Shopping for anti-aging beauty products can be overwhelming and confusing. Let us take some of the guesswork out by identifying the most potent ingredients in the fight against fine lines and wrinkles.
1. Niacin. Niacin, otherwise known as vitamin B3, promotes cell turnover while it repairs sun damage and protects from further assault. These products will protect against the sun’s rays and supply the skin with vitamin B3 to replenish skin’s moisture barrier.
2. Vitamin A. This powerful vitamin is essential for proper cell function and not only fights off wrinkles, but will reduce oil and the size of the sebaceous glands that lead to acne. Not everyone can tolerate taking vitamin A orally, but a topical application will work well, due to its ability to turn over cells.
3. Retinol. This is a type of vitamin A, and a go-to ingredient often used in products for its collagen-boosting properties.
4. Peptides. These amino acids are proven to speed healing and restore collagen, which helps smooth the skin and ease wrinkles.
5. Hyaluronic acid. This powerful, naturally occurring molecule is found in abundance in young skin. As we age, it diminishes. Plastic surgeons often opt for a hyaluronic acid-based filler to restore facial volume.
6. Marine botanicals. Manufacturers of wrinkle-reducing creams and serums turn to plants from the sea for their ultra-hydrating effects on human skin.
7. Glycation fighter. Sugar is not only bad for your waistline, it also causes inflammation and prematurely wrinkles skin. Glycation occurs when oxidized glucose covers the surface of proteins in the body and makes them work less effectively. When this happens to collagen, wrinkles and aging skin emerge.
8. Antioxidants. Inflammation caused by bad choices (like smoking) and environmental stress (like pollution) can lead to premature aging that often results in wrinkles. Antioxidants can repair and protect against the damage inflammation causes, inside and out.
9. Infrared light. Exposing the skin to warm infrared light is believed to engage the fibroblast cells that, in turn, boost collagen and elastic production. The result? Smoother skin, smaller pores, fewer fine lines and better overall tone within a few weeks.
10. Glycolic acid. You may have heard of this when speaking to your plastic surgeon about a chemical peel, but it’s also found in many products. This acid easily absorbs into the skin, making it ideal for topical application. Not only does it exfoliate away fine lines and discoloration, but it also fights acne.
