What's In Your Wrinkle Cream?
by
jerry brown
What's In Your Wrinkle Cream?Anti-aging skin-care products promise to get
rid of wrinkles, sun damage and age spots. Do alpha-hydroxy acids,
retinoids or vitamin C make a difference?
Every year, Americans spend millions on creams and lotions that
promise younger-looking skin. But along with the promise of a fabulous
face, do you know what else is in the bottle?
Here are some of the terms you'll see in beauty products available in your grocery or drug store, or through a dermatologist.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA)
Alpha-hydroxy acids are made from fruit and milk sugars. They're used
to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin in an attempt to reduce fine
lines, skin discoloration, age spots and large pores. But their
effectiveness in treating wrinkles has not been proven.
While using AHA products - and for a week after - you'll need to wear
sunscreen and stay out of the sun as much as you can. When you first
use AHA, your skin may become irritated. You may want to use only AHA
products every other day at first. AHA may be listed on the label as
glycolic acid or lactic acid.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help your cells repair damage from the sun, smoking and
radiation. You'll find them in products containing vitamins A and C.
Their effectiveness as topical agents in treating wrinkles has not been
proven, but studies are being done.
Beta-hydroxy acid
This ingredient also exfoliates skin, but is less irritating than
alpha-hydroxy acid. It works by penetrating hair follicles. It's a
common ingredient in acne products, and is available in over-the-counter
products or by prescription. Look for salicylic acid on the label.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein found in all human and animal tissue. It makes
up 75 percent of your skin, and gives firmness and structure to the
skin.
The collagen used in skin treatments is often made from cow protein.
People who are allergic to cow-derived collagen can use self-donated or
tissue-donor collagen.
Collagen is used to temporarily improve scars, and for wrinkles such
as smile and frown lines and crow's feet. Collagen injections are also
used to make lips fuller. The effects of collagen last for three to 12
months. Shots are given in a series of treatments. Some people may have
severe allergic reactions that can lead to pain and scarring.
Comedogenic
These are cosmetics that cause blackheads and whiteheads. Products
that are noncomedogenic are less likely to cause breakouts. However, no
single product is noncomedogenic for everyone. Someone who has very oily
skin may still get breakouts from a product that might be fine for
another person with mildly oily skin.
If you are acne-prone or have oily skin, look for a moisturizer that
is noncomedogenic. You may not need a moisturizer if you live in a humid
climate.
Copper Peptide
Copper peptides help the body make collagen and elastin. Sun damage and aging cause the body to make less of these proteins.
Thus, some think that copper peptides may help repair sun-damaged
skin. Some skin care products that contain copper peptide are sold over
the counter. Other forms of copper are toxic and should not be used.
Elastin
This is a protein found in the second layer of skin. It makes skin
elastic. Along with collagen, elastin gives structure to your skin.
Repeated sun exposure breaks down elastin. As skin becomes less elastic,
it also becomes drier and its fat padding disappears. With the loss of
that underlying support, the skin may sag and look less supple.
Exfoliants
These are products that exfoliate, or remove, dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants include:
Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)Beta-hydroxy acidPolyhydroxy acid
Physical exfoliants are facial scrubs that contain small, rough particles to remove the top layers of cells.
Eye creams
Your eye area is often the first place where the signs of aging
appear. The skin is thinner in the eye area and is affected by smiling
and squinting.
Dry skin highlights wrinkles and fine lines. Eye creams lessen the
appearance of fine lines, but they can't erase them. Take care to use
products made specifically for the eye area around your eyes. Do not use
general facial moisturizers. They may be too strong for the fragile eye
area.
Free radicals
These are the natural byproducts made by the oxidation of cells. Left
unchecked, they can damage your skin, and cause it to age quickly. They
may even cause skin cancer. Antioxidants mop up the free radicals, but
it is not known how this affects the formation of wrinkles.
Glycolic acid
(See alpha-hydroxy acids)
Humectant
These are ingredients in moisturizers that attract water from air
into the skin. Humectants, especially glycerin and alpha-hydroxy acids,
are the main ingredients in moisturizers. Most dry skin lacks moisture
rather than oil, so humectants and moisturizers are used instead of
creams or oils. The most effective humectants are alpha-hydroxy acids,
especially lactic acid. Other humectants are propylene glycol, sorbitol,
hyaluronic acid and urea.
L-Ascorbic Acid
This is the form of vitamin C most often found in skin care products.
(See vitamin C)
Retinol
(See vitamin A)
Salicylic acid
(See beta-hydroxy acid)
Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Keep in mind that the best way to fight aging skin and skin cancer is
to limit your time in the sun. Every day, wear sunscreen that protects
your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen should have a sun
protection rating of 15 or higher.
Every sunscreen product is assigned a number from 2 to 50,
representing how much protection it gives you. If you can usually stay
in the sun for 10 minutes before you burn, a product labeled SPF 8 is
presumed to let you stay in the sun for eight times longer - 80 minutes -
before burning. Keep in mind, though, that many factors are involved.
Some of these include your skin type, moisture, activities like
swimming, and how much and how often you apply the sunscreen. Higher SPF
products contain more chemical sunscreens, which could irritate
sensitive skin. The best SPFs, especially for the face, are between 15
and 25. Always follow directions on the product about when, where and
how much to put on.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also known as retinol. When used topically, it is the
most scientifically proven product to reduce roughness and fine lines
caused by sun damage. Retinoids, the prescription versions of vitamin A,
are rubbed on the skin.
Many over-the-counter skin care products in the grocery store contain
retinol. Tretinoin, one of the retinoids, is the strongest. It is the
active ingredient in the prescription medications Retin-A, Avita and
Renova. Bear in mind that this is not a miracle drug that will erase all
your sun damage. All of these vitamin A products are for external use
only.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin, a retinoid, is a prescription medicine applied to the
skin. It's used to treat sun-damaged skin, wrinkles and rough skin. It
has been shown to be effective in improving the appearance of fine
wrinkles. Other forms of tretinoin are used for acne.Ressource:https://healthlinerx.helpsite.com/articles/111074-acheter-tadalafil-en-ligne
Vitamin C
The benefits of vitamin C, an antioxidant, are harder to get from a
cream. This is because when it is exposed to the air, its effectiveness
decreases. Studies are being done to see how well some of these
preparations work in preventing sun-damage and wrinkles.
Vitamin E
This is another antioxidant. However, its topical use has not been proven to prevent wrinkles or other sun damage.Ressource: https://chinnurology.com/accutane/