There are many approaches to selecting anti aging skin care products to dodge the effects of a long life. One is to simply grab the products who advertise the most or even the most expensive ones on the theory that if something is labeled “luxury anti-aging wrinkle cream” and costs $90 or more a jar it must therefore be the most effective.The truth is that some of the most expensive may contain harsh chemicals and be no more effective that a $1 jar of petroleum jelly or something Aunt Martha whips up in her kitchen. You need to know what really works and what sounds good but may be worthless. This means educating yourself about what makes anti-aging products really work.

We should be clear that anti aging skin care products involve more than a simple wrinkle cream. No one wants to wrinkle and look like you’ve been sleeping on corduroy, but there’s more to keeping skin healthier and younger appearing than wrinkles. One of your most important sources for anti-aging efforts is your grocery cart.

We will look at some of the antioxidants that work when applied directly on the skin, but we can’t forget that ideally they will come from within by eating a healthy diet of as much natural food as possible. That means a diet heavy in colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, modest amounts of healthy oils and few refined sugars and unhealthy fats. Trans fats should be completely avoided if possible.

Some of the same antioxidants we should look for in our diets also work when applied to the skin. They can protect the skin for damage, decrease inflammation, and help to repair damage that has occurred. Carotenes and lycopenes work on the skin, and so do vitamins like C and E.

Also, just as we should eat good quality proteins, we need to consider some that the skin can use as well. Hydrolyzed proteins and aloe juice are good ingredients to see. Look also for products that add moisture or help keep it in. Apply these just after washing to keep in the most moisture.

Another desirable ingredient in anti aging skin care products is a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. This can be as simple as zinc oxide, which doesn’t always look very nice, or one of the well tested sunscreens that do come from labs. While natural, gentle ingredients are great, it is so important to prevent the sun damage this is one exception. Sun causes wrinkles, dries, and damages which looks bad and can lead to skin cancer.

Always try to find hypoallergenic products because a bad reaction can be a nightmare. In fact, don’t forget that everyone is different and some mild natural ingredients can cause allergies in some people. Those with delicate skin need to read labels carefully to avoid substances they do not tolerate even when it says it is hypoallergenic or all natural.

A great source of help in choosing anti aging skin care products is asking friends and family what they use. If you know someone who looks far younger than her years, ask for her secret! She will be pleased to hear her regimen is working and share it with you. You also can look in print and online media for reviews by individuals and large consumer sites about the specific products you have in mind.

Jen Hopkins has worked in the anti aging cream industry for years. She maintains websites about anti aging cream and anti wrinkle eye creams.