Which anti-aging ingredients are more effective?
As we age, due to physiological changes and other factors, the skin gradually begins to show signs of aging.
1. Signs of skin aging:
1. Fine lines around the eyes
2. Sagging skin, both on the face and body
3. Loosening muscles around the eyes, causing the outer corners to droop
4. Severe dehydration and dryness of the skin, sometimes accompanied by itching or flaking
5. Wrinkles on the neck
2. Introduction to four major anti-aging ingredients:
1. Peptides
Peptides are widely recognized as effective anti-aging ingredients. Peptides are a large family collectively known as “peptide compounds,” and different peptides serve different functions. Most anti-aging skincare products include peptides, as their greatest strength lies not only in their versatility but also in their gentleness. You can choose the type of peptide that best suits your skincare needs.
La Mer’s classic cream, for example, is great for dry skin and can be used by most skin types. It contains Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, as well as the legendary algae extract, which gently repairs the skin and helps fight aging.
2. Retinol
Retinol helps fight photoaging, inhibits melanin production, improves dullness, regulates skin metabolism, accelerates the shedding of keratinocytes, and increases the thickness of the skin barrier. It works not only on the surface of the skin but also penetrates into the dermis.
The relationship between retinoic acid and skin cells enables it to “instruct” the skin cells to function more normally, reducing damaged or aging skin cells. This is one of the reasons retinol is such an excellent anti-aging ingredient.
Neutrogena’s retinol serum is considered one of the most affordable and effective options. With a concentration of 0.15%, it is relatively gentle, and unless you have extremely sensitive skin, you can use it daily without experiencing noticeable peeling or irritation. For those new to retinol-based skincare, it’s best to start with lower concentrations like this one.
3. Bifida Ferment Lysate
Many high-end skincare products use Bifida Ferment Lysate as a core ingredient, and it’s most famous for being expensive. The first product to use Bifida Ferment Lysate was Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair serum.
Bifida Ferment Lysate helps protect against DNA damage and rapidly boosts the skin’s natural repair and regeneration capabilities. It is suitable for most skin types, and since it is a fermented product with a structure similar to that of biological cells, even those with sensitive skin can use it safely.
It’s particularly effective for skin that is prone to irritation, sensitivity, redness, or barrier damage, helping damaged skin cells gradually recover and become stronger.
4. Pro-Xylane
In addition to Bifida Ferment Lysate, Pro-Xylane is a rising star in the luxury skincare world and is even more potent in its anti-aging effects.
Pro-Xylane was first discovered by L’Oréal and is extracted from beech trees. It is a sugar molecule with a xylose structure that promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and stimulates collagen regeneration, helping the skin regain its youthful firmness and plumpness. It also stimulates the regeneration of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) to repair the skin barrier. Pro-Xylane is suitable for people who have undergone cosmetic procedures or whose skin barrier is damaged and in need of fast recovery.
