The Ingredients In Olay Regenerist Uv Defense Regenerating Lotion Spf 15

Olay markets its regenerating lotion as an anti-aging treatment to help restore some of your skin's original firmness, texture and color. The manufacturer includes sun protection, which the American Academy of Dermatology ranks as one of the most beneficial ingredients for preventing and reducing signs of aging in the skin. A quick look at the lotion's label reveals that many other ingredients are used.

Sunscreen

To achieve its sunscreen protection factor of 15, Olay adds several sunscreen ingredients to its regenerating lotion. This includes octisalate, ensulizole, titanium dioxide, UVA-blocking avobenzone---skincare tester Paula Begoun recommends both avobenzone and titanium dioxide as effective sunscreen ingredient---and UVB-blocking octocrylene.

Water

Water is the ingredient found in the largest proportions in Olay's lotion.

Moisturizers

Glycerin acts as the chief moisturizing compound in Olay's lotion. It works by trapping moisture in your skin. Begoun praises glycerin for its efficacy. Additionally, Olay reports that it uses glycerin to improve the lotion's "spreadability." More moisturizing power comes from panthenol, which Olay reports gets converted by your body into a B-vitamin, isopropyl isostearate, wax in the form of isoparaffin and polyacrylamide.

Anti-Aging Ingredients

Olay adds niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, to its lotion, saying this water-soluble vitamin helps to improve skin circulation and also reduces discolorations and wrinkles. Additionally, Olay uses palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 and carnosine, both which it states work to reduce inflammation while improving the regeneration of skin cells.

Several vitamins also appear on the ingredient list. Topical vitamin use may help to improve the skin's health and appearance, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. This includes ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, and tocopheryl acetate, or vitamin E.

Alcohol

Alcohol helps to keep the oils and other ingredients from separating in Olay's lotion, reports CosmeticsInfo.org, an ingredients database operated by the Personal Care Products Council. Forms of alcohol include cetyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol, benthyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol.

Silicone

Dimethicone and dimethiconol are both forms of silicone. Not only do they help moisturize the skin, but they also physically fill in any fine lines or crevices on your skin. This can help to instantly improve the cosmetic appearance of your skin's surface.

Herbs

You'll find several herbal ingredients in Olay's lotion. This includes allantoin, an herbal preservative derived from comfrey root, and green tea leaf extract which appears on the label as Carmellia sinensis leaf extract.

Preservatives and Stabilizers

Preservatives and stabilizers help keep the Olay lotion from spoiling and ensure that it continues to work effectively once you open it. Otherwise, the ingredients may go bad or bacteria may grow inside the bottle. According to the Personal Care Products Council, preservatives and stabilizers include laureth-7, triethanolamine, PEG-100 stearate, ammonium polyacrylate, carbomer, numerous parabens---ethylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben---and disodium EDTA.

Fragrances

Olay adds fragrances to help disguise the chemical scents and give the lotion a more pleasant smell. The specific chemicals used for the fragrance are not disclosed on the ingredients list.