Want to get rid of wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes? It's hard to know what products to trust when we're being constantly bombarded with skin care ads promising drastic results in very little time. If you're serious about improving your skin, here are some ingredients that have been proven to help skin.
Retinol
Time and time again, Retinol - also known as vitamin A - has proven its success as an effective skincare product. The list of things it can do is impressive - it unclogs pores, evens out skin tone and reduces fine lines all while essentially helping your skin look like a younger version of itself. You can buy retinol over the counter at the drugstore, but for even more drastic results, see your dermatologist about getting a prescription for retinoid, a stronger version of topical retinol creams. Retinol can be irritating and drying to skin, so it make take some experimenting to find the formulation that's right for your skin -- some are made to be gentler or less drying.
Vitamins C and E
Just like a healthy diet requires lots of vitamins and nutrients, so does healthy skin. Vitamins C and E help the skin in different ways - vitamin C helps boost your skin's natural glow, improve its elasticity as well as increase collagen production, while vitamin E is great for soothing and protecting your skin, especially during dry winter months. Look for serums or creams that contain both ingredients for best results.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid - also known as a glycosaminoglycan - is considered one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients out there. It's a naturally occurring substance in both humans and animals, but unfortunately for us, it depletes over time, a process which is sped up by unhealthy habits like smoking and dieting. It's available in creams and works by drawing moisture from the air and adding it to your skin
Lipids
We're always trying to trim fat from our hips but our skin is a different story - fats are an important ingredient to keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated. Moisturizers containing Ceramide, one of the three types of lipids that help hydrate your skin, are commonly used by eczema sufferers because they're especially effective in helping skin maintain its moisture, but anyone with dry skin should consider giving them a go.
Peptides
Peptides are small proteins that can thicken your skin, heal wounds and boost production of collagen. Peptides can combine with copper - a trace element in skin cells - to help improve your skin. As such, copper peptides are a common ingredient in skin care products. As an added bonus, they can boost the absorption of other anti-aging and antioxidant products into your skin cells.
Hydroxy Acids
Products containing alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid) are popular with dermatologists because they help exfoliate the skin and can help with acne, fine lines and sunspots. However, they can make your skin extra-sensitive - especially alpha hydroxy acid - so make sure you protect your skin with sunscreen after using them.
Other Promising Ingredients
Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient has been shown to help reduce fine lines around the eyes while offering some degree of protection against sun damage, while kinetin is a plant-based product that's believed to even out skin tone. Many skincare manufacturers are using tea extracts in their products as a selling point as these products are said to increase antioxidant absorption and reduce inflammation. And for the coffee lovers, caffeine is increasingly being used in skincare lines for its tightening and protective antioxidant qualities.
The Bottom Line
To find the right product for you, it's best to see a dermatologist to get a professional recommendation. What's more, many of these products can have mild side effects, so do your homework. Most importantly, keep in mind that there are no miracle products out there - when it comes to preventing wrinkles, your best bet is still to eat well, get lots of sleep, stay hydrated and avoid unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking.