Quick guide to product ingredients
The labels of anti-aging products promote some impressive-sounding ingredients.
What are they? Can they help your skin? This glossary can help you see through
the hype on the cosmetics shelves. The evidence supporting the benefits of these
ingredients is incomplete.
Alpha-lipoic acid: An antioxidant that may decrease skin roughness and wrinkles.
Antioxidants: Substances that neutralize free radicals, damaging molecules that
accelerate skin aging and promote skin cancer.
Coenzyme Q10: Ubiquinone, an antioxidant that reduces wrinkle depth and
protects against UVA.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE): A neurotransmitter produced in the brain; an
extract in gel form may reduce wrinkles, neck sagging, and circles under the eyes.
Genistein: A derivative of soy and an antioxidant; it inhibits UVB damage to the
skin.
Green tea: An antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent; it may inhibit UV
damage and photoaging.
Growth factors: Substances that occur naturally in the human body and in plants;
they contribute to wound healing and may repair photodamaged skin.
Kinetin: N6-furfuryladenine; a plant growth factor and an antioxidant that may
reduce wrinkles, smooth skin texture, and even out skin tone.
Niacinamide: Vitamin B3; an antioxidant that reverses signs of photoaging.
Peptides: Short-chain amino acids that may assist with production of collagen and
elastin and have other beneficial effects on the skin.
Vitamin A: An antioxidant vitamin and the active ingredient in retinol, a drug that
reduces photodamage and increases collagen production.
Vitamin C: An antioxidant vitamin; topical preparations reduce wrinkles and
improve skin texture and tone.
Vitamin E: An antioxidant vitamin; its effect on aging skin is unknown.
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