5 Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients

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It seems like every cream or serum has the word "nutri-" or "regen-", but inside the shiny bottle, what mystery ingredients are working the magic? More importantly, how much scientific proof is there that those precious droplets will turn back the calendar? To get the most bang for your buck, stop paying for the glitsy bottle. Instead, turn to the back and look for these top anti-aging super stars in the ingredient list.

Green Tea - Packed with catechines, a class of super antioxidants, green tea combat environmental damage and prevents premature aging. It's even been shown to combat skin cancer! Use a green tea mask and leave on for at least 10 minutes to allow the nutrients to sink in. Or just use green tea bags steeped in cold water and apply the bags directly to eyes to reduce excessive baggage.

Argan Oil - Also known as Moroccan oil, has been called liquid gold and produced from the kernel of the argan tree. With twice as much vitamin E as olive oil and lighter texture, it's suitable for both oily and dry skin types. You can apply it directly to face to moisturize without leaving you feeling greasy. It's also fantastic in another product, just make sure it's one of the first ingredients to get the most benefit. Personally, I love it on the corners of my eyes before going to sleep to keep my peepers smooth!

"Vitamin C also stimulates collagen synthesis, plumping up wrinkly areas and lightens dark spots."

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) - Ok, actually they are two ingredients, but they work best as a team. When a free radical strikes, it's usually a chain reaction, vitamin C neutralizes the initial free radical while vitamin E stops the domino effect. That's why when used together, they help prevent pre-mature aging and sun damage. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen synthesis, plumping up wrinkly areas and lightens dark spots.


Vitamin A (retinol) - Retin-A is the only medication approved for treating sun damage, but it's prescription only. The over the counter version is retinol, a natural form of vitamin A. It encourage new skin to grow and repairs damage. Vitamin A, will break down in the sun and possibly do bad things to your skin if exposed to sun, so spread it on before bed for best results. Also avoid it if you are pregnant. 

Getting more wrinkles, like getting wiser, is a normal part of aging! But pre-mature aging  is less than ideal to say the least.  Oxidation happens to the best of us, just like how apples turn brown after they're peeled. The same things happens to our skin, and it's perfectly normal. But when it happens too much due to sun damage, smoking, or just pure genetics, that's when antioxidants come to the rescue. Try incorporating these ingredients in your skin care regimen and report back on  your results! Also, remember the 7 habits of young looking people because small changes sustained over a long time leads to big differences in outcome.