Does Skin Firming Lotion Work?

February 26, 2010

Does skin firming lotion work? That might seem like a simple question, but it really depends. Lotions that contain the right ingredients in the right forms will work to improve the skin’s firmness, over time and with continued use. Of course, most of the products on the market don’t fit those criteria.

In recent news, we have learned that manufacturers commonly make false advertising claims. Regulating agencies in the US, Canada and Europe attempt to keep this kind of thing from happening. But, there are too many loopholes in the laws, especially when it comes to cosmetics.

The best thing that you can do is to evaluate the claims. Do they make sense? Do they seem too good to be true? Is there any kind of guarantee? Those are some of the questions to ask.

You can also do a little bit of research to find out which ingredients have been proven effective in scientific studies. Health researchers do not spend a lot of time looking at products that improve the skin’s firmness or reduce wrinkles. But, there have been a few studies. Here’s a little Q&A about what the studies have shown.

Does skin firming lotion work when it contains collagen or elastin? Clinical evaluations indicate that there is some cosmetic benefit accompanying the use of these proteins. But, because they cannot penetrate the skin’s outer layers, there is no long-term improvement in the skin’s firmness.

How about the protein keratin? Keratin can be softened, included in skincare products and still retain its protein form. In clinical studies, volunteers using creams containing the active form of the protein keratin had an overall improvement in firmness of about 40% after 18 days of use. Researchers theorize that keratin stimulates the production of new collagen fibers and pulls moisture into the skin, making it plumper and firmer.

Does skin firming lotion work if it contains uric acid? Although uric acid is one of the most common ingredients in these products, there is little evidence concerning its effectiveness. Because it is drying, it may make the skin feel tighter, temporarily. But, with continued use, it could actually make the problem worse.

What about moisturizers? One thing that you might not realize is that moister skin looks firmer and smoother. Nothing can replace the use of a good moisturizer, especially after you clean your face.

Does skin firming lotion work when it contains petrolatum or mineral oil? Those are also very common ingredients. Almost all moisturizers contain them, even though they aren’t actually moisturizing. There is nothing that those two ingredients can do for you and they can work against you. Some dermatologists say that they can actually contribute to premature skin-aging. So, you want to avoid them.

What about natural plant oils? Avocado, grape seed, jojoba and olive oils, as well as Shea butter are exceptional moisturizers. Some evidence indicates that they may stimulate collagen growth, too.

The bottom line: does skin firming lotion work? It can, if it contains the right ingredients.

Valerie Rosenbaum has long been searching for the best skin firming product available. The product she found includes only natural ingredients like Phytessence Wakame & Cynergy TK. To learn more about what she found visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com

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