As we age, skin starts to sag, wrinkle and lose elasticity because of the breakdown of collagen, a kind of protein glue that holds things together. With a little help, however, the body can make some new glue, restoring a more youthful look to the skin. When shopping for skin care products, there are three powerful ingredients you should look for to maintain youthful-looking skin, says Robinson. New tools can tighten and lift skin and stimulate collagen production without surgery.
Take vitamins and minerals that boosts collagen. Check the label for a serum containing antioxidants like Vitamin C which will help brighten your skin; two, add retinoids, which increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen renewal, to your routine and three, start using an alpha hydroxy acid exfoliator to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Fight lines and wrinkles around the eyes with a few essential ingredients. The first is retinol, a Vitamin A derivative that rebuilds collagen levels and helps smooth fine lines. Next are antioxidants like green tea and Vitamin C, which help skin retain collagen. You will find Vitamin C in papayas, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, and kiwis. If your skin is especially sensitive, swap Vitamin A products for peptides proteins that also stimulate collagen growth because they don't sting or cause redness the way retinols can.
Avoid too much sugar. If sugary foods are a staple of your diet, you may want to reconsider what you eat. When sugar breaks down and enters the bloodstream, it bonds with protein molecules, including those found in collagen and elastin or the fibers that support skin, through a process called glycation, says Leslie Baumann, a dermatologist in Miami Beach. This degrades the collagen and elastin, which in turn leads to sagging and wrinkles. Curb your consumption of such as honey, white rice, and white bread. These foods are quickly converted into sugar in your body and put your skin on the fast track to glycation. If you need something sweet, try small square of dark chocolate. The antioxidants in it can protect you from free radicals, those unstable atoms in the atmosphere that latch on to skin and lead to fine lines. Also, increase your intake of vitamin C and it helps generate collagen, says Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist in New York City.
Exfoliate once a week. Removing the top, dead layer of skin helps speed up the natural process of skin and collagen renewal. Some chemicals use for exfoliation is with chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid and lactic acid. They dissolve the glue-like substance that bonds dead skin to the surface rather than sloughing it away like scrubs do, and give a more even result, leaving skin looking healthier and more radiant.
With collagen intake, some changes are seen in a few weeks, but full results can take several months. But do the skin changes last? The answer is a qualified yes. Both are effective at turning back the clock, but not stopping it.