Strivectin SD – Dermalogica – Reviews for Anti-Aging Wrinkle Creams

An anti-aging cream that’s received a great deal of attention in the last few years is Kinerase. Kinerase is a topical agent applied topically to the skin that’s being touted for its ability to reduce the visible signs of skin aging. It’s available without a prescription and is currently being marketed as a wrinkle reduction cream through physician offices, medical spas, and online. It’s claimed that kinerase gives similar skin anti-aging effects to the prescription retinoids without the side effects frequently seen with retinoids such as skin redness and peeling. Does kinerase really live up to the marketing claims?

What exactly is Kinerase and what gives it the ability to function as an anti-aging cream? The active ingredient in kinerase is a plant component known as kinetin. Kinetin is a plant derived component that functions in the plant as a growth hormone like substance to help retard aging of the plant. Because kinetin has shown the ability to slow down plant aging, it's thought to have some anti-aging properties when applied topically to human skin. Kinetin has also been shown to have antioxidant properties which may help to reduce the effects of free radicals on human skin cells. Another important property of kinectin is that it’s been shown to aid in repair of DNA , the genetic material found in every cell in the body, including skin cells.

A study carried out at the University of California in Irvine looked at different strengths of Kinerase and their effects on human skin over a 48 week period. The groups receiving the Kinerase showed significant improvement in the texture of the skin, the appearance of fine wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Although the results of this study show support for the topical anti-aging effects of Kinerase, double blind, placebo-controlled studies are still absent and it may be premature to say that Kinerase is as effective as the well studied, time tested topical retinoids.

Although Kinerase needs further study in order to be recommended as an alternative to prescription strength retinoid preparations, patient reviews of this product have been favorable. The preponderance of patients using Kinerase as an anti-aging cream report improvement in skin roughness, uneven skin pigmentation, and improvement in the appearance of fine wrinkles. Plus, its antioxidant effects and its ability to repair DNA make it likely that it would have some anti-aging benefits for aging skin.

Should you consider using Kinerase as an anti-aging skin treatment? If you make this choice, it won’t come cheaply. A half ounce of Kinerase based cream can cost over a hundred dollars. If you are unable to tolerate use of prescription strength retinoids due to skin irritation and redness, Kinerase may be a reasonable alternative. If you’re currently on prescription strength retinoids and are tolerating them well, Kinerase may not offer any additional advantages for you and it may be best to wait until studies comparing the effectiveness of retinoids versus Kinerase are completed before jumping on the Kinerase bandwagon.

Improving the appearance of dry skin can make your skin look younger.

As skin ages it tends to become drier and flakier which causes the skin surface to look dull. This can enhance any pre-existing wrinkles and skin imperfections giving the skin an aged appearance. As the weather changes and temperatures become cooler, dry skin can become even more pronounced. To restore moisture balance a treatment is needed to help maintain the skin’s moisture balance by preventing further loss of moisture as well as improve the skin’s texture. When it comes to selecting a dry skin treatment, there is a confusing array of products available. How do you know which one to select? Here are four ingredients that help with the symptoms of dry skin. Look for these four key ingredients on the label the next time you’re shopping for a dry skin cream:

Hydroxy acids

The hydroxyl acids have a dual role in treating dry skin. They act as exfoliators causing the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface to be shed more rapidly. This helps to relieve some of the dullness associated with dry skin and gives the skin a subtle glow. Hydroxy acids also act as humectants, drawing moisture from the environment and depositing it onto the surface of the skin. The combination of these two factors gives dry skin a softer, smoother appearance. Two of the most common hydroxy acids are lactic and glycolic acids. These ingredients are found in a variety of skin care products. They can be quite effective at moisturizing and improving the appearance of dry, dull skin.

Glycerin

Glycerin is another ingredient that serves as a humectant. By drawing moisture from the ambient air, it causes a slight swelling of the skin layer known as the stratum corneum which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s found in some moisturizing creams as well as a variety of soaps used for dry skin treatment.

Lanolin

Lanolin is an occlusive type moisturizing agent extracted from the secretions of sheep sebaceous glands. It’s designated as an occlusive because it helps to prevent moisture loss from the deeper skin layers. It’s also one of the main ingredients in a popular skin lotion, Oil of Olay. While this moisturizing agent is effective, a certain portion of the population will experience sensitivity to it and should look for creams and lotions that are labeled lanolin-free.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum is another occlusive type of moisturizing agent. This ingredient is usually found in conjunction with other ingredients for treating dry skin since it’s quite oily when used on its own. It’s the active ingredient in the commonly used lubricant, Vaseline.

Look for these four ingredients when you’re shopping for a moisturizing treatment for dry skin. These ingredients can often be found in products that are quite reasonable in price. Expensive is not always better when it comes to dry skin care treatment. Sometimes simple is best.

Can retinol help to restore a youthful glow to your skin?

With so much hype and misinformation associated with the marketing of anti-aging skin care products, it can be difficult to determine what actually works for improving the texture and appearance of aging skin. One skin care ingredient that’s been promoted heavily for skin rejuvenation is retinol. Is there truth behind the widely claimed benefits of usin retinol for skin rejuvenation?

Retinol is a purified form of vitamin A which is thought to stimulate collagen product when applied directly to the skin. It does this by stimulating skin fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen, and by inhibiting the action of enzymes that promote breakdown of the skin’s collagen support structure.

The limiting factor with many skin care products that advertise that they promote collagen production is that the molecules are unable to penetrate deeply enough to gain access to the dermis where the fibroblasts are located. Hence, they’re unable to stimulate collagen synthesis despite their advertising claims. This where the retinol molecule is different. It has the ability to penetrate the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, and gain access to the inner dermis where it can stimulate the fibroblasts to produce more collagen.

The ability to gain access to the dermis and stimulate collagen production gives retinol the ability to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles as well as counteract some of the skin damage created by years of sun exposure. Retinol also increases the thickness of the outer skin layer, the epidermis. This results in a skin with a finer, more translucent texture as well as a reduction in skin roughness.

Do studies confirm that retinol works to improve the appearance of aging skin? A study performed on 31 subjects to test the effects of retinol on skin texture and appearance. The individuals had a 0.4% retinol solution applied to one arm and a placebo to the other. Not only did the arm that received the retinol show improvement in skin roughness and texture, but a skin biopsy revealed an increase in the precursors of collagen synthesis, suggesting that collagen production was being stimulated. In addition, retinol has been used by dermatologists and physicians for many years as an anti-aging cream with good results.

It appears that retinol is effective both in improving the texture of the skin as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines. By stimulating collagen production, it may also compensate for some of the solar damage accrued over the years. Although you can buy dilute retinol formulations over the counter, they may not have the same benefit as prescription formulations available from your doctor. Because prescription strict retinol in the form of Retin-A and its derivatives may be too irritating for some people’s skin, it may be prudent to start with a lower strength, non-prescription formulation and advance to the prescription form if results aren’t achieved. Remember to always wear a sunblock when using retinol since it increases sensitivity to the sun.

Although they seem to be an inevitable part of aging, there’s much that can be done to prevent wrinkles from forming and to slow down their progression once they do form. First, it’s important to understand what causes wrinkles to develop in the first place.

There are actually two generally types of wrinkles known as static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are creases that are only present when there is movement of the face. This type of wrinkle tends to completely disappear when the face is at rest. In contrast, static wrinkles are present whether the face is moving or stationary. Dynamic wrinkles are generally the first wrinkles to develop as part of the aging process, although over time dynamic wrinkles can become static as the elasticity and the collagen support structure are lost and the skin is unable to snap back as readily.

Dynamic wrinkles can be treated by use of Botox injections which paralyzes the underlying facial muscle, resulting in decreased facial movement over the wrinkle which improves their appearance. Static wrinkles aren’t affected by Botox since they’re present even when the face is at rest. Static wrinkles require more aggressive measures such as injection with Restylane which acts as a filler to smooth out the static crease. Laser resurfacing can also have some effect on superficial static wrinkles.

Can static wrinkles be prevented? Although there is a component of natural aging that’s based on an individual’s underlying genetics, most wrinkles form as a result of overexposure to ultraviolet light. Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun causes certain changes to occur in the underlying dermis that damages the underlying collagen and elastin structure which gives skin its support. When collagen and elastin fibers are lost, the skin becomes more lax and creases and sagging tend to develop. The best way to avoid aging related to exposure to ultraviolet light is to wear a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light with an SPF factor of at least fifteen.

There are certain topical agents that can help to stimulate collagen synthesis and prevent the formation of static wrinkles. These include products containing retinoic acids, alpha hydroxyl acids, peptides, and Vitamin C. Topical Vitamin E is also thought to have some skin anti-aging properties, possibly related to its ability to reduce free radical damage to skin cells.

As you can see static wrinkles can be prevented to a great extent by avoiding sun exposure and using topical products that help to stimulate collagen synthesis and reduce free radical damage. Once static wrinkles form, fillers and laser resurfacing can help to smooth out the appearance of superficial lines.

One of the first signs of skin aging experienced by many people is the appearance of tiny lines and creases at the corners of the eyelids commonly known as crow’s feet. These lines initially may not be noticeable until the person smiles or moves their face. Although they may be experienced only with movement at first, over time these creases deepen and become a permanent part of the facial architecture. The good news about crow’s feet is they can be prevented to some degree with proper anti-aging skin care habits. Here’s how to prevent crow’s feet from developing or worsening:

Wear sunscreen on a daily basis.

You probably already know what an important role the sun plays in promoting skin aging. This is particularly true for the delicate skin tissue around the eyes. One of the best ways to prevent crow’s feet is to invest in a good sunblock that filters out both UVA and UVB rays. It should have an SPF of at least fifteen to give optimal anti-aging protection. To be effective, it needs to be applied in sufficient amounts and worn consistently when you’re out in the sun.

Get a good pair of sunglasses.

When you spend time in the bright sun without sunglasses, you’ll squint without being aware of it. Repetitive squinting is a major factor in promoting formation of crow’s feet. Repetitive movements due to squinting eventually take their toll on the delicate tissue surrounding the eyes particularly when collagen production starts to dwindle with age. Buy a good pair of sunglasses and wear them every time you go out into bright sunlight. Be sure they have a good UV filter to prevent damage to your retina. Make them a standard part of your anti-aging strategy.

Take breaks from your computer monitor.

People rarely think of their computer monitor as contributing to skin aging and crow’s feet. If you stare at a bright monitor all day, your eyes will eventually fatigue and you’ll start to squint. The result is premature formation of undereye wrinkles and crow’s feet. If you work in front of a computer monitor all day, give your eyes frequent breaks.

Ditch the smokes.

Smoking is a major cause of premature skin aging as well as crow’s feet. The smoke from a burning cigarette creates eye irritation which encourages squinting. Plus, smoking reduces oxygenation of the skin tissue as well as vitamin C levels which can impact collagen synthesis. If you observe a smoker, they almost always have evidence of crow’s feet if they’re over the age of thirty. Kick the habit for your lungs as well as your skin.

Anti-aging eye care products can help.

Keep the area around the eyes moisturized with a product that contains vitamin C or glycolic acid. Vitamin C and glycolic acid are both thought to be anti-aging and appear to play a role in boosting collagen synthesis which helps to ward off crow’s feet. Another product proven to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet is Retin-A. This anti-aging product is available by prescription from your doctor.

Another option

If you’re still not satisfied with the appearance of crow’s feet, you can have the area injected with Botox. This will immobilize the muscles which prevents squinting and can significant reduce the appearance of crow’s feet. These injections are usually done in a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office and can give instant improvement in the appearance of crow’s feet.

Don’t let crow’s feet ruin your appearance. Incorporate crow’s feet preventative measures into your anti-aging lifestyle and you’ll be rewarded with younger looking skin.