Can actives really reach the deeper layers of skin?
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Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:41 am

I've read an article about skin care saying that no actives can actually reach the deeper layers of skin and for that reason they can't reduce lines and wrinkles. What do you think about that? If that's true there's nothing we can do about aging, unless we have tons of money for botox or a plastic surgery. Please clarify this doubt of mine!

free skin care · Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:22 am

That is partially true. Actives applied alone topically will have a hard time reaching the deeper layers of your skin. But if the product is formulated with a good delivery agent, or combined with other ingredients to aid in absorption, then penetration should not be that big of an issue. It also depends on the type of active. Some are more easily absorbed an others. Smaller molecules will penetrate deeper, whereas larger molecules will not. Again, this is where research & development comes in. Those of you DIY'ers who have tried to make your own products know what I'm talking about. It might have turned out OK, but did you really get the results you were hoping for? Probably not. This isn't your fault, it's just that there are so many aspects to formulating a proliferative product. You have to take into account everything - from pH to oxidation caused by the combination of poorly researched ingredients.
Now, I'm not saying that a well developed product will give the same results as plastic surgery (obviously), but using active preparations in a treatment regimen that supports all the needs of aging skin should give visible (though not drastic) results. Also, prevention is of great concern here as well. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not looking for a "quick fix". I want a treatment protocol that not only improves the present condition of my skin, but also one that has sufficient qualities that it can slow down the natural aging timeline of the skin. Let's face it, unless you are Joan Rivers, we all are going to age. I just want to look fabulous while doing it! Laughing

free skin care · Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:09 am

I just wanted to add a little to the previous post. There are a few things you can do to help your skincare products work better and reach deeper into your skin. 1.) exfoliate regularly, both chemical (AHAs) and physical 2.) use oxygenating products such as O2 serums and masks 3.)consider using prescription exfoliants such as retin A.

Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:28 pm

Thanks for answering. Have a great skin day!

free skin care · Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:07 pm

abejita is totally correct. I was so engrossed in the whole bioavailibility issue of the actives themselves, that I overlooked some common sense! Laughing

Exfoliation does result in a deeper penetration due to the disruption of the stratum corneum. Also certain oxygen treatments do act as a delivery agent for other actives to force them deeper into the skin. Just be sure that it is a stabilized oxygen product so as not to introduce more free radicals into the skin.

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