There’s no doubt about it, turning 30 is fabulous—what with the self-awareness and the sexual peaking and all. But there is a downside: the wrinkles and fine lines that used to make guest appearances in our 20s when we laughed, cried or got mad begin to dig in for the long haul.
It’s in our 30s that our skin starts to age. Physiologically, we begin to produce less collagen, which makes skin less elastic. On top of that, we sweat less. Less sweat translates into less natural moisturizer for the face. All of this adds up to the creation of fine lines and wrinkles.
The good news is that years ago scientists took up the cause of finding ways to turn back the clock on the aging process. In the field of dermatology, scientists have isolated three active ingredients that help slow the clock, says Dr. Shirley Madhere, a top Manhattan plastic surgeon.
You can purchase products with these three ingredients at the drugstore or at your dermatologist’s office. It doesn’t matter where you purchase them or how much they cost, the important thing is that the necessary active ingredients are in the products, says Madhere.
The three ingredients are:
Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Alpha hydroxy acids help to chemically exfoliate skin to produce a more radiant glow. For women with oily skin or women who are prone to acne, products with beta hydroxy acids are the way to go. A good way to fit this active ingredient into your skincare regimen is to use an alpha hydroxy face wash.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants help to fight off the acceleration of aging due to sun damage, pollution or stress. Antioxidants are the active ingredients in many moisturizers.
Retinol or a Vitamin A product: This component can actually help stimulate collagen production, which helps decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Madhere recommends three tiers of products with these active ingredients to her patients. In the less expensive tier are Neutrogena or Cetaphil products, which can be purchased at drugstores. The next tier up: the SkinCeutical line, which for the most part, can only be purchased in a dermatologist’s office. And lastly, the third tier: SkinMedica. This product line is the most expensive because it consists of a specifically tailored serum that is mixed at a dermatologists’ offices.
