User:ISS51pitt/Anti-Aging product

Causes of Skin Aging
Skin aging varies depending on both genetics and internal biological processes. External sources like the amount of exposure someone has to light, toxins, pollution, and radiation result in skin aging. In skin aged mainly by sun exposure, it can appear thick, discolored, dull and have deep wrinkles while skin aged due primarily by biological processes can appear thin, finely wrinkled, and dry. Skin begins to sag when it loses its natural elasticity along with the compounding effect of gravity pulling it down over time. Underneath the skin, fat may redistribute, and bone may diminish which result in the skin sagging.

Antioxidants
Skin aging can also be affected by oxidative stress which is caused by both internal biological processes and exposure to radiation and create reactive oxygen species. The stress can eventually amalgamate up to "the disruption of the extra cellular dermal matrix, the loss of tensile strength and elasticity, impaired wound healing, the appearance of wrinkles, age-spots and loss of skin tone" according to a medical journal published by Elsevier. Antioxidants (ascorbic acid, equol, etc) can combat oxidative stress and diminish the effect of skin aging. Moreover, some dietary supplements like selenium can fight against oxidative stress preventing aging and cell damage.

Sunscreens
In a study done by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, they found that UV exposure causes wrinkles, cancer, skin dryness, and discoloration, and UV radiation accounts for up to 80% of skin aging. Sunscreens are used to block UV rays from reaching the skin by either reflecting or absorbing light. Sunscreens have been found to reduce wrinkles and discoloration of the skin depending on the SPF (sun protection factor) In the United States, legally approved sunscreens may be made from active ingredients like aminobenzoic acid, avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, homosalate, meradimate, octocrylene, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, padimate o, ensulizole, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, trolamine salicylate, or zinc oxide.

Topical Retinoids
Isotretinoin, retinaldehyde, tazarotene have been found to repair sun-damaged skins cells through skin smoothing and changing skin growth.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another name for the antioxidant ascorbic acid. In a 2017 journal published by The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, they state vitamin C facilitates collagen production. Collagen is a natural molecule in the skin that is attributed to its strength. Vitamin C can prevent skin aging through protecting the cells from oxidative stress and collagen production.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids are commonly used in chemical peel products that damage the skin and encourage the body to naturally repair it. Chemical peels are used to treat surface level scars and hyperpigmentation as well as deeper scars and wrinkles depending on the strength of the acid. However, the use of alpha hydroxy acids on the skin can increase the chance of sunburn according to the FDA.

Market and Cost
In 2027, the market for anti-aging products and services globally is expected to increase to $93.2 million. In Canada, a study published by Springer Science and Business Media, they found that many of the women who participated in the study and bought anti-aging products invested a lot of money into them, and those who did not buy anti-aging products cited the price as a reason. Among four of the biggest United States retailers, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and Walgreens, in 2023, the average price of retinol was $44.39, and the average price of Vitamin C was $59.40.

In the United States, a growing older population has increased demand for anti-aging products. Not to mention, anti-aging products have become increasingly popular among younger adults in a preventative approach, and specifically, men have also seen an uptick in spending of anti-aging products.