Anti Aging Products

At one time it seemed like it was mostly actors and actresses and people in the public eye were overly concerned with their appearances. With all of the onslaught of magazine ads, media attention and television shows, it seems like a large majority of the general population are looking at themselves in the mirror and trying to find ways to help improve the way they look and to slow down the aging process. With so many different types of anti aging products in the marketplace, now the possibility of that happening seems easier than it was before.

When looking for anti-aging products the best route to go is selecting those that are natural. Natural anti-aging products are in vogue because they are safe and also the most effective products in the market. There is no need to put your skin at risk from potentially dangerous ingredients when there are natural skin care products in the market that are very effective.

There are three types of aging that can occur that will impact your body, your skin, your health and possibly your life. For each type of aging, there are also different products associated with each of them. Here is a look at them in more detail.

If you look in the mirror and are aghast to see the start of fine lines and wrinkles at an early age, you likely have a long family tree to thank for that. The way you age and how you show it will be similar to what your parents went through. Growing older is inevitable, it is a fact of life. How well your skin shows its age though is something you do have control over.

Bad health can also impact how your skin looks. If you have chronic health problems or are taking certain medications, it can make your skin look much older than you are. Also impactful is how you eat and exercise. Having bad eating habits and a lack of exercise can lead to additional suffering for your skin as well.

Hormonal aging occurs around the time of menopause or peri-menopause due to estrogen levels declining. As a result, you will start to notice a lack of firmness in your skin. Symptoms that will be easy to see will include such things as dull looking skin that appears dehydrated, deeper wrinkles and sagging skin.

In the time leading up to menopause, which will usually occur between the ages of 45 to 55, the amount of estrogen that is produced to enhance your skin decreases. Because the face has the largest amount of estrogen receptors, you will notice the effects of hormonal aging more here than anywhere else on your body.

After menopause, you will notice a more pronounced change in your skin. In the first five or so years after menopause, your skin loses potentially as much as 30% of its collagen. The collagen production that was enhanced by estrogen pre-menopause and provided you with soft skin early in your life is fading away, leading skin to sag, become more thin and fragile.

This loss of firmness cannot be avoided. However, it is treatable with the right combination of skin care products.

Environmental aging is the result of exposure to the sun and other environment factors. Typical aging occurs in the form of an uneven skin tone and age spots. A loss of skin elasticity and skin that has a dry, leathery look are also symptoms of environmental aging.

The society we live in today can be harsh on our skin. Whether it is sunlight, or cigarette smoke or smog or even stress, all of these factors will help contribute to how you age. Sun damage can affect all types of skin with more impact to those with lighter or paler skin tones. In addition to the cosmetic effects of sun damage are the potential risks of skin cancer as well.

A lot of people ask what are the best anti-aging products on the market and unfortunately there is not one simple answer. Because each person's skin is different, the results of using products will vary in most cases. It is always the best choice to meet with a professional prior to trying new anti-aging products to figure out your skin type, condition of the skin and the potential for how your skin type will react to certain ingredients in the products.

Be aware that there is no overnight solution where you wake up the day after using the product and your skin is wrinkle free. The process takes some time and you should start to see results anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks depending on how bad your problem areas are.

If you are impatient and want something done immediately, then your best alternative is to have a cosmetic procedure done. The downside to this is that although faster, it is additional pain and the cost you will incur.

Doctors and Dermatologists have discovered through research that natural ingredients and vitamin extracts have a huge impact on slowing down and in some cases reversing the aging of skin. Look for these ingredients in products that you buy, which are listed below:

• Vitamin A - Vitamin A, also known as Retinol, helps produce collagen fibers in the skin plus as an exfoliating property. This helps to erase the fine lines you see in your skin.
• Vitamin C - Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles when applied topically. 
• Vitamin E - when applied topically, Vitamin E improves softness and smoothness of the skin and increased moisturization.
• Green Tea Extract - found in skin care products to help reduce wrinkles, fine lines and puffiness.
• Copper Peptides - helps rejuvenate and firm your skin, as well as boost elasticity.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles as well as cleans and unblocks pores to improve overall skin condition.
• N-6 furfuryladenine (kinetin) - this is an alternative for people with sensitive skin or whose skin has a reaction to Vitamin A or C in products.

Sometimes companies will try to cut corners and use ingredients that are harmful to you and are of low quality. That is why when given the chance, natural anti-aging products are the way to go. If you see the ingredients listed below in any products, be aware of what the impact is to you.

• Fragrances - while it is nice to have good smelling products, fragrances contain chemicals that can cause harm to your nervous system and reproductive system.
• Parabems - used by companies to increase the shelf life of products, it can be harmful for people that use it as a potential carcinogen. Some countries have prohibited the use of this in cosmetics.
• Mineral Oil - promoted as a moisturizing agent, this actually causes oil on the skin and blocks the skins pores, which can lead to acne and blackheads.

Here is a Consumer Reports look at some of the best anti-aging products on the market.