Anti Aging Ingredients
It takes a multi-prong approach to combat the ill effects of aging on our skin. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure you look your best regardless of age. Skin care products are getting better and better and more and more contain some of the best anti aging ingredients currently known. Many of these ingredients are natural and most effective in turning back the clock on aging skin.
Antioxidants Halt Free Radicals
Antioxidants are some of the best anti aging ingredients in skin care products. Antioxidants halt the accelerated aging of skin caused by free radicals. Vitamins C and E limit the production of free radicals from ultraviolet radiation. Look for a product that contains L-asorbic acid (vitamin C) in concentrations greater than 10%.
Ferulic acid comes from plants and is another potent antioxidant and protects against sun damage, especially when combined with vitamins C and E. Alpha lipoic acid is both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that reduces harmful cytokines that cause inflammation.
Alpha lipoic acid also regenerates vitamins C and E. CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant critical to function of the mitochondria, the power plants of our cells. Statin drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol can lower CoQ10 levels reducing this critical nutrient.
Grape seed extract, another antioxidant, enhance SPF (sun protection factor) and improves wound healing.
Antiwrinkle Anti Aging Ingredients
Anti aging ingredients also include those that restore skin damage from wrinkles. To prevent and treat wrinkles look for the following ingredients: paeoniflorin (PF), Morinda citrifolia extracts, dimethlyaminoethanol (DMAE), and scoparone 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin. These are newer ingredients shown to reduce wrinkles through different mechanisms.
Paeoniflorin protects our DNA from UV-B radiation and reduces facial wrinkles. Morinda citrifolia extracts contain anthraquinone, which increases collagen production.  Scoparone 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin comes from the inner shell of walnuts and enhances fibronectin and vitronectin function. Fibronectin and vitronectin are key components of extracellular matrix and improve cell adhesion and growth.
Peptide Growth Factors: Breakthrough Ingredients
Peptides control cell growth and stimulate collagen production and also improve cell-to-cell communication. These are breakthrough ingredients for skin care products. Studies on wound healing have provided information on the importance of peptides.
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 (trademark name is Matrixyl®) stimulates collagen production up to 117%, increases the thickness of elastin fibers, another structural protein in skin, and increases hyaluronic acid, which pulls in water.
The benefits of copper peptides on tissue regeneration have been known since the 1970s. Copper peptides breakdown the collagen responsible for scar formation and promote the collagen and elastin necessary for skin repair. Copper is an important mineral that acts as a cofactor in many biological processes.
Other peptide growth factors can be found in products from SkinMedica and Neocutis.
Retinol
Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, has long been used in skin care and continues to have a role in skin care products. Retinol stimulates collagen production and improves the effects of sun damage on the skin. While retinol products can be obtained over the counter, the more effective products for wrinkle repair require a prescription.
To maintain healthy, youthful skin it’s just as important if not more important to eat well, avoiding high glycemic foods, and foods laden with trans fats and high fructose corn syrup. Also, don’t forget about the health benefits of the most common ingredient of the body- WATER.
