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.

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.

Not wearing a sunscreen

It should come as no surprise that many of the signs of skin aging are directly related to exposure to the sun’s rays. The sun not only causes wrinkling and increased skin laxity, it also causes changes in pigment resulting in the appearance of pigmented brown spots. Skin cancer is also a potential side effect of long term sun exposure. The sun’s rays weaken the elastic structure of the skin which results in the increased wrinkling and sagging seen in aging skin. To prevent photoaging, invest in a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and wear it religiously. If you’ll be out in the sun for any extended period of time, add a straw hat and sunglasses.

Smoking

Smoking has a multitude of unhealthy effects on the skin. It decreases oxygenation of the skin and depletes levels of vitamin C, which play an important role in the synthesis of collagen, the basic support structure of your skin. In addition, smokers frequently develop wrinkles around their mouth from “puffing” on their cigarettes. If you observe long term smokers, they almost always appear older than their age.

Sleep Habits

There are two ways sleep habits can play a role in prematurely aging the skin. The first is lack of sleep. Although the role sleep deprivation plays in long term aging of the skin isn’t clear cut, skin certainly takes on a more aged appearance when you’re sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation can also increase levels of a stress hormone known as cortisol which may have an effect on skin health. The second way sleep habits can affect skin aging is through sleep positioning. If you sleep in the same position over many years, wrinkle formation is likely to occur where your face presses into the pillow. These are known as sleep lines. One solution to this problem is to train yourself to sleep on your back at night.

Overindulgence in Alcohol

Alcohol has negative effects on the skin in two ways. One way is that it tends to cause dehydration which alters the critical moisture balance needed for good skin health. Secondly, it causes facial veins to dilate which increases facial redness and increases the risk of broken facial veins. Reducing or eliminating alcohol from your diet can have positive effects on your skin as well as your general health.

Poor dietary choices

The importance of diet in preserving youthful skin is just starting to come to light. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in October of 2007 showed that higher intakes of linoleic acid and vitamin C along with lower intakes of carbohydrates and fats had a positive effect on the rate of skin aging. People who consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables also appear to have a slower rate of skin aging independent of other factors. This may be due to the ability of fruits and vegetables to offset free radical formation which contributes to aging.

Now that you know the five main factors that promote skin aging, is it time to make some changes?

An effective sunscreen

If you could have only one product in your anti-aging skin care program, this should be it. Photo aging from the powerful rays of the sun is the number one cause of skin wrinkling and aging. Simply wearing a sunscreen on a daily basis can offset much of the damage that causes your skin to wrinkle and sag. It's important to use a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 and one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Learn to apply it correctly and reapply it every two hours or anytime you get wet or sweaty. If you're worried about harmful chemicals in sunscreen, choose one that's PABA and paraben free.

Exfoliating pads

These simple, inexpensive, little pads you buy at your drugstore can do wonders for revitalizing the appearance of skin. Regular exfoliation using facial exfoliating pads helps to remove dead surface skin cells that can cause skin to look dull, dry, and aged. Choose exfoliating pads specifically designed for the face since ones for the body can be too abrasive. To use them, simply dampen the exfoliating pad with warm water and a small amount of moisturizing cream. Wet your face and gently rotate the pad around your face in a circular motion several times. Don't apply too much pressure or you could cause a facial abrasion. Rinse with cold water and admire your fresh, more youthful complexion.

An all natural face moisturizer

Forget the savvy sales messages that try to sell you an overpriced moisturizing cream. One of the cheapest and most effective anti-aging facial moisturizers is glycerin which can be found at your local health food store. Why is glycerin so effective? When you apply it to your skin, it draws moisture from the air to keep your skin soft and well lubricated. To make a simple spray-on moisturizer using glycerin, add one part glycerin to one part distilled water and place into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to ensure proper mixing. You can also add Vitamins C and E for even more skin care benefits. Spray this mixture on your face several times a day. It's inexpensive, effective, and non-toxic.

Dried herbs and steamed water

A quick way to refresh your skin and make it look younger is to do a steam facial using all natural herbs. Bring a pan of water to a boil. Add herbs of your choice and allow the pan to simmer on low heat for five minutes. After pulling your hair away from your face create a tent out of a towel and lean over the pan allowing the steam to hit your face. Stay in this position for ten minutes. Splash your face with cool water and add moisturizer. Your skin should look rejuvenated.

Anti-aging skin care doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to be effective. Give these safe, effective, all-natural skin care remedies a try and enjoy younger looking skin.