Can you really have younger-looking skin, no matter your age? Thousands of products today claim to have “anti-aging” benefits, but do they really work? Can you really turn back the hands of time? The answer is no, but there are steps you can take to keep your skin looking younger longer.
The buzz word today in dermatology is cosmeceuticals — over the counter skin treatments that aren’t considered cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, but a combination of both. The term was first coined by a university researcher, Albert Kligman, who is credited with discovering the effectiveness of Retin-A, a vitamin A derivative, in helping to smooth aging skin. Today many use the term to describe cosmetics or skin treatments whose ingredients, although not medical, have been proven beneficial in treating photo-aging — the process by which our skin ages due to over exposure to sunlight. Sales of skin care cosmeceuticals have surpassed 6 billion dollars and growing.
To help you, lets take a look at some things you can do to have better looking skin with confidence.
Skincare basics
The biggest culprit of dry, aging skin is sun exposure. You can’t begin too early taking care of your skin — and that means making sure you are not overexposed to the sun. Sun protection is needed more often than just by the pool. It is vital every day. When you are driving your car or walking to your office, you skin is exposed to the sun, therefore sunblock is a must. Lotions with an SPF of 15 block about 96% of the sun’s rays, but an SPF with 45 cuts about 99% of sun’s rays. This makes a big difference in your skin, especially if you have fair skin.
Also moisturize daily. Even oily skin needs to replenish moisture after thorough cleansing to remove dirt and grime.
Choose a moisturizer that contains petrolatum, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients will help to prevent water loss from your skin. Moisturizer improves the appearance of wrinkles by plumping them up. Avoid switching from product to product, it may irritate your skin; instead, try a product for about six weeks, giving a the chance to work — then if it doesn’t work, switch to another product.
Anti-Wrinkle Creams
Have you noticed fine lines lately? Try an over the counter wrinkle cream, such as RoC® Retinol Correxion™ Deep Wrinkle Serum, which reports in clinical tests to visibly reduce both fine lines and deep wrinkles. The company combined Retinal with magnesium, zinc, and copper to help stimulate the skin’s renewal process, which in turn, reveals new skin cells to the surface, offering a brighter complexion. In addition, DMAE, a tightening agent, helps visibly firm and tone the skin. Look for this and similar products that, when used on a regular basis, can improve the appearance of your skin. The key is continual, dedicated care to help bolster your skin’s health.
Peptides or Pentapeptides
Peptides or Pentapeptides are amino acide compounds that stimulate collagen and elastin production while helping strengthen skin tissue. Researchers herald smoother, softer, younger-looking skin with continued use of the compounds, found in popular skin creams from Estee Lauder, Strivectin, and Olay.
In addition to specialized treatments, however, you can take some practical steps to keep your skin vibrant and younger-looking longer.
Ageless skincare: Your 20s
In your twenties you skin still has a youthful glow, but don’t take this for granted. Get in the habit now of using a good SPF cream — remember 80% of all aging is due to exposure to sunlight. If you smoke — don’t; smoking stops oxygen from getting to your skin cells and can cause premature aging.
In your 30s
By now, your skin cell turnover is slower. You also have had to deal with environmental damage such as pollution, smoke, and sunlight. Your first wrinkles may begin to appear.
It’s important to maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants that fight off free radicals that attack the skin and cause environmental damage. Together these vitamins will help the skin repair itself. In addition, for an extra boost try using an antioxidant face cream that contains vitamin E.
Drink plenty of water and make sure you get enough sleep — this will keep your skin vibrant and healthy.
In your 40s
Now you may need a rich moisturizer to replenish moisture loss. Try using a cream that contains alpha hydroxyl acids or fruit acids, which help strip dead cells away and leave your skin looking fresher and younger. However, some dermatologist say these ingredients may cause your skin to become thinner, so keep that in mind. You may want to try a cream that contains a pure form of vitamin A to help reduce the signs of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.
50s and beyond
Take extra care of your skin at this stage in life. Mature skin is not only more sensitive, but it is also more fragile, more vunerable to bruising and tearing. Choose a good moisturizer for mature skin and remember, there’s nothing wrong with a few lines! A “lived-in” face is beautiful!
Tips for any age
Your skin is your largest organ — it’s very important — here are some additional tips to keep your skin vibrant and healthy!
- Limit Sun Exposure — protect with sunblock
- Use a mask to tone and tighten skin
- Brighten droopy eyes by grooming eyebrows
- Cut back on caffeine — it causes water retention
- Avoid yo-yo dieting
- Try not to frown — why hasten those wrinkles?
- Avoid cigarette smoke
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Publisher’s Pick
Although cosmeceuticals can’t always turn back the hands of time, there are some excellent products available that will indeed make your skin appear younger — I discovered such a product that I want to share with you.
MD Formulations Anti Aging Kit: This multi-action, full-strength skincare solution includes all you need for a smooth, youthful, vibrant complexion. Clinical tests confirmed a 38% reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, a 53% improvement in overall texture and a 97% increase in hydration in just 3 weeks.
The 7-piece kit includes: Facial Cleanser (2 oz.), which cleanses, balances, and lightly exfoliates skin; Facial Lotion (1 oz.), which removes old skin cell build up that makes skin look aged.; Vit-A-Plus Night Recovery (0.3 oz.) reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, increases resiliency, and improves overall skin texture; Vit-A-Plus Eye Crème (0.17 oz.) treats signs of aging around the eyes; Moisture Defense Antioxidant Serum (0.5 oz.) restores hydration and helps defend against free-radical damage; Moisture Defense Antioxidant Eye Crème (0.17 oz.) hydrates, brightens and firms eye area; and Total Protector 30 (0.3 oz.) protects skin from harmful UVB and UVA rays.
If you want less visible lines and wrinkles, smoother skin, increased firmness and an overall youthful glow, then this product will allow you to find the results you are looking for.
I tried this product for myself and to my amazement found results evident in just two days — my skin looked fresher, younger, and had a glow that I hadn’t seen lately. Without hesitation, I would recommend this product to all our readers.
Kim Potter, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
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