Anti Aging Face Cream – Are they the fountain of youth?
If the advertisements and commercials are to be believed then yes, the effects of aging can be slowed or even reversed. Which of the myriad of anti aging face cream products on the market today will deliver as promised? As is so often the case, the answer is not a simple one.
How do Wrinkles Form?
To understand how well an anti aging product will work it is important to understand how age and damage affect the skin and cause wrinkles to form. Collagen is the protein that helps keep skin firm and smooth. In addition to the natural slow down in collagen production as we age, both sun damage and smoking break down the collagen in the skin causing premature aging. The two main things that a person can do to have younger looking skin are: wear sunscreen and avoid smoking.
Active Ingredients and Their Properties
A quick internet search will net a plethora of creams and lotions that all offer younger looking skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Each of these products will have a different list of ingredients. Each of those ingredients provides different properties which in turn will have different effects on facial skin and the underlying tissues.
Here is a brief listing of some of the more prominent ingredients that you might find in anti aging face cream:
- Retinol- is a compound of vitamin A that prevents collagen from breaking down. Retinol has been shown to increase the risk of birth defects and should not be used by pregnant women.
- Hyaluronic acid- is a component of connective tissue in the body. Hyaluronic acid holds in moisture which plumps the tissue under a wrinkle creating a more smooth appearance to the skin.
- Peptides- speed the healing process by enhancing collagen production. The enhanced collagen production in turn reduces the effects of aging. Copper peptides are the most common peptide that is found in anti aging face cream.
- Antioxidants- which include vitamin E, green tea and even caffeine, help to prevent the effects of age such as under eye wrinkles. Antioxidants attack the free radicals that break down collagen.
- Hydroxy acids- are exfoliates that remove the outer layer of dead skin to promote the growth of newer, smoother skin.
- Argireline- is a peptide that s very much like Botox. Whereas Botox causes paralysis by severing the connection between the nerves and muscles, Argireline simply obstructs the connections rather than completely severing them. This means that the results with Argireline are much less dramatic than Botox.
Which Anti Aging Face Cream is the Best?
So far the best results have been achieved in anti aging face creams that contain a mixture of peptides including Argireline. Studies show that an Argireline peptide product produces the most dramatic and dependable results without Botox injections. This is true for both sun damage as well as the natural effects of aging.
On the other hand, any moisturizing anti aging face cream can be effective at reducing wrinkles to some extent. The added moisture plumps up the skin which temporarily smoothes the surface giving the appearance of younger looking skin. The true key is to keep skin well hydrated, protect it from sun damage and avoid smoking. As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Do Under Eye Wrinkle Creams Really Work?
In the eons old battle against aging, many men and women have turned to under eye wrinkle creams to diminish those fine lines and under eye wrinkles. Many of these product’s hawkers proclaim almost magical results from the use of their particular brand. The FDA classifies these types of products as cosmetics and does not study the medical claims that they improve the skin and underlying tissues.
How to decide on anti-wrinkle products
So how does one decide if the product will deliver the goods? Are there under eye wrinkle creams on the market that are able to make skin look younger? The short answer is yes. There are creams and lotions on the market that will give a younger look to the skin.
The longer and more precise answer is that these creams all have different active ingredients. Each of these ingredients affects the skin in a different way. Not all skin conditions will be positively affected by each of these ingredients, and in some cases the underlying skin problem can actually be compounded by use of the product.
Study the ingredient label
A good way to decide if a product will produce the desired results is to study the active ingredients and their properties. Here is a brief listing of some common additives to under eye wrinkle creams:
1. Retinol- is a vitamin A derivative that acts as an anti-oxidant that attacks free radicals in the skin and has been proven to reduce the appearance fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol Increases the risk of birth defects if used when pregnant.
2. Coenzyme Q10- is a nutrient that regulates cell energy production. Studies have shown a reduction in fine lines as well as protection from sun damage when applied prior to sun exposure.
3. Copper peptides- copper is a trace element in all cells. Studies have shown that copper peptides can enhance healing of wounds and stimulate collagen production.
4. Hydroxy acids-are synthetic acids that are derived from the sugar contained in fruit. Hydroxy acids are exfoliates that remove the top layer of skin to stimulate the growth of new skin. Use of hydroxyl acids increase sensitivity to sun damage and users must wear high UV protection sunscreens.
5. Tea extracts- contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extract is a common additive to wrinkle creams due to its antioxidant properties.
6. Kinetin- is a plant growth factor. May reduce wrinkles by retaining moisture in the skin.
Prevent under eye wrinkles
While under eye wrinkle creams can be effective at combating the effects of aging and sun damage it is a good idea to practice a little preventative maintenance. To keep skin healthy and protect it from damage:
1. Do not smoke
2. Use protective clothing and sunscreens to protect from UV damage
3. Use moisturizers
4. Drink plenty of water
Face Care for Men
As time moves on, more and more men are adopting better grooming habits. It was inevitable when you consider the importance placed on appearances in this day and age. Therefore men all around the world are seeking out the best face care for men in order to maintain their healthy appearance, youthful radiance and get rid of under eye wrinkles. Now, before you dismiss this new-age way of keeping your mug looking great at all times, you should consider the many benefits of caring for your skin, and taking a little time each day to look your best.
Face care brand names
There is plenty to go around when it comes to face care for men these days. In fact, you need to really consider what you want the products to do for your skin prior to making any purchases. You see, there are a number of brand names out there that develop skin care treatments specifically for men. If you didn’t already know it, men have a different kind of skin than women do. It is common for men to have thicker, oilier and more acne prone complexions. Women also have smaller pores than men typically do. However, it is helpful to know what skin type you have specifically prior to buying any face care products for men.
To give you an idea, there are a number of skin care brands for men. Some of these are Jack Black, Sharps, Lab Series, and Clarins for Men. All of which offer great skin care products like moisturizers, shaving gels, under-eye balms, aftershaves, and face scrubs. These are quality face care products that can all be acquired online through sites like Sephora.com.
Face care basics
Face care for men has its basics just like skin care regimens for women. These are the cleanser, moisturizer, post shave healer, under-eye wrinkle treatments, and scrub. If you are unsure what these face care products for men do, let’s go over the basics. A facial cleanser is used morning and night to cleans the delicate facial skin, while a scrub can be used once to three times each week, and sloughs dead skin cells off the face. This helps to reveal the more youthful skin beneath. A moisturizer and under-eye cream or gel should be used daily to hydrate the skin and delicate eye area. After using this face care for men, you will soon notice a difference in your skin’s texture. It will improve as weeks pass, and the fine lines and wrinkles will diminish. Furthermore, skin care regimens for men help to prevent new lines from forming as well. As you age, you will appreciate these topical treatments, and find it more necessary to use them daily. Even the manliest of men can benefit from the right face care products.
Younger Looking Skin
We are born in a society where people with younger looking skin are labeled the most beautiful. In as much as we love our inner beauty, sad to say, physical appearances still matter. Besides people are never be satisfied with what they have. Those who have a flat chest want to have implants, those with full hips want to reduce weight. By the time your skin shows signs of aging, you have surely tried every product for reducing wrinkles. Most of the time, we see skin problems grow little by little and we try to keep them at bay with preventive creams and moisturizers. (more…)
Reducing wrinkles
The fact is that once we are born, we start to get older. Once we get into our forties, we have to face up to the fact that we will have to deal with reducing the development of wrinkles on our face. That is the first place that people are going to notice the changes.
Given the fact that diets have improved over the last three decades, and many of us eat very healthily, especially with the advent of whole and organic foods, it is really possible to delay the first signs of aging and under eye wrinkles considerably. A nutritious and wholesome diet coupled with the right kind of cosmetic and living styles will all affect the aging process. The fact is that people are living a lot longer than three decades ago.
When it comes to looking into starting a beauty regime or an exercise routine, it is never too late. Once you become twenty, your aging process begins. If you have been smoking, drinking and living a high lifestyle by going out late and sleeping late, then it is going to have an effect on the body over all. It always catches up with you eventually.