Beauty Doc Blog

Contrary to media hype, commercials and infomercials for many products that may be fly-by-night at best, there is no facelift in a jar. No over the counter anti aging product exists which will truly prove effective in tightening a face, removing sag and taking away the ravages of age and time. The amazing thing is that people believe that such cures exist and can be purchased in a jar to be applied and have the same results as surgical procedures to cure the problem would have.

Anti aging products sold over the counter are a billion dollar industry. Since the early 1800’s wrinkle creams have been sold to the American public, and Americans have spent in excess of tow billion dollars on these products in the year 2000 alone, and much more since. Their popularity continues to increase from year to year despite that fact that there is no, or very little evidence to prove that these products actually work or have any positive effect.

Scientific and professional groups have performed studies on the various anti aging formulas in a jar, trying to objectively determine if they actually produced positive results. Their studies have led to an understanding of public education  on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of these supposed remedies. Although some of them do prove to be good for the skin and have some benefits, they never prove to have the results of a true facelift, and many imply or state that results will be achieved that simply are not available through those methods.

This is not however to say that some good results will not come from using some products. Many contain vitamins, antioxidants, alpha hydroxyl acids, pentapeptide, moisturizers and botanicals. Many of these substances have simply not been researched enough to positively state that they do or do not have good results for the user. Vitamin C, alpha hydroxyl acids and pentapeptides have been proven to have anti aging benefits and are used in some products. The other ingredients may or may not be as beneficial as claimed. The jury is simply still out on them and the research has yet to be performed.

Vitamin A or retinols are believed to show promise in prescription strength formulations. However, in the over the counter strength it has yet to be seen. Moisturizers have not been researched as much as they should, but have not yet been showed to improve hydration. Also botanicals including grape seed extract, green tea, Ginkgo bilboa and soy compounds are new to the marketplace and still need to be studied. As time passes they will be researched and may prove to be worth using at that time.