Ingredients to look for:

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1. Ceramides: Lipids that help form the skin's barrier and help skin retain moisture. They also help the skin protect against environmental aggressors like irritants, and pollution. Without the proper ratio of ceramides, the skin's barrier can become compromised, leading to dryness, itching and irritation. Ceramides naturally decline as we age so it's important to use them to keep your skin's barrier healthy and not compromised. 

2. CoQ10: An enzyme that exists in every cell in our body. Our bodies naturally produce it and it aids in cell growth and maintenance. It also functions as an antioxidant, which neutralizes free radicals and keeps cells healthy (meaning it can help prevent premature aging). As we age CoQ10 production slows down in our body. This depletion contributes to the skin’s inability to quickly produce collagen and elastin. 

3. Green Tea: Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-aging benefits of green tea are attributed to polyphenols, a type of flavonoids found in plants. It can reduce sun damage, protect skin from cancer and decrease collagen breakdown. 

4. Hyaluronic Acid: A powerful moisturizer and is one of the main contributors to keeping your skin supple and hydrated. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, is naturally found throughout your body and can be used as a natural alternative to synthetic fillers. For maximum anti-aging effects it's best to use topical hyaluronic acid twice per day (day and night).

5. Hydroquinone: A lightening agent for skin that’s widely used for its fast results. It quickly lightens tough age spots on the skin. It is especially helpful for discoloration related to a disorder called melasma caused by hormone fluctuations leftover from pregnancy or birth control use.

6. Niacinamide: (AKA vitamin B3) can help the body perform critical functions, like cell signaling. It suppresses melanin from reaching the surface of the skin to help lighten dark spots, which often accompanies mature skin. Niacinamide is a more ‘natural’ way of dealing with hyperpigmentation compared to something like hydroquinone.

7. Plant Stem Cells: Work by replacing, instead of repairing, damaged cells in the skin. They have the ability to divide and self-renew. This newer technology has a wide range of uses, from increasing collagen production to reducing inflammation.

8. Resveratrol: A powerful antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals, improve the appearance of skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a natural antioxidant compound found in high amounts amongst the skins of grapes and in red wine. It's a potent antioxidant that fights free radical damage (which leads to aging skin).

9. Retinol: A powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces the signs of aging. It’s a strong form of vitamin A that can increase cell turnover, helping to improve skin texture, fine lines and brown spots.

10. Vitamin C: An antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental pollutants, including UV exposure. Vitamin C increases skin’s collagen, making it appear plumper while reducing signs of wrinkles and fine lines.

11. Vitamin E: A powerful source of antioxidants, vitamin E helps fight wrinkles and fine lines caused by pollution, UV rays and free radicals by neutralizing the oxidant effect of free radicals. Your body cannot naturally produce it, so it’s vital to get it from a skin or hair care product. Vitamin E reduces inflammation both within your body and on your skin, helping you to maintain healthy and youthful skin.

12. Vitamin K: Helps to reverse the appearance of aging because of its role in blood circulation. Vitamin K reverses the calcium that is deposited in your skin’s elastin fibers, which harden and lead to wrinkles.

13. Peptides: Strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up proteins in our body, including collagen in the skin. When you’re young, you produce collagen at a very high rate. As you age, that rate begins to slowdown. After age 20, your body produces an average of 1% less collagen each year, stopping production entirely around age 40. Turns out, applying peptides topically increases your body’s production of collagen.  

14. Growth Factors: Natural substances made by skin cells to maintain healthy skin. They are responsible for supporting the repair of damaged skin, making components that provide firmness and elasticity to the skin while helping to maintain skin's protective functions.

15. Ferulic acid: Is an antioxidant that works to boost the effects of other antioxidants. When used in skin care products, it helps to protect overall skin integrity by reducing the development of fine lines, spots, and wrinkles.