What to Look for in the Best Anti-Aging Cream
Anti-aging creams may sound like snake oil sometimes, with some claims depicting them as magical cures. Let’s get one thing straight first: There is no such thing as a magic cure-all that stops and reverses aging completely. However, there are still many anti-aging creams that can deliver significant visible results over time.
But since there are so many different creams with different ingredients, how can you know that you’re buying the best anti-aging cream? What’s effective and what isn’t? Here are 5 things to look for to be sure you’re getting the best anti-aging cream for your skin:
Moisturizing Ingredients
This may seem like a no-brainer, but any anti-aging cream you use should moisturize as well. For one thing, a moisturizing anti-aging cream eliminates the need to use a separate moisturizer, cutting an extra step out of your day. Additionally, adequate moisturization will keep your skin healthier and reduce visible signs of aging.
To make sure your anti-aging cream is moisturizing, look for ingredients like:
Aloe vera
Rich oils like emu oil, coconut oil, and palm oil
Cocoa butter
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectants
Since staying moisturized is so important for healthy, young-looking skin, humectants are a must have. These ingredients pull moisture to the outer layers of skin and help keep moisture locked in, protecting your skin from drying out due to environmental hazards to your skin such as low humidity and UV rays.
Some popular humectants in the best anti-aging creams are:
Vegetable glycerin
Hyaluronic acid
Propylene glycol
-For more information on humectants, click here-
Natural oils and extracts
Many natural oils, essential oils, and plant extracts contain compounds that are beneficial and nourishing for the skin, including essential fatty acids, natural anti-inflammatories, provitamin A, and tretinoin. They also tend to carry a pleasant aroma, assist in moisturization, and soothe irritated skin.
Some of the best natural ingredients in skin care include:
Essential oils such as castor oil, lavender oil, and chamomile
Natural carrier oils such as avocado oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and flax seed oil
Extracts like green tea extract, licorice, and lemongrass
Peptides
The importance of peptides cannot be overstated when it comes to anti-aging skin care. In fact, almost all the best anti-aging creams and serums are going to contain peptides. These compounds are basically the building blocks of proteins, comprised of amino acids. Peptides interact with the body in different ways, with some building collagen, while others can reduce wrinkle-causing muscular contractions and their effects on fine lines.
The following are some of the most popular and effective peptides for skin care:
Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl-tripeptide and palmitoyl-oligopeptide)
Argireline (Acetyl hexapeptide-3)
Snap-8 (Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1)
-For more information on peptides, read this article-
Vitamins
Vitamins are not only great for you internally; they can be very effective in topical serums and creams. Some of the most effective skin care ingredients are vitamins, such as retinol and vitamin C. These vitamins often have antioxidant effects, protecting the skin from environmental damage, and collagen-building effects, leading to firmer, tighter-looking skin.
Here are some of the vitamins commonly found in the best anti-aging creams:
Vitamin C
Retinol (Vitamin A)
B vitamins such as vitamin B3, B5, and B7
Vitamin E
Reading the ingredients list on an anti-aging cream and looking for these ingredients will help ensure you find the best anti-aging cream for your skin.
