Skincare actives should be incorporated into the routine of anyone 25 and above to treat the current signs of aging and prevent skin degeneration. Here we discuss some of the most popular active ingredients used to combat and prevent signs of aging; like wrinkles, sagging skin, and depigmentation.
ANTI-AGING ACTIVES
Retinol
Retinol works by exfoliating the skin from the top down. As a chemical exfoliant, it is able to stimulate skin cell production. When used in products labeled “anti-aging” it slows the process of collagen and elastin breakdown, in order to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Pros:
-Widely used and effective
Cons:
-Easily irritates skin
-Increases sun sensitivity
-In anti-aging context retinol takes months of use before it is effective
Niacinamide
This active is one of iuno’s favorites because it acts at a cellular level via exosomes rather than just on the surface of your skin. This active is known to stimulate the growth and communication of cells beneath the skin increasing ceramides, which diminishes the appearance of wrinkles. It is also one of the most gentle skincare active ingredients that are able to combat fine lines.
Pros:
-Acts beneath the skin to IMPROVE skin appearance rather than treat
-Better for sensitive skin than alternatives
-Can be combined with vitamin C
-Treats hyperpigmentation in a short amount of time
Cons:
-Less effective than some alternatives
Peptides
This one gets a gold star from us as it is an active that is able to penetrate beneath the surface layers of your skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Peptides allow these proteins to communicate effectively to deter skin sagging and wrinkles.
Pros:
-Works well for sensitive skin
-Penetrates beneath your initial barrier to improve function
-Skin healing properties
Cons:
-Not an exfoliant
-There are many types of peptides, some are less effective than others
Carnosine
Many of the anti-aging actives mentioned above promote cell communication and growth to promote youthful, tight, skin. Carnosine works in an inhibitory fashion as there are biological proteins in the body that contribute to aging. Topical carnosine mimics the function of biological carnosine which protects your cells by inhibiting the production of damaging buildup on the outside of these cells. Essentially, it prevents the aging of your cells.
Pros:
-Suitable for sensitive skin
-Protects against aging from the inside out
-Naturally sourced
Cons:
-Efficacy depends on the size of the carnosine molecule
Hydroquinone
This active is considered the gold standard when treating dark spots. Hydroquinone is able to stop the production of melanin in order to lighten dark spots on the skin surface.
Pros:
-Can be combined with other skincare actives
-Highly effective in treating dark spots
Cons:
-Cannot be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
-Can only be used for a short amount of time
-Lightens all parts of the skin, “halos” may appear around the treated dark spots
All of these anti-aging actives have one con in common… That is that over time, they become less effective. In order to properly treat aging symptoms you will need to change the amount or type of activity used in your skincare routine. Utilizing the iuno Protocol will ensure that the dosage and contents of your formulations will continue to effectively treat your aging concerns. We merge science and skincare to give you a precise skin cycling routine. iuno nurtures for beautiful skin every day, not just today.