Skin Care Ingredients

Have you ever looked at the ingredient list on your skin care product? Confusing isn't it and what do they all mean and most important do?

Below are a list of ingredients that have been proven to work to help reduce the signs of aging. They are very effective but keep in mind that results don't happen over night. You need to use them consistantly, that is morning and night for a period of at least 1-3 months before your results are visible but it is well worth the effort.

Ideally when you look for these ingredients you want them to be at the top of the list of ingredients. Being at the top means they have a higher concentration than if they were in the middle or at the bottom of the list.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) - when dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface, they not only make your complexion look dull, but they can lead to other skin concerns like acne. Dead skin can mix with oil and bacteria which block the pores and cause breakouts. When the dead skin is not removed it can also prevent your products from actually penetrating the skin. Alpha hydroxy acids help slough off dead skin cells which improves the texture and condition of the skin. They also increase the skin’s natural moisture holding capability and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size and therefore has greater penetration than other AHA’s. With regular use the appearance of the skin is greatly improved, it becomes smoother, lines and wrinkles are less noticeable and the skin it softer and brighter. The deep cleansing action helps to eliminate blockages caused by a build up of dead skin cells and therefore helps to control acne conditions. Also helps with the appearance of acne scarring and pigmentation like freckles and age spots.

Products like MD Formulations contain glycolic acid and have a huge range of products to help with all the above skin conditions.

Antioxidants – these are derived from vitamins A, C and E, and form part of the body’s natural defense and balance system. Antioxidants protect the skin by attaching themselves to free radicals, thus preventing them from doing as much harm to the skin. Free radicals are harmful unstable molecules created by oxidation (in simple terms this is what happens when a sliced apple turns brown) which are activated by stress, pollution, poor diet, smoking and UV light (sun and sun beds). As a result they damage the skin by the formation of wrinkle, sun spots and loss of elasticity. Unfortunately it isn't enough to have a diet rich in antioxidants which is why topical applications are also important to give the skin cells ample protection against free radical damage.

Vitamins A,C and E are found in lots of anti aging skin care products and you should include at least one antioxidant skin care product in your daily regime. The easiest way to do this is to use a Vitamin C serum. Serums are highly concentrated and deliver a burst of nutrients to the skin. They do not contain any moisturizing properties so you still need to follow with a good moisturizer.

Retinol - research shows that Retinols are one of the most effective Vitamin A skin care treatments to successfully treat the symptoms of aging skin. They come in different concentrations starting from 0.15% and up to the strongest that can be purchased over the counter of 1%. Retinol rejuvenates the skin by stimulating cell regeneration, building collagen, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimizing age spots and minimizing the occurrence of blemishes.

Because retinol can be irritating to the skin start with a lower strength to give your skin a chance to adapt, then gradually increase the retinol strength as your skin becomes more tolerant of vitamin A. Any product containing vitamin A will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so be sure to use a sunscreen every day.

Niacinamide - this ingredient is a form of vitamin B3. Research shows that niacinamide minimizes dark spots, effectively hydrates the skin and strengthens the skin’s barrier by generating more ceramides and fatty acids. Making sure the skin’s barrier is strong will keep out irritants and keep in moisture, a key component to healthy skin. Niacinamide is even gentle enough for sensitive skins. You can find niacinamide in Olay products including the Regenerist and Definity lines.

Peptides – this ingredient is reported to reduce the signs of aging by increasing collagen production, thereby making the skin thicker and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. When collagen breaks down, it forms specific peptides. These peptides act as a signal to tell your skin it was damaged and to make new collagen. Applying peptides tricks the skin into producing more collagen. One of the most popular peptides is Matrixyl which is found in the Olay Regenerist range. Copper peptides also encourage collagen synthesis, has firming properties, enhancing the skin's protective ability and is a powerful antioxidant.

It is important to be aware that peptide products should not be used at the same time as vitamin C products, the combination will neutralize the effect of both making them useless. If you do want to use both use one in the morning and the other at night.