THE FAB FOUR: Top Anti-aging Skin Care Ingredients
Utilizing these four ingredients in your skin care regimen can keep your skin younger looking, longer!
THE ANTI-AGER: Considered the gold standard in anti-aging, retinol (a Vitamin A derivative) helps rid your skin of dead skin cells at a faster rate than normal, leading to clearer oil ducts—which is why retinol helps with acne—and skin cellular repair, leading to diminished wrinkles, less sagginess and less dullness. This star exfoliator and repairing agent is a must in anyone’s skin care arsenal. HOW TO USE: Apply at night right after washing your face. Start with three times a week to test out possible irritation, and then work up. Only dab a tiny amount around your eyes twice a week.
THE PROTECTOR: Vitamin C is potent antioxidant that slows down skin aging by taming free radicals that damage collagen and elastin. Unchecked, this results in wrinkles, dark spots and even skin cancer. Long-term use of Vitamin C results in wrinkle reduction and overall complexion brightening. HOW TO USE: A serum is the best, most potent way to get faster antioxidant absorption. Start with the lowest percentage possible to see how your skin reacts, and then slowly increase the percentage. If you start off too strong, it can cause stinging, redness and breakouts. Keep or buy in a dark bottle to prevent destabilization.
THE COLLAGEN STIMULATORS: Peptides are chains of amino acids that are building blocks of skin proteins. When applied topically, peptides stimulate new collagen production, keeping the skin plump and youthful. Look for brands that have Matrixyl, which is a popular collagen stimulating peptide. HOW TO USE: Peptides are found in everything from serums to face creams to makeup, but make sure you use stabilized peptides, otherwise they may be rendered useless. Daily, long-term use is key.
THE PEELERS: Alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid) help fade discoloration and slough off dead skin cells evenly to allow other anti-aging products to work more effectively, leaving your skin radiant and glowing. Alpha hydroxy acids can also be found in body lotions to help in all-over exfoliation. HOW TO USE: Twice a week as a peel or daily in your cleanser. Just don’t overdo it; otherwise you’ll cause redness and irritation.