Here you will learn about the differences between good and bad skincare products. You will also learn about the best anti-aging ingredients available today. The information is shared freely, because these are things that everyone needs to know.
First, let's look at the bad stuff.
I decided to start with the bad skincare products, because learning about them can be downright depressing. I promise to end the page on a positive, uplifting note.
The problems with most skincare products have to do with the ingredients the manufacturers choose to use. These are ingredients used by major supposed-to-be reputable companies that have been around for years.
I won't mention any brand names here in this bad section, because the list would be too long. Practically every company you can think of is guilty in one way or another.
Some of the ingredients are bad because they damage the environment. Some are bad for the health of the skin or other parts of the body.
Many of the chemicals in skincare products can pass through the skin. They can enter the bloodstream and lodge in the tissues of the body. That is not debatable. It has been scientifically proven.
Other ingredients are simply ineffective. Often the reason for their lack of effect is because they are molecules that cannot penetrate into the skin.
So, here's your list of bad stuff. It is by no means a complete list. There are plenty of other ingredients that should be avoided. The list here includes the ingredients that manufacturers decide to use most often.
- Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in hand soap, acne cleansers, body wash and other personal care products--pollutes the water and damages the underwater environment, contributes to the formation of drug resistant bacteria, may combine with chlorine in water to form cancer-causing chloroform gas
- Acrylamide and poly-acrylamide, used to make lotions and creams thicker--a chemical that can pass through the skin and enter the bloodstream--it is toxic to the central nervous system and can cause nerve damage
- Plastic micro-beads, used in exfoliants--they end up in the water supply and are not biodegradable. Wildlife can consume the beads and die as a result.
- Estradiol or estrogen, found in some anti-aging lotions and creams--a hormone that can penetrate through the skin and spur the growth of certain kinds of cancer--other ingredients such as cow placenta will contain estrogen as well as other hormones
- Mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, found in creams, lotions, cleansers and other personal care products--petroleum derivatives in general are bad for the environment, these are prone to contain contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known carcinogens--the ingredients are also a cause of premature aging. They cause pimples and are not compatible with the skin's natural pH level or its natural oils.
- Fragrance, found in practically all skincare products--the term is a general one that may refer to any combination of 5000 different chemicals, many of which are known allergens, irritants and toxins. Most cause irritation of the throat and nasal passages. They may also be toxic to the nervous system.
- Padimate O, octyl dimethyl, oxybenzone and benzophenone, sunscreen ingredients currently found in a vast array of skincare products--may actually increase your risk of skin cancer. They have been shown to convert the sun's energy to free radicals or cause direct DNA damage, the underlying cause of cancer. The last two are derivatives of benzene, a known carcinogen
- Parabens and other artificial preservatives, found in practically all skincare products and in packaged foods--parabens interfere with the body's natural production of hormones. This is involved in a variety of health problems, including many types of cancer. Parabens of the type found in skincare products have been found in breast cancer tumors. Artificial preservatives in general are a major cause of allergic reactions.
- Collagen and elastin, found in anti-aging creams and lotions--safe but ineffective, the protein molecules are too large to penetrate and are not biologically active
- Hyaluronic acid, same as above--safe but ineffective
- Hydroquinone, found in age spot creams and skin whiteners--can cause the appearance of dark black bumps, instead of decreasing the pigmentation, suspected of contributing to skin cancer
Why do cosmetic companies choose to use the above ingredients?
If there were no safe and effective alternatives, the use of the above ingredients might be understandable. But there is a safe and effective alternative for each and every one of those compounds. The companies probably choose to use them because they are cheap synthetics, available in large quantities.
Instead of triclosan, there is active manuka honey. It has proven natural anti-bacterial activity. There is actually a new ointment composed of it that was recently approved for the treatment of drug-resistant staff infections.
It's honey. So, it's obviously safe and it is effective enough to treat even the toughest infections.
You will find active manuka honey in some of the best nourishing night creams, body lotions, deep cleansing masks and under-eye serums. Not only does the ingredient help to heal pimples and other infections. It is a desirable ingredient for anti-aging creams, because of its antioxidant activity.
Antioxidants of all kinds are beneficial anti-aging ingredients, because they prevent and repair free radical damage. According to dermatologists, free radical damage is the main cause of all the visible signs of aging.
Cellulose is a safe and effective alternative to acrylamide. It is a natural thickening agent, found in plant fibers.
The benefit of using any exfoliant is questionable unless you are talking about your feet. But if you do feel the need to use something, you can try sea salt or sugar.
Placenta, estrogen, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid are primarily used in anti-aging creams and lotions. The list of the best anti-aging ingredients (which are all safe and proven effective) is coming right up. Bear with me as I cover the rest of the bad stuff.
Mineral oil and all of those other petroleum derivatives are cheap fillers. They provide no benefit. So, there is no need for an alternative. Plant oils are different. They act as moisturizers and softening agents.
Fragrance is an unnecessary ingredient, especially when you are talking about anti-aging creams. Plant extracts and oils have a pleasant natural scent. If you want to use a dab of perfume, that's fine. There's really just no reason to rub smelly chemicals all over your skin. Most manufacturers use added fragrances to mask the smell of petroleum derivatives.
The only sunscreens with a proven safety and effectiveness rating are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are found in some brands of women's makeup and in sunscreens with the highest SPF ratings.
Preservatives are necessary to prolong the shelf-life and prevent plant oils or extracts from becoming rancid. But, there are preservatives in nature. Natural vitamin E is an effective preservative and an antioxidant.
One of the best companies includes natural vitamin E in all of their skincare products. Many companies use the synthetic form of vitamin E, which is a petroleum derivative.
Last but not least, there is a safe and effective whitening face cream. It can also be used to fade age spots anywhere on the body. It does not contain the hazardous hydroquinone.
It contains an extract from a plant called nut grass. It inhibits melanin production, which was what hydroquinone was supposed to do. Not only is it safe. It is a soothing anti-irritant. What more could you ask for?
Now for the really good stuff!
Here is your list of the three best anti-aging ingredients available today. They are on this list, because they are completely safe and have proven to be effective in clinical (human) trials.
- Xtend TK, a protein formula--improves the skin's firmness by as much as 40%, improves moisture by over 25% and the skin's ability to retain moisture by a significant amount, reduces inflammation (a benefit for rosacea and redness) and increases the production of new skin cells by more than double
- Nano-lipobelle H EQ10, a nano-emulsion containing coenzyme Q10 and natural vitamin E--reduces wrinkles, roughness and sun damage by 30%
- Phytessence wakame, a plant extract--proven to prevent the breakdown of the skin's own hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is involved in skin cell production and moisture balance. It contributes to the skin's firmness and smoothness.
Where to Find the Good Stuff
Reading labels and comparing ingredients can be annoying, tiring and frustrating. As I mentioned above, that list of bad ingredients is incomplete. There are thousands of allergens, irritants and toxins in skincare products.
I thought the least I could do for you was to tell you about a line of products that does not contain any of those dangerous or ineffective ingredients. I basically did the research for you.
Trying to find a company that uses the three best anti-aging ingredients in all of their creams and lotions was very difficult. I was only able to find one company that does. The company's name is Xtendlife.
None of their products contain allergens, irritants or toxins. So, you can buy with confidence.
Xtendlife offers products for men and women. They make that safe whitening day cream I mentioned above.
Their eye serums, body lotions, deep cleansing masks and night creams contain active manuka honey. They are all free of added fragrances and preserved using natural vitamin E.
The creams, lotions and masks are loaded with numerous antioxidants. Those free radicals responsible for skin aging don't stand a chance.
I have always been satisfied with Xtendlife products and I am sure you will be too. But just to remove all worry from your mind, the company has a 100% money-back guarantee. They are the only guaranteed skincare products that I have found.
Click here to visit Xtendlife today and learn more about their excellent products.