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Uncovering the benefits of key anti-aging ingredients
Make the most of your skin with concern-specific ingredients and products
When you’re sick, your doctor gives you medication to treat a specific symptom or illness, so why should your skin care be any different? By committing to a skin care regimen that features products and ingredients that are proven to improve particular skin conditions and signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and dullness, you can maximize the visible results—and the health and beauty of your skin.
Antioxidants
Our skin is exposed to a wide variety of environmental assaults, including UV rays and pollution that generate skin-damaging free radicals. In addition to sunscreen, it’s imperative to protect your skin with antioxidants, which have the power to stop free radicals in their tracks and prevent damage that leads to visible signs of aging and even skin cancer. Some antioxidants also have the ability to repair skin damage. In addition to shielding the skin from free-radical damage, vitamin C has also been proven to boost collagen production (which means less visible wrinkles) and fade unwanted pigment.1, 2, 3
Retinoids
Few anti-aging ingredients have been as extensively proven as retinol. Essential for preventing and reversing signs of aging, retinol is one of the most studied—and proven—skincare ingredients. Retinol helps to increase skin-cell turnover (which helps skin look “fresh” and young), increase collagen production, keep pores clear and improve acne.4,5
Growth Factors
As we age, levels of naturally occurring growth factors in our skin decline, but fortunately we can supplement our skin with topical products that contain this powerful ingredient. Since growth factors are essential for proper cell communication and reproduction, they can actually prompt the skin to act younger, which means improvement in visible signs of aging like wrinkles, dullness, loss of firmness and uneven skin tone.2, 6
Hydration
Every skin care regimen should include this basic step and certain products can actually repair the skin’s barrier instead of just treating the dryness. SkinMedica® Dermal Repair Cream contains antioxidant vitamin C to help already compromised skin defend itself from damage, in addition to two forms of vitamin E to help moisturize and prevent water loss. This unique product also contains hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring component of the skin capable of retaining up to 40 times its own weight in water. It imparts instant smoothness and improves the skin’s overall condition.2, 7
Special care for the eye area
No skin care regimen is complete without a rejuvenating product designed specifically for the delicate eye area. When puffiness and fine lines are an issue, look for ingredients like algae extract to regulate moisture levels (and plump up wrinkles), licorice extract and kojic acid to brighten skin around the eye area, and protective antioxidants such as green tea extract to prevent further signs of aging.
References
- “Antioxidants = Anti-Aging” Womens Health. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/antioxidants-fight-aging
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage. Fitzpatrick RE and Rostan EF. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28:231-236.
- Topical ascorbic acid on photoaged skin. Clinical, topographical and ultrastructural evaluation: double-blind study vs. placebo. Humbert PG, Haftek M, Creidi P, Lapière C, Nusgens B, Richard A, Schmitt D, Rougier A, Zahouani H. Exp Dermatol. 2003;12:237-244.
- Unoccluded retinol penetrates human skin in vivo more effectively than unoccluded retinyl palmitate or retinoic acid. Duell EA, Kang S, Voorhees JJ. J Invest Dermatol. 1997;109:301-305.
- Proposed mechanisms of action for retinoid derivatives in the treatment of skin aging. Sorg O, Kuenzli S, Kaya G, Saurat JH. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2005;4:237-244.
- Day, Sandra. “The Role of Growth Factors in Skin Care” NeoDerm (2011). http://neoderm.com/blog/2011/03/02/the-role-of-growth-factors-in-skin-care/
- Hyaluronic acid: a unique topical vehicle for the localized delivery of drugs to the skin. Brown MB, Jones SA. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 May;19(3):308-318.
