Thursday, October 2, 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

Manufacturers oftentimes make extravagant claims that its product will revitalize your skin and turn back the clock, but these claims are just clever packaging. "Companies say that your skin rejuvenates itself at night, or it does these special processes that it doesn't do in the day, and there's no proof of that at all," says Dr. Leslie Baumann, professor of dermatology at the University of Miami.

Dermatologists Do Agree That Some Ingredients Have Proven Anti-Aging Effect

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.

In order to work, night time moisturizers must (1) contain the proper ingredients in the proper concentration; and (2) be given time to work, a minimum of 5 hours a night for 8 weeks. If the creams are used only sporadically the desired results cannot be seen, "It's sort of like when you need a blood transfusion and instead of putting in an IV you just splash the blood on your skin. Similarly a moisturizer won't do any good unless it penetrates and to do so it must have time to work," says Seattle based dermatologist Dr. Sandy Read.

The Bottom Line

Price does not necessarily indicate the quality of a night time moisturizer. Before you purchase though, look for those that contain proven anti-aging products like retinol, vitamin C, and peptides. A resource that I recommend is http://www.nighttimemoisturizers.com. This site focuses exclusively on night creams and night time moisturizers. This online portal contains a wealth of information regarding the use and efficacy of night time moisturizers and research on the subject. Do not succumb to the unwarranted claims and do not purchase products that don't contain the right compounds in the proper concentrations. A good night time moisturizer will help soothe the skin, increase collagen production and fight the effects of aging. - 15266

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