Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Are you throwing your money away on night time moisturizers?

By Dr. Grace Angel

Night time moisturizers have been hugely successful selling millions of dollars of product every year. In some instances they might not be worth the container they are packaged in. The internet, drugstores, and beauty boutiques have been bombarded with a multitude of night creams, each promising to be the new fountain of youth. Many doctors agree including Dr. Patty Farris, a Louisiana dermatologist, "there are a lot of expensive night time moisturizers that don't have the bang for the buck."

Night Time Moisturizer Manufacturers Inflate Results

Producers hyperbolize the effects of their creams and moisturizers in order to sell, pandering to women's self esteem issues and insecurities. Dr. L. Baumann, professor of dermatology in at a highly regarded university in Florida believes that, "Companies make all kinds of statements the skin and its night-time activities. They say that the skin does all sorts of special processes that it doesn't do during the day. And this is just false. There's no proof in much of what they say."

Dermatologists Agree that Some Night Creams Contain Proven Anti-Aging Ingredients.

Proven anti-aging compounds do exist: Retinol, Peptides (proteins), and Vitamin C have been shown to improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles. And the use of Retinol in a night time moisturizer, "makes perfect sense because retinol can be rendered inactive by sunlight," says Dr. Baumann. Peptides and Vitamin C boost the skin's product of collagen, which smoothes wrinkles and improves skin firmness.

To be effective a night time moisturizer must (a) contain the right ingredients (retinol, vitamin C, and peptides) in the right concentration and (b) be used for a long enough period of time to activate and work. Typically for at least five hours a night for eight weeks. If the creams are used inconsistently, the desired results will not be achieved. According to Seattle, Washington dermatologist Dr. Sandy Read, "A moisturizer will not do any good unless it is given enough time to penetrate the skin."

The Bottom Line

A night time moisturizer need not cost arm and a leg but quality creams should contain Peptides, Vitamin C, and Retinol. Many reputable brands can be found online using search engines but I do recommend a quality source, http://www.nighttimemoisturizers.com . This website is devoted solely to night creams and, of course, night time moisturizers. They have a wealth of knowledge and research on the matter. Do your research, do not fall prey to advertisers that promise much and fail to deliver the right ingredients in the right proportion. A quality night cream can help you fight the effects of aging, soothe the skin, and boost collagen production.

About the Author:

No comments: