Aug 22, 2009 3:07 am US/Eastern
Consumer: New Sunscreens Claim To Reverse Aging
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images
We all know we're supposed to use sunscreen to protect against skin damage if we're going to be outdoors.
But now, new sunblock products are turning up the heat, making claims to not just screen out the sun, but also reverse signs of aging.
Like many women, Gia Alexi-Tomari applies sunblock, along with moisturizers, every morning.
"I worry quite a bit about wrinkles and getting older," Alexi-Tomari says.
But now, a new, all-in-one sunscreen is making her morning routine just a little bit easier. The block not only promises to protect from damaging UV rays, but reverse previous sun damage as well.
"The skin tone is much smoother, and the texture is a lot firmer," Alexi-Tomari says.
They're the latest weapon in the war on aging – specially formulated sunblocks that contain ingredients like retinol, peptides, and plant extracts shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and even stimulate collagen production.
"We're talking about adding a primarily antioxidant, or a skin protein maybe from a fetal skin cell, added to the sunblock, which also counteracts free radical formation, which also causes aging," dermatologist Dr. Dina Anderson said.
Traditional sunscreens are all inherently anti-aging because they block the sun before it can cause damage.
"Sun is directly related to brown spots, wrinkles, rough texture, losing your glow," Dr. Anderson says. "So sunscreens are directly anti-aging."
Dr. Anderson says some of these new sunblocks work to repair damaged skin cells, the cause of wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
But before you pay for this new protection, Dr. Anderson says to look for the scientific backing.
"Instead of just a commercial claim, you might want to do some investigating…into some of the research that has been done," Dr. Anderson said.
Some of the new sunscreens can be significantly more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but dermatologists say you don't have to buy the most expensive cream on the market to get the most bang for your buck.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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