While hypoallergenic skin care products are good for every skin type, they are especially important to maintaining healthy skin as you age. Over time and with body changes, your skin grows thinner, less elastic and, therefore, more sensitive. Allergens and irritants can cause more damage and take longer to repair than when you were young. Consumers have many choices in anti-aging products that protect and renew cellular tissue without disturbing the balance of more sensitive skin.
Regimen
According to the Skin Sciences Institute, anti-aging skin care should follow four major steps: cleansing with a moisturizing soap, liquid or cream cleanser; hydrating with a moisturizing cream; using sunscreen every day; and using an exfoliating emollient cream made to reduce wrinkles.
Time Frame
Although healthy skin won't show signs of aging until later in life, young skin undergoes incremental damage every day. Therefore, following dermatologist tips for anti-aging skin care as early as possible can prevent deep wrinkles or weathered skin over the long term. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that 80 percent of your lifetime sun exposure occurs by about age 18. Starting early as early as childhood with daily sunscreen and routine hygiene will keep your skin looking its best.
Function
Hypoallergenic products in general produce fewer allergic reactions in healthy skin than regular formulas of cosmetic products. The need to reduce skin reactions increases with age, because skin cells use resources less efficiently as you grow older. Skin that is already dry, for example, suffers greatly from inflammation, which exacerbates dryness. This can lead to cracked skin and fingernails and possible infection. Dermatologists at the AAD suggest that everything you regularly put on your aging skin be hypoallergenic and non-drying.
Identification
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate cosmetic products based on the terms "hypoallergenic" and "anti-aging," which have no set industry standards. The AAD instructs consumers to perform their own home allergy tests with new products and to purchase only anti-aging compounds with proven active ingredients, such as retinoids and hydroxy acids. Before using a cleanser or face cream as directed, apply a small amount to healthy skin on your inner forearm twice daily for five days. Redness, dryness, itching or bumps mean that you should discontinue using that cosmetic product.
Product Specifics
Hypoallergenic cosmetic products should contain no fragrance or color, which are two major contributors to skin irritation, reports the AAD. For dry skin, moisturizers should include a high oil content present in cream, ointment and oil formulations. Sunscreen is most effective at SPF 30 or greater strength, and anti-aging night creams and exfoliants should include ingredients such as retinol, azelaic acid, tocopheryl acetate and hydroxy acids.
Member Comments