Aging signs and changes on your face are quite significant: texture becomes rough, tone changes color, skin becomes dryer as it loses water with age (water loss is a natural process in aging cells). This is when deep wrinkles form, creases grow deep and skin, all over the body, loses elasticity.  Other potential problems include acne and hyper-sensitivity related conditions.

Topical treatments usually target one single problem or a few more related ones. It is difficult to find one single solution for all your problems. One of the most demanding and complex conditions is definitely aging. Anti aging products usually target wrinkles and lines, loss of elasticity and dryness associated with these aging concerns. But what happens when aging skin has to deal with various problems, for example an additional, unwelcome acne flare-up?

This is when regular anti aging products can’t deal with all facets of the problem and need support from various other solutions, but combining such diverse ingredients in one formula is not always plausible. Anti aging products usually contain comedogenic ingredients that make acne even worse although normally they wouldn’t affect the face at all.

 “Comedogenic” is defined as the tendency of a topical ingredient to cause comedones and eventually acne. This is primarily because of the increased buildup of dead skin cells in the pores which become clogged and lead to the formation of comedones under the skin. Once inflamed, these become breakouts at the surface of the skin. 

The comedogenic ingredients are usually oils (both natural and artificial e.g. cocoa butter, olive oil, jojoba oil , safflower oil, avocado oil; the non comedogenic ones are sunflower oil or mineral oils), emollients (derived from fats or waxes of both vegetal and animal origin – their texture is quite heavy), waxes (like beeswax, lanolin wax), Fatty Acids (these give the product a very creamy consistency and help aging skin but are not suitable for acne prone complexion), some botanicals (like chamomile and algae extracts), lanolin and derivates (can cause acne and make breakouts worse), vitamin E, Talc etc.

These are some ingredients which are quite common in anti aging products and usually improve the skin appearance but they should be used with precaution if acne is a secondary problem. Using an alternative acne treatment (spot type) can help treat occasional breakouts much better. The irritating potential of some artificial ingredients in your anti aging products should also be taken into account, although these are not likely to cause problems to normal skin.

Sensitive skin care is usually part of most anti aging products because aging skin becomes more sensitive with time; these should not contain irritating or harsh ingredients, certain preservatives and other artificial elements. Some products specifically target sensitivity concerns and offer an alternative to your regular anti aging treatment.

Continuous protection is necessary and aging skin needs as much protection as young skin does. One of the best ways to prevent other conditions and protect your skin is by using anti aging products with sunscreen. SPF moisturizers never fail to protect your skin from environmental damage. Coupled with some antioxidants like pomegranate extract and Vitamin C, SPF moisturizers represent the best day care choice for mature skin and not only. Pomegranate extract is a very efficient sun screen enhancer and, used in topical sun protection products, improves the power the Sun Protection Factor. Antioxidants have a very important role in skin care as they prevent cell damage, therefore aging and environmental damage and nourish the skin. A hydrated, nourished skin is stronger in its fight against free radicals.