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The name “anti-aging cosmetics” speaks for itself. With its help, we are going to slow down aging, restore skin elasticity, smooth out wrinkles. If done correctly, these are quite achievable goals.
How anti-aging products work
Scientists have made tremendous progress in studying the processes of slowing down skin aging. Manufacturers know which cells and how certain beauty ingredients affect them, what “mechanisms” they trigger in the skin. The effect of anti-aging cosmetics has become clear and predictable.
Compensation for lack of moisture
The first sign of skin aging is a violation of its water balance. This is manifested in the loss of elasticity and freshness, dull complexion.
- From the inside, hyaluronic acid retains moisture in the skin: when it is enough, the metabolic processes in the skin proceed quickly, and when it is deficient, it slows down.
- Outside, the same function is performed by ceramide fat molecules, which create a “waterproofing” layer on the surface.
The best anti-age facial products today include low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which can penetrate the epidermal barrier and moisturize the skin from the inside. Plus substances that prevent it from evaporating from the surface of the skin:
- unsaturated fatty acids;
- ceramides;
- phospholipids.
Improvement of microcirculation
Only with good blood supply to the skin cells will get all the substances it needs. To improve the functioning of capillaries, rutin, ascorbic and nicotinic acids, and plant extracts are added to anti-age facial cosmetics.
You can start using anti-aging cosmetics after 35 years. © L’Oréal Paris
Stimulation of metabolic processes in the skin
After 30 years, the amount of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases. The processes of destruction of the “substances of youth” begin to prevail over the processes of synthesis. Fruit acids, vitamins, enzymes, regulatory peptides, amino acids, oils, extracts of medicinal plants help to activate their production, help skin cells work, as in youth.
Improving the protective functions of the skin
Young, healthy skin successfully resists harmful environmental factors. But with age, these mechanisms weaken. Under the influence of free radicals, skin cells are damaged, aging occurs.
Antioxidants help to increase resistance: vitamins A, C, E, polyphenols, plant extracts, probiotics.
The fight against pigmentation
With age, pigment spots appear on the skin. Kojic, ascorbic (vitamin C) and azelaic acids help stop the excess synthesis of melanin.
UV protection
Another important factor in aging is ultraviolet radiation. It has a detrimental effect on collagen and elastin, damages cells at the genetic level. Therefore, sunscreens are increasingly found in anti-aging creams.
The main means of anti-aging cosmetics are cream, serum, cream filler. © L’Oréal Paris
Types of anti-aging products
To care for aging and aging skin, you will need the same products that were part of your beauty routine a few years ago. The only difference is in the formulas.
Cleansers
It is important to remove not only impurities (dust particles and sebum), but also dead cells of the epidermis. The process of skin renewal and the depth of penetration of active substances directly depend on this. С soft exfoliants and acid-based lotions do a good job.
Serums
Face creams
Vitamins, trace elements, stimulants, antioxidants trigger renewal processes, activate natural defense mechanisms, and enhance microcirculation.
If one of the tasks of a day cream is to protect the skin, then a night cream is aimed at restoring and renewing it.
Creams for the eye area
Masks
Depending on the active ingredients, they are divided into moisturizing, nourishing, rejuvenating, cleansing. In addition, they are plastic and thermal. Plastic masks based on paraffin, resins and pectin, hardening on the skin, tighten it and smooth out wrinkles. Thermal masks, warming up the skin, improve microcirculation.
SOS funds
The first aid category includes:
- creams with instant lifting effect;
- fillers.
Substances such as:
- silicones;
- hydrolysates;
- amino acids;
- peptides;
- hyaluronic acid in fillers.
Anti-pigmentation products
By regulating the production of melanin pigment, they prevent the appearance of age spots and brighten existing ones.
Anti-aging formulas use the most powerful ingredients: peptides, collagen, hyaluronic acid. © L’Oréal Paris
Sun protection means
The difference between anti-age sunscreens is their ability to strengthen the skin’s own defense mechanisms and stimulate its renewal.
How to choose the right anti-aging cosmetics
There are four main landmarks here.
Skin type
As a rule, all anti-aging agents are divided into two groups:
- for dry skin;
- for normal and oily skin.
This is primarily due to the fact that some moisturizers and nutrients have a comedogenic effect and are not suitable for oily skin.
Keep in mind that oily skin tends to dry out with age.
Problem
Decide which tasks you want to solve first:
- improve skin color;
- smooth out wrinkles;
- tighten the oval of the face;
- get rid of age spots.
For example, with bags under the eyes, a cream with draining components will help, and with dark circles, with substances that improve microcirculation.
Collagen synthesis in the skin decreases after 30 years. © L’Oréal Paris
Skin reactivity
Today, more and more people classify their skin as sensitive. Pharmaceutical cosmetics with a minimum of preservatives and without perfume fragrances are more suitable for them.
Season
There are products with active ingredients that should not be used in the summer due to photosensitivity. These include, for example, retinol and fruit acids.
A cosmetologist or a competent sales consultant who has undergone brand training will help you choose the right product. At the same time, it is important not to forget: skin takes time to restore and renew itself.
Even from the best formulas, you should not expect instant results. The effect appears after 2-3 months of regular and competent use.
Overview of anti-age cosmetics
Face creams
| Name of funds | Action | Active components |
| Cream Revitalift Laser x3 “Double care”, L’Oréal Paris | The two-phase formula starts the processes of skin renewal, makes it more elastic, even and radiant, smoothes wrinkles, strengthens the oval of the face. | proxylan (3%), fragmented hyaluronic acid, lipohydroxy acid LHA, caffeine |
| Firming care against the signs of aging at different stages of formation Slow Age, Vichy | Strengthens the skin’s resistance to free radicals and other aggressive environmental factors, strengthens the protective barrier, fights all signs of aging. | antioxidant baicalin, vitamins C and E, probiotic, SPF 25 filter |
| Night care cream Retinol 0.3, SkinCeuticals | Increases the synthesis of collagen and elastin in the skin, smoothes small and large wrinkles, brightens age spots. Also works on hydration and healing. | retinol, hyaluronic acid, soy extract, alfalfa and chamomile extracts |
Serums
| Name of funds | Action | Active components |
| Serum against visible signs of aging Blue Therapy Accelerated Serum, Biotherm | Smoothes wrinkles and tightens the oval of the face after the first application. And over time, the skin strengthens even more, becomes elastic and fresh, gets rid of age spots. | blue-green algae, thermal plankton, golden kelp, glycerin, salicylic acid |
| Anti-aging serum Collagenist V-Lift, Helena Rubinstein | A product with a delicate, silky texture reduces wrinkles, makes features clearer, and strengthens the oval of the face. | peptide complex, anti-aging fat complex, tightening polymers |
Eye creams
| Name of funds | Action | Active components |
| Eye contour cream Idéalia, Vichy | Returns elasticity to the delicate skin around the eyes, smoothes wrinkles, removes puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. | Vichy mineralizing thermal water, caffeine, vitamin C, vitamin B3 |
| Rénergy 3D Yeux Eye Cream MEN, Lancome | Provides a lifting and drainage effect, corrects wrinkles, reduces puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. | soy proteins, colloidal silicon, vegetable peptide complex, caffeine, organic silicone |
| Cream for the skin around the eyes Or Rouge Soin Global D`Exeption, Yves Saint Laurent | Evens skin tone and relief, eliminates crow’s feet, gives radiance. | saffron pistil extract, nourishing oil complex, hyaluronic acid |
When to start using anti-aging cosmetics
The main rule sounds like this: do not rush time, but do not waste it!
20 years
It has been proven that the aging of the body, including the skin, begins after 20 years. Of course, at this age, an anti-aging cream is not needed – moisturizing and nutrition is enough.
It has been proven that the aging of the body, including the skin, begins after 20 years.
30 years
But after 30, the first signs of aging may already appear: a violation of the water balance of the skin, the uniformity of its relief and tone. Focus on thorough cleansing, moisturizing, improving microcirculation and protection.
35 years
The skin becomes thinner, noticeably loses its elasticity, wrinkles appear. So, the time has come for more active products – creams, serums and masks marked anti-age. Their application should be preceded by a deeper cleansing of the skin.
45 – 50 years
Wrinkles become deeper, facial contours lose clarity, age spots appear. Actual use of funds with active stimulant substances:
- retinol;
- hydroxy acids;
- peptides.
The care includes anti-pigmentation products.
The concentration of active substances is the main thing that distinguishes funds for different ages. It is not always easy for consumers to understand this, so manufacturers often indicate the recommended age on the packaging. Specific figures are, for example, on the packaging of products from the lines:
- L’Oréal Paris “Age Expert”;
- Garnier Plant Cells of Youth.