We all know that it’s more important to be beautiful on the INSIDE than the outside, but there’s no shame in wanting to put our best face forward in this world of ours. The statistics say it all, anti-aging skin care is something most of us at some point in our lives will seek out. While there are many variables (like genetics and where you live) that determine whether you’ll still be asked to show your ID at 50, or are destined to always be confused as your friends’ Mom, there are definitely some ingredients in skin care products can help mitigate the tell-tale signs of aging.
Straight Talk: Shopping for anti-aging products is an absolute nightmare these days. Between all the ads you see promising to be the one product that finally works, and walking down an aisle full of products on store shelves that all claim to have THE newest ingredient you just HAVE to buy -unless you want end up old and wrinkled and alone. More people than ever are becoming fatigued by the steady stream of new products being churned out by skin care companies. Each one comes with the usual manipulative marketing hype and unsubstantiated claims of sudden youthfulness. And since very few of us like to take a deep dive into ingredient research every time we want a new product, we look to these companies to be truthful about what they are selling us.
The bottom line is, people are fed up with getting burned each time a product they buy doesn’t deliver. We all just want to know what to do, what to buy, what isn’t a waste of money, and what actually works! There are new things being researched all the time, but when it comes right down to it, there are 2 Anti-Aging Superstars that EVERYONE should seek out if they want to improve the appearance of aging skin: Antioxidants and Alpha Hydroxy Acids.
Antioxidants: The Free-Radical Fighters
We’ve all seen and heard the terminology thrown about for years. But, let’s finally get to the bottom of it…
WHAT ARE FREE RADICALS, EXACTLY?
First things first. Let’s have a quick refresher of 8th grade biology….
Absolutely everything in the world, from human beings to the air around us, is made of molecules. Molecules are made of atoms and atoms are made of pairs of electrons. But when an atom is missing an electron, that’s when it becomes a free radical.
Free radicals damage our skin’s cell health and DNA – and that speeds up aging.
WHERE AM I GETTING THESE FREE RADICALS FROM?
Free radicals can be created from pollution such as smog, dust and cigarette smoke, as well as our powerful frenemy, the sun (Picture the sun zapping off one of the electrons of an atom with a dangerous ray of UV light, making the atom stumble around all disoriented and looking to steal an electron from a “healthy” atom, to make itself whole again. That unstable atom is a free radical. Once damaged atoms start to rob their neighbor’s electron, a chain reaction is set off and an electron-plundering free-for-all begins.
WHAT DOES FREE RADICAL DAMAGE LOOK LIKE?
Free radicals damage DNA and oxidize the cells they rob electrons from. Oxidized cells (think an apple that turns brown when exposed to oxygen) that aren’t given their electron back by an electron-abundant antioxidant cell will start to degrade just like that apple. Skin damage done by free radicals may appear in several forms. They range from changes in skin color (brown spots and broken blood vessels) to weakened skin that looks loose and saggy as a result of damaged collagen. Collagen is the protein fiber that serves as the building block of our skin. Free radicals can also turn our natural oils rancid, and break down the skin’s collagen, which leads to wrinkles.
HOW CAN I STOP FREE RADICALS FROM HARMING MY SKIN?
Your answer to free radicals are antioxidants! They are compounds that can donate an electron to a free radical so that the free radical doesn’t have to take the electron from the skin’s atoms. Antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, among other substances, and can be consumed via food and liquids (such as tomatoes, grapes and green tea) or applied topically.
Summary: Most experts believe antioxidants are the most vital weapons in the fight against aging – and not just for your skin, but for every cell in your body. Most of the appearance of aging is caused by a free-radical assault from smoke, pollution and UV rays. Antioxidants are used in skin care products to neutralize free radicals before they ravage the skin.
A variety of antioxidants can be found in KIND skincare formulas. You’ll fall in love with the intoxicating Rosewater Night Serum for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Other Antioxidant-rich skin care products include: Rosewater Creamy Cleanser, All Things Facial Oil, Goat’s Milk Cleansing Milk, Dead Sea Mud Mask, Pumpkin Facial fruit enzyme peel, Lavender DetoxCharcoal Scrub & Mask, Tea Tree Rx Charcoal Mask, manKIND Beard & Face Oil.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Rewinding Time and Revealing a Youthful Glow
There are two Hydroxy Acids, Alpha & Beta, that are very effective in an anti-aging skincare routine. The purpose of both AHAs and BHAs is to exfoliate the skin. Depending on the concentration of the acid, a product may gently remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to a professional clinical peel removing the whole outermost layer of skin (we don’t recommend that, BTW).
Neither type of hydroxy acid is “better” than the other. Both are highly effective methods of exfoliation. The differences lie in their uses.
AHAs are water-soluble acids made from sugary fruits and milk. These include Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, and Citric acid. Our formulations using them at a safe, but effective concentration. Glycolic acid reduces cell adhesion in the uppermost layer of the epidermis, promoting exfoliation of dead skin and cell replacement contributing to a smoother brighter complexion (and thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it may even help prevent acne breakouts). Lactic acid comes from milk (Goat’s Milk in KIND products) and is another AHA known to exfoliate, stimulating collagen growth. As its name suggests, Citric acid is made from citrus fruit extracts. Its main purpose is to neutralize the skin’s pH levels and to even out rough patches of skin.
AHAs are primarily used for:
- mild hyperpigmentation like age spots, melasma, and scars
- enlarged pores
- fine lines and surface wrinkles
- uneven skin tone
If you’re primarily looking for dry skin relief or anti-aging benefits, your best bet is an AHA.
BHAs are most suitable for oily and/or acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA. These acids go deep into your hair follicles to dry out excess oils and dead skin cells to unclog your pores.
Although Hydroxy acids are generally safe for all skin types, you’ll want to take care if you have extremely dry and sensitive skin. You may need to gradually work up to daily use to avoid irritating your skin. Also of note: the strong exfoliating effects make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen every morning to prevent burns, age spots, and increased skin cancer risks.
Common AHA & BHA questions:
Why not use both at the same time? If you want to use both, you can alternate products morning and night, or every other night, but you don’t want to layer AHAs and BHAs on top of one another at the same time. Using both can cause dryness and irritation.
So…is this the same as Retin-A? Nope! Acids don’t work like retinoids (which repair skin by kick-starting inflammation). Our products are gentler than Retin-A, which can be too harsh for a lot of people and cause severe inflammation, peeling, and redness.
Should I use a face scrub or a hydroxy acid for exfoliation? Manual scrubs, whether apricot shells, sugar, or another gritty substance are abrasive and can damage the skin very easily. So contrary to how it sounds, acids are actually a wiser choice for most skin types.
We’ve got both Antioxidants and AHA’s in our Goat’s Milk Skincare Collection. With the gentle exfoliation properties of Lactic Acid from Goat’s Milk and a multitude of antioxidants, the Cleansing Bar, Cleansing Milk, Toner, and Dream Cream are particularly beloved by those who are looking to brighten up their skin with gentle, natural ingredients. Effective for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin.
Make Monday Night Mask your New Ritual! For a little extra AHA “umph”, use our Pumpkin Facial Enzyme Mask or Rosewater Glycolic Masque once a week!
So, what about all those other ingredients in there, you ask? And how about other ones we hear about like Hyaluronic Acid and DMAE? Our products are formulated with MANY amazing skin-loving ingredients. Hydrating, anti-inflammatory, redness-reducing, and other anti-aging agents are built-in to enhance, round out, and supplement the formula cornerstones of Antioxidants and AHA’s. *We’ll be highlighting these other ingredients in future blogs.
We hope you were able to learn a bit about the ingredients we think are the most important to seek out in anti-aging products. And hopefully you’ll be able to relax and let the latest fad or “Holy Grail” product pass you on by. Let others run around in circles looking for the fountain of youth. Let them partake in things like Snail Trail Facials, Foreskin Lotion, and Ground Toenail Face Scrubs (I made that last one up but you had to think about it for a second, didn’t you?). Know that you are a part of the KIND community, and we’ve got your back.
We assure you, we are middle-aged women here, we will let you know as soon as ANY new ingredient is something to get excited about (like a facelift fruit just hanging around waiting to be discovered). When you choose a KIND product we want you to know that each one been formulated to be THE BEST products to also put on our OWN faces. Trust us, you won’t go wrong with our skincare products.
Oh, and in case some of you dismiss this discussion because “you’re too young to worry about it”, know this: dermatologists agree that an anti-aging skin care routine should begin before thirty. It’s not a matter of getting rid of wrinkles right now, it’s a matter of protecting and maintaining healthy skin cells so you won’t see wrinkles creeping in prematurely. Just like every other form of healthcare, prevention is the best medicine.
Sources: Dermatologist Dr. Emmy Graber,
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