The fountain of youth has captivated humankind for as far back as we can recall – particularly with women. There have been mythical tales told, an entire industry built and many savings accounts diminished because of our fascination to maintain our youthful selves.
There have been medical papyrus discovered that date back to as early as 1700BC; these state how particular fermented fruit juices and frankincense could clear away dark age-spots and fine-lines. Ancient Egyptian queens, like Cleopatra and Nefertiti, were said to use aloe vera regularly to ward off wrinkles and maintain a moisture-rich, plump complexion.
Today’s scientific support on these early observations make it easier for us to understand why these tricks worked before – and improve upon them. For example, we now understand that contents like Vitamins C and E, which were present in these old-school fixes, are rich in antioxidants and promote collagen formation and cell regeneration as noted here by WebMD. Good observation Cleo!
While we know an active lifestyle, sun protection, diet, quality of sleep and plenty of water are all crucial to looking our youngest, it’s undeniable that science can seriously lend a hand or quick fix. So what are some key ingredients to look for when shopping for the best in anti-ageing?
- Vitamin A (aka Retinol) – Antioxidant commonly used in wrinkle eliminating creams. Retinol gets down below the skin’s surface to nip wrinkles in the bud.
- Hydroxy Acids – Prefixed with alpha, beta or poly: these are all synthetic forms of fructose (the sugar in fruit). They work on a more surface level to exfoliate away any dead skin and encourage even skin tone with a smooth finish.
- Soy Protein Extracts – Contain a substance akin to estrogen called isoflavones. These are said to reduce fine lines and wrinkles the way hormone therapy would.
- Tea Extracts – Tea isn’t only good for your insides! Green and black tealeaves are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, and even repair minor sun damage.
- Coenzyme Q-10 – This little powerhouse can regulate energy in cell production, which in turn helps the skin to ward off wrinkles.
There are a couple of brands that in my opinion are satisfying those requirements, one is the line from Julie Mack Lowe called Vbeauté while the other one is Nuxe Paris
So take a peek at the packaging before you buy. These additions can make a huge difference as the ladies before us can attest to – and the doctors around us have proven!
