Dan's Papers - November 23, 2007 - What's In Your Lotion?

From the light of day until the last nightly routine, many of us join America's cultural obsession with skin and the determination to keep it wrinkle free. Products that promise to make skin smooth, soft, or more luminescent beckon, and we frequently answer the call snatching bottles and jars off the shelves of department stores, even it we can't pronounce the long list of ingredients inside. From organic compounds to chemical masterpieces, study up on advancements that may be able to help ward off time...if only for a little while.

If your brand of choice can be readily picked up at your local superstore, odds are it contains alpha-hydroxy acids. Lauded for their ability to help diminish fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots, these acids are usually derived from fruits or vegetables, making them a little less threatening to budding beauty junkies, like their acid relatives of your teenage years, salicylic acid, they can cause redness, irritation and sun sensitiveness. Start with small applications and increase every other day till your skin builds up tolerance, and it will.

Another popular ingredient on the beauty circuit, this derivative of Vitamin A is found in many over- the-counter creams and lotions. With the power to remove red skin or ruddiness, soften wrinkles and create a smoother texture, retinol can help save face. Those looking for more punch can get high doses of retinol or its counterpart, tretinoin, with a prescription, usually under the names of Retin-A and Renova. Because it targets lower-lying skin cells, retinol causes less flaking and dryness than more topical treatments. Using sunscreen is a must, because it can cause sun sensitivity.

Even a wrinkle-free face can show the ravages of time if the skin is droopy and dull. Perk ups can come in the form of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that stimulates the creation of collagen for a plumper appearance. Seek out a dermatologist or spa esthetician to directly apply high doses during a facial or mask.

Often seen in a tag team with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring material already at work in your body, usually found in the joints and connective tissues. It is well known for creating perky skin. Smooth out surface wrinkles and tiny creases like crow's feet with a powerful dose, applied during a mask treatment, as a wrinkle-filler or orally with your morning orange juice.

If an award were to be handed out for excellence, copper peptide may just be the recipient. One of the newest on the market, this combination of copper and proteins goes a long way in increasing collagen like Vitamin C while also promoting the natural creation of Hyaluronic Acid. Experts are saying copper peptides can create a smoother complexion than its counterparts. Available readily in creams, masks and cleansers, this option can deliver with far fewer side effects and far less money, than many other of the mentioned solutions.

Always do a test run when introducing these ingredients to your skin for the first time. As with a skin patch test when you first color your hair or change brands, test a bit behind your ear or inner elbow for 24 hours. If any severe redness, itching or break outs occur, discontinue use and consult with your dermatologist for a new option.