source:flickr by:prawnpie
Antioxidant Ingredient Close-up: Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid is a favorite antioxidant ingredient of most skin care-aware people. It’s naturally produced by the human body, and also found in other natural sources, such as foods. Alpha lipoic acid is used in many anti-aging skin care products, due to its purported ability to reduce wrinkles.
The prominent clinical and research dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone has performed a number of studies on the effects of alpha lipoic acid in skin care products. In one study, alpha lipoic acid was able to reduce mild to moderate wrinkles by up to 50 percent, while virtually eliminating fine lines. In another study, alpha lipoic acid showed similar efficacy when used topically on scars. However, some have disputed the findings due to the fact that each of these studies were performed by Dr. Perricone, who formulates his own line of anti aging products which features the ingredient in question.
In addition to alpha lipoic acid’s anti-aging capabilities, it also offers a wide range of other skin care and health benefits, including:
- Cellular energy production
- The inhibition of cross-linking, a pro-aging process
- Anti-inflammatory actions
- The neutralization and removal of toxic metals
- Improvement to neurological complications of diabetes, arterial sclerosis and more (when taken internally)
Alpha lipoic acid is a widely available, relatively inexpensive ingredient. However, it’s often used in conjunction with more expensive antioxidants and anti aging skin care ingredients, making the product more costly than a pure alpha lipoic acid formulation. Results caused by alpha lipoic acid products are usually seen after 8-12 weeks of use, depending on the concentration of the active ingredients.
Although almost all of the information we have on alpha lipoic acid use in anti aging skin care products is provided by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, who may have a specific interest in the success of this ingredient, it is next to impossible that he fabricated the results for his own gain. Therefore, the results of Dr. Perricone’s studies stand on their own; alpha lipoic acid is an extremely effective anti-aging skin antioxidant.
Posted by Eric under
Types of Antioxidants
source:flickr by:Valerie Everett
Top Three Antioxidant Skin Care Misconceptions
When it comes to antioxidant skin care, it’s easy to get confused about the best ingredients, how antioxidant skin care works, and even why antioxidants are so important. Skin care antioxidant misconceptions are a dime a dozen, which is why I’m here to set the record straight! Read on to discover the truth about the top three antioxidant skin care misconceptions.
Antioxidants Neutralize Each Other
Antioxidants do not cancel each other out! Some believe that since antioxidants provide neutralization abilities against free radicals that those same abilities can work against beneficial skin care ingredients, including the antioxidants themselves. Rest assured that your antioxidant products will not be rendered useless due to self-neutralization.
Antioxidants are for Mature Skin Only
Anyone at any age can use and benefit from antioxidants, whether they’re taken internally or used topically. Antioxidants prevent damage as well as they repair damage, making them a must-have ingredient in every beauty care product from a young girl’s acne cleanser to a potent anti-aging skin care moisturizer for mature skin. In addition to skin care with antioxidants, consuming antioxidant-rich foods will help keep the body running well and feeling great, due to the combination of antioxidants and natural nutrients, such as vitamins.
Antioxidant Skin Care Doesn’t Work
The most common, and arguably the most incorrect, antioxidant skin care misconception is that it simply doesn’t work! Countless clinical studies have shown that skin antioxidants effectively prevent and/or repair damage, including fine lines, wrinkles, undesired skin textures, hyperpigmentation, and more. If you only remember one misconception correction, make it this; skin care antioxidants are proven to be healthful, beneficial, and effective. Plus, they’re often taken from natural sources, making them one of the gentlest and most nourishing skin care ingredients available on the market!
Do you have an antioxidant skin care question? Leave us a comment and we’ll do our best to provide you with an answer!
Posted by Eric under
General Information
