The Truth about Anti-Ageing Creams and Serums
Products that promise to help you recapture the beauty of youthful skin; products that guarantee brighter skin and the disappearance of those fine facial lines – Sound familiar? If you’ve ever wanted to know the truth about anti-ageing serums and creams, here are some things that’ll help you get to the bottom of it.
Turn the magazine pages and you’ll come across an ad extolling the goodness of an anti-ageing cream. Newspapers, television and even the internet are filled with such claims. It’s no wonder that many of us are taken in by these promises. But, do anti-ageing creams really work? Are they worth the hype? We explore this question below.
The Truth about Anti-ageing Creams
1. Popular Ingredients
Few welcome the effects of ageing. Seeing one’s youthful skin lose its elasticity and develop lines doesn’t exactly fill one with joy. Enter anti-ageing products that aim to hydrate and smooth over fine wrinkles. Many of these creams contain certain ingredients that are known to neutralise free radicals and increase the production of collagen. But, do anti-wrinkle creams actually work? Let’s look at a couple of more popular ingredients. Retinol is one that you’ll find in almost all anti-ageing products. It’s a vitamin A compound that stops free radicals from forming, which would otherwise destroy skin cells. It also contributes to collagen production. Vitamin C is another popular ingredient that attempts to prevent sun damage that can cause wrinkles.
2. Anti-ageing Serums vs. Creams
Serums are similar to creams but have a different consistency. The question whether serums or creams are better is one that’s confused many, as both claim to do a good job of fighting wrinkles. So, is serum good for the face or should you choose cream instead? That depends on how oily your skin is, how big your budget is, and how concentrated you want your product to be. Since serums don’t contain any oil or just very little, what you’re left with are solutions that are more concentrated and pricier. Skin absorbs them better, and it’s believed that they work more efficiently than creams. However, if you have dry skin, you may prefer the thickness of creams.
If you’re wondering when to start using anti-ageing creams or serums, it’s best to begin in your mid to late 20s. To see visible results, you need to use them consistently and combine them with good lifestyle choices. This means absolutely no smoking, as it causes the skin to lose elasticity. It also means protecting your skin against UV rays by using a very good sunscreen, an umbrella, and reducing the amount of time you spend under the sun. Drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, eating well and reducing stress are the other things you should do.
So, what’s the truth about anti-ageing serums and creams? They may work to a small extent, but nothing beats living a healthy lifestyle! Besides, once you stop using anti-ageing products, it’s very likely that your skin will return to its normal state.