Women’s Health

The truth about anti-aging creams
by Dinna Chan Vasquez

Women, even those who are not obsessed with beauty products and treatments, always want to find the perfect way to delay, if not stop, aging, which is a natural process that every human goes through.

Every day, we are bombarded by commercial pitches in print and on TV touting this or that product as the Holy Grail of those searching for the perfect potion to lessen wrinkles, fine lines, and the dreaded crow’s feet.

Sadly, aging is irreversible but the good news is that we can move into that phase of our lives with grace and dignity and hopefully, less wrinkles.

Olay, one of the top brands in the field, pitted the top selling Total Effects against six other similar creams in the market.

Procter & Gamble scientific communications manager David Khoo exposed the outcome of an investigative beauty study comparing the overall efficacy of seven popular anti-aging creams and their ingredients.

The “exposé” was unveiled in an event held at the Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

Olay Total Effects and other creams with Beech Extract, Idebenone, Retinol, Beta-Hydroxy Acid, Folic Acid and Vitamins C and E were included in the study, which used three key technical measurements to assess the creams’ effectiveness in restoring, enhancing, and protecting skin.

Scientists measured the rate of trans-epidermal water loss over a 30-day period. A product, which helps restore skin’s moisture barrier lipids, will demonstrate a decrease in a person’s TEWL and ensure skin moisture levels are maintained.

To evaluate whether a product enhances the skin’s appearance via exfoliation, the rate of surface cell turnover was measured. P&G explains that as women age, the rate of surface cell turnover slows down and this has a negative effect on skin tone, texture, and radiance. Fine lines and wrinkles also increase. Thus, it is important for an anti-aging cream to accelerate the rate of surface cell turnover in choosing a cream that promises younger-looking skin.

The study also measured the amount of lipid peroxides on the skin to assess whether a product protects skin from free radicals. Lipid peroxides are created when UV rays and free radicals attack the skin and this process has been linked to premature aging. Reducing the amount of LPO on the skin therefore becomes one way to keep skin young-looking.

The creams were ranked using the anti-aging Multi-Performance Index, a composite score designed by P&G scientists, based on benefits dermatologists deem important, that measures the effectiveness of a facial cream in restoring moisture, enhancing, exfoliation, and protecting the skin’s surface against damaging free radicals to revive its youthful beauty.

The study showed Olay Total Effects had the best composite score at restoring, enhancing, and protecting skin and keeping it younger-looking. The product’s unique VitaNiacin Complex provides all three benefits that dermatologists deem important to help fight the seven signs of skin aging with just one product.

“Cosmetic products designed to reduce the visible effects of skin aging should address multiple indicators of aging in a strong and balanced manner,” Khoo says.

The study’s conclusion was that other anti-aging products are good at providing just one or two benefits instead of all three.

For example, retinoids may deliver anti-wrinkle effects but they can also cause damage to the skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in redness and irritation.

According to an independent third party survey conducted at the 21st World Congress of Dermatology, 9 out of 10 dermatologists agreed that “an effective anti-aging treatment should restore skin health by strengthening the moisture barrier, enhance the appearance of skin, and protect skin’s surface from damaging free radicals.”

During the event, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rosario Abaya-Blas of St. Luke’s Medical Center says women should do their part to fight aging and not just rely on creams.

“There are many different ways of fighting the signs of aging. The primary way is through our lifestyle. For example, avoiding sun exposure during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and applying sunscreen. Another way is through topicals. For these to work effectively, they need to provide multiple benefits, as there are many clinical signs of aging, from dryness to wrinkles to dull skin,” she explains.

The launch also introduced the introduction of model-actress Angel Aquino as Olay’s new brand ambassador alongside her good friend Daphne Oseña-Paez.

“Daphne’s a good friend of mine and she’s always been telling me to try Olay because she really loves it. And you can see it’s done wonders to her skin!” says Aquino. “I switched and it’s true, it really does work!”

Aquino and Paez have even more reasons to look their best as they excitedly prepare for an upcoming reunion after 10 years with fellow F girl Cher Calvin at the upcoming Olay Swap in SM Megamall on Aug. 29.

The Olay Swap will be held at the activity center of SM Megamall Building A from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. All women have to do is bring their current anti-aging creams, which will be swapped for a free bottle of Olay Total Effects. Manila Standard