•Anti-Aging & Cosmeceutical Corner
and fail to deliver the right ingredients in the right proportion. A quality
night cream goes a long way in fighting the effects of aging, soothing skin
and boosting collagen production.
Reinforcing the Barrier
Reinforcement of the barrier function
requires ingredients such as
ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol,
sphingolipids and phospholipids.
Soothing ingredients include aloe
vera, chamomile, feverfew and allan-toin. Hydrating ingredients include
sodium PCA, a natural moisturizing
factor (NMF) and glycerin. Both
hydrate the skin without adding
excess emollients that would clog
pores. Other suitable ingredients are
sodium hyaluronate and butylene
glycol. Emollients protect against
excess water loss, preventing dehydration. Popular emollients include
caprylic/ capric triglycerides, dimethicone, jojoba oil, squalane and
cyclomethicone. Effective humectants
include urea, propylene glycol, sorbitol and glycerin.
A recent study has found that the
skin’s temperature increases during
sleep and that warmer skin absorbs
more of a product’s active ingredients. It is therefore better to select a
treatment cream that is packed with
vitamins and proven anti-aging
actives to gain the benefits while you
sleep.
sleep bare-faced. However, it is important to note that the night cream category’s staying power is most probably due to satisfied consumers.
Benefits are perceived because
night creams work with the body’s
natural healing cycle that takes place
during sleep. Everything from
melanin production to stimulation of
growth hormone, which promotes
fibroblast health and allows more
production of collagen and elastin to
keep skin tout and firm to cellular
repair, is associated with this cycle.
Solid Support
According to Dr. Baumann, inexpensive brands backed by multinational
brands, such as Neutrogena, L’Oréal,
Revlon, Olay, Dove, Pond’s and
Aveeno, often have the resources to
perform scientific studies to identify
effective formula and prove that they
work. In these tough economic times,
it is very important to remember this
advice.
Some women feel so overwhelmed
by myriad ingredient and formulation
choices that they abandon night
creams altogether, choosing instead to