Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is commonly recommended as a skin lightener in treating brown spots caused by aging, exposure to the sun and cutaneaous hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone works by decreasing build up of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color. Products containing this chemical are available in OTC creams. Other formulations may be prescribed by your dermatologist if the OTC creams prove ineffective.

Shop Amazon.Com for products containing hydroquinone...

	HQ+ Gel Peel, 30ml (Professional) List Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $34.95
	The HQ+ peel is a helps to inhibit tyrosinase, which is a basic enzyme in the melanin formation process. Several of the active Ingredients present in HQ+ formula act by blocking this enzyme, even by inverting the metabolic process of the transformation chain...

	Black & White Bleaching Cream 1.5 oz. Tube List Price: $6.65 Sale Price: $4.09
	INDICATIONS: For a smooth, even complexion tone. Black and White Bleaching Cream lightens-brightens darkened skin areas and helps fade unsightly freckles. It's a greaseless vanishing cream that moisturizes and brings out natural beauty.

	Clinicians Complex 6 Percent Skin Bleaching Cream 2 oz. Sale Price: $50.00
	Formulated with hydroquinone, kojic acid and bearberry extract, this innovative brightening cream forms a two-tiered approach against skin discoloration. It diminishes the appearance of existing hyperpigmentation spots while inhibiting the development of future spots...

	Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted Skin Lightener .85 oz List Price: $15.00 Sale Price: $9.99
	alpha hydrox® Anti-Wrinkle. The one that works!TMSpot Light for all skin types. Non-greasy. Absorbs quickly. Proven results.Contains 10% Glycolic Alpha Hydroxy Acid.Formulated for spot treatment on hands, face and body...

	Porcelana Skin Lightening Cream, Fade Dark Spots, Nighttime Treatment, 3 oz. List Price: $13.95 Sale Price: $2.49
	The skin discoloration authority. Contains hydroquinone. Dermatologist recommended. Porcelana Fade Dark Spots Nighttime Treatment uses an innovative combination of the active ingredient, hydroquinone and antioxidants to fade dark spots and other skin discolorations while moisturizing and firming your skin...

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But what are the top ten anti-aging skin care ingredients used in over-the-counter products? And are they safe? Get the low down here, without the hype and complete with resources for further research:

1. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Alpha-hydroxy acids (citric, glycolic, lactic, tartaric acids) are found in the skin care products of over 200 manufacturers in the United States. There is scientific research indicating that they may help in reducing wrinkles and fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots, and may decrease the size of enlarged pores. AHAs are drawn from fruit and milk sugars and are contained in a profusion of skin creams and lotions. ...Read More About AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid)

2. Alpha-lipoic Acid: Well known as a potent antioxidant, topical alpha-lipoic acid has burst upon the aging skin care scene through it's popularization by a Yale dermatologist, Dr. Nicholas Perricone. He launched the skin rejuvenation studies of alpha-lipoic and wrote a top selling book extolling it titled The Wrinkle Cure. There seems to be a good foundation for believing skin care products containing Alpha-lipoic Acid are effective and they are considered safe.  ...Learn More About Alpha-lipoic Acid

3. Argireline: Some vendors assert that argireline is the OTC alternative to Botox. Research has established that argireline works by reducing the depth of those facial wrinkles resulting over time from the contraction of muscles associated with facial expressions, particularly in the front and surrounding the eyes. ...Review More Details About Agireline

4. Beta-Hydroxy Acid (Salicylic Acid): I has been shown in studies that salicylic acid does not irritate the skin to the extent seen in skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). At the same time, products with salicylic acid demonstrate improvement in skin color and texture similar to AHAs. Skin that has aged prematurely from sun exposure can benefit from products containing salicylic acid. The ingredient is included in many OTC creams and lotions, but also comes in some formulations available by prescription.  ....Explore More about Beta-Hydroxy Acid

5. DMAE (Dimethylamenoethanol): Despite this mouthful of a chemical name,
recent studies have established that DMAE is effective to a degree in reversing both facial wrinkles and facial sagging (or at least to halt worsening of the latter). Moreover, it has been employed in skin care products for anti aging since the mid 1990s without notable reports of skin damage. It is generally promoted as a wrinkle reducer and skin tightener.  ....Continue reading about DMAE

6. Green Tea: Some encouraging studies have revealed that green tea may have properties very beneficial to aging skin. One study has shown that use of a green tea cream and oral supplement yielded improvement in elasticity of tissue content in the skin of treated subjects.  ....Get More Information About Green Tea for Aging Skin

7. Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is commonly recommended as a skin lightener in treating brown spots caused by aging, exposure to the sun and cutaneaous hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone works by decreasing build up of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it a brown color. Products containing this chemical are available in OTC creams.  ....See More Information About Hydroquinone

8. Idebenone: This substance is a relatively recent player in the frothy anti aging skin care market. It has been shown scientifically to have positive anti-wrinkle properties. One benefit is that it has been proven to be safe.  ...Review Additional Information About Idebenone

9. Copper Peptide: Some maintain that copper peptide may be the most effective skin regeneration product on the market. The science behind copper peptides for skin care relates to earlier wound healing and skin regeneration studies of GHK copper peptides demonstrating exceptional effectiveness. Using those studies as a stepping stone, there was a natural progression to offering copper peptide products as wrinkle repair and prevention aids for aging skin. ....Learn Additional Facts About Copper Peptide & Skin Care

10. Vitamin C: Good old vitamin C! The positive is that there are numerous scientific studies demonstrating that OTC topical creams and serums with vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid are effective in controlling wrinkles and fine lines. The negative is that it is somewhat difficult to formulate these ingredients so that they remain stable.  ....Continue Reading More About Vitamin C and Controlling Wrinkles

More About Anti Aging Skin Care Ingredients

Certainly there are other ingredients used in anti aging products worthy of attention, such as Retinyl Palmitate, Kojic acid and Hyaluronic acid. Their actions are similar to, or possibly less effective than, several of those mentioned above. Many of the vendors also include herbals, fruits and other natural substances that may of some benefit while, at the very least, adding to the marketing appeal of "natural products".

Nothing said here should be taken as a substitute for sound advice from a dermatologist or other skin care professional. Hopefully, however, you'll now have a better idea of what you're dealing with when you sift through the multitude of choices in the retail anti aging skin care market.

Other Helpful Resources

SmartSkinCare.Com
Skin Conditions - Yahoo Health
Health Cares.Net - Anti Aging Skin Care
FDA - Cosmetic Products and Ingredients
Wikipedia on Natural Skin Care
Skin Care Product Discounts
And, you can go here for information about skin care