Anti Aging Skin Care Products

Exfoliation

The main exfoliants found in anti aging skin care products are alpha and beta hydroxys. These exfoliants are weak forms of acid that burn off the top layer of skin.

Alpha Hydroxy is a fruit acid, made primary from citrus fruits. Did your grandma tell you to put lemon juice on freckles to bleach them? She was right. Alpha Hydroxy can be applied in concentrated form to work all at once, which is called a chemical peel and should be done by a qualified dermatologist. It is also formulated in lower concentrations for daily home use. Alpha hydroxy may appear on product labels as AHA, glucolic acid, or lactic acid.

Beta Hydroxy is a gentler form of acid. Also known as salicylic acid, it is the same ingredient in aspirin. It is safe enough to use daily, but its effects are slower to appear. It will appear on product labels as BHA or salicylic acid.

Both AHA and BHA will make the skin much more sensitive to the sun's rays. If you are using products containing these ingredients, or have a recent chemical peel, stay out of the sun as much as possible or wear protective clothing. Your skin will be much more susceptible to burning than usual.

Skin Repair

While the exfoliants work by removing damaged skin cells, some products claim to actually repair them. They are controversial, but there is some evidence that they may be helpful. The most recent addition to the miracle products that claim to repair damaged skin is Copper Peptide.

Copper Peptide is a chemical compound that seems to increase the natural production of regular collagen in the skin and break down the 'extra-large' collagens that form themselves in wrinkling and scarring. Originally identified as a compound that helped wounds heal and reduced scarring, copper peptide is now appearing in skin care products.

Vitamins C and E are often in anti aging skin care products - they are both anti-oxidants and may increase production of collagen.

What About Collagen Products?

Collagen is naturally occurring in your skin. Applying animal collagen to the outside of your skin will avail you nothing, however. The molecules are too large to penetrate; you are wasting your money buying skin-applied collagen. Try anti aging skin care products that may actually increase your skin's own collagen supply.