Aging makes the skin sag but so does dehydration since it reduces the elastin in the dermis. So what should you do about it? First things first, you must hydrate but the question is, what if hydration is not enough?

Laser Skin Resurfacing

This is a suggested procedure that can bring out new skin to the surface through the use of laser technology. It gets rid of wrinkles and helps the skin to keep from sagging. One however must consult with a doctor regarding laser skin resurfacing.

Skin Relies On Water

Alright not just water, but the skin needs it to maintain its elasticity. The reduction of elastin in the skin is inevitable but one can slow down the aging process by taking antioxidants and polyphenols. As this part of the article reiterates though, you need more water. Although scientists haven’t found whether drinking a lot of water on a daily basis will improve the skin’s condition, one has to take into consideration that when you are healthy in the inside, the healthier your skin will be.

Anti-aging Chemicals

Vitamins C and A are the most common antioxidants one can find. You can also eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins A and C.

Detox

Drinking lots of water will only replenish your body’s water needs but detoxifying will get rid of waste inside the body including toxins on the skin. This in effect will make your skin look better and more often than not, clearer and younger-looking.

Follow Marie Antoinette’s Advice

Remember polyphenols? Applying topical solutions with polyphenols will help slow down the aging process. According to certain accounts, Queen Marie Antoinette washed with red wine to prevent wrinkles from appearing.

For more information on polyphenols and on Marie Antoinette’s beauty secret, you may go to Queen Marie Antoinette’s Skin Regimen.

Photo via beautiful-skin-forever.blogspot.com

We have been hearing it for a few years now...anti oxidants are like the fountain of youth, but there are so many of them, which ones are the best? Allure magazine spoke with Dr. David McDaniel, a professor of clinical dermatology and plastic surgery from East Virginia Medical School who specializes in antioxidants, and here's what he said. "Some of the most effective are Coffeeberry, phloretin with vitamin C and feurelic acid, and idebenone."

He recommends any of these reliable creams:
RevaleSkin Night Cream (with Coffeeberry) $110
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF $150
Prevage MD $150

If you buy any of these products, use the coupon code BASICS20 at checkout and save 20%. A nice little savings for these pricey items I think.

Of these three products, I have only used the Skinceuticals Phloretin CF and it is absolutely my favorite anti aging skin care serum ever! Based on customer comments about all three products, RevaleSkin and Skinceuticals get the highest marks, 5 out of 5 stars overall, the Prevage just got 3 out of 5 stars. However, I use another idebenone based cream that I really like, Obaji, and I know it isn't really for anti-aging, it's more for fading sun and age spots. So that may account for the lower marks on Prevage if the customers were expecting wrinkle reduction.

Dr. Daniel went on to say, "I really like the idea of using two different ones, either on alternating nights or one in the morning and one in the evening. The antioxidants actions are somewhat different, so getting some of both makes more sense."

Like I said, I use the Skinceuticals Phloretin CF in the evening and an idebenone based cream during the day and I love the way my once freckly, slightly lined face looks. I swear by anything from Skinceuticals, though. I've never tried one of their products I didn't love.

Skin care junkies are flocking toward iS Clinical for a healthy, effective approach to skin care. iS Clinical is the newest, ultimate skin rejuvenation product line, with unique treatments that repair and revitalize the skin. Using the power of antioxidants and effectiveness of hydration, iS Clinical produces visible results. Some results are apparent in one hour! According to random people that have used it, it's truly the best there is.

A noteworthy fact is that IS works with Washington Cancer Institute in Washington DC-- they have developed innovative products that address the unique skincare concerns of cancer patients.  Many of these formulas not only help create vibrant and healthy skin, they also address important issues such as acne, chafing, uneven complexion, burns and scar tissue. 

All iS Clinical products are designed to promote healthy skin function and durability, rather than just mask the problems and symptoms. With ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid to bind moisture, Glycolic Acid to resurface and renew, and Retinol to boost skin density, iS Clinical proves that your skin can look as good as you treat it and many of its products treat multiple skin conditions. Who doesn't want fewer skin care products cluttering the bathroom counter.

The Youth Complex is their newest amazing product that shows results in less than one hour. Its' benefits are rapid wrinkle reduction, firms and tightens the skin, provides antioxidant protection and offers immediate, intermediate and long term results.

You can find these skincare products online, SkinCareRx.com The iS Clinical Youth Complex  ($135) , the iS Clinical Super Serum Advance ($130) is for pigmentation issues and supposedly amazing, iS Clinical Firming Complex ($115), iS Clinical Active Serum ($120), iS Clinical Eye Complex ($68), and more. They have the entire line available.

Bottom line: Sounds fabulous. The reviews so far are great. When my Skinceuticals runs out, I'm giving this a try.

Revaleskin is one of the latest and greatest to hit the skin care and beauty markets, touting the first product to use the powerful, natural super-antioxidant ingredient Coffeeberry extract. Derived from the fruit of the coffee plant (Coffea arabica), CoffeeBerry extract has one of the highest antioxidant scores ever recorded and it is exceptionally rich in polyphenol antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid, condensed proanthocyanidins, quinic acid, and ferulic acid. Polyphenol antioxidants help to fend off free radicals-molecules that cause cell damage and result in processes that lead to signs of aging.

It feels silky and smooth on you skin and is said to effectively fight off fine lines and age spots. Its powerhouse antioxidant, coffeeberry extract, has been likened to “turbocharged green tea” by dermatologists. Revaleskin has been featured on the Today show with dermatologist backing this product as powerfully effective.

Prices can vary from different on-line stores, but I have found the best prices at drugstore.com.

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF serum is one of the latest, greatest beuaty breakthroughs all because of the key ingredient Plhoretin. Extracted from apples, phloretin is an antioxidant and when it's combined with vitamin C and ferulic acid, it's been shown to penetrate the skin and interfere with the formation of brown spots and wrinkles. It also protects against DNA changes that lead to some nonmelanoma skin cancers, as well as correct existing damage by stimulating cell turnover.

Stimulating cell turnover seems to be the best function of anti-aging skincare and antioxidants seem to be at the core of action. Antioxidants are thought to be the body’s body guard. One of the main culprits behind the aging process is Oxidation, which is caused by free radicals. These highly unbalanced atoms attack healthy cells, causing the cells to die. Antioxidants interact with and kill free radicals, keeping the cells safe and healthy.

Skin care products like SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF serum, with the active ingredient being a stable antioxidant, along with the proven properties of Vitamin c and feurelic acid, are going to provide a strengthened support structure on the inside and a more youthful, firm, radiant appearance on the outside.

I have used this product before and I absolutely love it. It does what it claims to do, decreases brown spots (but wear SPF everyday), soften lines and improve overall complexion. It penetrates into the skin easily and it's not greasy. It won't wash or sweat away or diminish in strength for 24 hours so you only have to use it once a day. The only drawback I had was my skin was a little sensitive the first few days I was using it. It costs about $150 and lasts about 2 months if you use it sparingly.

Emu oil is being touted as one of the best things you can put on your skin. Lately it has been discussed on Oprah and in every women's magazine from Harpers Bazzar to Vogue. Emu oil is made from the fat of the second largest bird in the world the Australian emu and has been proven to be an effective anti aging skin care treatment.

Here's why: Emu oil naturally contains Vitamin E, which is a major antioxidant and healing agent; Vitamin A, a known skin repairer and antioxidant; Oleic acid, which is a proven skin cell re generator and anti-wrinkle agent; Sapogens, proven skin softeners; and Terpines, known antiseptics.

Emu oil is sold commercially as Dremu oil, and sells for about $55 an ounce. That sounds kind of steep, but Goldie Hawn, Demi Moore and Oprah swear by it. I haven't tried it yet, but hearing all the hype, it's definitely on my 'must try' list.

Here are the Dremu claims:

Available at emustore.com.

If you have used this product, please leave a comment about your satisfaction.