You've probably heard this a million times, but I'm going to say it one more time…ignore advertising hype.

In order to find the best anti-aging skin creams, you have to ignore the hype. Additionally, just because a celebrity endorses an anti-aging skin cream does not mean that he or she really uses it. That celebrity is being paid for their work and the product they promote is more expensive as a result.

Avoid Designer Names

Designer names are another thing to avoid if you really want the best anti-aging skin creams. Listen to this piece of interesting information. In order to be even slightly competitive, the manufacturer has to reduce the number of active ingredients in order to cover the licensing fees for the designer name. That makes me wonder…do you really think fashion designers know anything about anti-aging skin cream? Probably not, because…

Skincare is Healthcare, Not Cosmetics

Cosmetic companies might like for you to believe otherwise, but skincare is a healthcare topic. The most effective ingredients have been evaluated by dermatologists and other doctors. Evaluation is done by these professionals because there are many diseases and health issues that affect the appearance of your skin's outermost layers; as well as the health and function of your deepest layers.

The things that cause you to look older on the outside can also be caused from the inside. Oxidative stress, free radical damage, allergic reactions, irritation, inflammation, nutrition, and general poor health are just some of the things that affect your appearance. So, what to do?

Speed Up Your Body's Natural Processes

When you are young, your body's ability to repair itself is truly amazing; as some of us have once experienced. Yet, due to illness, poor nutrition, or age, your body's ability to repair itself slows down. This is true throughout your entire body. When you see the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, and uneven pigmentation, the processes that have slowed down include skin-cell, collagen, and elastin fiber production.

The best anti-aging skin creams address all of these issues by speeding those processes up once again. But, in order to accomplish that feat, certain ingredients must be included in your anti-aging skin cream.

Functional Keratin

Probably the most important compound you can look for is a protein peptide known as Functional Keratin. Keratin is a protein that is found naturally throughout your body and it is one that makes up your skin's matrix.

Functional Keratin was created through a patented process. It can penetrate deeply and be effectively used by your cells on a molecular level. Clinical research has shown that when included in an anti-aging skin cream, keratin increases skin cell proliferation and firmness.

Only the very best anti-aging skin creams contain Functional Keratin. The big named over-the-counter brands and designer cosmetics do not contain this ingredient; mainly because it is too expensive to produce. Other products ordered directly from the manufacturer, with lower overhead, typically have the freedom to spend the time and money to include necessary, healthy, and effective ingredients.

Wakame Kelp Extract

An extract from Wakame kelp has been proven to prevent the breakdown of an amino acid named hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is another necessary protein that makes up your skin's fibers. In young people, hyaluronic levels are high and at a healthy level. In older people, they are much lower.

Moisturizers and Antioxidants

If you can find an anti-aging skin cream that contains both Functional Keratin and Wakame, then you will have found a pretty effective product. Yet, if you can find one that contains those two ingredients plus plant oils and waxes for moisturizing, and antioxidants to prevent free radical damage, then it will be really effective.

The added benefit of proper moisturizers and antioxidants is this. Dry skin is easily damaged and looks older. The average moisturizer is not composed of plant oils and waxes, but instead is petrolatum. Petrolatum actually inhibits the skin's reparation process. And antioxidants will prevent the oxidative stress that leads to wrinkles and free radical damage that can cause skin cancer.

The Full Package

The best anti-aging skin creams will contain HE Q10, which is a combination of the antioxidants COQ10 and vitamin E. In addition, the cream will contain grape seed oil and Babassu wax (moisturizers), Functional Keratin (proteins), and Wakame extract (protein breakdown inhibitor). And always, as a rule of thumb, look for a manufacturer that guarantees safe products and customer satisfaction. Believe me, guaranteeing a product with customer satisfaction says a lot about a manufacturer.