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If you are serious about taking care of your skin to help slow down the aging process, there are several ingredients that you will continually see appearing in a good anti-wrinkle cream, age defying serum or anti-aging moisturizer.

It is advantageous to become familiar with these frequently occurring ingredients so you will be more knowledgeable on know how to choose an effective topical cream to combat aging. Be aware of the variety of ingredients including peptides, vitamins and antioxidants offered in your options and what they do to help your skin.
“Many people have busy lifestyles, so don’t have the time to spend on a complicated skin care regime. It is important to find a product that contains a variety of key ingredients that will work together to improve your skin’s texture and appearance.” – said Penny Whiteley founder of ATAL Skin Solutions.

As a biologist for over 30 years, Penny started her career in research. Years before they became sought after as an ingredient in skin care formulations, she was investigating the power of stem cells in plant meristem cuttings for propagation. Penny has also spent many years in education. Her search for the ‘Holy Grail’ of skin care, lead Penny to try many different products and brands from high end to the less expensive. She found that; there are many beautiful products on the market, they don't need to necessarily be expensive to be effective and there isn't one 'quick fix', you need to have dedication and patience in order to see results. 

Here are some of the most popular and effective ingredients recommended by the experts:

Peptides will soften, firm and smooth your skin faster than other anti-aging skin care products. They also promote the production of collagen and elastin to help improve your skin’s elasticity. Matrixyl 3000 is a powerful combination of two peptides that have been clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and repair photodamaged skin. It stimulates collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid. Clinical studies have shown a significant increase in the production of Collagen and 45% less deep wrinkles after 2 months.

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the bodies of people and animals but decreases over time. It hydrates and plumps skin by providing continuous moisture. The decline of hyaluronic acid in the body can be increased by smoking or a poor diet, as well as aging. The plumping effect of HA adds fullness to aging skin, giving a more youthful appearance. It also helps your skin repair and regenerate itself after suffering from dryness, environmental stresses, or irritation.

Retinol (Vitamin A) is considered to be an exfoliator and its effect of repeatedly shedding the upper dermal layer stimulates the skin to produce new cells. Vitamin A reduces hyperpigmentation and increases collagen production. Retinyl Palmitate is a mild, nonirritating form of retinol. It is converted to Retinol and then to the active component of Retinoic Acid once the skin absorbs it. Stronger forms of retinol are also available and you may find them in a variety of anti-aging products. Using retinol can improve your skin’s color, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, tone and texture. It can also be used to treat age spots and rough skin.

Vitamin C has been found to be very effective in reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and scars. It is a key to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. The powerful antioxidant properties of Vitamin C slow the rate of free-radical damage, which causes skin’s dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles. It helps combat and even reverse time’s effect on your skin because it produces collagen, a protein which makes skin appear plump and firm. Applying Vitamin C to the skin topically is up to 20 times more effective than taking it orally, however, it is still important to incorporate Vitamin C into your diet.

Vitamin E is a natural skin-conditioning agent and antioxidant. It reduces the formation of free radicals from exposure to UV rays. Vitamin E promotes the healing process, strengthening the skin’s barrier function, protecting the skin barrier’s lipid balance, and reducing water loss. As an antioxidant, it is attributed with anti-aging, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and enhanced SPF properties.

Age less...
Research of ingredients that would give the greatest benefit to our skin as it ages, coupled with the collaborative approach of Penny’s cosmetic chemist and his team, has lead to the development of their range. They merge both natural and organic ingredients with the latest discoveries in scientific research and aim to develop some of the most innovative skin care available. This is why many of the ingredients chosen by ATAL Skin Solutions treat the cause and not the obvious problem. “My desire to create effective products that I really love to use, prompted me to start my skincare brand ATAL. The word ATAL has no real meaning, but we love the fact that the letters stand for ‘Aim Towards A healthy Lifestyle’ - take a holistic approach to health and look after your skin as well!” – Penny said.

Why does skin look aged? 
As our body ages, less collagen is produced and cell turnover slows down. ATAL Skin solution targets these issues in the Age Defying Serums -The AdvantAGE range, which currently consists of Ultimate Age Defying Serum and Velvet Eye Serum and the new Ultimate Youth Moisturizer (due to be released just prior to Christmas.) Peptide enriched, as well as containing retinol, antioxidants and other natural ingredients this cream is smooth, light-weight and easy to apply.  It is very moisturizing and suitable for dry and mature skin types. An excellent skin treatment especially for the winter months!  “Make sure you know what to look for when you are choosing the products that are right for you.” 

Age Defying 
The Ultimate Age Defying Serum - it is a very lightweight creamy serum, the short-term effects of which are to moisturize and hydrate the skin.
The key ingredients in this formulation are peptides; Matrixyl®3000, Matrixyl®Synthe-6 that promote the production of collagen and Argireline which helps to prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles (those that appear when we move our face). It is a topical skin care ingredient with similar properties to Botox.
Hyaluronic acid (read more above) the skin to maintain a high level of hydration and Vitamins A, C, B3 and E together with other antioxidants, help increase cell turnover and improve the skin’s immune properties. 

Velvet Eye Serum 
The skin around the eyes is ten times thinner than other facial skin so it's really important to take extra care of this area. This is one of the first places to show our age as this fine skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner due to the breakdown of collagen. To prevent these unwanted fine lines, puffiness or dark circles, ATAL’s Velvet Eye Serum is rich in peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and moisturizing ingredients. There are also many other special ingredients such as apple stem cells to assist with wrinkle reduction and licorice to help reduce puffiness just to name a few. Velvet Eye Serum is packed with ingredients that will really make a difference.

“In addition to making sure these effective ingredients are found in your anti-aging products, remember that there are several steps you can take to nourish your face and skin” – said Penny Whiteley.

Below please find a few quick tips:

•    Avoid exposure to the sun and remember to use a sunscreen when outside. Each day should commence by applying a moisturizer and sunscreen. The sunscreen will obviously help to shield the skin from any further sun damage while the moisturizer can help to address current signs of aging.

•    Don’t smoke. Consuming tobacco products has been found to be nearly as harmful as the sun when it comes to damaging your skin.

•    Eat a balanced diet that includes essential oils, fats, olives, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A balanced diet is also essential in order to maintain healthy skin. By consuming foods from all of the essential food groups you are providing your body with the raw materials that it requires to rebuild and maintain the skin.

•    Drink plenty of water. Water is always important and it is especially vital as you grow older if you want to maintain soft, smooth skin with great tone and texture.

•    Avoid stress and exercise regularly. Many people fail to realize that their high-stress levels not only take a toll emotionally, they can also have a negative effect on your appearance. Reducing your stress levels might sound easier said than done, but there are simple actions you can take such as learning a few breathing exercises to carry out when you feel overwhelmed. Doing an exercise that you enjoy also helps to lower stress.

•    Get plenty of sleep because sleeping gives your skin cells time to repair and renew themselves. Sweet dreams.
 

Combining anti-aging serums or products with a healthy lifestyle will ensure that you continue to have healthy, glowing skin.

Photos by courtesy of ATAL Skin Solutions