We live in a day where hardly anyone wants to look their age, and most people will believe anything or buy anything to accomplish the look of vitality. This trend continues to grow larger as the baby-boomer generation, now the nation`s largest, continues to search for the fountain of youth, and the cosmetics industry is getting in on the action. But can anti-aging cosmetics slow the aging process or cover-up the signs of aging? Are these products worth our money? Are some more effective than others?

Can Your Cosmetics Treat and Reduce the Signs of Aging?

Even though you`ve more than likely seen a myriad of anti-aging cosmetics commercials and advertisements, the answer is probably not - but they`ll sure try to convince you otherwise with their celebrity endorsements. The anti-aging cosmetics industry has grown by leaps and bounds with new products surfacing every day. At the end of the 1990`s there were but a few cosmetic lines geared toward the anti-aging industry trend, and now there are literally hundreds.

You`ve seen the commercials - they claim this great new foundation will reduce wrinkles, improve skin`s elasticity, increase firmness, stimulate cell regeneration, fill in fine lines, exfoliate and soothe, and they boast ingredients such as Retinol and Botofirm. It began with anti-aging foundation and has now grown to anti-aging lipstick, anti-aging blush, and even ant-aging eye shadow? The problem with these claims is that as long as cosmetics do not contain drugs and have no pharmaceutical properties, according to the Federal Drug Administration, they can claim anything they want.

What Are the Best Cosmetics for Aging Skin?

Dermatologists don`t recommend spending extra money on anti-aging cosmetics. Products with antioxidants and other ingredients claiming to reverse the signs of anti-aging can`t hurt you, but you`re paying for results that probably will never even be significant enough to notice.

Instead, experts say the focus should be on hydration as skin dries as it ages. Foundation should not be used as a substitute for a natural and hydrating moisturizer, even if it claims to have moisturizers in it. The ingredients touted in many of these foundations are rarely enough to hydrate skin and should therefore be used as supplemental hydration on top of your regular daily moisturizer.

Instead of spending money on make-up with fancy names that claims to have anti-aging effects, experts encourage learning some of the beauty tricks of the trade from make-up artists that can give the face a fresher and younger appearance such as adding a layer of lightly tinted lip gloss to plump up lips or learning how to apply blush in a manner that lifts the face and cheekbones. There are numerous articles at carefair.com that can give advice on the best methods of applying cosmetics to reduce the signs of premature aging - a much better bet for both our time and money.

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