Combat Skin Aging with These 6 Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredients

As we age, natural processes slow down, causing our bodies to change. Eventually with age you may notice your skin losing its youthful glow, developing fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging. While it is inevitable that natural skin aging will occur, how our skin ages can be affected by a range of factors. In this article we will look at some of the anti-aging active ingredients that can help to revive your skin, slow down skin aging, and leave you feeling your best self.

Retinol

Retinol is a retinoid that is a common ingredient in anti-aging skin care. Retinoids are compounds derived from vitamin A that are often referred to as one of the most potent anti-aging ingredients with several possible benefits.

Benefits

Stimulate collagen production.
Reducing inflammation.
Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and large pores.
Reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Unclogging blocked pores.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found your body. It helps retain moisture in your skin and eyes, and acts as a cushion and lubricant in the joints. It also plays an important role in your bodies healing processes.

Benefits

Help increase the moisture content in your skin.
Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Increases skin elasticity.
Help with wound healing and reduce scarring.

Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids which are the building blocks for proteins such as collagen and elastin in the skin. Peptides can be absorbed into the skin where they can be used by the body, stimulating your skin to make collagen.

Benefits

Increased collagen enhance skin firmness and elasticity.
Peptides can strengthen the skin barrier.
Reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Plump skin and lips.
Reduce inflammation.

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has many health benefits for your skin. Antioxidants fight harmful toxins (free radicals) that can damage your skin. By applying topical vitamin C you can help protect your skin from premature aging and promote collagen production.

Benefits

Slow premature aging caused by damage.
Protects skin from damage caused by external factors like the sun.
Reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Reduce under-eye circles.
May sooth sunburn and reduce inflammation.
May promote wound healing.

Bee Venom

Bee venom can be found in serums and moisturizers due to its unique properties. It has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Bee venom also contains melittin, a compound which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Studies have shown that bee-venom serum treatments significantly reduce wrinkles and their depth.1

Benefits

Stimulate production of collagen through the peptide melittin.
Increases blood flow to skin.
Reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
Has anti-inflammatory properties.
Aids in fighting acne through anti-bacterial effects.
May promote wound healing.

Manuka Honey

The potent antibacterial properties of Manuka honey is known globally. It is unique as it contains the antibacterial compound methylglyoxal. Manuka honey also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-viral benefits. As a natural humectant it can help your body retain moisture.

Benefits

Anti-inflammatory effect reduces redness and irritation.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that can cause skin damage.
Powerful anti-bacterial properties may help fight skin infections.
Helps retain and prevent moisture loss from skin.

Further Reading

Han SM, Hong IP, Woo SO, Chun SN, Park KK, Nicholls YM, Pak SC. The beneficial effects of honeybee-venom serum on facial wrinkles in humans. Clin Interv Aging. 2015 Oct 1;10:1587-92. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S84940. PMID: 26491274; PMCID: PMC4598227. [View Here]