In the war against aging, helping clients achieve youthful skin is a constant battle. It takes an arsenal of products and treatments to combat fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, uneven skin tone and dryness. But knowing which ingredients deliver results is the key to turning the tide. Here’s the expert scoop on the professional wrinkle fighters and collagen boosters that really work.
Retinol
"Clients are always concerned with fine lines and wrinkles, and microencapsulated retinol is the first line of defense,” says Tara Damiano, Global Education Developer for The International Dermal Institute (IDI) and Dermalogica. “It stimulates cell renewal and increases collagen production. Professional skin treatments like Dermalogica AGE Smart and Dermalogica MicroZone incorporate active ingredients like retinol to target the causes behind aging, such as free radical damage and oxidation.”
Dermalogica AGE Reversal Eye Complex is formulated with a 0.1 percent concentration of pure vitamin A. This unique firming complex stimulates collagen production and increases elastin synthesis to improve fines lines and wrinkles around the eye.
Vitamin C
"Ascorbic acid is the nature-identical form of vitamin C, and the only form recognized and absorbed by the human body. It’s a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, which contribute to accelerated aging. It also instantly stops oxidation on contact,” says Leslie Wooldridge, Global Marketing Manager for Malibu C. “When a free radical steals an electron from a protein in a strand of collagen, it creates a break in the strand. The more breaks, the more visible damage as skin begins to sag and wrinkle.
Malibu C Perfection C Serum is part of a two-step regimen that features the freshly activated vitamin C in Perfection C Serum and Perfection Vital Crème. These innovative products work in tandem to restore youthful radiance and are especially suitable for normal, dry and mature skin.
Peptides
“As skin ages, it loses collagen and becomes thinner with more noticeable fine lines and wrinkles,” says Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage CEO and Founder. “Collagen-boosting peptides trick the skin into thinking that collagen is diminishing, causing it to produce more. Applying products with peptides—like biomimetric messenger pentapeptide, marine biopeptide and Matrixyl 3000—helps promote collagen production.”
Repêchage Vita Cura Triple Firming Cream is an essential step of the Vita Cura 5 Phase Firming Facial, which uses an assortment of peptides to preserve elasticity, improve oxygenation and speed up cell renewal.
Timeless by Pevonia Collagen Serum has high concentrations of marine collagen polypeptides and Myoxy-Caviar extract, to deeply hydrate the skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. As part of the Ageless Beauty Facial, it delivers luminous skin.