Top 10 Benefits of Anti-Aging Skincare
If we could go back in time, we might make a lot of different choices when it comes to skin care (and probably when it comes to a few other things as well). Unfortunately, unless Doc has come to you with his DeLorean and the ability to deliver a message to your younger self, we all have to make the best of what we’ve got right now. Fortunately, there are many ways we can do that. Anti-aging skincare is key to protecting against further skin damage and even reversing some signs of aging.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in our body that provides structure to tissue such as our skin, giving it a bit of that bounce back and ability to hold shape. As we age, our skin will experience a loss of elasticity, changes in tone and texture, and even some discoloration. Some of this is due to that dastardly but necessary thing called gravity. Another reason that our skin starts to sag is because our body slows down its production of collagen and elastin. And, as it turns out, excessive exposure to the elements – the rays of the sun in particular – add insult to injury by further decreasing the skin’s ability to synthesize collagen.
But even Cher can’t turn back time, so how are we mere mortals supposed to deal with the passing of time and the toll it takes on our skin? Well, we’ll break down the benefits of anti-aging skincare by looking at the individual components and ingredients in anti-aging skin care products and highlight how they help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall appearance.
Let’s get started!
1. Sunscreen let’s the sunshine in – but not too much!
If sunscreen isn’t part of your anti-aging skin care routine, then you’re missing an important opportunity to protect your epidermis from further sun damage. The sun’s UVB (ultraviolet B) rays, are the rays that cause sunburns and lead to the most common kinds of skin cancer. The UVA rays present in sunlight penetrate the skin more deeply, causing premature aging and wrinkling, and can also lead to DNA damage in skin cells. The “broad-spectrum protection” listed on your sunscreen label is to help protect against these UVA rays. You should be on the lookout for something with SPF (sun protection factor) 30 or higher.
As a little refresher, the SPF number indicates how much longer the UV rays from the sun will take to burn the skin with the cream applied versus how long it would take to burn without wearing any sunscreen. So, with SPF30, it should take about 30 times longer to burn than without any sunscreen at all. Of course, this is with the apply as directed rules in mind, which include thorough and regular reapplication.
You can opt for a mineral sunscreen (with active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) that acts as a physical barrier to prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin, or a chemical sunscreen (generally with ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate) that create a chemical reaction in which the UV light is converted to heat and leaves the skin. Keep in mind that big hats, sun protective clothing, umbrellas, and shade are all your friends. That vitamin D is important for your health, of course, but just don’t overdo it.
2. Antioxidants fight for you so you can rest easy
Since we don’t always do our best to avoid the sun, or remember to reapply that sunscreen, it’s important to find skincare products that help fight the photoaging and free radical damage we’ve done by being in the sun.
But let’s back up a second. What are free radicals? I mean who doesn’t like free things, and radical means rad, right? Well, the name might be confusing, but here’s the deal: they are basically molecules that possess unpaired electrons and go around trying to bum electrons from other cells, which is a total bummer and not radical at all. It’s called oxidation and it can break down and damage tissue. It often causes inflammation as well.
That’s why antioxidants are important and save the day for the skin. Antioxidants are vitamins or minerals that are able to neutralize free radicals, often by donating an electron so it doesn’t oxidize other tissue. Antioxidants can reduce inflammation, thereby allowing skin to heal itself, and begin to repair some of the damage done. There are antioxidants in this list, like vitamins A and C, that have other anti-aging benefits as well.
3. Orange you glad there’s vitamin C
As mentioned above, vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help counteract free radical damage. For that reason, you may notice it’s an ingredient often found in anti-aging products. But that’s not the only reason. Many people have found that vitamin c can aid in reducing discoloration by brightening dark spots or dark circles under the eyes with continued use. It can be irritating to sensitive skin though, and any dermatologist will tell you that since vitamin C degrades when exposed to light, it’s important to store such serums in opaque containers. There is also a link between vitamin C and collagen synthesis, so that’s a good thing if you want more youthful looking skin.
4. Go on a hydration vacation with hyaluronic acid
A critical component of many anti-aging products is their ability to infuse moisture in the skin. Any dermatologist will tell you that moisturizing is a must, and when you get a little older, it’s even more important. Maintaining a moisture balance helps the skin barrier layer – that uppermost layer of skin – defend your body against an onslaught of environmental threats while simultaneously protecting your body’s critical water balance.
One way to increase moisture in your skin is the topical application of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring sugar in our bodies. It’s also a humectant that binds moisture to skin by drawing it from the humidity in the surrounding environment. Since it’s another one of those things that our body makes less of as we get older, we need to find ways of adding it back in.
One very satisfying way of doing that is by smoothing on some EyeRenue Complex Anti Aging Eye Cream. It infuses the delicate eye area with much needed hydration since it contains sodium hyaluronate, a derivative of hyaluronic acid. As the salt form of hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate is easily absorbed into pores because of its lower molecular weight. And since the not-so-fun fact about the under eye area is that it has no oil glands to keep it moisturized, it’s in serious need of this kind of skin care.
5. Vitamin A gets an A+ for anti-aging
Vitamin A is another antioxidant, as mentioned above, but since it’s such an overachiever, it didn’t stop there. It helps reduce the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles by supporting skin cell regeneration. If it’s included in any of your anti-aging eye creams, you can expect stellar results and a refreshed looking face. And wouldn’t you just know it’s in that Vivian Woodard EyeRenue Complex we just mentioned.
Good old “A” helps clear away dead skin cells and accelerate cell turnover, which is critical for clear, youthful skin. Retinol is a derivative of it and an ingredient you may also see listed on anti-aging products.
6. Argireline fights those fine lines
You may have heard of Argireline or come across it in the ingredient list of a serum or cream, but what is it exactly? Does it deserve the reputation it has as a wrinkle-fighting rebel? Well, to a certain extent, yes. Argireline is actually the brand name for the peptide, acetyl hexapeptide-3. This chain of amino acids has had the effect of decreasing the appearance of wrinkles in many people. It does so in a couple of ways.
One, it is reported to relax muscles so that the creation of additional wrinkles aren’t formed with such ease. It may also affect the fine lines you already have. Argireline also helps to create capillaries. These are the small blood vessels that nourish tissue and stimulate fibroblasts, which in turn produce collagen. This is super news for the skin around your eyes and mouth that are so prone to wrinkles and fine lines.
7. Matrixyl 3000
What does Mystery Science Theater 3000 have to do with wrinkles? Oh wait, that’s Matrixyl 3000 – another powerful peptide (palmitoyl-pentapeptide 3 to be precise) – not a kooky comedy show from a few decades back. But the confusion is understandable. This is also one of those mysteriously named anti-aging ingredients you may have seen in a serum or beauty cream. One reason it’s so common in anti-aging creams is because it stimulates collagen production, which of course will help reduce fine lines.
With Matrixyl, the results aren’t merely momentary. It helps maintain great skin tone and texture. That’s probably why Viviane Woodard’s Advanced Anti-Aging Night Cream made sure to include both Matrixyl and Argireline, among other rejuvenating ingredients. This product also contains antioxidants that help counteract aging of the skin. When you smooth on this cream, it not only feels refreshing upon contact, but continues to soften and moisturize as you let it work its way in.
The increase in collagen resulting from regular use of this cream helps repair damage to aging skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It leads to firmer, smoother, younger looking skin.
8. Green Tea may improve skin tone and reduce wrinkles
Green tea is one of the best natural ingredients to use if you are looking for a potent anti-aging product. Inflammation and oxidation cause skin to look older, so it’s good news that Green Tea Extract works as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, Green tea when topically applied can help protect skin from UV damage.
But as far as being one of the best anti-aging ingredients to include in a serum or cream, it’s the elasticity that proves to be rather important. One study showed an improvement in skin elasticity in participants who were treated with a combination of topical and oral green tea. So perhaps it’s not a bad idea to spread a little Advanced Anti-Aging Night Cream across your cheeks, make a nice cup of Green Tea, and sit back and Benjamin Button yourself.
And while you’re doing that, listen to Dr. Mike here tell you about all the benefits:
9. Be extra with these extracts
You may have heard the expression “extra” to imply that someone is a little over the top, but who’s really looking to be mediocre anymore? Go ahead and be a little extra and indulge in some of the extracts that beauty products include. Treat skin to beauty creams and complexes that make it more supple and soft, naturally.
Viviane Woodard’s Eye Renue Complex is an anti-aging eye cream that includes Cucumber Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Green Tea Extract, and Horse Chestnut Extract. Cucumber extract is composed of proteins, lipids, and also has emollient properties that soothe and soften skin. Grape Seed Extract has antioxidant properties and can help with the skin’s elasticity. We already sang the praises of Green Tea above, and Horse Chestnut Extract has toning properties and also helps prevent the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. All together these ingredients will do their thing to work against the signs of aging and make your skin look supple, soft, and a few years younger.
10. Water is life so raise a glass
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture. That’s right, Jan Brady, moisture does get a lot of attention, but with good reason. Moisture makes all the processes of your skin run smoothly. A moist environment in the layers of your epidermis helps promote a healthy skin cell regeneration cycle in which old dead skin cells are shed and younger fresher cells make their way to the surface.
Your skin defends you against environmental elements at the same time it protects your body’s water balance. So your anti-aging skincare routine really needs to include various ways to get water in your system and help it stay there. We’ve mentioned humectants and emollients that all play a part in your skin’s health. However, we would be forgetting something critical if we didn’t reiterate the importance of water itself. And not just having water-based products, but being sure to drink it like you mean it.
Consuming a lot of water and fresh foods filled with nutrients will play an important role in your overall health. And seeing how skin is your body’s largest organ, it will undoubtedly have an impact upon it.
As you can see, many of the active ingredients listed above work in combination to create the best anti-aging skin care products. Your skin texture and tightness can be boosted by a great beauty product, and if you add that on top of a healthy lifestyle, then it can help you look as young as you feel on the inside.
For over 60 years, Viviane Woodard has represented “The Purity of Skincare”. We are the leading beauty brand for water-based skin care products and promote the importance of good skin hydration. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for skin care tips, product discounts and more.