Antiaging solutions are probably the most sought-after skincare routines today. The beauty industry is full of countless claims; it is overwhelming to keep track of all of them. That said, aging is an unavoidable natural body process. However, there are steps you can take to ensure you age gracefully and maintain a youthful look. Let’s look into four top ingredients that support natural antiaging.
Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide is also known as Nicotinamide. It is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin). It is one of the popular ingredients used to treat acne and reverse wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, and rosacea. But how exactly does nicotinamide work as an antiaging agent? Niacin is a precursor to the biochemical factors known as: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). These two molecules are primarily involved in the repair of skin cells. Aging is an example of damage sustained on skin cells. Nicotinamide is also effective in fighting free radicals and brightening the skin, according to a 2011 clinical study[i].
Retinol
Retinol is a type of retinoid which is, itself, a form of vitamin A. in other words, it is the active form of vitamin A. John G. Zampella, M.D. is an assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. In an interview with SELF, a renowned online wellness magazine, Dr. Zampella explained that retinol accelerates the body’s natural process of shedding dead skin cells[ii]. This means that fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and, to some extent, acne are kept at bay. A 2005 study by researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School’s Department of Dermatology found links between retinol and increased collagen production[iii].
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a fundamental feature in more than half of the skincare products in the market today. And for good reason. It is one of the most efficient counters to harmful free radicals. The one drawback of vitamin C, however, is its sensitivity to light. It tends to degrade when exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, when purchasing antiaging skincare products with vitamin C, be sure to get only those that are in airless opaque packaging such as those we have at Estala Skincare. Likewise, find the right concentration that works well with your skin to avoid irritation.
Salicylic Acid
In skincare circles, you will run into salicylic acid quite often. For the most part, it is used as an acne treatment agent but it also packs a punch when it comes to exfoliation. Getting rid of dead skin is one way to keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant. Salicylic acid is soluble in oil making it absorb well in your skin’s pores.
REFERENCES
[i] Josefina Navarrete-Solís, et.al., Hindawi (2011): “A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma”. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2011/379173/
[ii] Sarah Jacoby, SELF (2019): “Can People With Sensitive Skin Be in the Retinol Club, Too?” Retrieved from https://www.self.com/story/sensitive-skin-retinoids
[iii] Soyun Cho, et.al., Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School (2005): “Long-term treatment of photoaged human skin with topical retinoic acid improves epidermal cell atypia and thickens the collagen band in papillary dermis”. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16243124/
