Drug and department store shelves are full of products that promise to eliminate the signs of aging in your skin. Last year Americans spent more than$7 billion on anti aging products. How do you pick the right one? According to the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD), the best way to choose the correct product is to do your homework before you go to the store When researching products or ingredients, use unbiased sources. These include books, blogs, and Web sites written by dermatologists and other doctors. Make sure the websites do not sell any products.
Sunscreen and moisturizers are the best, first step toward younger skin. Dermatologists agree that sunscreen is the most beneficial age-fighting product on the market. When applied daily, the right sunscreen (UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or higher) helps protect the skin from damaging UV rays that cause age spots, deep wrinkles and leathery texture.
If you want to go beyond the basics to repair or replenish your skin, you need to pick one problem to address. Then find a product or ingredient that works to solve the problem. Here are some steps the AAD recommends in order to get the best product for your money.
• Don’t believe those “too good to be true” claims. Pass on any product that makes exaggerated claims. Nothing will make you look ten years younger overnight.
• Expensive does not always mean better. Often it is fragrance, bottle and packaging that makes a product expensive. None of those will help your skin.
• Products should contain only one proven active ingredient. Only a few ingredients have the scientific studies to back up their claims. Among these are retinoids (may appear as retinol, retinyl, or retinoic acid on the label), alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, growth factors (some), hydroquinone, kojic acid, peptides (some), and salicylic acid.
• Understand the terms. Marketing professionals use terms that can purposely mislead you. Some examples are:
Clinically tested—This means the product was given to a group of people for a few weeks to try and report results. It does not mean the product has undergone rigorous scientific studies.
Preservative free—All products must contain some type of preservative or they would spoil on the shelf. Some preservatives are antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), and retinyl palmitate (derived from vitamin A). These prevent the product from becoming rancid. Preservatives that inhibit microorganisms such as bacteria include parabens and phenoxyethanol.
All natural—People interpret this to mean that the product is organic or only contains pure plant extracts. Most plant extracts undergo extensive processing in which they are modified and chemically synthesized to create a pleasing form.
If you are still unsure, even after you have done your research, ask a dermatologist to recommend a product. And remember that products will have different results on different people.
Sunscreen and moisturizers are the best, first step toward younger skin. Dermatologists agree that sunscreen is the most beneficial age-fighting product on the market. When applied daily, the right sunscreen (UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or higher) helps protect the skin from damaging UV rays that cause age spots, deep wrinkles and leathery texture.
If you want to go beyond the basics to repair or replenish your skin, you need to pick one problem to address. Then find a product or ingredient that works to solve the problem. Here are some steps the AAD recommends in order to get the best product for your money.
• Don’t believe those “too good to be true” claims. Pass on any product that makes exaggerated claims. Nothing will make you look ten years younger overnight.
• Expensive does not always mean better. Often it is fragrance, bottle and packaging that makes a product expensive. None of those will help your skin.
• Products should contain only one proven active ingredient. Only a few ingredients have the scientific studies to back up their claims. Among these are retinoids (may appear as retinol, retinyl, or retinoic acid on the label), alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, growth factors (some), hydroquinone, kojic acid, peptides (some), and salicylic acid.
• Understand the terms. Marketing professionals use terms that can purposely mislead you. Some examples are:
Clinically tested—This means the product was given to a group of people for a few weeks to try and report results. It does not mean the product has undergone rigorous scientific studies.
Preservative free—All products must contain some type of preservative or they would spoil on the shelf. Some preservatives are antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), and retinyl palmitate (derived from vitamin A). These prevent the product from becoming rancid. Preservatives that inhibit microorganisms such as bacteria include parabens and phenoxyethanol.
All natural—People interpret this to mean that the product is organic or only contains pure plant extracts. Most plant extracts undergo extensive processing in which they are modified and chemically synthesized to create a pleasing form.
If you are still unsure, even after you have done your research, ask a dermatologist to recommend a product. And remember that products will have different results on different people.
