Anti-aging products are used for averting or slowing down the effects of aging among individuals. Some of them have been around for a long time while others are newly introduced. The desire of many people to look younger has enhanced the anti-aging product industry into a multi-billion dollar one.
Anti-aging products are traceable to ancient Egypt when herbs like olive leaves were used to promote longevity. In other cultures like India and China, there were developed traditions of herbal usage and the traditions are still kept up till now.
In modern times, these products are used to bring down the physical appearance of aging like sun spots, wrinkles and skin damage. Some of them are targeted at middle-aged people so that the effect of aging would be reversed. Other products are produced in form of preservatives so that aging could be stopped or slowed down before it begins.
There are lots of
anti-aging products in the market and they can be grouped into three major categories; hormones, anti-oxidants and herbal products. Hormones do not affect aging process directly but they mask its symptoms and that is why they are referred to as reverse-aging products. Anti-oxidants are some of the popular products around and they include vitamins like A, C and E. They are useful for removing free radicals in the system before damaged cells can lead to aging. Herbal or natural products are becoming more popular by the day. They include various herbs and plant medicines that are used for reversing or preventing the symptoms of aging. Other anti-aging products are vitamin supplements, magnets, skin creams, live cell injections, special diets and so on.
The major benefits of anti-aging products are topical in nature. They assist in the reduction of wrinkles which can make a person look 15 years younger or more. Physical benefits can lead to psychological benefits as someone who looks younger will be made to feel young which will boost the confidence and self-esteem of the user of the products. They can also be adapted to the need of an individual in order to solve certain problems.
However, before making use of any of these products, it is important to carry out necessary research on them. The extended use of some of them can lead to serious damage of some organs of the body. For instance, the liver can be damaged; by large doses of vitamin A for an extended period.
Let's face it. When we purchase anti aging wrinkle creams, we rarely ever look at the label. So long as our favorite celebrities are endorsing it, and those yummy anti-wrinkle ingredients are marked as advertised, then we're good to go.
What you don't know can kill you, as one saying goes and while I don't want to be that melancholic about it, the truth is, there might be seriously hazardous compounds in your anti-wrinkle firming cream that you probably overlooked when you took it off the shelf. Some of them may cause something as easily treatable as a wee little rash, but others, something as deadly as cancer. Here are the most commonly present harmful compounds in anti-wrinkle creams:
1. Parabens
Dirt cheap and easy to develop, Parabens is incorporated in many moisturizing creams to prolong shelf life. The bad news?-It is a carcinogen that mimics estrogen, thus increasing breast cancer risk. It is also allergenic.
2. Acrylamide
While studies have mostly been conducted on mice, Acrylamide has been shown to cause cancers and tumors, and is also Neurotoxic.
3. Fragrances
We know how addicting it can be to apply scented cream on your face, but it's always wiser to choose odorless ones. Fragrances are often synthetic, with many of them formulated using cancerous ingredients such as toluene, a component found in some anti aging wrinkle creams and sunscreens. Not only does it cause liver and kidney damage and anemia, it also directly affects fetal development.
4. Propylene Glycol
Used as a moisturizing compound, fragrance and emulsifier, propylene glycol prevents healthy skin cells from growing and causes skin irritation. It also has the potential to damage the liver and kidneys and may cause cancer.
5. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
Found in at least 90 percent of anti-wrinkle firming creams and other skincare solutions this synthetic compound result to skin dryness and premature ageing. It also penetrates the skin's natural barrier and easily binds with harmful chemicals like nitrosamine, which is highly carcinogenic.
6. Phenol (Carbolic Acid)
Effective in killing bacteria and microorganisms, phenol is often added to skincare products as a cleansing agent and exfoliant. However, it causes skin dryness and irritation, not to mention convulsions and paralysis. In severe cases, prolonged heavy use may cause coma and respiratory arrest.
7. Ethanolamines (diethanolamine/ DEA, monoethanolamine/ MEA, triethanolamine/ TEA)
Incorporated in a few anti-wrinkle firming creams to create balanced skin pH, ethanolamine has been discontinued in skin care products in Europe due to its carcinogenic and allergenic properties. Reports reveal eye irritation, skin dryness and hypersensitivity reactions.
8. Padimate-O
A PABA derivative (itself a hazardous sunscreen ingredient), this water-soluble compound is commonly found in sunscreens as well as anti aging wrinkle creams that offer sun protection. Padimate-O releases free radicals in the body, which increases skin cancer risk.
Before you grab your next jar of anti-wrinkle cream - or any other skin care product for that matter - check the labels for these ingredients. Maybe you won’t easily get any product that doesn't include any of the fore mentioned ingredients (the product does need them to work it’s just an excess that will likely damage your skin and cause other harmful effects on you). But a good product should have limited quantity of such products and be mild on your skin always go for
recommended products.
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