Key Ingredients to use for Anti-Aging Benefits
When it comes to treating wrinkles there are endless creams available in the market. But not all of them work. However, it all depends on the ingredients and their concentrations which help to slow down the process of aging. Some combinations work extremely well, while some take time. Again, it depends on the ingredients. Following are some of the key ingredients that dermatologists swear by for anti-aging benefits:
1. Retinol
Retinoids like retinol are the best for anti-aging benefits. All retinoids are forms of vitamin A that are found in milk, eggs, carrots, and broccoli. Your body converts those preforms and provitamins of vitamin A into an active form that you can actually use. Topical retinoids (including retinol) cause your skin to speed up its normal cell-turnover process, meaning that they will shed skin cells more quickly and help to tackle issues like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.
2. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is your best friend for anti-aging. It blocks harmful UVA/UVB rays and protects your skin from photodamage and premature signs of aging. When the sun's UV rays heat your skin, the elastin naturally present in your skin begins to break down, making you more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles. Applying sunscreen will prevent this damage and delay the signs of aging.
3. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is found in the human skin in abundance. It's also found in vegetables and citrus fruits. It is considered important in repairing free radical damage and preventing them from stimulating the aging process. Vitamin C serums or Vitamin C based skincare products help fight against environmental stressors like smoking, sun exposure, and pollution which rob the nutrients from our bodies.
4. Green Tea Extracts
Green tea contains compounds with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These tea extracts act as a great moisturizer and are famous for their detoxifying properties when consumed topically. It contains half the caffeine content compared to black tea but is rich in catechins and polyphenols. These two are important antioxidants that fight to age. Since green tea is such a hit when it comes to skincare, we recommend using used green tea bags as ingredients in the skin-healing routine.
Home remedy: Refrigerate used tea bags and leave them on your eyes for 20 minutes every day.
5. Peptides
Peptides are short strings of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, but proteins contain more. They easily penetrate the skin and send signals to cells to produce more collagen. This makes the skin look younger, firmer, and smoother.
6. Alpha Hydroxy acids
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid. They are used to remove dead skin cells, basically exfoliating. So, using AHA products regularly helps the skin to absorb other products. With regular use, the skin becomes smooth and evenly toned.
However, nothing beats regular photoprotection i.e sunscreen with 40+ SPF and PA+++ rating. Sunscreen is actually a screen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which are the primary skin stressors when it comes to aging. So don’t forget to use your sunscreen every day.
These ingredients may act as both preventive and corrective measures. However, for severe signs of aging like sagging and deep wrinkles, these may not be enough. In such a case, one can opt for advanced anti-aging treatments available in dermatology clinics.
Keep healthy, keep glowing!