Anti-Aging Superstars

Is there a single best anti-aging ingredient? The answer is no, there isn’t. But don’t be disappointed! The good news is that there are dozens of brilliant ingredients for skin. To make the best decisions for your skin, you need to know what research has proven is essential for truly combating signs of aging and taking the best care of your skin. In addition, it is important to first identify your skin type and skin concerns, to find an anti-aging product that will work best for you.

What Your Skin Needs to Fight Signs of Aging

There seems to be very little in the world of skincare that everyone agrees on, but, with few exceptions, to one degree or another, most would agree that the best types of products to truly combat signs of aging must include the following: sunscreen, leave-on exfoliants, antioxidants, and skin-restoring and skin-replenishing ingredients.

Sunscreen is the superstar of all superstars in the world of skincare, especially for anti-aging, and it must be a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater. Searching for the right sunscreen is like searching for a partner. It can be challenging, but once you find one that works, you’ll be glad you put in the effort.

We know that sunscreen isn't nearly as sexy as the latest anti-wrinkle cream dressed up in slick claims and packaging, but it is far and away the most important. When used correctly, meaning applied liberally, 365 days a year, rain or shine, no matter how long you think you’ll be exposed (1 minute of time in UV light is all it takes for sun damage to begin), sunscreen is your best defence against the visible effects of sun damage and helps prevent early skin aging.

Exfoliants remove built-up layers of dead, rough, thickened surface skin that make skin look rough, dull, wrinkled, and dry. This surface renewal reveals skin that’s remarkably smoother, more even, hydrated, radiant, and younger-looking.

The catch? We’re not talking about scrubs! Rather, we’re referring to non-abrasive, leave-on exfoliants that contain AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid) ingredients. The AHAs to look for include glycolic and lactic acids; the one and only BHA ingredient is salicylic acid. At Paula’s Choice Skincare, we offer an extensive selection of effective, fragrance-free AHA exfoliants or BHA exfoliants. The sooner you start exfoliating, the sooner you’ll reap its benefits.

Antioxidants defend against environmental stress, help calm skin, and play a role in softening the signs of aging. There are hundreds of antioxidants used in skincare products, so don’t get caught up over any single one. Some of the most researched antioxidants for younger-looking skin include Green Tea, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Soy, Genistein, Pomegranate, and Resveratrol—but these are just the tip of the iceberg! For best results, look for serums that are enriched with a mix of antioxidants.

Moreover, nutrition plays a huge role in our skin health. This is why it is also vital for you to consume anti-aging foods high in antioxidants (such as oranges, strawberries, blueberries, and more) to help boost overall skin health.

Skin-restoring ingredients can nourish skin in a way that helps it regain its youthful, vibrant appearance. These ingredients also help improve skin tone and texture and soften the appearance of wrinkles. Examples include retinol, niacinamide, peptides, and adenosine.

Skin-replenishing ingredients are the same substances found naturally in the skin that help it maintain its surface integrity. These replenishing ingredients make skin feel soft and supple, relieve dryness, and, if used daily, help safeguard skin from environmental factors that lead to moisture loss and dehydration. Skin-replenishing ingredients include glycerin, ceramides, various fatty acids and lipids (including those found in plant oils), hyaluronic acid, and cholesterol. Paula’s Choice skin toners and face moisturizers include a sophisticated blend of these ingredients.

Abundant research makes it crystal clear that all of these groups of ingredients are as good as it gets in the world of skincare when you’re concerned about wrinkling and other signs of aging.

These state-of-the-art ingredients, especially when combined in one product, are the types you need, regardless of the name on the label or the product category. If the product doesn’t contain these ingredients, then why bother?

Considering that most skincare products contain harmful chemicals, it is crucial to research the anti-aging products you get to ensure you purchase safe and beneficial ones. Use our ingredients guide above to steer you towards the right skincare path.

Essential Shopping Tips

1. The price won't help you. There are lots of expensive products that deprive your skin of great ingredients and lots of affordable products that generously serve up what your skin needs, and vice versa. What counts most are the ingredients, not the final price.
   
   
2. You don't necessarily need an eye cream. There’s no research showing that eye-area skin needs something different from skin on the rest of your face. There are many great eye creams readily available today, and most of them contain ingredients that make them good moisturizers, but that doesn’t mean they are special for the eye area as often claimed.
   
   If you want to use an eye cream, look for one that really differs from your facial moisturizer; for daytime, it would contain a mineral-based sunscreen and for nighttime it would be best if it had a balm-like texture like the RESIST Anti-Aging Eye Cream and you wore it more as an overnight mask, applying a thick layer and allowing it to slowly absorb and rejuvenate your skin as you sleep.
   
   
3. Never buy any "anti-aging" product that’s in jar packaging because the state-of-the-art ingredients we mentioned above won’t remain stable once you've opened the jar and exposed the contents to air and light. Moreover, dipping your fingers in it increases the risk of the formula getting contaminated.

There Is No Single "Best" Ingredient……

…there are just lots of great ones. All of the ingredients listed above—antioxidants, skin-replenishing ingredients, and skin-restoring ingredients—are the leading elements that contribute to making a state-of-the-art anti-aging product. And there are many brilliant formulations in stable packaging that include these substances.

Remember, contrary to what cosmetics companies want you to believe about their products, there’s no single miracle ingredient for skin. Month after month, new skincare ingredients are released and made known one after the other, all claiming to be superior to their predecessors.

Even when there is research showing that an ingredient can be effective for skin, that doesn’t make it better or more essential than hundreds of other ingredients—it's just another option, not a must-have.

Think about it like your diet. Although broccoli or grapes are incredibly healthy to eat, if you eat only those foods, your health will eventually suffer. Skin is the body’s largest organ and its surface requires a range of beneficial ingredients to remain smooth, resilient, and healthy looking.

Take proactive steps towards healthier and younger-looking skin by checking out our anti-aging & wrinkle solutions.

References for this information

• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, May 2015, issue 5, page 28; and November 2012, issue 5, pages 1,013-1,024
• Aging Research Reviews, January 2015, pages 8-21
• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 2014, pages 177-184
• Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2013, pages 781-790
• The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, September 2012, pages 18-23
• British Journal of Dermatology, March 2010, pages 647-654