Top 7 Ways to Fight Aging with Skincare

May 25, 2010 - PRLog -- With thousands of products purporting to be the latest and greatest fix for your aging skin, it can be more than a little confusing – or overwhelming – for even the most savvy consumer.  The science of skincare is making significant advancements in the time it takes for your barista to serve your daily cuppa.

So what’s a busy woman like you to do?  Don’t get left behind.  (And don’t worry if high school science was never your forte!)  Here’s our simple guide to all the ways your favourite skincare products are waging war against aging skin, and what you should look for on the ingredients label.

1.     The target: mitochondrial decay

Mitochondria are cellular power stations responsible for producing the majority of energy in each and every cell of your body. All key processes depend on mitochondria for the supply of energy. Unfortunately, mitochondria are also responsible for the majority of the oxidative damage in cells because most of the free radicals are by-products of the mitochondrial fuel cycle. Since oxidative damage and decreased energy production are hallmarks of aging, mitochondria are believed to play the key role in the aging process.

Ingredients to look for:  acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, idebenone, carnosine, benfotiamine, thiamine, rhodiola, Glissandrin ((-)schisandrin B, schisandrin B).

2.     The target: hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances, especially depleted hormones, are considered to contribute to aging.  To address the issue, some skincare products are incorporating ingredients that stimulate or replenish depleted hormones as a way to counteract aging.

Ingredients to look for: melatonin, growth hormone, DHEA, coconut oil, metformin, kinetin.

3.     The target: cellular matrix depletion

The depletion of intra-cellular matrix components, and the deterioration of the matrix structure, have been recognized as a cause of wrinkles, fine lines, loss of suppleness, and other visible signs of skin aging.  Stimulating the production of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and other intra-cellular matrix components has been a common approach to fighting skin aging.  

Ingredients to look for: peptides, Glissandrin ((-)schisandrin B, schisandrin B).

4.     The target: oxidative damage

Oxidative damage due to free radicals is widely accepted as a cause of aging. Accordingly, antioxidants are the most ubiquitous of all anti-aging ingredients.  The majority of antioxidants work by scavenging free radicals; however, a number of recent studies have raised the question of whether these “free-radical scavenging” antioxidants are actually able to bring long term anti-aging benefits.

Ingredients to look for: vitamin C, vitamin E, lipoic acid, CoQ10, polyphenols, resveratrol, anthocyanidin, flavonoids, Glissandrin ((-)schisandrin B, schisandrin B).

5.     The target: external factors

Many products aim to protect the skin from harmful external stimuli, such as harsh weather conditions and exposure to the sun.  Brown spots, also known as age spots, are hyperpigmentation caused by accumulated damage from UV exposure, as well as by the skin’s renewal process slowing down.

Ingredients to look for: vitamin E, licorice extract, ferulic acid, bearberry extract, and waltheria indica leaf extract, Glissandrin ((-)schisandrin B, schisandrin B).

6.     The target: cellular damage

Since the health of cells is directly related to the appearance of the skin, many anti-aging products focus on maintaining proper performance, metabolism, growth, and turnover of skin cells.

Ingredients to look for: Glissandrin ((-)schisandrin B, schisandrin B,) sirtuin, idebenone, retinol, DMAE.  (Recently, the safety of DMAE has been called into question.)

7.     The target: inflammation

Inflammation is a vital defence mechanism essential for our survival, and yet it seems to contribute to our aging and degenerative disease.  Inflammation is characterized by a number of phenomena, including increased local blood flow, migration and activation of the immune cells in the affected area, release of large amounts of free radicals, destruction of normal tissue, and deposit of scar tissue.

Ingredients to look for: vitamin C, vitamin E, peptides, chamomile, aloe, allantoin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, Glissandrin (schisandrin A).

Given the latest scientific research, anti-aging skincare products must take a holistic approach, especially in regards to the ability of the ingredients to reverse mitochondrial decay and to support the intrinsic cellular ability to fight oxidative damage, rather than solely scavenge for free radicals.

Remember: like in any battle, you must understand your opponents and target their weaknesses.  Good luck!

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About Glissandra

Glissandra™ is the first bioceutical skincare regimen proven to effectively reduce the visible signs of skin aging and promote the healthy appearance of skin. At the core of its success lies Glissandrin,™ an innovative ingredient powered by the youth-preserving properties of the Schisandra berry. Backed by 17 years of groundbreaking research, Glissandrin™ combines a proprietary suite of natural compounds with leading-edge science to target the major underlying cause of skin aging – mitochondrial decay. This 3-Step Skincare System is a comprehensive solution that dramatically reduces the visible signs of aging and restores skin’s youthful appearance.