What are the Different Types of Anti-Aging Ingredients?

There are many different kinds of anti-aging ingredients used in a variety of skin-care products, most of which can be categorized according to their function. Anti-aging ingredients may help to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, improve the texture of the skin, improve the elasticity of the skin, improve the tone of the skin, or help to protect the skin from elements that can cause the signs of aging. There are some ingredients that perform more than one of these functions. Some of the most common ingredients in anti-aging products include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), collagen, green tea, and vitamin C. While there are dozens, if not hundreds, of anti-aging ingredients used in products on the market today, these are some of the most common and most discussed.

Two of the best ways to keep the skin looking young is to keep it moisturized and to protect it from the sun. Many anti-aging products include emollients that keep the skin moisturized. There are various emollients that have been branded by skin-care companies. There are also some natural emollients such as aloe, jojoba oil, and olive oil. Anti-aging ingredients that protect the skin from the sun may be organic chemical compounds that have the ability to absorb ultraviolet rays or they may be inorganic particulates such as zinc oxide.

It is certainly important to care for skin by keeping it moisturized and protecting it from the sun, but many people also hope to reverse the signs of aging. There are a number of anti-aging ingredients that are intended to do this. Vitamin C is believed to help fade skin discoloration. This can be useful for people who want to fade age spots, freckles, or even scars that are the result of acne. Vitamin C is also used in a number of skin-care products that are meant to brighten the complexion.

Collagen and AHAs are used to help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. There are a number of skin-care products with these ingredients that are used specifically to target wrinkles. Like most other ingredients listed here, they are commonly used in creams and serums.

Products such as green tea that include antioxidants are meant to slow down the aging process. It is believed that aging within the skin is partly a result of exposure to free radicals. Antioxidants are known to be good at combating free radicals. As such, antioxidants are commonly used as anti-aging ingredients.