide ranging prices of anti aging skin care products. Most dermatologists concede that younger looking skin can be achieved with the average products you’d find at a supermarket, such as Cetaphil, Neutrogena and Oil of Olay. “If you want to pay so that when someone walks into your bathroom they see a $400 jar of face cream on your shelf, that’s what you’re paying for,” says Dr. Vesna Petronic-Rosic, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Chicago. “[But] if you put Cetaphil on your skin every day, twice a day, it’s going to achieve the same effect.” They add that a lot of the “cost” in cosmetics is the packaging and advertising, or sometimes difficult to prepare ingredients, which, by the way, aren’t any more effective in skin regeneration.

No one can look young forever. Not even Joan Rivers or Dick Clark is completely immune to the signs of aging. Sure you could get cosmetic surgery to erase those wrinkles but there are better methods that are less invasive and far cheaper. Why not try some of the new wrinkle creams on the market? They can reduce the signs of aging and provide you with a healthy, glowing complexion that will have your friends and family wondering if you have undergone the knife during some cosmetic surgery. Only you will know the real secret by clicking here for more information:

To learn more go to Wrinkle Correction and at Wrinkle Skin Care Products and at Wrinkle Correction