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| Anti Aging : Anti Wrinkle : |
Anti Wrinkle CreamThe favorite ingredients in anti-wrinkle creams are the free radical scavengers, antioxidants. Free radicals are molecules where there is only one electron, rather than the usual pair, making them highly reactive. Free radicals occur naturally in the body and snatch their missing electron from anything close by; potentially causing a molecular chain reaction that disrupts cellular processes and cause cell damage. Free radicals are a prime factor in aging skin. There is a range of antioxidants used in anti-wrinkle creams, and some are better at penetrating the skin than others. The antioxidants used in skin care are derived from Vitamins A, E and C. The derivatives of Vitamins A (retinol) and E combat free radicals. Vitamin C is used in the construction of collagen. Other antioxidants work by exfoliating the dead skin on the surface to reveal newer, younger-looking skin underneath. Still others create a barrier to prevent moisture loss from the cells. Claims for retinol derivatives say it can reduce the appearance of lines and reduce skin roughness, and blotchiness. There is some research that says retinol can increase the thickness of the epidermis. But as the molecules are large, they can't fit though the skin unless combined with substances that make the holes in the lipid matrix bigger. Vitamin E is the most widely used ingredient in skin care products, used for its moisturising and antioxidant properties. According to Finnin, new derivatives of Vitamin E do penetrate skin properly and "might have some beneficial effects". Other substances widely advertised in skin care as having anti-aging effects are collagen and elastin. Collagen is the most common protein in the human body. It forms vast sheet-like structures that support the skin's framework. Elastin is a stretchy protein that binds skin together, giving skin its flexibility. Wrinkled skin has less cross-linked elastin. Despite the claims, adding elastin and collagen has no effect on the skin, except to retain moisture; the size of molecules means they can't be delivered across the skin.
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