7 ingredients to look for in anti-ageing skincare products
Amelia, from FixYourSkin.com, has a lot of experience with skin health and has written several articles on the topic. FixYourSkin has plenty of tips, health advice and DIY recipes which can give you great-looking skin without any side effects.
Don’t we all want flawless skin, ageless glow, and ever-youthful beauty? We sure do, and skincare companies know that only too well. That is why every season scores of fresh anti-ageing products are introduced in the market, advertised by beautiful, perfect women who tempt you into buying miracle cream that vows to magically whisk away your fine lines, sun damage, and slumping jaw line. Unhappily, very soon, this cream too joins the pack of all other anti-ageing products in your dresser – products that promised a lot, but delivered little.
Anti–ageing products are meant to restore some of your youthful glow and beauty. Cleansers, night–serums, exfoliating masks and the best tinted moisturisers, all come under this umbrella, but what good is a product, if it doesn't fulfil its claim?
Well, flashy ads may be misleading, but if you know the active ingredients that are required to actually make your cream work for you, you can focus on buying the right anti–ageing product. Here, we reveal a list of the top seven anti-ageing ingredients to look for in beauty products.
1. An SPF
Sun is our skin’s worst enemy, and sunscreen is simply the most important ingredient of your moisturiser, day cream or your morning skin routine. It’s the basic preventer that will keep your skin safe from the irreversible damage that the sun causes, even when you aren’t directly exposed to its rays!
Pigmentation, wrinkles, crows’ feet, dark spots, and collagen destruction– all are damaging to the youthfulness of your face. Most day creams and the best tinted–moisturisers have sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher in them. Sunscreens UV filters scatter the sun’s harmful UVA rays that affect the skin, so if you spend long hours outside, be sure to re–apply your sunscreen every few hours.
2. Vitamin C
As we grow older, our body slackens at producing elastin that makes our skin resilient, and collagen that rejuvenates tired, sagging skin. Our skin craves the nutrition of vitamin C and E. The antioxidants that are present in vitamin C enhance the creation of collagen, therefore reducing fine lines, sagging, and scars. Creams and serums with vitamin C will also reverse signs of sun damage.
3. Hydroxyl Acids (AHAs and BHAs)
These natural acids (glycolic, citric, lactic and tartaric acids) are found in many anti-ageing creams and serums because of their ability to exfoliate the skin of dead cells, leaving it softer, fresher and younger-looking. AHAs are known to reduce fine lines, crow’s feet, and damage caused by sun exposure. These acids, however, tend to irritate your skin, so using a good moisturiser is recommended when applying anti–ageing products containing AHAs.
BHAs – beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid, or retinoids) – go into your skin pores and reduce signs of ageing like blackheads and dark spots, to disclose a brighter layer from underneath. They balance any irritation you may have because of alpha-hydroxyl acids in your anti-ageing serums and creams.
4. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin young by cushioning facial tissues and lubricating the skin and joints. Our body is equipped to produce hyaluronic acid naturally, but with age and general lifestyle hazards such as smoking or unbalanced diet, its production slows down. Skin care products that have this acid will fight signs of ageing like saggy skin and uneven complexion. It works ten times better when combined with vitamin C.
5. Polyphenols
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that slow signs of ageing by fighting sun damage and wrinkle–causing free radicals. That's why they are an integral part of anti-ageing skin products like serums and gels. You could choose an anti-ageing product with green tea extracts, as they are loaded with polyphenols. Polyphenols help with prevention of skin cancer.
6. Retinol
Retinol is made with vitamin A, and it’s the main ingredient in eye creams and anti-ageing products for the skin. It greatly boosts collagen production that makes the skin supple and plump. It restores elastin that buffs out fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol mends the complexion, reinstates firmness and natural radiance. It also enhances the skin's ability to fight sun damage and dark patches.
7. Niacinamide
Developed from vitamin B3 (niacin), this component of anti–ageing serums is a powerful antioxidant. It helps in the production of the enzymes NADH and NADPH, which are needed for cell regeneration and fatty-acid creation. Unfortunately, the natural levels of these enzymes in our skin decline with age. Niacinamide is known to reverse that degeneration. It restores the skin’s lost water content, thus improving skin elasticity. Niacinamide also intensifies the levels of ceramides in the skin, preventing sagging, and stimulating blood circulation.
Finally, no anti-ageing product can match the youth-sustaining results of good exercise that will elevate blood flow, help your pores breathe and clear dirt. A healthy, balanced diet of fruits, veggies, lean meat and whole cereals is vital to boost your skin's natural rejuvenating abilities. Sustain the age-defying glow by not smoking, avoiding stress, and staying out of the sun.