When choosing anti-ageing ingredients for skin care products, to ensure they are effective, they need to include the following skin care ingredients: SPFs Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide, Vitamin A, AHAs, Vitamin C, Nicinamide/Vitamin B3 and Peptides.
- SPFs zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are anti-ageing, and specifically help to combat premature ageing due to sun exposure. Be aware that not just any SPF will do – look for one that won’t clog the pores and will provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Although Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide both protect from both UVB and UVA rays, zinc oxide will provide deeper protection from UVA rays.
- Vitamin A – Vitamin A actually reverses the signs of ageing. It rebuilds collagen and repairs sun damage. Importantly, it stimulates the skin’s cellular renewal process. As we age, this process slows down which is why older people often have dull looking skin, especially compared to the skin of a young child – the dead skin cells on the surface have simply been sitting there for a lot longer. Vitamin A speeds up the cell renewal process so that your skin looks a lot healthier and fresher than it would without vitamin A.
- Alpha hydrox acids – AHAs, when applied as topical exfoliants help to resurface the uppermost layers of skin and enhance the penetration of your homecare regime, making them more effective. In addition, AHAs will hydrate the skin and help rebuild collagen. It should be noted that there are different types of AHAs. The most common AHAs, glycolic, lactic, malic and tartaric acid are better for a dryer skin. It should also be noted that Beta Hydroxy Acids/BHAs – salicylic acid are more suited to oily/combination skins.
- Vitamin C – heals, protects and hydrates the skin. It’s a great skin protector from environmental pollution. It helps with pigmentation because of its natural lightening qualities. Topical Vitamin C is the only ingredient which directly stimulates the skin’s fibroblasts, providing the spark that produces living collagen in concert with specific chains of amino acids. The only condition though Vitamin C must be in stable form, active and able to be absorbed, and remain so throughout the life of a product once opened or mixed with other agents.
- Niacinamide – otherwise known as vitamin B3. Excellent for acne sufferers, those with a compromised skin barrier function and lines/wrinkles. It helps to regulate oil flow in the skin, improves skin elasticity and evens skin tone. It has shown to increase the ceramide and EFA content of the cells – preventing dehydration. It has been shown to enhance barrier function therefore has good results with sensitive skins and acne sufferers by protecting against bacterial attack.
- Peptides – Peptides play an important role in replacing lost collagen. When the skin is depleted of collagen, peptides send signals to the body to produce more collagen. Therefore, applying peptides directly to the skin through good skin care products tricks the skin into thinking that it has lost collagen recently and needs to produce more. This makes it an extremely powerful ingredient to use to fight the ageing process.
