Anti-Aging Secrets from 9 Breakthrough Ingredients

Beauty From Within Series

So it may be true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but some surprising ingredients may also have those same powerful anti-aging secrets. Ingredients like green tea and olive oil may hold the key to keeping a healthy immune and cardiovascular system, while keeping wrinkles at bay. Next time your purchasing your favorite cosmeceutical or moisturizer make sure they have some of these key ingredients:

Learn how these breakthrough ingredients can keep you looking young:

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) moisturizes skin from the inside out, smoothing out wrinkles and acts as an internal cosmetic to hydrate skin. HA is also important for healthy joints and connective tissue.

Olive oil
Olive oil is known as a healing fat for its high content of both monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil.

White Tea
The secret of white tea lies on how the buds are plucked. White tea undergoes less ‘processing’ than green tea leaves and instead of air drying, the unwithered leaves are steamed. Leaving the tea leaves closer to their natural state, enabling the tea to contain more polyphenols, the powerful antioxidant that fights disease and aging. Also in 2004 a study at Pace University concluded that white tea can help boost your body’s natural defenses by protecting the immune system.

Green Tea
The secret of green tea lies in its rich epigalloatechin gallate (EGCG) content. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant for the heart, immune system and has shown to inhibit blood clots. Some of the newer research on EGCG has linked green tea to actually rejuvenate dieing skin cells. "Cells that migrate toward the surface of the skin normally live about 28 days, and by day 20, they basically sit on the upper layer of the skin getting ready to die, but EGCG reactivates them," said Dr. Stephen Hsu, a cell biologist in the Medical College of Georgia.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment, found in tomatoes and other red fruits known for its antioxidant and sunscreen protection. Plus lycopene has shown very positive results in reducing the risk of prostate issues and improving skin texture.

Alpha-Lipoic-Acid
Alpha-lipoic-acid, is a sulfur-containing fatty acid that is found inside every cell of the body, where it helps generate the energy that keeps us alive and functioning. Lipoic acid is a key part of the metabolic machinery that turns glucose (blood sugar) into energy for the body's needs. As well as providing the body with natural energy, lipoic acid has shown to be a powerful topical treatment for sun-damaged skin. Ingesting lipoic acid can help naturally neutralize harmful chemicals known as free radicals – molecules that cause aging and disease.

Olive Juice
Researchers in Japan tested the anti-inflammatory response of olive juice but were pleasantly surprised to find that the study participants enjoyed better skin. The study showed that the use of olive juice had a positive affect on inflammatory skin conditions and improved skin health dramatically after just two months of consuming a dietary supplement containing olive juice.

Lutein
Known for its eye protecting properties researchers began exploring other benefits Lutein may have. A recent human clinical study showed 10 mg of lutein daily increased skin hydration, elasticity and skin lipid content. This is the first research to show improvement in skin health through lutein supplementation alone. Lutein research has also suggested that it may improve breast health.

Cocoa
Cocoa butter has long been used topically in many skin creams and cosmetics because it is thought to be good for the skin. Now, new research published in the 2006 Journal of Nutrition, reveals the potential benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa in skin health. The study found that certain components in cocoa may actually help improve the appearance of the skin by increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and helping to support the skin’s defense against UV damage.