Since as far back as we can collectively remember, people – especially those of us in the Western Culture, have been chasing the illusive dream of eternal youth. As we pursue the latest concoctions and often-times overhyped age-defying products on the market to satisfy our desire to stay forever young.

People Magazine, said they used to be obsessed with fighting the aging process.

There are untold numbers of anti-aging products on the market promising to bestow youthful glows on our faces and help us not to look our age. We seem to place a lot of significant expectations on these youth-enhancing products. But are anti-aging products all they are advertised to be?  Better yet, what should we know about these products that will help us choose the right anti-aging creams, lotions, and serums for our skin?

How do we know which anti-aging products will truly produce and give us the youthful and overall healthy appearance we desire?

5 Things to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

 There are ingredients to be on the lookout for in some anti-aging products that are superior to others. Some elements in the better-quality anti-aging products luxuriate the skin and enhance its suppleness, and cleanse our faces in ways that result in more youthful and healthier complexions. 

Here are some key ingredients in anti-aging products that have been proven to enhance the healthy and natural development of our skin and to, a certain extent, reduce the signs of aging. 

1)      Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serum is one such product that does nourish the skin and offers benefits that include giving skin a youthful appearance.  Vitamin C with serum is known for boosting collagen production, resulting in an overall tightening effect. 

Vitamin C serum plays an important role in maintaining a smooth, even, and glowing complexion. 

“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skin-care routine” says Joshua Ross, a celebrity esthetician and founder of L.A-based SkinLab. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten skin.”  

What is also helpful to know is that serum, containing Vitamin C,  has an excellent safety profile. The majority of people can use topical vitamin C for an extended period of time without experiencing any adverse reactions. 

2)      Peptides

As you get older, your skin becomes thinner and loses fat. This causes it to sag and develop fine lines. The body generates less collagen and elastin, which are substances that allow the skin to maintain its smooth, plump and youthful appearance. 

Peptides are amino acids that are the building blocks of certain proteins needed by the skin, such as collagen and elastin. Using a serum or moisturizer that contains peptides can bring about firmer, younger-looking skin, and maybe even lessen breakouts. 

One dermatologist, Doctor Elizabeth Hale at New York University Medical Center, touted peptides for their skin-enhancing qualities. Hale considers peptides to be very beneficial in moisturizers for hydrating skin, “which can make lines less noticeable,” although she is not convinced that peptides reduce wrinkles. 

3)      Retinol

Skin-care experts extol the benefits of retinol as a reliable method for decreasing signs of aging. A natural form of vitamin A, retinol works by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and increases thickness and elasticity of the skin. 

“There is ample evidence that shows retinol improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” Dermatologist Hale said. 

You can find retinol included in the ingredients of quite a few over-the-counter skin creams. Tretinoin – a more potent form of retinol, is available by prescription. Tretinoin is sometimes sold under the brand name Retin-A. 

Be aware that prescription-strength retinol products may cause more side effects than the over-the-counter version. Among the side effects are burning, warmth, stinging and tingling. 

Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not use any form of vitamin A, as it increases the chances of having birth defects. 

4)      Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

Alpha-hydroxy acids that include lactic, glycolic and citric acids, are natural ingredients that come from fruits and milk sugars. 

These acids typically work as an exfoliant, eliminating dead skin cells, which allows new cells to grow. What’s more, these alpha-hydroxy acids make it possible for the deeper layer of the skin to come to the surface faster.  This hastens the cycle of skin turnover.

 There are seven types of Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) commonly used in skincare products. These include:  

  1. Citric acid (from citrus fruits) 
  2. Glycolic acid (from sugar cane) 
  3. Hydroxycaproic acid (from royal jelly) 
  4. Hydroxycaprylic acid (from animals) 
  5. Lactic acid (from lactose or other carbohydrates) 
  6. Malic acid (from fruits) 
  7. Tartaric acid (from grapes)

You can expect a somewhat distinct and unique beneficial effect from each acid. For example, lactic acid, which you will find in sour milk, plays a pivotal part in eliminating dead skin cells, which brings about a brightening effect on the skin. Glycolic acid, which is from sugar cane, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, which gives the skin a smoother and tighter appearance. 

5)      Hyaluronic Acid

Our bodies produce hyaluronic acid naturally to help us retain moisture in our skin. It is also found in our eyes, joints, and connective tissue.  

 Hyaluronic acid is an antioxidant that is responsible for keeping our skin looking healthy.

Specifically, hyaluronic acid helps reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles through retaining large amounts of moisture in the skin, which creates a plumping effect.  Hyaluronic acid also helps promote skin cell regeneration by providing extra hydration and a barrier protection to the skin. This naturally leads to healthier cells and a more vibrant complexion. 

Additionally, hyaluronic acid also helps reduce and prevent age spots and pigmentation issues on the skin. But it works best for this function with other key skin-nutrient ingredients.  For example, when you want to treat dark spots, a vitamin C serum and vitamin C booster product should be paired with hyaluronic acid. 

Key Ingredients to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

While there are no miracle skin-care products on the market, you will do well to look for the aforementioned ingredients in the anti-aging products that you purchase.  All of these skin-enhancing elements are proven to have beneficial effects on the skin and, directly or indirectly, bring about a more youthful and healthy appearance. 

Agora — The Future of Skincare

Agora has a vision to provide its customers with a quality alternative to skin-care products available on the market today. We set out to deliver high quality skin-care products that provide excellent results while utilizing outstanding customer service.

Our products utilize unique and potent ingredients that make a revolutionary difference in the quality of skin that our customers enjoy. Our expert Cosmetic Formulation Chemist provides Agora with superior ingredients from around the world to produce the best skin-care products in the industry!  At Agora, we deliver the most effective and results-oriented skin-care treatments to our customers.