Anti-Aging. That’s the buzz word that can be heard everywhere these days. From drug store brands to expensive spas, everyone seems to want the products that claim to have anti-aging properties.
The market for anti-aging products and services has grown exponentially over the last few years. According to BBC Research, a publisher of technology market research, the global anti-aging industry was valued at approximately $260 billion in 2013, up from $162 billion in 2008.
But which ingredients make something truly anti-aging? Which ingredients in these products really work?
Keep reading for a list of five ingredients you should look for in anti-aging products:
1) DNA repair
DNA-repair ingredients are a host of compounds that can reverse sun damage. Some of them are derived from rose myrtle extract or plankton. They can stimulate the skin-firming protein, collagen, which most people lose with age.
Lack of collagen can make the skin look loose. The good thing with products that contain DNA-repair ingredients is that the effects are permanent.
2) Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a good skin filler when it is injected into deep wrinkles. It absorbs a lot of moisture to fill the wrinkles in. While over-the-counter products won’t give you the same results as ones done in the doctor’s office, products like hyaluronic acid can temporarily smooth your skin.
3) Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid can exfoliate dead, lusterless skin and make it look smooth and radiant again. It also stimulates the cells that produce collagen so that they can produce more of the skin-firming protein.
The downside about glycolic acid is that the benefits of these products stop when you stop using them.
4) Caffeine
Caffeine in anti-aging products can give your skin a boost, just like caffeine in a double espresso can give you a boost. It can temporarily reduce puffiness, especially around your eyes. Just don’t expect permanent results because they won’t be there.
5) Vitamin C
Antioxidants like vitamin C help to protect your skin against free radical damage, which speeds up the signs of aging. Vitamin C helps produce collagen and essential normal cell growth. Unlike other vitamins, Vitamin C can be absorbed into your skin.
When shopping for anti-aging products, keep these five ingredients in mind to make sure you are buying products that really work!
Sources:
Marketwatch.com. Web. 11 February 2014. “10 things the anti-aging industry won’t tell you.”
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-things-the-anti-aging-industry-wont-tell-you-2014-02-11
Prevention.com. Web. 21 January 2015. “The best anti-aging ingredients”.
http://www.prevention.com/beauty/beauty/best-anti-aging-ingredients
Reviewed January 22, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith