I am currently looking for a serum to fight my fine lines. I never bought a serum before so I am truly in the dark here and it isn't easy to make up mind what to go with due to such a big choice.
So, I thought to start from the basics, forget about the brand, price tag and try to find what actually makes a good serum. As you might guessed I decided to research the ingredients beauty companies use to create their magic potions.
10 anti-ageing ingredients.
I talked in one of my previous posts about antioxidants. Today I want to list 10 beauty ingredients which can help to fight signs of ageing.
1. Acai oil. Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, more than those found in other berries. Cold-pressing acai berries extracts the oil, which fight ageing by healing sun damage and smoothing wrinkles. Antioxidant levels in acai oil remain high, even after it is stored.
Through studies have yet to confirm the benefits of acai oil on the skin, it is being used in masks, creams, cleansers, exfoliating scrubs, body butters and serums.
2. Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Alpha-Lipoic acid is made by the body and is found in every cell. As an antioxidant, it attacks free radicals throughout the body - it can penetrate skin cell membranes to destroy them. Alpha-Lipoic acid is touted commercially as a substance that can erase fine lines and wrinkles, diminish pores and give skin a healthy glow.
3. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). This group of natural based acids found in a vast number of skin care products includes glycolic, lactic, citric and tartaric acids. Glycolic acid was the original AHA and remains popular for its ability to remove dead skin cells and leave skin smoother, softer and more radiant.
Ahas are used to exfoliate the skin, reducing fine lines, age spots, acne scars and irregular pigmentation. Peels with high concentrations of AHAs are usually administrated by a beauty specialist or dermatologist, but you can use lower concentrations - between 5% and 10% - in creams or lotions on a daily basis.
To help avoid irritated skin, start with a low concentration and apply every other day gradually increasing frequency to every day.
4. Caffeine. Caffeine is also an antioxidant, but whether it can be used on the skin to reverse ageing isn't known. Still, skin care companies have added it to lotions and creams based on evidence that shows caffeine can inhibit the growth of skin cancer and, when applied to the skin, may make wrinkles less deep, especially "crow's feet" around the eyes.
5. CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10). Your body naturally makes CoQ-10 to neutralise free radicals in cells. As you age, you make less CoQ-10. That may make skin cells more vulnerable to damage by free radicals. That's the reasoning behind the use of the antioxidant in the skin care products such as toners, gels and creams to be used alone or with a moisturiser. Only study shows that CoQ-10 helps reduce wrinkles around the eyes. CoQ-10 is bright orange, so products containing it will be orange or yellow.
6. Green Tea Extract. Tea is loaded with nutrients called polyphenols, which have been shown to fight free radicals. Early studies have found the ingredients in tea can reduce sun damage and may protect skin from skin cancer when applied topically. Using green tea extract under sunscreen may yield a double dose of protection. Polyphenols in creams and lotions may also slow signs of ageing and reduce sagging skin and wrinkles.
7. Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid is included in skin care products to reduce the sign of ageing. Your body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, keeping tissues cushioned and lubricated. It's found in skin, joint fluid and connective tissues. Age, smoking and an unhealthy diet cause you to make less of it over time.
Products containing hyaluronic acid may help smooth out skin. It's especially effective when combined with vitamin C products.
8. Retinol. Retinol is made from vitamin A and goes on your skin. It boosts collagen production and plumps our skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin tone and colour, and reduces mottled patches on the skin.
Many dermatologists prescribe retinol's stronger counterpart, tretinoin, or similar products to slow skin ageing, improve irregular pigmentation and clear up acne. Over the counter products containing retinols may be weaker, but are still effective in improving skin appearance.
Using a retinol based product may cause the skin's top layer to become dry and flaky. Be sure to wear moisturiser and sunscreen when using it or speak to your dermatologist about alternatives.
9. Vitamin C. As you age, your body slows down its production of collagen and elastin, which keep skin strong, flexible and resilient. The antioxidants found in vitamin C may stimulate the production of collagen and minimise fine lines, wrinkles and scars. Vitamin C is being added to skin care products such as creams and lotions.
10. Salicilyc Acid. Salicylic acid is used in many over the counter and prescription products to treat acne. It penetrates pores and reduces blackheads and whiteheads with less irritation than may occur with alpha-hydroxy acids. Like AHAs, salicilyc acid in certain amounts exfoliates the skin, which can reduce signs of ageing. If you are allergic to salicylates (found in aspirin), you shouldn't use salicilyc acid. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should ask your doctor before using any products with salicilyc acid. Also be aware of symptoms of rare but serious allergic reactions.
Now ladies and gents when you go shopping for an anti-ageing beauty product you know what to look for.
Marija
Read more:
- Lovely skin in your thirties
To help avoid irritated skin, start with a low concentration and apply every other day gradually increasing frequency to every day.
4. Caffeine. Caffeine is also an antioxidant, but whether it can be used on the skin to reverse ageing isn't known. Still, skin care companies have added it to lotions and creams based on evidence that shows caffeine can inhibit the growth of skin cancer and, when applied to the skin, may make wrinkles less deep, especially "crow's feet" around the eyes.
5. CoEnzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10). Your body naturally makes CoQ-10 to neutralise free radicals in cells. As you age, you make less CoQ-10. That may make skin cells more vulnerable to damage by free radicals. That's the reasoning behind the use of the antioxidant in the skin care products such as toners, gels and creams to be used alone or with a moisturiser. Only study shows that CoQ-10 helps reduce wrinkles around the eyes. CoQ-10 is bright orange, so products containing it will be orange or yellow.
6. Green Tea Extract. Tea is loaded with nutrients called polyphenols, which have been shown to fight free radicals. Early studies have found the ingredients in tea can reduce sun damage and may protect skin from skin cancer when applied topically. Using green tea extract under sunscreen may yield a double dose of protection. Polyphenols in creams and lotions may also slow signs of ageing and reduce sagging skin and wrinkles.
7. Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid is included in skin care products to reduce the sign of ageing. Your body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, keeping tissues cushioned and lubricated. It's found in skin, joint fluid and connective tissues. Age, smoking and an unhealthy diet cause you to make less of it over time.
Products containing hyaluronic acid may help smooth out skin. It's especially effective when combined with vitamin C products.
8. Retinol. Retinol is made from vitamin A and goes on your skin. It boosts collagen production and plumps our skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin tone and colour, and reduces mottled patches on the skin.
Many dermatologists prescribe retinol's stronger counterpart, tretinoin, or similar products to slow skin ageing, improve irregular pigmentation and clear up acne. Over the counter products containing retinols may be weaker, but are still effective in improving skin appearance.
Using a retinol based product may cause the skin's top layer to become dry and flaky. Be sure to wear moisturiser and sunscreen when using it or speak to your dermatologist about alternatives.
9. Vitamin C. As you age, your body slows down its production of collagen and elastin, which keep skin strong, flexible and resilient. The antioxidants found in vitamin C may stimulate the production of collagen and minimise fine lines, wrinkles and scars. Vitamin C is being added to skin care products such as creams and lotions.
10. Salicilyc Acid. Salicylic acid is used in many over the counter and prescription products to treat acne. It penetrates pores and reduces blackheads and whiteheads with less irritation than may occur with alpha-hydroxy acids. Like AHAs, salicilyc acid in certain amounts exfoliates the skin, which can reduce signs of ageing. If you are allergic to salicylates (found in aspirin), you shouldn't use salicilyc acid. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should ask your doctor before using any products with salicilyc acid. Also be aware of symptoms of rare but serious allergic reactions.
Now ladies and gents when you go shopping for an anti-ageing beauty product you know what to look for.
Marija
Read more:
- Lovely skin in your thirties
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