Anti-Aging Skin Care

Anti aging skin care has, as its goal, the prevention and reversal of the effects of age on the skin. As a person ages, the very composition of their skin changes. Such distinctive marks of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, crow's feet and thinning skin result. Fortunately there are a variety of anti aging skin care products that can employed to combat different components of aging skin. This article discusses ingredients frequently found in anti aging skin care products by category. A fuller discussion of each ingredient can be found elsewhere on this site.

Moisturizers for anti aging skin care

Most anti aging skin care products contain moisturizers. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, moisturizing the skin can help to plump up the skin and thus smooth out smaller wrinkles and fine lines. Secondly, lack of moisture can cause the surface layers of the skin to dry out and create a dull, unattractive appearance. Thus moisturizing is a fundamental element of anti aging skin care.

Anti aging skin care through collagen stimulation

Several ingredients found in anti aging skin care products seem to actually stimulate the collagen-producing layers of the skin. Collagen production slows with age, and reduced collagen levels contribute greatly to the appearance of aging skin. Stimulation of collagen production is still being studied but promises to be one of the best anti aging skin care techniques. Palmitoyl oligopeptide is one among these collagen-stimulant ingredients.

Antioxidants as anti aging skin care components

Nearly all anti aging skin care products contain antioxidants in the forms of Vitamins A or C, CoQ10, idebenone or similar antioxidants. These nutrients play a dual role in anti aging skin care. First, they scour the surface of the skin and eliminate free radicals. Free radicals are volatile substances that damage the body on a molecular level.

Second, antioxidants that penetrate into the cells of the face can be used as nutrients by the cells themselves. This nutrition can lead to the cell reinvigorating itself, working harder, even dividing to create new cells. For these reasons antioxidants are important ingredients in anti aging skin care products.

Argireline - the anti aging skin care alternative to BOTOX® injections

This compound, found in high-end anti aging skin care products, actually helps to relax the muscles of the face. Thus, wrinkles caused by the tension of small muscles in the face can be eliminated without the need for injections.

Alpha hydroxy acids in anti aging skin care

Alpha hydroxy acids enhance exfoliation and are thus ideal for anti aging skin care. Alpha hydroxy acids literally eat away the top, dull and dead layers of skin cells to reveal the living and youthful cells underneath. Exfoliation alone can reduce and even remove fine lines and wrinkles. Dermatologists who give chemical peels use alpha hydroxy acids at much higher concentrations to accomplish the same goal.

BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.