Choosing an AntiAging Skin Care Product

What is the Best Anti-Aging Skin Care for Sensitive Skin?

I learned these tips for choosing the right antiaging skin care product the hard way, with trial and error experience! I hope what I've learned can help you to avoid the problems I've run into when trying to find the best anti-aging skin care for sensitive skin.

I've also included some information here on how to find the safest and healthiest anti-aging skin care ingredients.

If you are looking for an antiaging skin care product and you have sensitive skin, you have probably been "around the block" trying different antiaging skin care creams or lotions, and ending up with itching, burning, inflammation or even acne outbreaks!!

This can be really upsetting if you are, like me, getting older and would like to look your best, even with sensitive skin!!

I personally don't believe that there is one antiaging skin care product that can meet all your needs. Rather, I believe that beauty radiates from within, and that by taking good care of your body and your skin, you will look naturally beautiful!

That being said, I am always open to getting a little extra help from mother nature! :-)

Well, I have passed the half a century mark myself, and practically burned my face off once or twice trying the latest and greatest natural antiaging skin care product!

They were supposed to be safe for sensitive skin, but not my skin. Ouch!! :(

Hopefully you won't have to go through what I have to learn about what is the best anti-aging skin care for YOUR sensitive skin.

I encourage you to be cautious, read labels, and TEST every antiaging skin care product FIRST on the inside of your arm or behind your ear.

Then you will avoid looking like a hot tomato after trying something that just didn't work for you! :-)

Alright, first, the bad news!

Many of the ingredients used in anti-aging skin care products are quite irritating to sensitive skin. Some are downright toxic and are restricted in some countries.

Let's take a look at the traditional antiaging skin care product and what some of their ingredients are.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids - These are also known as AHAs and are acids derived from fruit and milk enzymes. AHA is an exfoliant and it does work well, if you can handle it! It reduces wrinkles, evens out skin tone and age spots and may decrease enlarged pores.

The bad news about AHA is that it can be very irritating and cause a stinging, itching and burning effect on your skin. This is generally true with the high concentrations found in most anti-aging skin care products.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids also have a side effect of increased sun sensitivity. It is really important if you use AHA to use a good sunscreen with it.

My own experience with AHA is that it worked fine for me when I was younger. Then... I got older!! Apparently skin DOES get more sensitive as we age.

Anyways, I missed the benefits of AHA when I had stop using it, and 'settled' for having more wrinkles! Then recently I noticed that my skin was looking nicer again after I started using a new hypoallergenic toner . I checked the ingredients and was amazed to see that the toner contains a gentle, milk based form of AHA's. It causes no burning, even when I get it in my eyes! I believe that the milk based AHA's are much gentler, especially in a low concentration.

Nowadays many antiaging skin care product formulas contain Beta Hydroxy Acid instead of AHA, which is considered to be less irritating. Some also contain both AHA and BHA.

The only problem with using AHA with BHA is that the Beta Hydroxy acid contains salicylic acid, which is considered a high hazard by safe cosmetics researchers, and is not recommended for use by pregnant women.

People who are sensitive to salicylates should stay away from both AHA and BHA.

Beta-Hydroxy Acid - As I mentioned, this is also known as BHA and is considered less irritating than AHA. It is used not only in antiaging skin care products but in many acne skin care products. BHA is an exfoliant and improves skin color and texture.

BHA contains Salicylic acid which is considered a high hazard ingredient that is currently banned or restricted in the EU, and is linked to harm to the immune system, cancer, and organ system toxicity.

Salicylic acid builds up in the body and the environment, is linked to endocrine disruption, and according to the National Library of Medicine is a known human immune system toxicant.

Those of us with sensitive skin can minimize our outbreaks and skin eruptions by limiting our exposure to salicylic acid and other salicylates which can cause allergic reactions.

DMAE - also known as Dimethylamenoethanol is a substance present in anchovies, salmon and sardines which boosts production of acetylcholine in the brain, which, according to a number of researchers, reduces age related cognitive decline. Recent studies suggest that DMAE can help in reversing wrinkles and facial sagging.

The only problem with DMAE is that it is considered a high hazard by safe cosmetics researchers, who have noted that this ingredient is strongly linked to allergies and immune system toxicity, skin irritation, and irritation to the eyes and the lungs. There are some concerns that this ingredient may be contaminated with formaldehyde.

According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review there is strong evidence that DMAE is a human skin toxicant and according to the National Library of Medicine is a Known human immune system toxicant. It is not safe to be used in aerosols and is restricted in Japan.

Hydroquinone is a skin lightener that is used to reduce age spots by lowering the melanin in your skin. Considered a high hazard by safe cosmetics researchers because it has been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and toxicity to the brain and nervous system.

It is also linked to allergies and toxicity to the immune system and to other organ systems of the body. It causes irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs, and is a known human respiratory toxicant. Hydroquinone is Restricted for use in Canada.

Retinol and Retinyl Palmate - Is a Vitamin A compound which is considered a moderate hazard. Warnings on the labels of Retinol product tell us to avoid vitamin A derivatives if you are pregnant or may become pregnant because they increase the risk of birth defects.

In Canada Retinol is on the list of Prohibited and Restricted Cosmetics Ingredients. Vitamin A and Retinol tend to accumulate in the liver and I recommend you avoid using it if you have sensitive skin.

Argireline - Is considered an "over the counter" alternative to Botox. It reduces depth of facial wrinkles, and is considered by researchers to a moderate hazard because its use is linked to organ and brain toxicity.

OK, I want to tell you the truth here, but I hope all that wasn't too much of a downer! You might by now think that you're doomed to sagging and bagging in your golden years!!

The news isn't all bad though, because there are plenty of MUCH safer and equally effective antiaging skin product ingredients that you can use.

Although this does not guarantee that your sensitive skin will not have a reaction to the ingredients, you are MUCH less likely to have a bad reaction with anti-aging skin care ingredients that are gentler and safer.

Here is a short list of some of the safer antiaging skin care product ingredients which have been shown by research to be safe and not toxic.

These first three ingredients are some of the most effective, and also the least allergy producing. Alpha Lipoic Acid - Restores elasticity to the skin, calms inflammation, reduces dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, decreases fine lines and wrinkles, helps to heal minor scarring, and reduces enlarged pores. Helps restore the skin from the cellular level, promotes tissue cell regeneration and circulation.

Vitamin C - Reduces wrinkles and protects the skin from environmental pollutants. Increase collagen production.

Vitamin E - A well researched, effective antioxidant which improves skin moisture it's ability to protect against environmental toxins. Accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin E Succinate is safe and has no known side effects, but Vitamin E the form of Tocopherol Acetate it is moderately hazardous, being linked to allergies and immune system problems, reproductive and organ system toxicity. It is also know for lingering in body tissues and the environment for years after exposure. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review it is considered a human skin toxicant.

Make sure your antiaging skin care product contains Vitamin E Succinate, and not Tocopherol Acetate! The Hydrovive anti aging skin care products are hypoallergenic and contain all the safe, effective antiaging ingredients without any of the more irritating ones.

These next few anti-aging skin care ingredients can be slightly more irritating to sensitive skin than the above three ingredients, but are safe and may work well for your skin.

Copper Peptide - These enhance wound healing, stimulate production of collagen, promote skin regeneration, and may enhance the action of antioxidants.

Green Tea - contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, reduces sun damage, and is safe for those who are not allergic to salicylates which some people are sensitive to.

Collagen promotes skin hydration and firms the skin while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Coenzyme Q10 or Ubiquinone is used to prevent and repair damage done by the sun. Not only does it prevent and repair, it also encourages new cell growth and is a proven antioxidant.

Berries such as blueberries and strawberries contain ellagic acid, and a whole host of antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories which reduce visible signs of aging.

In addition to using a safer antiaging skin care product, there are a few other things you can do to help your aging skin to remain healthy, vibrant and radiant.

• Eat Healthy - Eating processed and foods, and excess sugar and salt will definitely age you! People tell me all the time that they can't believe how old I am. I have never been one to obsess about my looks, and have never done a lot of beauty treatments. It is my healthy diet that has made the difference.

  Eat lots and lots of fresh veggies and fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and foods that are close to their natural state as possible. Eat organic whenever you can. If you eat meat or dairy products, choose organic as it will be free of hormones that are fed to commercial livestock.

• Exercise Your Body - It is very important to move your body regularly, which improves circulation, creates a healthy glow in your skin and also helps all the systems of your body to work more efficiently. Find something you really love and commit to it!

• Exercise Your Face - It is absolutely amazing the results you can attain by starting a regular program of facial exercise . This is so much healthier and less expensive than expensive face lifts and cosmetic surgeries. I've been doing this for a few months now and I'm already seeing results, and also getting less headaches!

  I've been doing this now for almost a year. I need to update my photos but you can see my initial results with facial exercise.

• Drink Plenty of Pure Water - This is the most overlooked anti-aging natural beauty secret. Water helps your body release toxins and promotes healthy and radiant skin. When you don't get enough water, your whole system becomes sluggish, tired, and toxic. There are whole systems of natural health that have cured many illnesses simply by increasing the amount of pure, clean water that you drink every day!

• Don't Smoke - Smoking causes the blood vessels in the top layers of your skin to narrow, and damages collagen and elastin, which results in premature wrinkling and sagging of the skin.

I have found the Cleure Hydrovive Anti-aging System to be remarkably effective and very simple to use. It is made for all skin types and the simple mixture of cleanser, toner, day and night creams, gentle exfoliation and a facial mask does wonders for my skin. When I wake up in the morning after using the night cream, my skin is moist and radiant.

Even better, is it affordable, MUCH more so that so many antiaging skin care products which charge and arm and a leg for less than an ounce of product! You can read my skin care product review about my customer experiences.

I sometimes rotate the skin creams I use, and several times a year I get a jar of MyChelle Supreme Polypeptide Cream which is one antiaging skin care product that I rotate with the Cleure Day cream. I find the Polypeptide cream is a great solution for wrinkles. It does not have the same sun protection benefits as the Cleure Day Cream so I rotate them, or use them both!

The MyChelle products are all quite safe, although I do not consider them 100% hypoallergenic as they contain botanicals. They do have a number of antiaging skin care product choices in their line. I have tried many, and like I said, burned my face a few times!!

I did however find another product that I still use which is great and has worked very well for my sensitive skin, called Notox Anti-Wrinkle Serum which does visibly reduce wrinkles on my face. It is a more expensive antiaging skin care product that I generally like to pay for, but I have to say, it works very well and makes such a difference in my appearance that I am willing to splurge a few times a year to get some!

Recently my friend Carolyn who created the fantastic facial exercise program I told you about has created an amazing line of safe, natural anti-aging skincare products that are producing fabulous results for people. I am looking forward to trying these myself!

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