By Beauticia
With an endless array of anti-aging potions and lotions available to us, how do we know which products are the best and indeed if some of them work at all? I don’t know about you, but I resent paying a lot of money for a product that doesn’t do what it claims (memories of La Mer spring to mind). Or even worse, is irritating or damaging to my skin (yes, there are lots of these out there too).
Paula Begoun, author of Don‘t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me recently released a special report on Anti-Aging Superstars. This lady knows her stuff. Before I buy any new product, I’ll check out her book or refer to her product review website www.beautypedia.com which contains thousands of reviews from a huge selection of brands.
She’s a consumer advocate extraordinaire and unlike magazine beauty editors, actually knows what she’s talking about by keeping up-to-date and fully informed about the science and marketing manoeuvres behind the cosmetics industry.
So what does she have to say about the best anti-aging products? First and foremost, she says the best anti-aging products from any skin-care company should include the following ingredients:
Sunscreen
The superstar of all superstars in the anti-aging category; of course, it must be a broad-spectrum sunscreen product rated SPF 15 or greater. Sunscreen isn’t nearly as sexy or exciting as the latest anti-wrinkle cream dressed up in slick packaging, but when applied correctly (meaning liberally, daily, and before your skin encounters any daylight, 365 days a year) it is your best defence against wrinkles, discolorations, loss of firmness, and dullness.
Exfoliants
Can remove built-up layers of dead, rough, thickened, uneven surface skin cells that make skin look wrinkled and dry; for example, sun-damaged skin causes the outer layer of skin to become thick. Some exfoliants also have research showing they can increase collagen production and improve the structure of skin’s outer layer.
Antioxidants
reduce inflammation, repair DNA damage, restore the skin’s surface barrier, help defend against environmental stress, allow skin to build more collagen, and improve skin’s ability to heal. All antioxidants also effectively help fight sun damage. You still need sunscreen, but skin needs all the help it can get!
Cell-communicating ingredients
at least in theory, can “tell” skin cells to behave in a normal (meaning younger and undamaged) manner, leading to healthier and more normal functioning skin cells.
Skin-identical substances
that are the same as the natural components in skin that hold skin cells together and protect it, can replenish and restore the skin‘s external barrier, making it soft and supple, diminishing and potentially eliminating dryness with repeated use, building collagen, and helping skin defend itself from environmental factors.
Novel ingredients
at least some of them, can protect a skin cell’s membrane to keep it from being damaged by internal and external factors.
Abundant research makes it crystal clear that all of these ingredients are as good as it gets in the world of skin care to fight wrinkling and skin aging. These state-of-the-art ingredients, especially when combined in a cocktail approach, mixing an assortment of these elements into one product, are without question, the types of ingredients you need, regardless of the name on the label or the product category: lotion, cream, gel, serum, moisturizer, anti-aging, or anti-wrinkle. If the product doesn’t contain these ingredients, then why bother?
The sticker price won‘t help you.
There are lots of expensive products that cheat your skin and lots of inexpensive products that generously serve up what your skin needs, and vice versa.
You don‘t need an eye cream and don‘t buy jar packaging.
There is no research showing that eye-area skin needs something different from skin on the rest of your face. And do not buy any “anti-aging” product in jar packaging because if it does contain state-of-the-art ingredients they won’t remain stable once you’ve opened the jar and exposed the contents to air.
There Isn‘t a “Best” Ingredient…
…there are just lots of great ones. All of the ingredients listed above—antioxidants, skin-identical ingredients, and cell-communicating ingredients—are the leading elements that contribute to making a state-of-the-art moisturizer. And there are many brilliant formulations in stable packaging that include these substances. But, contrary to what cosmetics companies want you to believe about their products, there is no single miracle ingredient for skin. Month after month, new ingredients appear one after the other in the world of skin care, all claiming superiority over their predecessors. Even when there is research showing that the ingredient can be effective for skin, that doesn’t make it better or more essential than hundreds of other ingredients—it’s just another option, not a must have.
In brief, the best proven anti-aging ingredients are: AHAs and BHAs, retinol, vitamins C and E, Niacinamide (vitamin B), green and white tea, resveratrol, grape seed, curcuminoids, soy isofavones, pomegranate, ceramides and linoleic / linolenic acids / phospholipids.
And now, it’s time to name names. Below is Paula’s recommended A-list products in each of these categories (irrespective of price). A number of these brands are not available in Singapore, but where possible I’ve provided online shopping options at the end of the article and, if you really want something, there’s always Vpost!
Also look here
The A-List: Recommended Products
AHA and BHA (Topical Exfoliants)
- Paula´s Choice 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel, for All Skin Types
- Derma E AHA Alpha Hydroxy Acids Beauty Fluid
- DHC Renewing AHA Cream
- Dr. Perry Night Skin Active Skin Renewal
- Jason Natural New Cell Therapy 12½ Plus Moisturizing Oil Free Gel
- Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 10% Moisturizer
- Vivite Vibrance Therapy
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment
- Paula´s Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel
- Paula´s Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion
- Paula´s Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel
- Paula´s Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Liquid
- Paula´s Choice CLEAR Targeted Acne Relief Toner
- Paula´s Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Acne Relief Toner
- ProActiv Solution Clarifying Night Cream
- Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Acne Treatment Daytime Blemish Lotion SPF 15
Retinol
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream with 0.5% Pure Retinol
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream with 1.0% Pure Retinol
- Paula´s Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate Serum
- Paula´s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
- Paula´s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer
- Philosophy eye believe, deep wrinkle peptide gel
- Alpha Hydrox Retinol Night ResQ
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Night
Vitamin C
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Serum
- DDF C3 Plus Serum
- La Roche-Posay BioMedic Potent-C 10.5 Concentrate
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
- Paula´s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
- Jan Marini Skin Research C-ESTA Serum
- Cellex-C Serum for Sensitive Skin
Vitamin E
- Jason Natural Ester-C Lotion Anti-Oxidant Regenerating Moisturizer
- NeoStrata Daytime Protection Cream SPF 15, PHA 10
- Paula´s Choice Skin Recovery Toner
- Paula´s Choice Skin Recovery Moisturizer
- Paula´s Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
- RevaleSkin Night Cream
- Dermalogica AGE Smart Multi-Vitamin Power Firm, for Eye and Lip Area
- DHC Wrinkle Filler
Niacinamide
- Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer, Mature Skin Therapy
- Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum Fragrance-Free
- Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging DNA Superstructure UV Cream SPF 25
- Paula´s Choice Skin Balancing Toner
- Paula´s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream
- Paula´s Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
- Mary Kay TimeWise Even Complexion Essence
- Nia24 Skin Strengthening Complex
Sunscreen Actives for Normal to Oily Skin
- SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30
- Avon Anew Advanced All-in-One Max SPF 15 Lotion
- Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen Cream SPF 30
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Visibly Even Daily SPF 15 Moisturizer
- Paula´s Choice Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 and Antioxidants for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin
- Paula´s Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin
- Paula´s Choice Ultra-Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray for All Skin Types
- Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 15, for Oily Skin
- Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion SPF 50
Sunscreen Actives for Normal to Dry Skin
- BeautiControl Cell Block-C New Cell Protection SPF 20
- Elizabeth Arden Extreme Conditioning Cream SPF 15
- Good Skin All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30
- Mary Kay TimeWise Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25
- Paula´s Choice Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30+, for Normal to Dry Skin
- Paula´s Choice Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15 & Antioxidants for Normal to Dry Skin
- Jan Marini Skin Research Bioglycolic Facial Lotion SPF 15
- SkinCeuticals Sports UV Defense SPF 45
- Borghese Crema Straordinaria Da Giornio SPF 25
- Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream
Sunscreen Actives for Sensitive Skin
- Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25
- Dr. Perry Natural Block 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
- Good Skin All Calm Gentle Sunscreen SPF 25
- Paula´s Choice Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15
- Paula´s Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20
- Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Block SPF 32
- Boscia Illuminating UVA/UVB SPF 30
- BeautiControl Cell Block-C New Cell Protection SPF 20
Green/White Tea
- Good Skin All Firm Rebuilding Serum
- Mary Kay SPF 30 Sunscreen
- Olay Complete Ageless Skin Renewing UV Lotion SPF 20
- Paula´s Choice BHA products (various formulas
- Paula´s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
- Paula´s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Toner
- Paula´s Choice Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner
- DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy for Dry Skin
- M.D. Formulations Critical Care Calming Gel
- SkinMedica Solar Care Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 30+
Resveratrol
- Cellex-C Advanced-C Serum
- Cosmedicine MegaDose Skin Fortifying Serum
- Isomers Carnosine + Antioxidant Complex
- Serious Skin Care DNA Eye Beauty Treatment Cream
- Aloette Multi-Active Prevention Plus
Grape Seed
- Dr. Denese New York Triple Strength Wrinkle Smoother
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Antioxidant Firming Serum
- Paula´s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Toner for Normal to Dry Skin
- Paula´s Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion
- Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer for Dry Skin
- Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer for Normal/Combination Skin
Curcuminoids
- Avon Anew Advanced All-in-One Max SPF 15 Lotion
- BeautiControl Skinlogics Platinum Plus Brightening Day Crème
- Paula’s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer
- Paula’s Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
- Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Soy Isoflavones/Extract
- DDF Silky C Serum
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Antioxidant Firming Serum
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Oil-Free Moisture
- Paula´s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
- Paula´s Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask
- Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment
Pomegranate
- Borba Clarifying Complexion Shield SPF 15
- Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Radiance Serum
- Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment
- Murad Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15
- Paula´s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer
- Paula´s Choice HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion, for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin
Ceramides
- CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules
- Isomers Absolutes Anti Redness Serum
- MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Lotion
- Paula´s Choice Hydrating Treatment Cream
- Paula´s Choice Skin Balancing Toner
- Osmotics Cream Extreme Barrier Repair
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream with 0.5% Pure Retinol
Linoleic/Linolenic Acids/Phospholipids
- Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement
- Clinique Repairwear Deep Wrinkle Concentrate for Face and Eyes
- Dr. Denese New York HydroShield Eye Serum
- Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 15, for Oily Skin
- Good Skin Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler
- Kiss My Face Face Factor Face + Neck SPF 30
- M.D. Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Lotion
- M.A.C. Prep + Prime Line Filler
- Paula´s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream, for Normal to Dry Skin
- Paula´s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Toner for Normal to Dry Skin
Paula’s Choice products are available through www.paulaschoice.com.sg
NeoStrata, MD Formulations, SkinCeuticals, La Roche Posay and Obagi products are available in select pharmacies and through dermatologists’ offices.
Cellex-C, MD Skincare, MD Formulations, Murad and Peter Thomas Roth are available through www.strawberrynet.com
Jan Marini products are distributed in Singapore and Malaysia by Beauty World Skin Research, for information contact them at: bwmmsia@pd.jaring.my or tel: +6 019 223 8063.
