There are thousands of different anti-aging skin care options out there. Finding the right skin care cream can be a daunting challenge. Most product reviews only go so far in helping you decide and from there it’s up to you. On the other hand, if you know what to look for the process is a lot simpler. Keep in mind that the major cause of age spots and wrinkles is sun damage. Many anti aging treatment on the other hand, make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage. That means step one in your anti aging skin care regimen should be finding a good sunscreen. There are a few things to consider when looking for an anti aging skin care product.
By ignoring cost and paying attention to ingredients and the effects of the products, you can minimize side effects and maximize your results. Just because a given product is expensive doesn’t mean its any good. This counts double in the cluttered, confusing anti aging market. Manufacturers understand that many people — not being able to decide based on other factors — will just go with the most expensive product. In truth, price has little to do with effectiveness. It’s always a good idea to read a product review on a specific skin care cream before deciding on purchasing it based on price alone. According to Good Housekeeping magazine, the price is the worst predictor of the effectiveness of any skin care product. In their research, Good Housekeeping found the most effective products were mostly under $40.
Product Ingredients
Looking at what makes up any product is a must! By understanding what the ingredients of a given product are, you have an idea of how it works and whether it will make a difference for you.
Always look out for ingredients that are well known to deliver results, such as :
- Retinol. This is a compound derived from Vitamin A. Retinol is a very strong exfoliator and it helps reduce skin discoloration and exfoliation.
- Hydroxy acids. These are a bit gentler than Retinol but they also have a skin refreshing quality.
- Coenzyme Q10. This is taken by many people as a supplement. Many anti aging products also contain it — it helps reduce wrinkles.
- Copper peptides. They’re an ingredient that helps stimulate the production of collagen. Copper peptides may also help antioxidants work effectively.
- Kinetin. Kinetin is a plant hormone that may reduce discoloration or wrinkles in the skin.
- Green tea extracts. Just like how green tea is very good for you health wise, they are an antioxidant as well and help reduce inflammation.
Beware of Misconceptions about “Skin Age”
As much as people assume wrinkles are the defining characteristic of old age, skin discoloration and age spots have a far greater effect on perceived age. According to Allure magazine, age spots and skin discoloration can age you up to 15 years. Fortunately, there’s a solution. A combination of an exfoliating scrub and a skin lightener can improve your general skin tone in three months.
Watch Out for Side Effects
Certain anti aging skin care products may produce strong side effects. Some people experience skin irritation, rashes, burning and redness. Always follow any directions on the product packaging and use the smallest recommended dose. Consult with your dermatologist to make sure the products you’d like to try are right for you. You can further help prevent problems by only adding one new product at a time, in that way, if trouble does crop up you know exactly what caused it.
