Table of Contents
Hyaluronic Acid – Plumps up with mega hydration
- Does your skin generally tend to dryness lines?
- Is your skin visibly thirsty after winter?
Then she can now “drink her fill”. Hyaluronic acid is a real moisture magnet – and therefore the ideal “cushioning material”. One gram can bind up to six liters of moisture. Although it also occurs naturally in the skin, from the age of 30 the depots gradually become empty and the skin’s own production through connective tissue cells weakens. Now the skin needs replenishment from the cream pot.
The effect of hyaluronic acid
For cosmetics, hyaluronic acid is now synthetically recreated with the help of bacteria – in two variants. The high molecular weight retains water on the skin’s surface, making the skin look plumper – great as an SOS help. However, the beauty effect only lasts for a short time because the large molecules cannot penetrate the skin barrier. That’s why they often appear in a duet with their little sisters (“fragmented” or “short-chain” hyaluronic acid) – mini moisturizers that go deeper and bind moisture in the lower layers of the skin. They can also stimulate special proteins that are responsible for cell networking. Good, because the closer the cells stick together, the less moisture the skin can evaporate.Substances such as saponin from soy also stimulate the production of the skin’s own hyaluronic acid. This filling effect from within can even smooth out deeper lines.
Bring skin to life
Coenzyme 10 – Gets the cells going
- Your complexion looks pale and tired, could it be brighter?
- As soon as you are stressed, does it show on your skin?
Maybe your skin is in an energy crisis. A case for the coenzyme Q10. This vitamin-like substance, found in all cells in the body, has the task of converting food energy into cellular energy. A multi-stage process that takes place in the power plants of our cells,
the mitochondria. Q10 is the fuel that keeps the cell metabolism going. Unfortunately, the body’s own production is reduced with increasing age. Likewise under stress.
Consequence: The metabolism only runs on the back burner, the skin looks tired. Creams with Q10, which is obtained from yeast cultures, give the skin new energy and make the complexion look fresher and smoother. Especially in the team with the amino acid complex creatine. Since Q10 has an antioxidant effect, it has also proven itself as a cell protector.
Peptides – The Collagen Suppliers
- Your skin lacks elasticity, could it be tighter?
- Are you prone to forehead, laughter and other expression lines?
Then tighten them up! “Peptides are highly efficient anti-aging active ingredients that consist of short chains of amino acids and are so tiny that they can easily reach the deep layers of the skin,” explains Munich dermatologist and Olay consultant Dr. Patricia Ogilvie. “Originally, certain peptides caused a sensation in wound healing because they stimulate connective tissue cells to produce more elastic fibers and fresh collagen.”
Prevent expression lines
In addition to collagen boosters (e.g. tripeptides and pentapeptides), there are muscle relaxers such as the hexapeptide Argireline. It sparks messenger substances in between, which cause the skin’s muscle contractions – and in this way has a relaxing and smoothing effect, intended to prevent expression lines.
Smooth and fresh skin
Stem Cells – Act as a wake-up call
- Would you like to prevent premature skin aging?
- Do you want your skin to look youthfully fresh?
No, not from animals: Stem cell extracts used cosmetically come from apples, alpine roses or echinacea. They strengthen the skin’s resistance and protect the skin’s own stem cells. For this Dr. Jürgen Juchheim, chief physician at the Munich clinic esthetic-line and developer of a beauty line: “The dermal stem cells in the epidermis constantly produce new cells, which has a regenerating effect. But as they age, they weaken. In order to get them fit again, plant stem cells are smuggled to them. The moment they dock, the tired cells are shaken awake and begin to regenerate again.” This is intended to delay the aging of the skin and keep it fresh and young for longer.
Retinol – Smooths even deeper wrinkles
- The complexion looks uneven, pale, tends to have larger pores?
- Are the wrinkles a bit more pronounced?
In this case, the specialist is called retinol (vitamin A). It is considered a particularly effective anti-aging ingredient because its peeling effect activates cell renewal and makes the skin more resistant, firmer and thicker. In the deeper layers of the skin, retinol also blocks collagen-degrading enzymes and promotes the production of collagen.
Be careful with skin care products
Since retinol can irritate the skin, it is only permitted in a maximum concentration of 0.3 percent in this country. “But that can also lead to itching and redness, but also dandruff and burning,” says Dr. Markus Dawid from Vienna, dermatological consultant at La Roche-Posay. Skin-friendly solution: a product in which the power substance retinol is paired with the softie linoleic acid to form “Retinol LP”. “As a result, retinol is stored in the skin and only released gradually, so that there are no irritations.” Pro-retinol (a precursor such as retinaldehyde, for example) is first converted into retinoic acid in the skin and is therefore better tolerated.
Protect your skin
Antioxidants – Protect our cells
- Do you want your complexion to be optimally protected against UV light stress?
- Do you want to do something against premature skin aging in good time?
Then pay attention to antioxidants not only in your diet, but also in creams. They can checkmate free radicals, which are formed under the influence of UV light and otherwise attack our cells. While vitamin C – which is also an excellent collagen booster, by the way – mainly watches inside the cell, vitamin E (tocopherol) patrols the cell wall and puts the aggressive molecules out of action before they penetrate. Creams often contain the precursor pro-tocopherol, which is first converted into vitamin E with the help of enzymes. Polyphenols, especially resveratrol from grapevines, are also among the top antioxidants.
New: resveratrol oleyl. It slows down harmful proteins that are produced by free radicals and thus prevents “saccharification” or hardening of the collagen fibers. This keeps the skin nice and elastic.
Coenzyme Q10 plus creatine – a power couple
“While Q10 plays a central role in energy production, we need creatine for energy storage,” explains Dr. Thomas Blatt, human biologist and head of the Aged Skin Research department at Beiersdorf. “Like a small rechargeable battery, it stores the energy that is not immediately needed for metabolic activities such as cell division or repairing damage, and releases it again when the mitochondria cannot quickly produce enough themselves. Creatine is formed in the body, but it can also be absorbed through food and by the skin cells in creams.”
Peptides plus glycolic acid
“Glycolic acid is suitable for supporting skin renewal with peptides – this fruit acid acts like a peeling,” explains Dr. Patricia Ogilvie.
Vitamin E plus C
About this powerful duo says Dr. Markus Dawid: “Thanks to its antioxidant effect, vitamin C protects vitamin E from decomposition and ensures that it remains active for longer.” The combination of vitamin C with a retinol cream has great synergy effects: “The antioxidant comes on during the day and tightening effect of vitamin C, at night the regenerating power of retinol,” says Dr. David.
