Anti-aging product

Anti-aging creams are predominantly moisturiser based cosmeceutical skin care products marketed with the promise of making the consumer look younger by reducing visible wrinkles, expression lines, blemishes, pigmentation changes, discolourations and other environmentally (especially from the sun) related conditions of the skin. A comprehensive grading scale for anti-aging of the skin has been validated and categorizes skin aging as: laxity (sagging), rhytids (wrinkles), and the various categories of photoaging, including erythema (redness), dyspigmentation (brown discolorations), solar elastosis (yellowing), keratoses (abnormal growths), and poor texture.

Despite great demand, many such products and treatments have not been proven to give lasting or major positive effects. One study found that the best performing creams reduced wrinkles by less than 10% over 12 weeks which is not noticeable to the human eye. Another study found that cheap moisturisers were as effective as high-priced anti-wrinkle creams. However, recent studies at Manchester University showed that some ingredients have an effect.

Traditionally, anti-aging creams have been marketed towards women, but products specifically targeting men are increasingly common.

Ingredients

As well as more conventional moisturising ingredients, anti-aging creams usually contain ingredients such as:

• Retinol (for instance, in the form of retinyl palmitate). In various formulations it has been shown to reduce fine lines and pores.
• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), made of 53 amino acids to stimulate cell renewal and Collagen production in the skin and strengthen elasticity and structure. The discovery of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) won Dr. Stanley Cohen a Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1986. Research also shown that Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) to be helpful for wound and burn healingIt also has anti-inflammatory properties when applied to skin .
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids or other chemical peels. These help to dissolve the intracellular "glue" that holds the dead cells together on the skin. The use of this type of product on a daily basis gradually enhances the exfoliation of the epidermis and stimulates the production of fresh skin cells to compensate for the missing ones. This exposes newer skin cells and can help improve appearance. AHAs can irritate some skin, causing redness and flaking.
• Peptides
• Coenzyme Q10, improve skin condition by generating energy of the body
• Anti-oxidants
• Sunscreens. A high level of UVA protection is recommended as UVA radiation is associated with aging effects such as wrinkles.

The effects of these ingredients depends on their concentration and mode of application, making the effects of the commercial products less certain.

Many cosmetics companies recommend using a treatment programme which may combine these ingredients. For example, AHAs can make the skin more vulnerable to damage from the sun, so the increased use of sunscreens is often recommended.

Alternative approaches

Traditional moisturisers or sunscreens may provide many of the same benefits as some anti-aging creams.

Mechanical exfoliation is an alternative to chemical peels using ingredients such as crushed apricot kernals, salt, sponges or brushes.

Advertising sometimes presents anti-aging creams as an alternative to plastic surgery and botox injections, which may be more costly and invasive treatments.

See also

• Aging
• Skin
• Wrinkles
• Cosmeceuticals