Anti-Aging Key Ingredients

There are ingredients you should be looking for in a great anti-aging spa product line. Do you know what they are? Well, things change over time and there are new discoveries, new products and now new stem cell plant extracts that are making headlines. Here is a quick list at some of the anti-aging key ingredients that are good for your skin. If you have a favorite ingredient you would like to add please leave a note in our comments section!

White Tea
Some recent evidence suggests that white tea can help boost your body’s natural defenses by protecting the immune system. This is very important as our food supply tends to be weaker and we see outbreaks of bacteria more common. The better protected you are against “free radicals” (harmful bacteria) the better!  The secret of white tea is that the buds are gently plucked and air dried –  some leaves are steamed. The tea leaves remain closer to their natural state, enabling it to contain more polyphenols, the powerful antioxidant that fights disease and aging. White Tea is fast becoming  the new darling of the anti-aging key ingredients list!

Alpha-Lipoic-Acid
Alpha-lipoic-acid, is a sulfur-containing fatty acid that is found inside every cell of the body. It helps generate the energy to keep us functioning. Lipoic acid is a key part of the metabolic machinery that turns glucose (blood sugar) into energy for the body’s needs. It is regularly used as a powerful topical treatment for sun-damaged skin. Ingesting lipoic acid can help naturally neutralize harmful chemicals known as free radicals – molecules that cause aging and disease. Many people are taking supplements with anti-aging key ingredients as well.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) moisturizes skin from the inside out, smoothing out wrinkles and acts as an internal cosmetic to hydrate skin. It has been around for a while and has a long successful track record. Now it is being paired up with peptides to make your products work even better! HA is also a good solution for healthy joints and connective tissue.

Olive Oil

Olive Oil - used internally as well as in skincare. A super anti-aging ingredient!

Olive oil has high content of both monounsaturated fatty acids and anti-oxidative substances and it is well known for its healing abilities – especially in the Mediterranean. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels. It is considered a wonderful additive to your moisturizer – but don’t use too much! Always layer your lighter serums on your skin first and then protect your skin from harsh winter weather with a moisturizer containing olive oil.

Green Tea – leader of the anti-aging key ingredients!
The secret of green tea lies in its rich epigalloatechin gallate (EGCG) content. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant for the heart, immune system and has shown to inhibit blood clots. Some of the newer research on EGCG has linked green tea to actually rejuvenate ailing skin cells.  A anti-aging key ingredient!

“Cells that migrate toward the surface of the skin normally live about 28 days, and by day 20, they basically sit on the upper layer of the skin getting ready to die, but EGCG reactivates them. Green tea helps to heal wounds and accelerate skin cell differentiation. Reducing scars is one the the end results (as well).”  says Dr. Stephen Hsu, a cell biologist at the Medical College of Georgia.

Pay attention to this 28 day cycle with skin cells, you can sometimes anticipate a rosacea flare-up by charting these days – so staying away from spicy foods and red wine right before you know you will have a flare-up. That will minimize the rosacea flare-up.

Lycopene
I think many of us first discovered the benefits of Lycopene through a major organic line that uses it as a solution for acne. It is a bright red carotenoid pigment, found in tomatoes and other red fruits known for its antioxidant and sunscreen protection. Lycopene has shown very positive results in reducing the risk of prostate issues and improving skin texture.  It is not the solution for everyone – it tends to work well in formulas for oily skin. Give it a try and see if your skin can heal with Lycopene.

Cocoa
Cocoa butter has long been used topically in many skin creams and cosmetics because it is thought to be good for the skin. There are potential benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa in skin health. Certain components in cocoa may actually help improve the appearance of the skin by increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and help to support the skin’s defense against UV damage.

If you are considering purchasing a new skin care product. Be sure to check for the anti-aging key ingredients found here!

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