In any beauty store in the country, you’ll find products designed to make you look younger. Be it for your wrinkles or age spots, these products promise anti-ageing wellness in a bottle – but are they making promises they can’t keep? You can’t help but be a little skeptical as to exactly how beneficial these miracle products are to your wellbeing, but it seems that this skepticism doesn’t stop you from forking out the big bucks.
‘Yes, there has been a tremendous anti-ageing craze accompanied by a boom in available products, technology and procedures,’ notes Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a dermatologist at New York University Medical Centre. ‘Increasingly, people are searching for products and procedures that deliver results without the cost, risks and downtime of more invasive cosmetic surgery. There are many great options out there for people seeking results, but the key is to find a doctor that you trust and one that will help you to look natural. One should strive to look like a better, more relaxed, version of themselves; no one should look “done”.’
According to Hale, there are certain products and procedures that she uses personally and recommends on a regular basis. These include a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (such as Coppertone or SkinMedica Physical Defense), retinol or prescription-based tretinoin (which is found in Roc, Renova and RetinA), stem cell-derived products to stimulate collagen and elastic (like Lifeline Skin Care), Botulinum Toxin injections, Hyaluronic Acid and poly-L-lactic acid fillers and Fractional Resurfacing lasers. Hale explains, ‘With the right sunscreen, topicals and minimally invasive procedures, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle which includes exercise, we can all look… natural and rejuvenated.’
Let’s take a look at the scientific evidence behind the commonly listed active ingredients in anti-aging products:
Peptides – These are small proteins that help stimulate new cells to grow, and the theory goes that they make your skin more plump, which reduces your fine lines. However, Hale asserts that, while this is a nice idea, there’s really no evidence which conclusively proves peptides really do anything to reduce wrinkles.
Alpha-hydroxy acids – The natural ingredients found in fruits and milk sugars, including lactic, glycolic and citric acids, are collectively known as alpha-hydroxy acids. These acids work to exfoliate your skin, which removes dead skin cells and makes room for new, healthier ones. Hale notes these acids vary in terms of impact and what they do. For brighter skin, you want lactic acid but you should opt for glycolic acid if you want your skin to look smoother, as this one reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol – You’ll find this natural form of vitamin A in a variety of over-the-counter skin creams, and the idea is that it boosts the thickness and elasticity of your skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Hale affirms that this is backed up by ample evidence, but the prescription version tretinoin or Retin-A is much stronger. Still, though it may be more effective than over-the-counter retinol, doctors warn that tretinoin can also cause more side effects, so tread with caution.
Resveratrol – A lot of people like this plant compound, as it is found in red wine and studies have shown that drinking wine in moderation has some health benefits. However, when it comes to the supplement form of this anti-ageing plant, the jury is out. According to research published in a 2008 edition of the journal Cell Metabolism, resveratrol slowed down age-related decline in mice, but subsequent studies have not confirmed similar results from the supplement form.
Antioxidants – It is commonly believed that antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which damage your body and increase your risk for diseases. When it comes to age prevention, antioxidants are only effective in certain formulations. The most time-tested combo is vitamins C and E.
