What are the best anti-aging skin care products to use? – ABCs of Skincare Part 1

It’s as simple as A-B-C!

I frequently get asked about what products one should use to get started on a “good skin-care regime”.  It is as simple as ABC! The 3 most important products you can and should be using on your skin to reverse signs of aging and prevent further signs are:

1. Vitamin A  (Retin A or Retinol)

Vitamin A increases skin cell turnover, causing your cells to replicate faster -like they did a few years (or decades!) ago.  This decreases pigment, evens skin tone, binds moisture and increases collagen production-basically it lightens, brightens and tightens!  As the cell growth increases, the skin cells are newer so that you are literally replacing your skin with newer, younger skin! 

1. Broad-spectrum sunscreen

Everyone should be wearing sunscreen every day.  Everyone.  Everyday.  Unless you like what aging is doing to your skin.   Up to 80% of your skin’s aging is a result of UVA damage.  UVA rays are not the burning rays, and people tend to think that if they are not getting sunburned they are OK.  Not true.  Plus, UVA rays penetrate through glass so you are exposed to that damage while you are driving your car, sitting in your office near a window, etc.

Make sure you are using “broad-spectrum” (meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen of at least 30 spf, and re-applying as directed.  

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C assists vitamin A by supporting increased cell turnover; it is necessary for the production of new collagen-strengthening and thickening skin.  It also lightens pigment and is an anti-oxidant which helps protect the skin from UVA damage.   Topical vitamin C is 20 times more effective than oral vitamin C with regards to skin.