Skin Care Ingredients / Weighing The Benefits

If you've ever stood in the aisle of the skincare section

of your favorite cosmetics department looking for a face

cream to help you look younger and healthier, you know

how confusing it can be to find a product that will help

improve the look and texture of your skin.



As confusing as it is, science and research have become

our best friends in the quest for younger looking skin, and

the quest isn't over, there are promising new studies and

clinical tests every day that help us understand what it takes

to stay looking young and youthful.



Then why are we so confused about what we need?



According to consumer industry tracker Packaged Facts,

the 2004 U.S. skincare sales reached $6.4 billion and is

expected to reach over $9 billion by the year 2010. If you

consider all the skincare manufacturers competing for their

share of the industry it's not surprising that we fall prey to the

more prominent marketing hype and miss the actual research

findings.



The best advice is to do your homework. Understand what

your needs are and be realistic about the results. Don't expect

a magic potion that will erase years off your face in a few days.

It took years for those lines and wrinkles to develop, it isn't

practical to expect they will disappear in a few days.



It's also important to remember that the aging process can

only be slowed down, it can't be reversed. Everyone

experiences different levels of improvement. Skin care experts

have found it reasonable to expect about a 30% improvement

over the course of six to eight weeks time.



The best place to start is to identify what your skin care needs

are. Read the labels and understand what the ingredients do.



Depending on what doctors, specialists and advertisers you

talk to, you're likely to get differing answers but if you do your

homework by researching the ingredients and using products

as prescribed, you will most likely see a difference.



Here are a few facts on the most popular ingredients.



AHA - Alpha Hydroxy Acids

AHA's are used as a skin exfoliator. It can clear pores and rid

the skin of dead cells. Beta Hydroxy or salicylic acids are often

used for acne prone skin but can be a bit drying. Experts seem

to agree that AHA's are an excellent skin exfoliator but it is

questionable as an anti-aging ingredient.



Copper Peptides

It is not conclusive as to whether copper peptides can reduce

the aging process by reducing wrinkles and other signs of aging

in the skin. It may be possible since copper peptides seem to

stimulate the production of collagen in unscarred skin and help

reduce skin inflammation, however there is a lack of clinical

evidence and more extensive research studies are needed

before the experts can agree completely on these claims.



Green Tea

Teas, be it black, white or green contain antioxidants which

are clinically known to fight off free radicals. Most skin care

experts agree that these teas can help decrease inflammation

and swelling of the skin and can also decrease the effects of

UV exposure. Skin care products that contain antioxidant teas

are often recommended.



Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant that occurs naturally in humans,

animals and in young skin, however aging, smoking and dieting

can result in its loss.



Hyaluronic Acid has often been used as an injected lubricant

for osteoarthritis and other ailments. When applied topically,

it helps retain moisture and has been used to plump the skin.

Experts can agree that it is excellent in helping retain moisture

but are unsure of its long-lasting value.



Kinetin

Kinetin is a plant-growth hormone, and its technical name is

N6-furfuryladenine. Kinetin can offer temporary hydrating

benefits, however further applications of kinetin need to be

investigated. Kinetin is probably best used as a preventive

measure as opposed to reducing the look of aging.



Retinol

Most experts seem to agree that Retinol, (a derivative of

Vitamin A) and tretinoin (Retinol's stronger counterpart)

which is the active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova, are

the most effective ingredients in the fight against anti-aging.

They can help regenerate collagen to reduce lines and

wrinkles, and help lighten dark spots, freckles and sun

damaged skin.



Absorption is a key factor in using retinol so it is recommended

that using a combination of retinol and palmitic acid (retinyl

palmitate) be used for proper penetration at the cellular level,

however if you use retinyl palmitate you will need to use more

of this product than one that contains retinol to get the same

effect.



Retin-A can cause skin sensitivity in which case retinol is an

excellent alternative.



Soy

It is believed that soy has mild skin rejuvenating effects as it

contains botanically-based estrogen. IT contains anti-oxidants

and anti-inflammatory that soothe the skin but there are no

anti-aging elements to soy.



















About The Author:



Elizabeth is an online skin care consultant who features

quality skin care sites and reviews fine skin care products.

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