Anti Aging Skin Care...There is one thing I know for sure, we are all aging...but my aversion to aging didn't really begin to consume me until I hit middle age (this is where I really came to understand the term anti aging as a state of mind).

Middle age is also when you become particularly vulnerable to the promises and potential of anti aging products.  A clever cosmetics company Philosophy aptly named one of their anti aging creams "Hope In A Jar"...that's what anti aging skin care feels like 'in a nutshell'.  The question is, is it only hope or could there truly be some merit to a skin care regime that attempts to deal with aging skin?

Aside: *When I was a teenager, most people (especially teens) didn't attempt to 'screen' or 'block' the sun, they were looking for 'tan accelerators'!  Anything that would speed up the coveted display of a tan.  My face is telling that tale...one of fair Northern European skin sun worshipping for many years...not the best habit I ever had.

Take action when it comes to anti aging skin care.  There are things you can do!

Anti aging skin care falls generally into these basic categories; 

In HOME

• 1  prevention- good skin care program which includes exfoliation and sun protection
• 2  reversal of SOME damage- skin lighteners for pigmentation problems, Retin A 
• 3  restoration (SOME)- of skin tone, texture
• 3  reducing the appearance of aging i.e. loss of skin elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, dehydrations, pore size

MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

• 4 reduction of wrinkles-non invasive-addressing dynamic expression lines and loss of volume; Botox, Restylane, Juvaderm, Collagen etc. 
• 5 rework- invasive-lift, tighten sagging skin, deep resurfacing of skin via laser technology

Do some homework...as unappealing as that may sound, you will be saving yourself BIG $$, disappointment and time (trying to faithfully follow a hopeful new regimen that doesn't work usually takes 3-6 weeks).  

As cynical as I feel when new wonder anti aging ingredients come through the cosmetic marketplace, there are truly wonder ingredients that *science has explored, and supports (*You just have to make sure the 'context' for that ingredient to work, is there in the anti aging product.) 

Strivectin, Hylauronic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Retin A, Green Tea, Cytokinin, Alpha Lipoic Acid....

There are also plenty of ingredients that have been explored and disproved, or at best remain unsubstantiated, but that doesn't mean the larger consumer market place is aware of those findings- and those findings certainly aren't going to be presented by the cosmetic industry. 

Check out my quick study on popular anti aging ingredients...

Your skin is an organ that reflects your biological age, but also reflects the health of your overall body...don't forget to take care of your one and only body; good nutrition, opting for low fat choices, good water intake (don't over do it), moderate consumption of alcohol, good sleep habits, and regular intentional exercise (planned and effective).

Oh yah, makeup can also combat the appearance of aging skin.  Check out my anti aging makeup techniques article and these amazing new makeup products that address issues specific to aging skin.  You might even amaze yourself!