Anti-Ageing Skin Care Buying Guide

If you've turned on the TV,  walked outside, or opened a magazine  in the last few years, you know anti-ageing skin care is big. There seems to be a new eye cream,  wrinkle reducer,  and crows feet eliminator  every day. It can be intimidating trying to choose a product amongst the madness, but we're here to help. We can help you sift through the good and bad (and expensive).

The most visible signs of ageing are wrinkles and lines, loss of elasticity, and dull skin. Though nothing short of a medical procedure can produce significant long term results, the proper products can have a noticeably positive effect. Anti-wrinkle creams  make up the majority of the products in the anti-ageing market and are some of the most common. It's difficult to separate the fact from the fiction when you're talking beauty products  - when you're looking at anti-ageing products it's even harder! There are a lot of claims with very little proof, so research can be time consuming (and often times, fruitless). Well, in our unending endeavour to make shopping easier, we've done some of the work for you. After asking around, reading reviews, checking polls, and searching for scientific evidence, we've found some things we think you should know.

• Anti-ageing products  have only recently come to hold such importance in the cosmetic industry. Despite the millions of dollars spent researching the topic, there is still little evidence to prove that any of these products actually cause significant, long-lasting effects on the skin.
• Typically, lasting visible results take a while to achieve, and the majority of products only provide temporary results at best.
• Wrinkle reducing products generally work by filling in your wrinkles, as shallow wrinkles are typically the less noticeable. If you're using these products, you can expect to see the depth of your wrinkles shrink by about 10%.
• Dramatic, permanent results are only achieved through cosmetic procedures. If you expect your anti-ageing product to erase your wrinkles and tighten your skin, you will be disappointed. Be realistic - your skin may look fresher and brighter, but your deep wrinkles aren't going to disappear.
• These products tend to be expensive; a moderately priced cream ($30) is often just as effective as the more expensive products. Read the labels and check ingredients before splurging - you may be able to find the same thing for less.

Ingredients to Look For

• Antioxidants   (Vitamin A, E, C, Polyphenols, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Coenzyme Q10)
• Collagen Renewing Properties   (Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Copper Peptide, Sea Kelp, Algae, Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide)
• Emollients   (Silicone, Oils and Butters, Acetyls, Glycerls, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone)
• Exfoliating AHAs & BHAs  (Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids)
• SPF  (Sun protection Factor)
• Retinol   (Stimulates cell renewal)

Related Guides/Products

Anti-Wrinkle Facial Creams
Antioxidants & Vitamin C
Chemical Peels & Exfoliants
Eye Treatments
Microdermabrasion Kits
Skin Supplements
anti-ageing products 
SPF 
moisturising