Anti-Aging Serums: The Best Ingredients

Between UV exposure from the sun, pollution and other chemicals, your skin deals with plenty of stress on a daily basis. Over time, your skin may not be as good at regenerating itself, which is why its important to give yourself a little boost with a good diet and skincare products.

Anti-aging serums have become extremely popular in the beauty market. The serums carry the appeal of concentrated ingredients, faster drying time, and ease of application compared to other products. However, not all anti-aging serums are made equal. If you are shopping for an anti-aging serum, here are a few key ingredients to keep in mind.

1. Hyaluronic Acid

Known for its amazing hydration powers, hyaluronic acid has quickly become a beauty staple and can be found in most anti-aging serums and creams. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the skin and eyes and can hold up to a thousand percent of its water weight.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C has a variety of great properties. In addition to decreasing inflammation, it can also act as an antioxidant that not only protects skin but also reverses damage. Vitamin C also helps to decrease the formation of unwanted dark spots on the skin.

One of the most appealing qualities of vitamin C is its ability to fight free radicals and will even help skin recover from damage. Free radicals are naturally present in the environment and are known to cause damage to your body over time.

3. Retinol

Also known as vitamin A, retinol is part of a family of vitamins that help increase skin cell turnover. Our skin cells are constantly shedding and being replaced by new cells. However, age or even damage can hinder this process of shedding and renewal. Vitamin A helps ensure that skin turnover is achieved as it should be and that the new cells are healthy.

4. Collagen

Collagen is one of the major building blocks of skin. While skin cells naturally produce collagen, the quality of collagen produced can be affected by age, damage, and disease. Without enough collagen, the skin loses elasticity and becomes more fragile and more prone to wrinkles. This is why collagen has quickly become one of the most common ingredients in serums.

Other alternatives include compounds that encourage skin cells to increase their collagen production such as Matrixyl.

5. Ceramindes

Ceramides are essentially lipids that help ensure that your skin continues to stay hydrated by sealing in moisture. If your skin tends to get dry, you definitely need this ingredient as part of your anti-aging routine.

6. Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a derivative of vitamin B3 and has many great qualities that make it an anti-aging staple. Not only is niacinamide able to soothe redness and damage, but it can also be used to brighten skin and eliminate dark spots. If you want a naturally dewy complexion niacinamide is a must-have in your anti-aging serum.

7. Jojoba Oil

There are many amazing naturally derived oils available on the market, but jojoba oil has been hailed as the best. Jojoba oil is derived from the nut of the jojoba tree and has a ton of amazing skin-healing properties. Not only does jojoba oil act as an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, but it also has amazing hydrating and moisturizing properties. And, since jojoba oil acts like your skin’s natural oil it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts.

As a bonus, jojoba oil can be used to hydrate your hair or scalp with great results. While you don’t want to put anti-aging serum in your hair, you may want to keep an eye out for jojoba oil in your hair products.

8. Vitamin K

Vitamin K is among the most important vitamins in your body because it helps promote blood circulation. Adding vitamin K to your skincare routine helps your skin repair damage more quickly. Meanwhile, vitamin K also soothes redness and irritation, eliminates unwanted pigmentation and even helps make your skin more resilient and thus more resistant to damage and wrinkles. Like vitamin C, vitamin K can also help protect your skin from free radicals.

9. Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid acts to thoroughly cleanse your skin while also helping to shrink your pores. Glycolic acid molecules are tiny, so they are able to penetrate the skin deeply to eliminate dead skin cells and promote the skin rejuvenation process.

10. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an extremely powerful moisturizing agent. If your skin is naturally dry, vitamin E is a must-have. If your skin is already oily, however, you may opt to skip products with this ingredient.

With plenty of choices, you are sure to find a great anti-aging serum to fit your skin’s needs.

Resources— Real Simple, Lovely Skin, Web MD

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