Take a fast walk down the skincare aisle at your local grocery store and you’ll see a wide choice of anti-aging creams and other items that promise to provide benefits. In recent years, the popularity of skincare products from such leading companies as Alastin Skincare, Skin Better Science, Avene, Glyton, Revision and Nutrafol has surged as individuals try to obtain more youthful and vibrant-looking skin.
But do anti-aging creams and related items actually work? Our staff at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting is here to give you the low-down on the science of aging skin, how anti-aging treatments claim to work and how to put your best skin forward.
The Science of Aging Skin
Before we go into the specifics of anti-aging creams and their active ingredients, it’s crucial to understand how skin naturally ages over time. After all, some age-related skin changes are unavoidable.
As the skin ages, its surface layer (known as the epidermis) thins out as changes in connective tissue impair the skin’s suppleness. Combine this with a reduction in the body’s natural synthesis of collagen (which gives skin the illusion of fullness) and age-related skin discoloration (including dark spots) — and it’s simple to understand how the appearance of the skin changes with age.
Key Ingredients in Anti-Aging Creams
Even the healthiest of skin will be impacted by fine lines, wrinkles, a loss of collagen and even discolouration as the years go by. However, anti-aging creams try to revive and regenerate the skin, improving its appearance with such common components as:
-
Retinoids - a class of compounds derived from vitamin A that promises to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen formation.
-
Peptides - short chains of amino acids that can help produce proteins that may be absent in aged skin, such as elastin and collagen.
-
Antioxidants — chemicals that help protect the skin’s surface against free radicals, pollution and other frequent skin irritants.
-
Sunscreen — protection from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB radiation, which can cause premature aging and discoloration of the skin.
How Do Anti-Aging Creams Claim To Work?
So, how do so-called anti-aging lotions genuinely claim to deliver results? Ultimately, how these products work depends on their fundamental constituents. However, most anti-aging products on the market now try to address such problems as skin tightening, skin resurfacing and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with components that promote optimum hydration, skin cell turnover and collagen formation.
The Reality: Efficacy of Anti-Aging Creams
While not all anti-aging creams are made equal, products from recognized companies that contain high-quality ingredients can significantly reduce indications of age and enhance general skin health and look. However, it is vital to note that there is a distinction between over-the-counter skincare products that may be purchased at your local grocery store and a prescription-strength formulation that you receive from a dermatologist.
Ultimately, a professional dermatologist is the ideal person to propose the proper combination and skincare strategy for anti-aging, as well as any in-office procedures that may aid to generate the best results. While an anti-aging cream can help with the skin’s appearance and health, the most obvious benefits and rejuvenation are accomplished with other procedures like Botox, fillers and laser treatments.
Read Also: The Transformation: Before and After Anti Aging Cream
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Understanding the components in anti-aging creams and their potential adverse effects is vital. Retinol lotions, for example, can cause irritation and discomfort if used too regularly or in excessive quantities. The same applies to lotions containing peptides, which can produce irritating rashes and redness for persons with sensitive skin.
It’s important to avoid using more than one anti-aging cream at a time to lessen the possibility of side effects or other undesired responses. Likewise, patch testing and talking with your dermatologist before using a new product is always recommended.
Complementary Treatments to Boost Results
Other therapies can boost the benefits of anti-aging creams, including:
-
Light treatment
-
Body contouring
-
Scar treatment
-
Skin resurfacing
The greatest technique to identify which mix of anti-aging products and treatments would provide your best results? Consult with a knowledgeable dermatologist at our office.
Tove Svendson 
Take a fast walk down the skincare aisle at your local grocery store and you’ll see a wide choice of anti-aging creams and other items that promise to provide benefits. In recent years, the popularity of skincare products from such leading companies as Alastin Skincare, Skin Better Science, Avene, Glyton, Revision and Nutrafol has surged as individuals try to obtain more youthful and vibrant-looking skin.
But do anti-aging creams and related items actually work? Our staff at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting is here to give you the low-down on the science of aging skin, how anti-aging treatments claim to work and how to put your best skin forward.
The Science of Aging Skin
Before we go into the specifics of anti-aging creams and their active ingredients, it’s crucial to understand how skin naturally ages over time. After all, some age-related skin changes are unavoidable.
As the skin ages, its surface layer (known as the epidermis) thins out as changes in connective tissue impair the skin’s suppleness. Combine this with a reduction in the body’s natural synthesis of collagen (which gives skin the illusion of fullness) and age-related skin discoloration (including dark spots) — and it’s simple to understand how the appearance of the skin changes with age.
Key Ingredients in Anti-Aging Creams
Even the healthiest of skin will be impacted by fine lines, wrinkles, a loss of collagen and even discolouration as the years go by. However, anti-aging creams try to revive and regenerate the skin, improving its appearance with such common components as:
Retinoids - a class of compounds derived from vitamin A that promises to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen formation.
Peptides - short chains of amino acids that can help produce proteins that may be absent in aged skin, such as elastin and collagen.
Antioxidants — chemicals that help protect the skin’s surface against free radicals, pollution and other frequent skin irritants.
Sunscreen — protection from the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB radiation, which can cause premature aging and discoloration of the skin.
How Do Anti-Aging Creams Claim To Work?
So, how do so-called anti-aging lotions genuinely claim to deliver results? Ultimately, how these products work depends on their fundamental constituents. However, most anti-aging products on the market now try to address such problems as skin tightening, skin resurfacing and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with components that promote optimum hydration, skin cell turnover and collagen formation.
The Reality: Efficacy of Anti-Aging Creams
While not all anti-aging creams are made equal, products from recognized companies that contain high-quality ingredients can significantly reduce indications of age and enhance general skin health and look. However, it is vital to note that there is a distinction between over-the-counter skincare products that may be purchased at your local grocery store and a prescription-strength formulation that you receive from a dermatologist.
Ultimately, a professional dermatologist is the ideal person to propose the proper combination and skincare strategy for anti-aging, as well as any in-office procedures that may aid to generate the best results. While an anti-aging cream can help with the skin’s appearance and health, the most obvious benefits and rejuvenation are accomplished with other procedures like Botox, fillers and laser treatments.
Read Also: The Transformation: Before and After Anti Aging Cream
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Understanding the components in anti-aging creams and their potential adverse effects is vital. Retinol lotions, for example, can cause irritation and discomfort if used too regularly or in excessive quantities. The same applies to lotions containing peptides, which can produce irritating rashes and redness for persons with sensitive skin.
It’s important to avoid using more than one anti-aging cream at a time to lessen the possibility of side effects or other undesired responses. Likewise, patch testing and talking with your dermatologist before using a new product is always recommended.
Complementary Treatments to Boost Results
Other therapies can boost the benefits of anti-aging creams, including:
Light treatment
Body contouring
Scar treatment
Skin resurfacing
The greatest technique to identify which mix of anti-aging products and treatments would provide your best results? Consult with a knowledgeable dermatologist at our office.