There are a lot of things that can put years on us. Teenagers, trying to buy health insurance, rush hour traffic and mobile phone companies, never mind Covid-19 added to the mix.
But you know, sometimes things seem a little easier when you know that you don’t look as old as you feel!
Anti-Aging Creams
Many Pots
Many Promises
(Apparently, some can even make you look like Jennifer Aniston?!)
BUT, are they like Renseal and do exactly what they say on the tin?
As the aging population of Kirwan’s Pharmacy, we decided to do the investigating for you.
The results are in!
1.Collagen: Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, found in skin, bones and muscles. Think of it as scaffolding. As we age, collagen production in the body decreases, and as a result, things start to sag and bag.
However, we can tell you to ignore all those pots and tubes screaming ‘contains collagen’ at you, as collagen is far too big a molecule to be absorbed into the skin. So you can save your money in not buying that one.
2.Vitamin C: We are all familiar with Vitamin C, which by the way, despite popular belief, does very little to prevent the common cold.
However, applied to the skin, it can stimulate collagen production. It also acts as an antioxidant and helps to protect against the damaging effects of the sun, smoke and pollution (and speaking of these three factors, some of the best and scientifically recognised ways to prevent skin aging is to stop smoking and wear a moisturiser with at least factor 20 in it every day. Radiation from the sun can alter a skin cells DNA and cause it to alter its function leading to damage and even cancer!) Smoking constricts blood vessels and so decreases the oxygen supply to the skin. Not enough oxygen isn’t good for any part of you!!!
3.Hyaluronic Acid: Some years ago, people working on snail farms in China, observed that the skin on their hands was incredibly soft and smooth, Science stepped in and discovered Hyaluronic Acid. This acid is present in your skin and again levels decrease with age. This draws moisture into the skin leaving it smoother and plumping out wrinkles.
It’s also very good for people with dry skin such as eczema.
4.Co-Enzyme Q (COQ): Well, we were initially very skeptical about this one as it is much advertised as an oral supplement, which is fairly useless unless you have some very rare disease.
HOWEVER, applied to the skin it provides an energy boost to skin cells allowing them to regenerate and repair.
5.Ceramides: Ceramides are oily, substances that occur naturally in our skin making up to 50% of our skins natural barrier.
Our production of ceramides decreases as we age, especially after the menopause, but the good news is that applying them to the skin as cream does work. Even better, apply it to damp to lock in moisture.
Again, it is not just good for aging skin, but for dry skin conditions too.
6.Smile: Smiling definitely takes years off you. Victoria Beckham is wrong! Creams containing these ingredients do not have to cost a fortune to work.
The Nivea range contains products with Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q.
The new CeraVe Range, contains Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides. All are now in stock. BUT remember, that patience is required and any products should be given 2-3 months to have an effect. Here’s to looking AND feeling younger in 2021!
