The Elixir Of Life: What Are The Best Anti-Aging Products You Can Buy?

We’d all love to be able to look young forever. While there are some pretty effective cosmetic procedures available, not all of us are willing (or can afford) to go under the knife. A number of beauty products – including skin creams, supplements and gadgets – could be an alternative solution to preventing/reversing ageing. But just which of these products can you trust? 

There are now so many anti-ageing products on the market that claim to be able to fight wrinkles using all kinds of wacky ingredients from gold leaf to bird poop (not kidding). For some of these products, there is little evidence to back up these claims. However, others have an encouraging amount of scientific proof to suggest that they can help fight ageing. They probably won’t make you immortal like a Twilight vampire. But they could help you to stay looking youthful longer. Below are 10 examples of scientifically backed anti-aging products worth trying.

Retinol

Retinol is possibly the most widely praised anti-ageing product. It’s a derivative of Vitamin A that can be found in many foods – particularly liver, eggs and cheese. It can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. It is also beneficial to our vision and immune system.

One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that applying retinol to the skin resulted in a significant reduction of wrinkles after just 12 weeks. While retinol won’t work against deep wrinkles, it could be the simple solution to those small creases. You’ll find many retinol-based creams and serums online. 

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs within our skin, as well as being found in some foods like bone broth. This substance is renowned for its ability to help the skin to retain water. This stops the skin from drying out – helping to prevent wrinkles, while also keeping it looking plumper.

Multiple studies support its ability to moisturize the skin and keep it looking youthful. In fact, it’s become the second most praised anti-ageing skincare ingredient after retinol, and can be found in a variety of different skincare products. This includes a range of different moisturisers – some of which also contain retinol for a double-whammy anti-aging effect. 

Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can help boost collagen and elastin production in the skin. In non-medical terms, that basically means that this substance is very effective at fighting wrinkles and improving skin firmness. Peptides can also help reduce inflammation and are sometimes used to fight skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. 

There have been several studies that back up the effects of peptides, showing that they can indeed reduce the depth of wrinkles. They may not be able to get rid of deep furrows. But they could potentially help erase small line wrinkles. You’ll find peptides in a number of night creams and serums, which you can explore online. 

Coenzyme Q10

What is coenzyme Q10? This is an antioxidant found in many meats, fish, seed oils and vegetables. It also occurs naturally in the body and can help protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radicals. By doing so, coenzyme Q10 can leave your complexion looking radiant.

Research has found that his antioxidant can be effective at fighting fine line wrinkles. Not only can it help existing lines heal, but it can prevent new ones from forming. Coenzyme Q10 is not as renowned as some of the other anti-aging skincare chemicals listed above, but it is starting to gain popularity, and you can find it in quite a few different creams and serums online. Some of these products also contain ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid. 

NMN

Not to be confused with Eminem, NMN is shorthand for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide. It’s a naturally occurring molecule in the body that serves as a precursor for NAD+. What does any of that mean? Studies show that NAD+ levels decline with age and are heavily associated with DNA repair. Consuming NMN helps to replenish NAD+ and therefore actively combats ageing. It’s one of the chemicals that is truly closest to earning the title ‘the elixir of life’.

By taking an NMN supplement daily, you may be able to keep up your NAD+ levels, which combined with a healthy lifestyle could result in a long and healthy life. Studies were found to increase the lifespan of female mice by 8.5%. It’s too soon to see if this supplement will have the same impact on humans. However, it could be worth trying it out in case it truly can add years onto your life – especially as it’s a natural chemical with practically no side effects. 

Resveratrol

You may have heard claims that red wine can make you live longer. While this is debatable due to red wine’s alcohol content, this beverage does contain a scientifically-backed anti-aging ingredient called resveratrol. It’s found in grapes and berries and has anti-inflammatory properties when consumed, helping to fight heart disease and inflammatory skin conditions. 

Can resveratrol reverse wrinkles (try saying that fast)? There is limited research into its wrinkle-fighting abilities, but studies have found that this chemical can improve the appearance of photoaged skin and enhance skin texture. Supplements and skin creams containing resveratrol are likely to be a better solution to fighting ageing than drinking red wine. 

Green tea extract

Green tea is very trendy at the moment. ‘Matcha’ is essentially green tea powder and is in everything. Meanwhile, more people are drinking green tea. This craze is partially because of green tea’s unique flavour and partially because of green tea’s amazing health benefits. It may help boost brain health, support heart health and lower blood sugar – and there’s evidence it can fight wrinkles too.

Green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly effective at reversing UV damage to skin as this study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry states. UV damage from the sun is one of the main causes of wrinkles and can also lead to other health problems too. You can take green tea extract in the form of supplements, as well as finding it in some skin products (although it’s more effective to orally consume it). 

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are most commonly found in fish oil and flaxseeds. They are regarded as one of the best super-nutrients – possessing scientifically backed health benefits such as boosting brain health and fighting heart disease. When it comes to maintaining a youthful appearance, omega-3 can help fight skin inflammation and maintain skin hydration. 

You can consume omega-3 by taking supplements such as cod liver oil tablets or omega-3 supplement pills. These are some of the most commonly found supplements in stores. Alternatively, you can get your intake of omega-3 by enjoying a diet rich in oily fish, nuts and seeds. Check out this guide to explore a few different omega-3 rich recipes. 

Curcumin

A spice that is commonly praised for its health benefits is turmeric. This spice has potent anti-inflammatory properties and may be as effective a painkiller as aspirin. The key compound within turmeric that makes it so amazing is curcumin. It’s a powerful antioxidant that actively helps to break down and rebuild collagen in the skin.

There are multiple studies that back up the health benefits of curcumin. When it comes anti-ageing, consumption of curcumin is likely to be most effective for those with inflammatory skin conditions like acne or eczema. You can consume curcumin in the form of supplement pills and also by eating powdered turmeric in a glass of water. 

LED face masks

Finally, it’s worth discussing the LED face mask. Unlike the other listed items here, which are mostly ingredients found within products, this is a dedicated gadget for helping reverse aging. It is a mask that uses various different tones of light to stimulate collagen production in the skin.

A study in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found that LED therapy could significantly improve the appearance of aging skin. The red light is particularly effective at reducing fine lines and promoting healing, while the blue light is more effective against acne. You can buy these masks online from a variety of online retailers. Read reviews of different masks and invest in a good quality one. 

Conclusion

You probably don’t want to splash out on all of these anti-aging products. However, trying just one of two could be worthwhile for potentially warding off wrinkles and staying youthful. Some people may prefer to stick to skin creams, integrating them into their daily skincare routine. Others may find that taking a supplement pill each morning is the easiest way to embrace anti-aging products. And then there are those who love gadgets who may be drawn more to the LED face mask. Determine which is most convenient and attractive to you. There are of course other anti-aging products that you can look into too, but do your research to make sure that they have some science behind them and are not just a fad.