Which anti-aging cream works best for your skin? There are literally hundreds of skin creams on the market today. The majority of them promise dramatic results within a short amount of time. But when it comes to fighting fine lines, wrinkles, and other characteristics of mature skin, what is the best anti-aging cream available? The answer often lies in the product’s active ingredients — and in your specific beauty challenges.
How To Find The Best Anti-Aging Cream
Assess Your Complexion
Even women who are beginning to worry about fine lines can also have trouble with oily skin and acne. On the other hand, you may have extremely dry skin everywhere or a combination of dry and oily patches. That’s why it’s best to find a product that has the blend of ingredients that will address your specific needs.
The best way to do this is to read the packaging on the label to see which problems the product claims to address.
Second, get to know common anti-aging ingredients. Once you know which ones are likely to be most beneficial for your skin, you can choose a product that contains at least one or two of these ingredients.
Make sure the substance you need is listed under “active ingredients.” This means that there is enough of that compound present in the product to make a difference. It’s also important to understand the concentration of active ingredients in the product you’re evaluating. The best anti aging cream is frequently the one with the highest amounts of those ingredients. Often, these are also more expensive. But keep in mind that seemingly expensive products may only need to be used in small amounts. Over the course of the year, you may not spend much more money than you did on less concentrated, budget products.
The base of the facial product you choose is also crucial. It acts as a delivery system for those active ingredients. Most anti-aging creams are either thin, water-based products, or thick, oil-based products. If your skin is on the oily side, a water-based product is geared to prevent clogged pores, extra shine, and acne. On the other hand, dry to neutral skin will benefit from a thicker, oil-based facial product.
Look for Antioxidant Protection
The skin care industry now understands the effectiveness of topical antioxidants. Some antioxidants are especially helpful when it comes to fighting the elements that bring about aging and take their toll on the skin. Among these aging factors are UV rays from the sun, air pollution, junk food, and emotional stress. These elements cause a process called oxidation. During oxidation, free radicals begin to attack healthy cells. Problems like serious diseases, obesity, and depression have also been linked to free radical damage. Aging skin is another casualty.
Antioxidants, as their name suggests, fight the oxidation process. There is a range of antioxidants in foods that can keep you healthy. That’s why nutritionists urge people to eat a “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables. Different hues of food indicate different types of antioxidants. Working together, antioxidants from diet and topical applications keep you healthy inside and out.
Topical treatments often contain more than one kind of antioxidant. The best anti aging cream will also incorporate more than one. The nutrient blend means that factors like fine lines are addressed, as well as discoloration, coarseness, and dryness.
The label on the anti-aging cream may list its antioxidants individually. Or the packaging may indicate a natural ingredient which contains more than one type of antioxidant.
Purple tea is an example of an ingredient with a blend of antioxidants. Here are a few individual antioxidants or antioxidant-rich natural ingredients to look for:
Vitamin A1 (Retinol)
Through your diet, you can add retinol protection to your skin by eating dairy and liver. Retinol is also available in prescription-strength ointments for the face. These are a bit stronger than many people can tolerate, however. What may work better for you is a commercial anti-aging cream with retinol. It might not be quite as intense as the prescription retinol. Yet many women find that it lands in that “sweet spot” of fighting aging problems without causing burning or peeling. Fans of retinol creams say they treat a wide range of complexion problems, from fine lines to acne. Discoloration and large pores are also addressed with retinol creams.
Purple Tea
Purple tea from Kenya has a higher antioxidant count than green or black teas. This high concentration is due to the higher elevations on which purple tea plants grow. The cooler mountain air allows them to withstand sun exposure, which brings out a more robust level of antioxidant content. Among the different kinds of antioxidants, purple tea contains anthocyanin. This specific antioxidant promotes skin regeneration. Anthocyanins go after the free radicals which threaten your skin’s connective tissue. With this protection, your skin is less likely to thin out and develop fine lines.
Grape Seed Extract
Like purple tea, grape seed extract is rich in polyphenols, among other antioxidants. One of these polyphenols, oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC), fights the effects of sun exposure. The inclusion of grape seed extract tells you that the product helps tackle coarse patches, brown spots, and fine lines from sun exposure.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or L-ascorbic acid, has been a well-known antioxidant for generations. Long before the term “antioxidant” was coined, citrus fruits and other C-rich foods helped fight off illnesses. The skin care industry now understands that Vitamin C additionally helps prevent sun damage. This antioxidant also helps complexions that were previously harmed by UV rays.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Niacinamide can be found in small amounts in foods like green vegetables and meat. But for your skin to reap the benefits of this antioxidant vitamin, topical applications are a better bet. Niacinamide keeps skin hydrated, by forming a barrier of protection over a delicate facial tissue. In addition, this antioxidant helps keeps connective tissue elastic. Elastic skin prevents fine lines from deepening.
Coenzyme Q10
When processed for topical application, Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant. It specifically targets skin around the eye area. Looking to get rid of those “crow’s feet” fine lines? This antioxidant ingredient is one to look for in your quest for the best anti-aging skin cream. Coenzyme Q10 also works with other antioxidants to help prevent UV-ray damage.
Other Important Ingredients
Since we all have different skin types, it’s hard to look for the best anti aging cream to fit everyone. However, these tips will help you look for the best anti aging cream for your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Along with antioxidants, additional ingredients aid in protecting and treating mature skin. Hyaluronic acid is an increasingly popular component of moisturizers and other facial products. This ingredient is super-hydrating and is also believed to “plump up” skin tissue.
Peptides
You may see “peptides” listed under the active ingredients list of a skin care product. That tells you that the product has superior wrinkle-fighting abilities. That’s because peptides are the building blocks of amino acids, which build collagen. Collagen keeps skin from sagging. The presence of peptides often indicates the best anti aging cream. Peptides encourage collagen production.
Hydroxy Acids
Hydroxy acids are also found in quality skin care products. They will usually be noted in the facial product information as AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid). Both of these chemical compounds have exfoliant properties. Dead cells, when left to sit on the surface of your skin, cause muddy complexions and clogged pores. Hydroxy acids gently slough them away. With them go the beginnings of fine lines. Like peptides, AHAs and BHAs also encourage collagen production.
So which hydroxy acid product should you choose? In general, AHA is better for mature skin, because it addresses sun damage while promoting skin hydration. But if you need an anti-aging cream that also helps with oiliness and acne, BHA has the edge. BHA products also make the best anti aging cream choices if you have sensitive skin.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is another beneficial ingredient for mature but oily skin. It exfoliates dead skin cells while promoting cell renewal.
Again, not every mature complexion is the same. Your primary goal for an anti-aging skin cream may differ from that of another woman the same age. Experimenting with different products may help. In addition, consulting a dermatologist can arm you with more information. You’ll learn more about your own skin type during your consultation. You’ll also receive a wealth of suggestions for prescription or OTC anti-aging creams. Don’t hesitate to ask your dermatologist about products which focus on natural antioxidant sources like purple tea. You’re sure to emerge from your consultation armed with the best anti aging cream options that meet your budget — and your lifestyle.
Do you have your own list of best anti aging cream that works for you? Share your choices in the comments section below.
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