When looking for an effective age spot cream what is it exactly that you should be searching for? Most of us will face the dilemma of trying to rid our skin of these embarrassing blemishes at one point in our lives or another, and choosing the right product is imperative to our success. Why is it that most of the creams and lotions that are available to us simply don't work to solve the problem?
Before I get into all of that I want to explain something to you about what it actually is that causes these spots to appear on our skin. Many of us have become convinced over the years that because of the time in our lives when these marks typically appear, that they must have something to do with the fact that we are growing older. The truth is that they are not related to our aging at all.
Most of the marketing for age spot cream has been centered on the aging process, because that was a way for the company's marketing such products to take advantage of the natural vanity that each of us has. If they could conjure up the feelings of self consciousness that many of us are stricken with when it comes to the notion of getting old, then they could increase sales.
When we begin to develop these marks on our skin depends in large part on how much of our lives we have spent in the sun. These marks are the result of a long period of exposure to the UV radiation that the sun emits. Skin cells that have become the worst damaged often suffer from a short circuited defense system that produces what is known as melanin hyperpigmentation.
This is the same hyperpigmentation that causes people with pale, or sun sensitive skin to develop freckles, and that causes our skin to tan in response to exposure to the sun. What these blemishes should truly be called are sun spots, but the companies that market their products as age spot cream are again simply trying to capitalize on a humiliating misnomer.
What is it that you will find in a typical cream designed for removing these spots, and why doesn't it work effectively? Nine times out of ten you will find that the primary ingredient in these formulas is a chemical bleaching agent. Bleach is an excellent choice if you are trying to remove discoloration from a large area of the body, but not for smaller areas because the chemical bleeds outwards.
The best ingredient for an age spot cream is one that blends all of the different tones of your skin together, and leaves you with a more balanced overall complexion. Such an ingredient is called Extrapone Nutgrass Root, which is a natural ingredient that comes from a plant that grows wild throughout India. The Indian people have sworn by this gentle and effective skin treatment for thousands of years.
You have to choose the age spot cream that will give you the most effective treatment, and most of them woefully disappoint. Those containing Extrapone Nutgrass Root however will leave your skin looking clear, and absolutely radiant.
If you're looking for a hand cream for age spots, there are some things that you need to know. All of the products that are available on the internet are not safe. If you live in the US, the ones in your local drugstore might not be safe either. Reading the label of ingredients is the only way to be sure that you are getting something effective that will not do more harm than good.
Ingredients to Avoid
Hydroquinone is top on the list of ingredients to avoid. Its inclusion in cosmetics has been banned in the European Union, due to a cancer risk that may accompany its use. Not worried about cancer?
There is a possibility that using a cream containing hydroquinone will make the spot darker than it is today. It has been known to stimulate, rather than inhibit melanin production. That is likely due to the free radical damage that it causes, which is why it also increases a person's cancer risk.
A very expensive hand cream for age spots contains hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids. They have been recommended for everything from acne to wrinkle removal. The main effect that they have is to break down the hyaluronic acid bond that holds on the skin's outermost layer. This is supposed to cause the spot to peel away.
It is highly unlikely that the spot is only on the surface. If it is and you avoid the sun, it will go away on its own in about 6 weeks time. That's how long it normally takes for the skin's natural rejuvenation processes to replace that outer layer.
A hand cream for age spots that contains glycolic acid and hydroquinone is very likely to cause increased pigmentation. It will also increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Obviously, these are not good choices.
Compounds to Look For
The root of the cyperus rotundus, a medicinal plant, has been used for centuries to relieve skin irritation and minor burns. Recent studies have shown that it also inhibits melanin production. Extracts from the plant can be found in some of the better ?all natural? hand cream for age spots. There's just one warning.
Anything that inhibits melanin production will lighten the entire area to which it is applied. Unless you want to lighten the color of your hands, you might want to look for a moisturizer that contains functional keratin and coenzyme Q10. They might not work as quickly as cyperus rotundus, but they should work.
Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, has been shown to reverse sun damage by over 30% after six weeks of use. Since the spot is essentially sun damage, it should work for that, too.
Functional Keratin is an anti-aging ingredient. Benefits that accompany the use of creams containing it include reduced wrinkling, improved firmness, reduced inflammation, improved moisture content and a reduction of brown spots caused by the sun or environmental pollutants.
It may be a little harder to find a hand cream for age spots that contains those ingredients, but if you want something safe and effective, you need to take the time to look for one.
Valerie Rosenbaum has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquarium Fish, Wrinkles and Medical Related. Valerie Rosenbaum has spent the last several years researching in an effort to find the best skin care products available on the market to. Valerie Rosenbaum's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.