Sunday, January 18, 2009

Selecting the Best Anti Aging Product

By Marianna Pells

Because of so many anti aging products available in the market today, it is almost impossible to tell which ones are effective and which ones are not. The best way to find out if an anti aging product is worth-buying is by getting acquainted with anti aging product ingredients that are used in anti aging products.

The most important anti aging ingredients one should look out for in anti aging product labels and packages are: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA), antioxidants, collagen and Vitamins C, D, E and K.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids or its alternative Beta-Hydroxy Salicylic Acid (BHA) clear the skin of dead skin cells by exfoliating the skin's surface. Lesser accumulation of dead skin cells leaves the skin looking fresh. Although these are widely used in anti aging products, some individuals experience irritation due to the ingredient's exfoliating quality.

Antioxidant is another essential anti aging ingredient that should be found in your anti aging product. Antioxidants heals from below the skin's surface and it also has Coenzyme Q10 that promotes the natural removal of dead skin cells that cause discoloration.

Collagen is another essential anti aging property that moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin. It also protects the skin from too much dryness and brittleness. Collagen is also the anti aging property responsible for tighter and plumper skin. Collagen is found mostly in lotions.

Most anti aging products these days already have added vitamins. These are Vitamins C, D, E and K which are essential in protecting the skin from deficiencies, as well as in healing wounds, smoothing scars and strengthening the immune system. Several vitamins are antioxidants which fight against free radicals in the body.

There are some anti aging properties that claim to work but are actually questionable. For one, it is not yet scientifically proven that Vitamin C can penetrate the internal layers of the skin or that it has any function there. This could be the reason why creams that contain only Vitamin C as their main ingredient (Vitamin C creams) might not have any major effect on the skin when used as an anti aging cream.

The best ingredient for anti aging so far is the antioxidant. Research shows that anti aging creams that do not have antioxidants do not work as effectively as those that contain it. This is because an antioxidant's main function is to combat free radical which are naturally produced by our body. It is this free radical's unstable oxygen that damage healthy skin and an anti aging product with antioxidant can help prevent this damage and keep free radicals at bay.

Other popular anti aging supplements such as estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, thyroid and melatonin are also essential in an anti aging product. These are more commonly as hormone supplements that delay aging. These hormones are also known to increase libido, stabilize sleeping patterns, prevent cancer and help strengthen the immune system.

Other essential anti aging properties include Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), oxytocin, erythropoietin (EPO) and insulin. These ingredients are known to be effective up to some extent. Human chorionic gonadotropin aids fertility in humans; oxytocin strengthens the reproductive system. Erythropoietin deals with anemia while insulin is used to stabilize diabetes mellitus type 1.

Supplements can have varying effects on different individuals. Therefore it is crucial to see a doctor before using anti aging products containing any of these. - 15252

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