Anti-Aging claims and real effects

Is there really a product that erases our wrinkles? If there was, we would all be looking younger and younger everyday, and the "plumping" formulas would make our faces and hands swell from repeated applications and we'd all just be so soft and lovely. The reality of these beautiful little jars of hope is nothing currently on the market erases wrinkles, but there are ways to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Creams that contain tretinoin--the acid form of Vitamin A--can be highly effective. Topical antioxidants and glycolic acid have proven to combat some of the skin-damaging effects of the environment.

To see an immediate effect, a cream introduces water back into the skin creating a plumping effect. This cream could be the most basic brand from your local pharmacy.

So-called superfoods have been identified as anti-aging weapons, such as pomegranate juice, blueberry powder and the allegedly miraculous acai berry. But can you actually eat or drink your way to smoother skin?

There are certainly foods that are good for you, and antioxidant foods, which are rich in vitamins including E and C, can help in the fight for healthy skin and longevity in general. Consumers have been captivated by the promises of powder, pill and juice form of anti-oxident extracts. However, studies still haven't shown how an isolated antioxidant has proven very effective in anti-aging. Eating whole foods, including blueberries, cherries and other fruits and vegetables with antioxidants, is one of the keys to getting the most out of the experience.

Vitamin E

Overall for skin care, more benefit is obtained from topical application of Vitamin E through creams or lotions rather than taking Vitamin E orally. Skin is able to absorb natural Vitamin E effectively. However, taking Vitamin E orally is important for the good health of other areas of the body.

The recommended skin lotions and creams by many experts are those that contain the alcohol form of Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) instead of the acetate form (alpha-tocopherol acetate). The acetate form does not penetrate the skin’s surface well and provides less of the benefits of Vitamin E such as antioxidant activity for the skin.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Vitamin E
Vitamin E added to lotions, creams, and other skin care products, as well as taken orally, plays a role in the anti-aging of skin. It helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, free radicals are believed to play an important role in skin aging and therefore the antioxidant activity is quite valuable for this skin problem.

Sun Protection and Sun Burn Treatment
Vitamin E lotions provide some benefit in preventing and treating sunburns. These lotions protect the epidermis layer of the skin from early stages of ultra violet light damage. Vitamin E preparations also increase the effectiveness of sunscreens. Such lotions do not work immediately. They must be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure in order to allow the vitamin E to be absorbed deep into the epidermis layer.