Anti aging skin cream products are commonplace in health and beauty suppliers, drug stores, department stores, supermarkets, even state fairs and booths at the local farmers market. They are comprised of active and inactive ingredients that are combined into a form that is meant to be appealing to the consumer in look, feel, aroma, and effectiveness. Active ingredients comprise a small percentage of the overall chemical makeup but they are the engines that “make it go” to improve your skin. Inert ingredients might include scents and colorings to make the treatment more appealing while being applied.

Many of the most popular product lines feature an anti aging formula. These are engineered to rejuvenate or regenerate a person’s skin to look more smooth and youthful. Though primarily targeted towards women, age defying skin care products for men are also gaining a niche in the cosmetics market.

A typical active ingredient in an anti aging skin cream is some type of an exfoliate, a compound that helps remove dead cells from the surface of the skin through either chemical or mechanical means. Skin cells are naturally shed approximately once per month, but as you age your skin becomes less resilient and surface cells are damaged more easily by environmental factors such as sunlight. These damaged cells stay on the skin during until they are replaced. While present, damaged cells emphasize the skin’s imperfections and give an overall dullness to your skin tone.

Skin care products that contain exfoliates as part of their anti aging formula can include scrubs, moisturizers, peels, masks, washes, soaps, and exfoliating pads. Gentle products designed for use on the face make up the majority of the exfoliate market. “Rougher” exfoliating products also exist for use on less sensitive areas of your body, such as hands, elbows, feet, etc.

Too much of any good thing can be a bad thing, and this is no less true for your skin care. Overly frequent or harsh treatment can damage your epidermis and lead to soreness, acne, or possibly an allergic reaction. Read the label of any product for recommended use and then follow the directions. Also be sure to check the ingredient list for items that you know may cause you to react adversely.

Anti wrinkle creams are another form of skin care product aimed at giving you a more youthful appearance. While not a “face lift in a bottle” the anti aging formula found in many of these recipes can visibly lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. Retinol, hydroxyl acids, and tea extracts are common ingredient choices for promoting smoother skin.

Some skin care treatments are only readily available through a dermatologist. Microderm abrasion, where your skin is effectively sandblasted with fine particles, is a popular intensive treatment that is usually not performed at home. But there are many other types of products to choose, like a pumpkin papaya face mask or a moisturizing anti aging skin cream, that don’t require the talents of a cosmetic professional, only a willing consumer.

There are certainly many products available that may help you keep your skin looking younger, smoother, and more vibrant. Whether you prefer to remove dead skin cells or smooth out wrinkles with an anti aging skin cream, or head to the dermatologist for a microderm abrasion, is up to you.