Skincare products that do prevent wrinkles!
What has been shown to benefit the skin?
There are no miracle cures for wrinkles.
There are however some products that have been shown to
Reduce wrinkle depth. Increase collagen and elastin thickness. Improve the quality of your skin. Prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Protect against the damaging effects of UV damage on the skin.
There are no miracle cures for acne
There is however products with a good science base to address the factors that cause acne when used in combination with physical treatments and prescription products will effectively clear and keep acne under control.
Products with a good research base to show they work
Anti-oxidants.
1. Vitamin C
(L-Ascorbic acid and derivatives ascorbyl palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate):
Anti-oxidant - helps in protection against free-radical damage. Prevention of DNA damage from UV exposure. Stimulates collagen synthesis in skin fibroblasts. Aides in clearance of pigmentation.
Ascorbyl palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are derivatives of vitamin C. They are more stable and less expensive the L-Ascorbic Acid products. Some of these have been shown to be as effective as vitamin C in boosting collagen and work at lower concentrations.
2. Vitamin A derivatives
(retinoids, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinol, beta- carotene, retinal)
The retinoid- tretinoin has been used for decades for treatment of photo aging to skin and acne treatment.
softens the skin, smooths rough skin, Promotes collagen production. Assists with clearance of pigmentation. Effective in acne therapy as it normalises cell turnover and oil production.
Other Vitamin A derivatives retinol, retinal, retinyl palmitate and retinal acetate, though less irritating to the skin are not as effective as retinoids in reversing photo aging and anti-acne actions. Retinyl palmitate however has been shown to protect against UV induced cell damage to the skin.
3. Vitamin E
(d-alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, Tocotrienol)
Potent anti-oxidant. Reduces sunburn from UVB. Reduces chronic UV-induced damage.
Exfoliants.
1. (AHA) Alpha-hydroxy acids:
are a group of structurally related organic acids. Lactic acid and glycolic acid are the best known.
Exfoliates dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Stimulates collagen production. Assists in reduction of abnormal pigmentation.
They are effective at concentrations 8-10% and ph less 4.
2. (BHA) Salicylic Acid:
Exfoliates dead skin cells stimulates collagen production. Unlike AHAs is oil soluble and penetrates skin pores making it effective for treatment of acne. Treatment of enlarged and congested pores, blackheads and combination skin types. Also useful for treatment of rosacea and seborrhoea.
They are effective only at concentrations 1-2% and ph less 4
Anti- inflammatory/ Botanicals.
Reducing irritation and inflammation is believed to allow the skin time to heal and speculated it will reduce problems caused by oxidative damage as well as being beneficial for sensitive skins, rosacea and protection of healthy normal skin.
There are a range of proven anti-inflammatory agents; some are also antioxidants such as vitamin C and green tea extract and a range of botanical, or plant-based, ingredients that have anti-inflammatory properties. Among these are; liquorice root, willow herb, lycopene (pine bark extract), milk thistle, allantoin, chamomile and aloe vera.
There has been no anti-wrinkle or anti-aging action shown with the anti-inflammatory botanicals, but they have a range of protective benefits which make them essential components of modern skin care.
Sunscreen
Protects against UV induced immune suppression in the skin. Prevents DNA damage from UV exposure. Prevents development of cancerous skin conditions. Prevents premature aging.
Anti-oxidants C and E used in combination with sunscreen have been shown to increase the level of protection against UV induced cell damage, than when sunscreen is used alone.
