7 Skin Savers Ingredients

Total Beauty consulted the most sought-after clinical skin care experts to find out which ingredients they believe in the most.
See why these skin savers made the list – and where to find them.

Peptides
What: Short chains of amino acids, found in protein
Why: They act as messengers between the outer layer of skin, (epidermis) and the inner
layer (dermis) to trigger the healing process and rebuild the skin. Different peptide
types (i.e. Metrixyl and Argireline) have different functions, including reducing dark
under-eye circles, lessening the appearance of fine lines and fooling the skin into
thinking it's making more collagen.
Where to find them: Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, US$18.99

Vitamin C
What: An antioxidant that naturally occurs in most animals and plants (but not humans)
Why: Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, stimulates collagen and helps protect the skin
from sun damage. Applied topically, it can firm, smooth, improve hyperpigmentation and
lessen fine lines.

Retinol
What: A vitamin A derivative that acts on DNA to promote healthy keratinocytes, cells that
make up most of the epidermis
Why: Retinol is a powerful ingredient that has really benefited skin on a molecular level
It works well even in over-the-counter products to thicken skin, promote collagen production, improve skin tone and elasticity and reduce fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
What: Synthetically produced or naturally occurring acids, often found in plants and milk
Why: AHAs like glycolic, lactic and polyhydroxy fruit acids make a significant impact even
after just several uses by removing dead skin cells. They help exfoliate the skin which is
important for skin renewal

Growth Factors
What: Naturally occurring proteins that stimulate cell growth
Why: Our skin loses 1 percent of its fibrolasts [its structural framework of tissues] and
thickness per year. Growth factors help improve the health of sun-damaged, aging skin by triggering the skin's rejuvenating process, which results in new collagen, new elastic tissue and new blood vessel formation. (Translation: fewer deep lines and wrinkles.)

Olive Leaf Extract
What: Also known as OLE, this antioxidant is derived from an ancient remedy, the leaves of the olive tree.
Why: The olive leaf has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic (or anti-itching)effects. OLE can calm and heal rosacea and even cystic acne. Chronic inflammation will impair the skin's ability to repair itself and will speed up the aging process.

Sunscreen
What: A natural or chemical substance (or series of substances) that helps protect the skin
from the sun's harmful rays
Why: Sunscreen is perhaps the most important anti-aging product to have. Although a modest amount of UV exposure is healthy and promotes Vitamin D production, too much can deplete the skin of antioxidants, promote free radicals and decrease collagen and elastin production. Skin then becomes thinner, weaker and more rigid, with more wrinkles and brown spots. It's critical to find a sunscreen that protects against UVB, which causes sunburn and skin cancer, and UVA, which can cause wrinkles and play a role in skin cancer.

Extracted from Total Beauty