Products for Wrinkles & Brown Patches on the Face

Products for wrinkles and brown spots on the face are aimed at both protecting and repairing the skin. As we age, our skin goes through naturally occurring stages. There are products available to help lessen the effects of time. The more expensive product is not necessarily the best, says the Mayo Clinic.

Antioxidants

Wrinkles and brown spots (often called "age spots") occur when free radicals damage the skin cells, states the Mayo Clinic. Products that contain antioxidants fight free radicals. An antioxidant in many skin care products is a vitamin A compound known as retinol. When wrinkle creams were introduced to the marketplace, retinol was the active ingredient. Vitamin A is one of the few nutrients that can be absorbed into the skin, says the American Academy of Dermatologists. Retinol can be mixed with other skin care nutrients and found in moisturizers, creams, serums and lotions or can be the only nutrient in products such as retinol cream. Retinol can help with both wrinkles and brown spots. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is another antioxidant that diminishes the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin C can help stimulate the body's natural collagen production, states agenotes.com. Collagen helps fill in wrinkle lines and improve skin tone, giving the skin a younger appearance.

Hydroquinone

For those who want to improve the appearance of brown spots, agenotes.com recommends products that contain hydroquinone as the active ingredient. Brown spots are the result of a buildup of melanin in the skin from sun exposure, aging or skin hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone can help decrease this buildup and is included in over-the-counter products such as creams. More potent formulations can be prescribed by a dermatologist.

Sunscreen

According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to the sun is the leading preventable cause of wrinkles and brown spots on the face. The use of a sunscreen is highly recommended for skin health even for people who are not sun bathers; for best results, it should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Products such as foundations, lotions, moisturizers, powders and creams often contain a sunscreen.

Hydration

According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, a skin care product must provide hydration. As we age, our skin loses its natural moisture. Moisturizers are specifically designed to make the skin softer, and by providing hydration can help decrease the appearance of fine wrinkles, fight discoloration, improve skin tone and increase the skin's elasticity.

References

Article reviewed by joyce sexton Last updated on: Feb 2, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments