On the never-ending quest for ageless skin is an array of products that claim to help you regain your youthful look. But what anti-aging products are effective and which offer empty promises? Which are most important to use, and which can you pass up in the beauty aisle? And at what age should you begin using them?
Many women tend to overdo it with their skin by overcleansing, overtreating and essentially, overbuying products. In adopting a daily skincare regimen, doctors suggest getting back to basics.
Must-haves for Skin Beauty:
- A gentle daily cleanser
- Two moisturizers—one for daytime with sunscreen (SPF 30+) and one for nighttime
- If necessary: exfoliants; antioxidant serums; retinoid/retinol formulas
American women spend billions each year on anti-aging creams and potions. Yet a lot of this money is spent on products that do little to change your skin’s aging process. To really put an end to fine lines, sagging and pigmentation changes, you’d have to change the skin’s deeper layers. And if off-the-shelf products in department stores and drugstores could successfully erase age, by increasing cell turnover in the dermis, the FDA would classify them as drugs, and you would need a doctor’s prescription to purchase them.
In her book, “The Mind-Beauty Connection,” Dr. Amy Wechsler, who is board-certified in dermatology and psychiatry, lays out why so many of the claims you find on bottles are convincing. Many cosmetic claims lack specifically-geared research and are paid for by cosmetic companies, which of course, have a vested interest in the outcome. But the clever writing, impressive packaging and vague promises of expensive anti-aging products could fool any woman into believing that her skin is looking better with continued use.
Wrinkles happen because as we age, we stop producing collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm. Sun exposure and smoking accelerate the loss of collagen, so always use sunscreen and keep away from cigarettes. In trying to reverse damage that’s been done, exactly what are we slathering on our faces?
Common Anti-Aging Ingredients:
- Antioxidants (green tea and Vitamin E) halt sun damage, and prevent new wrinkles from forming.
- Hydroxy acids serve as exfoliants to remove old skin and show new, improved skin.
- Peptides (pentapeptides and copper peptides) increase production of collagen.
- Retinol is the over-the-counter version of Retin-A, a vitamin A compound, which prevents the compounds that break down collagen from ever forming and with continued use, can spur new collagen production.
To find out if a particular product works for you, give it at least eight weeks of continued use. However, remember that anything you can buy without a doctor’s note remains questionable, and is evaluated for safety but not its effectiveness.
Anti-Aging Products to Try:
- Morning Moisturizer: Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30—soy-based moisturizer that evens out skin tone and texture, while protecting against the sun
- Night Creams: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream—smoothes and softens lines; RevaléSkin Night Cream—repairs sun damage with CoffeeBerry, a potent antioxidant
- Eye Cream: Garnier Nutritioniste Anti-Puff Eye Roller—de-puffs the eye area with circulation-boosting caffeine
- Hand Cream: Neutrogena Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30—smoothes hands and wards off aging sun spots
- Skin Care: Olay Regenerist Creams with amino peptide complex
When it comes to anti-aging products, we primarily need a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied daily, even on cloudy days because UV rays can still affect skin. The antioxidants in moisturizers are essential because they neutralize free radicals—molecules from the sun and pollution that damage (and age) skin. Look for vitamins C and E, green and white tea and/or idebenone, a powerful man-made antioxidant. Since your skin repairs itself best at night when it’s not stressed by free radicals produced by the sun and metabolism, use moisturizer and/or serum before bed.
Dermatologists suggest starting to use a retinoid (vitamin A in a bottle) in your 40s to diminish fine lines and increase cell turnover for younger-looking skin. However, begin using daily moisturizer and sunscreen as young as possible.
As with many cosmetics today, there are organic anti-aging beauty options. Versions, such as Intelligent Nutrients skincare, use only organic food grade ingredients. Intelligent Nutrients Organic Anti-aging Moisturizer combines apricot, acai and safflower, with antioxidant-rich seed oil complex to strengthen cell membranes, retain moisture and improve elasticity. You can find various organic anti-aging products at The Body Shop or in the health and beauty aisle at Whole Foods Market.
While makers of anti-aging beauty products make enticing promises such as claiming to regain the face you had several decades ago and firming sagging skin and eliminating age spots, be wary. The best you can do is to follow a basic daily regimen that includes a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Experiment with products to find out what works best for you, but don’t overdo it.
