The use of anti-aging skin care products has grown enormously over the last two decades; the growth in popularity is due in no small part to the fact that we are all living and working longer. The skin care industry uses beauty products that increase the synthesis of the protein collagen, the main protein in skin which becomes less elastic as we age; approximately one quarter of the protein contained in skin is collagen. Collagen is a member of another family of substances that aid in reducing the signs of ageing. these are known as antioxidants which remove toxins from the body.

Vitamin C is probably one of the better known anti-oxidants in use today but the debate about the daily quota required is ongoing. The problem with vitamin C derived skin care treatments is they can become oxidized when exposed to the atmosphere, often even before they are used.

More stable skin care treatments are now available that are almost as efficient and actually cost less to manufacture. Although these products are good, they cannot actually compare with vitamin C but fortunately vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid are also anti-oxidants so can be used to gain the same effect.

The body uses vitamin E as an antioxidant and to increase the natural defense we have against sickness; it helps build resistance against infection like cancer for example. Lipoic acid is found in every single human cell and helps provide energy; it can also help reduce the aging process which affects the skin.

The use of plants has not been overlooked either with many types able to provide essences called phytochemicals which have proved successful in anti-aging skin care products. Phytochemicals prevent occurrence of certain types of cancer; such as:

<ul> <li>Cancer of the Prostate</li> <li>Breast Cancer in Women (and occasionally men)</li> <li>Cancer of the Colon</li> </ul>

All of which are on the increase globally.

Surprisingly, the group of vitamins; B5, B6, and B12 have also shown that they can be used to help reduce the effects of ageing. This just goes to highlight just how complex and far reaching the whole field of anti-ageing skin care products is and why so much more research is required. There is no doubt that what has been learned so far is only a small part of the jigsaw puzzle; there is still a long way to go however, before methods that successfully reduce the effects of age are commonplace.

The amount of research going on in this field will undoubtedly bring results in time, hopefully bringing down the cost of these anti-ageing skin care products in addition to increasing their reliability. A person should never accept that everything science devises in relation to skin care and anti-aging is always going to be the best; it is doubtful if science can replace natural skin care remedies. You know all these things but how many do you practice? Regular exercise, restful sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet and keeping your stress levels low are all necessary.