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Article: The Complete Guide to Anti-Aging [Part 2/5] – Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients That Actually Work

The Complete Guide to Anti-Aging [Part 2/5] – Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients That Actually Work
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The Complete Guide to Anti-Aging [Part 2/5] – Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients That Actually Work

It has become commonplace to see “anti-aging” stamped across almost all skincare, but not all ingredients are created equal and unless you know what to look for, you may find that your skincare doesn’t do what it promises.

In part one of this series, we talked about the natural (and inevitable) aging process of our skin and mentioned three opportunities to slow this process:

  1. Sun protection (it’s crucial- make sure you’re staying shady out there!);
  2. A healthy diet that includes drinking lots (and lots) of water; and
  3. High quality skincare.

The “quality” part of this third component comes down to the ingredients used in your products. Just like cooking with fresh ingredients leads to a better meal, so formulating with high-quality, natural ingredients leads to more effective and healthy skincare. 

There are some pretty powerful ingredients out there that can help keep your skin strong, healthy and aging better than you ever imagined. We know this because we’ve read the research, consulted with skincare chemists, trialled the ingredients, put them in our products and on our skin and had customers swear by them for almost ten years.

Here are a few of the best natural ingredients to look for in your “anti-aging’ skincare:

BROMELAIN

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple fruit extract that assists in skin debridement (aka peeling). By helping to remove dead skin cells, this powerful enzyme gently boosts collagen production for brighter, smoother, more youthful skin that is less likely to clog and age prematurely.

We use this powerhouse product in our Pineapple Enzyme + HA Eyelift Serum for its power to help combat dark circles, puffiness and fine wrinkles around the eyes. 

RETINOL

Retinol (aka Vitamin A), is an absolute superstar in collagen production and skin cell renewal, making it great at helping to plump wrinkled, thin or sagging skin. It also may improve skin tone and colour to even out pigmentation.

Be careful, though! Retinol can make your skin light-sensitive, so be sure to use with care. In order to get a reasonable percentage of the ingredient in your skin care, you will need to get a prescription from a dermatologist along with guidelines on how to use it effectively.

We don’t directly use retinol in any of our products, but Seabuckthorn Oil (found in N.E.O. and our Marine Collagen Firming Night Cream is a natural source of beta-carotene, which is a rich source of Vitamin A.  

HYALURONIC ACID

This is actually a natural component of your body. It keeps your joints, skin and tissues lubricated and cushioned. Your body creates less of it as you age and this decrease will be hastened if you smoke or have an unhealthy diet. Products with Hyaluronic Acid in them smooth and moisturise your skin from within and it works as a type of osmotic pump, helping other ingredients to be better absorbed by the skin.

We use Hyaluronic Acid in our Collagen Boosting Gel.

VITAMIN C

This is another powerful collagen booster and skin brightener that has the added bonus of being antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. It not only helps to break the bonds of dead skin cells so they can be exfoliated away, it is incredibly healing for those with scarring and is the best vitamin for anyone with unwanted pigmentation.

We use natural vitamin C sources, Kakadu Plum (which is known to have the highest natural content of vitamin C on the planet- 60x more than an orange!) and Grapefruit Extracts in our Super C + Bearberry Illuminating Serum and in our Prebiotic + C Skin Polishing Powder

WHITE TEA

Tea is a fighter. Loaded with nutrients called polyphenols, it has been shown to fight free radicals, which are toxic by-products of oxygen metabolism that can cause damage to living cells through a process known as oxidative stress. Of course, one great way to get these benefits is to drink tea, particularly white or green tea, but another is to look for it in your skincare. White Tea extract is a protective tonic for aging skin and helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as provides protection from the drying effects of the sun.

We use white tea extract in our Vitamin A+B+C Daily Face Cream, which is great for preventative care, as it hydrates, softens and re-mineralises the skin while protecting against environmental stressors.

Narcissus Tazetta Bulb [aka IBR Dormin®]

Extracted from the bulb of a daffodil flower, IBR-Dormin has been shown to delay cellular proliferation, helping to regenerate skin cells overnight, leading to firm, healthy skin. Soothing properties help maintain the skin’s elasticity and brightness, while protective properties may improve the skin’s natural defence mechanisms. This means your skin is less susceptible to environmental stressors (such as extreme temperature and wind) that may wear or -excuse the pun- weather your skin.

You’ll find this potent extract (along with Seabuckthorn Oil) in our Marine Collagen Firming Night Cream, a luxurious face cream that works wonders while you sleep.

Up next in our anti-aging series: Anti-Aging Tips for your Skin Type