Ah, there comes a point in our lives when we wake up one morning, have a look in the mirror, and say to ourselves…
But the good news is that you can, in fact, delay the aging process. Aging is inevitable, yes. But when you begin to incorporate the right products (such as an anti-aging cream) at the right time, resembling a Crypt Keeper becomes more of a distant thought rather than a present concern. Simply put, if you’ve been thinking about using an anti-aging product, now’s the time to start. Keep reading to learn which ingredients to look for specifically when shopping for an anti-aging cream, when to start using one, and which anti-aging MOZ product we recommend!
Top Anti-Aging Ingredients
There are specific ingredients to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing an anti-aging cream. And we know, trying to understand product labels can be daunting. But not to worry, we’re here to help!
Below are the top five ingredients to look out for when purchasing not only an anti-aging cream, but any anti-aging skincare product.
Peptides
Peptides, also known as polypeptides, are amino acids that naturally occur in the skin. When applied topically, these proteins penetrate the deeper layers of skin instead of lingering on the surface and act as messengers, signaling to our skin to repair damaged cells and produce more collagen. This, in turn, can lead to increased blood flow, improved elasticity, and an overall strengthened skin barrier. And the benefits don’t stop there. Peptides also even skin tone, lock in hydration, and ease inflammation!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, which is especially important for protecting skin against harmful UV rays and other environmental pollutants. This powerful antioxidant can help smooth out fine lines, minimize the appearance of wrinkled skin, and reduce under-eye discoloration. When we’re young, the two layers of our skin, the epidermis and dermis, are abundant with vitamin C but as we age, this vital skin nutrient starts to diminish. And when vitamin C is applied directly to skin, it ignites the production of collagen, which helps improve the elasticity our skin naturally loses over time.
Just like collagen and elastin, our body’s ability to naturally produce hyaluronic acid diminishes as we age. That’s why incorporating this acid into your beauty regimen is key, as it helps to keep skin plump and hydrated. How? Simply put, hyaluronic acid functions as a humectant. It works to pull in water from the dermis (the second layer of skin) to the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin). This acid’s primary function is retaining and restoring moisture, making it a popular acid for those who often experience dryness (which can exaggerate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles).
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and when applied topically, it can help boost collagen production and increase skin cell turnover rate. And while many believe the terms retinol and retinoid are interchangeable, they aren’t… at least not entirely. Retinol is one of the many types of retinoids that exist while the term retinoid is used to refer to any product that contains a vitamin A derivative such as retinoic acid or retinol palmitate. But what retinol and retinoids do have in common is what they can do when applied to skin. Aside from reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, they can also help even skin tone, reduce the appearance of dark and/or age spots, and neutralize free radicals.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of exfoliating, water-soluble plant and animal-derived acids. And while a total of six AHAs exist, glycolic, lactic, and citric acid are the most popular when it comes to fighting the signs of aging. When the outermost layer of our skin (the epidermis) is exfoliated, the middle layer, the dermis (where collagen resides), is more easily penetrated. This allows for an AHA to destroy old collagen fibers and create new and improved ones when applied to the skin. AHAs also help promote blood flow to the skin thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties, making these acids go-to color correctors for those with dull complexions. Dull, dry, aging skin? We don’t know her!
When + How to Incorporate an Anti-Aging Cream
According to dermatologists, you should start using anti-aging products in your early 20s. And let’s be real. If you owned a pair of those platform 90s sandals, now’s the time to start integrating an anti-aging product or two into your routine. Simply put, products that contain anti-aging ingredients are more effective at an earlier age, especially because there’s less damage to tackle. It’s a lot easier to put preventative measures into action rather than trying to reverse the signs of aging, which is unfortunately impossible (at least the natural way).
Alright, so now you know when to start incorporating anti-aging products into your routine. That’s step one. But what about specific products such as anti-aging creams? How do you use one of those?
Because anti-aging creams contain ingredients like retinol and AHAs, it’s best to use them in the evening when our skin repairs and regenerates itself. It’s also important to note that using one in the A.M. can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
MOZ Anti-Aging Product Pick
The ingredients in our Retinol Cream, such as aloe vera, green tea leaf extract, and hyaluronic acid were carefully formulated to help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, smooth, and glowing. Our formula not only adds moisture and provides essential nutrients to your skin, but also keeps you away from unwanted acne, improves the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and lightens dark spots and/or any discolored areas to help even skin tone. And although many may be tempted to incorporate this product into their routine both day and night, use this cream only in the evening, as retinol, one of the key ingredients in this product, is photosensitive to sunlight.
To learn how to apply and purchase our anti-aging cream, click here!
The Bottom Line
It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin, especially when it comes to premature aging. And doing so doesn’t have to require multiple, costly visits to a top-rated cosmetician. With that said, we hope you enjoyed this simple guide to anti-aging creams. Follow us on socials and let us know what your best kept beauty secret is for flawless, youthful skin! Perhaps it’s our Retinol Cream? And if you’re not keeping up with our other channels, now’s the time to start as we may be launching a new anti-aging product or two in the near future!