How many of us become overwhelmed or confused when it comes to making a selection for anti aging skin care products? The task can seem daunting with so many choices available in the market place.

That reigning demographic group, the baby boomers, dictates what we see on the shelves and as this group ages we see more and more products offering to reverse or prevent the inevitable aging of skin.

As consumers we need to be a little better educated as to what is over zealous hype and what is truly effective when shopping for an effective anti aging skin care product.

Many skin care companies and manufacturers do not employ scientific research into the production of their products. They often utilize ingredients that are cheaper, some actually toxic, consequently the products are much less likely to produce results and can adversely effect our health.

Instead, millions of dollars are spent on fancy packaging, promoting an emotional appeal to our vanity or pushing celebrity endorsements. Many of us respond to these marketing ploys while standing at the counter with thoughts like:

"Oh, what a beautiful jar...it's so expensive, it must work!"

"This one promises to make me look younger in just seven days."

"Well, if Jennifer X uses this, it MUST be good; she has flawless skin."

The upside is: there are companies who employ scientific research and are committed to producing quality anti aging skin care products, products that are effective and safe to use on the skin. We consumers just need to do a little label reading before buying yet another promise of youthful skin in a bottle or jar.

The point of this article is to introduce a few things to look out for when shopping for an anti aging skin care product. To begin, make certain there are no parabens or fragrances included in the ingredients. Secondly, know the difference between good and bad glycerines.

Let's break these down briefly:

Parabens: Ingredients listing methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben are regularly used as a preservative, including moisturizers. Research suggests these may be cancer causing and can interfere with the body's endocrine system; they can also generate allergic reactions and/or skin rashes.

Fragrance: If it smells pretty it must be good, right? Fragrance, as an ingredient, sounds pretty harmless but can include up to 4000 separate ingredients, many of which may be toxic or carcinogenic. A plethora of commonly used fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, and irritability. Best to select 'fragrance free' products.

Glycerine: Used as humectant bringing moisture to the skin. Almost all anti aging skin care products include this ingredient. Two types of glycerine exist: that which is widely used is petroleum-based, primarily because it is cheaper. The other, more expensive and safe, is plant-based glycerine. If the label reads: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) refuse the product as this petrol-based ingredient is suspected of being carcinogenic.

Granted, this is a short list. But it is a start. And the more we know about what goes inside the products we purchase to place on our skin, the more likely we'll find products that do what they claim and not endanger our health.

In summary, the best anti aging skin care product is one that has been scientifically researched and formulated using only the purest and synergistic ingredients. But it's up to us, the consumer, to know what to look for when searching for the most effective and safest.

Tip: Be wary of products labeled as 'Natural' or 'Organic' as anti aging skin care products are only barely regulated; incorporating a term such as this can be geared more to marketing purposes than the ingredients within.

Heather Fields researches and reports on safe and effective natural skin care. Visit this site for a brief overview of ingredients typically found in anti aging skin care products.

Autor: Heather Fields

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