Combating The Signs Of Aging

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

23 Apr 2007 09:36 AM

We recently spent an enjoyable Easter with a boatload of family members... and I have the pictures to prove it. Yesterday, I had several rolls of film developed, and while most of the shots are wonderful (mainly the ones with my daughter and nephew) others (any of the ones I am in) leave less to be desired.

I am not a fan of botox, nor do I have the time or money to indulge in fancy peels or facials... and frankly, you can tell. The signs of aging on my face are MORE than apparent. After looking at the Easter pictures I decided there wasn't any harm in strolling down the beauty section of the store I was in (I get my pictures developed at a local drugstore).

I'm sure you've cruised down the beauty section of your drugstore before... there is definitely no shortage of products out there promising to keep you looking young. But, during my time there I also learned about a new crop of products that claim to have a secret weapon to combat the signs of aging.

The secret? Probiotics.

It's being hailed as the hottest new ingredient in skin care products. Probiotics, or good bacteria (or yeast) are already used in foods to help ease stomach problems. Now they're being used to help even out skin tones.

One product I examined claimed their probiotic serum makes skin stronger and thus more age resistant. I did some research and found probiotic products aim to fix skin by replacing the good germs you lose each day to pollution, UV rays, and stress.

But, here's the problem. There is no scientific proof the stuff works... at least on skin. One report I found done by a leading dermatologist said probiotics' ability to help digestion is well studied, the skin connection is not.

"We might see analogous benefits with the organisms that grow naturally on the skin and probiotics. But we don't have any science to show that that really is going to happen."

However, the dermatologist added that it's not a good idea to count the product out all together.

"I think we're going to be seeing a lot more research in this area, and I'll be really surprised if we don't start seeing some very meaningful products becoming available," the doctor writes.

Naturally, companies that sell probiotics say their testing proves that their products work.

If you are interested in finding out if probiotic beauty products work on your skin, you can find them online, in drugstores, salons and spas. Most probiotic products range in price from $25 to $70.

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Health Treatments For Weathered Hands

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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