Unfortunately, aging is an inevitable part of life. While we can't stop wrinkles, crow's feet, eye bags and frown lines from haunting us (unless you have incredible genes), there are plenty of beauty products on the market that can prevent these common signs of aging. That being said, we must be wary of the products we use on our skin. Many anti-aging products contain harmful ingredients that can make your skin worse. Here are a few things to look out for when considering anti-aging products.
[Photos: Shutterstock]
Pick up the last anti-aging product you purchased. Does it say hypoallergenic? No? Well, it should! Otherwise, you're potentially putting allergenic chemicals right on your face, wreaking havoc on your skin. "The vast majority of moisturizers that are best-sellers have some form of potential skin allergen," says Dr. Steve Xu, a dermatologist at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine. That means you must be very careful when purchasing anti-aging products. Make sure you read the ingredients carefully.
Synthetic fragrance is another ingredient that should NOT be in your anti-aging products as it can irritate your skin and even trigger asthma and allergies. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fragrance is the biggest cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Opt for anti-aging products that have natural fragrance from botanticals or essential oils instead.
Dr. Xu also recommends using single-ingredient products like cocoa and shea butters and sunflower oil. Anti-aging products that have ingredients like these may prove to be beneficial for those with sensitive skin. You should also know that "dermatologist-tested" isn't a good reason to buy just any ol' product. "There's no way of knowing how many dermatologists are recommending it, or who they are," NPR reports.
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment
This clinically tested anti-aging eye cream is perfect for combating under-eye wrinkles specifically. This Origin's eye cream contains Anogeissus, a botantical extract that prevents collagen breakdown. "The bark of Anogeissus is particularly concentrated into compounds able to stimulate the natural production of fibrillin, which is responsible for helping to support the structure of the skin,"
says Dr. Annelise Lobstein, professor of pharmacognosy at the University of Strasbourg. "The facial appearance becomes firmer and lifted, contributing ultimately to reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and the visible signs of skin aging.”
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Treatment ($46.00)