There are many anti aging skin products that promise to reduce the visible signs of aging, as this is the main goal of numerous beauty companies. For this reason, the use of anti aging skin care products continues to rise each year.
The skin is very important, and therefore a great deal of effort goes into the design and preparation of anti aging skin products, including those that increase the production of collagen, which is the primary protein in skin. The same group includes antioxidants as well, all related to reducing the signs of aging.
In order to eliminate this issue, some skin care treatments are based on derivatives of vitamin C, which are not only more stable, but also less expensive. These products are good, however they cannot compare to the actual vitamin C. Fortunately, vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid are also great antioxidants that can be used for the same effect.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant and a component of the human blood, helping increase the body’s immune system against various diseases, including cancer. Lipoic acid is found within every cell of the body, and it helps generate the energy that keeps us up and running.
The other category of anti aging skin products consists of phytochemicals, i.e. special chemicals that are extracted from plants, a variety of which are used in skin care today. In addition, phytochemicals also prevent the occurrence of certain types of cancer. Vitamins B5, B6, B12 and other Bs are also used in anti aging skin products.
The increasing use and demand for anti aging skin products has created a huge scientific field to research, and it has great potential that goes far beyond just producing products that reduce the visible signs of aging.
Scientists and aging research grants have made great advances and learned a lot on the subject, but it is only the beginning. They have merely scratched the tip of the iceberg, but more long-term effective methods are yet to be discovered to reverse the aging process or at least slow down the aging process. In time, less expensive and more reliable anti aging skin products will likely become available for a larger number of people.
Still, the natural anti aging methods are not to be ignored, as regular exercise, a healthy diet, restful sleep, proper hydration and low stress can have excellent anti aging results.
What to Avoid in Anti Aging Skin Products
Many anti aging skin products, even some of the most well-known, are packed with chemical ingredients that can actually damage your skin and health. The list is quite extensive, but here are some of the most common harmful chemicals found in such anti aging skin care products:
- Dioxane
This chemical is used in numerous anti aging skin products, although it is known to cause cancer. Unfortunately, using this dangerous chemical as an ingredient in products like anti aging skin creams to be used on skin is not illegal, as outrageous as it may sound. And putting dioxane on your skin is not cheap either, as these products cost good money.
- Mineral oil
Mineral oil comes from crude oil, meaning that it is a petrochemical product. It can be found in hundreds or even thousands of personal and beauty products, including anti aging skin products. The label may list it as liquid paraffin or petrolatum, as well as a number of other names.
The mineral oil coats the skin with a film of oil, thus preventing moisture loss, however it does this at the risk of skin irritation, allergies and increased acne. In addition, it can also cause dryness and chapping, and also age the skin.
The major advantage mineral oil has to offer is to the beauty companies, because it is incredibly cheap, costing just a small fraction of what safe, natural and effective oils cost.
- Fragrances
The nice smell is generally a bonus to any products, but unfortunately most fragrances are just chemicals produced in the lab. Almost none of them have been tested for safe use on people, and in most cases the chemical name is not required to be disclosed on the label, so you have no idea what it is. Many fragrances are actually produced from toxic or carcinogenic ingredients.
- Parabens
Lastly, parabens are a class of chemicals used as preservatives. Although there are far better and safer alternatives available, parabens continue to be used because they are extremely cheap. Potential health issues stemming from these chemicals include rashes and other allergic reactions, and studies have shown they may cause cancer or interfere with the body’s endocrine system.
There are thousands of such harmful ingredients that continue to be used by skin care companies, but cheaper products may come with a higher price in the end – your health. Be very careful in buying your anti aging products and take into consideration these tips for healthy aging.