We all have questions about our skin. What are the best products? What can I change and what do I just need to deal with? Wouldn’t it be great if we each had our own dermatologist on speed dial that we could talk to any time we wanted and ask these and other burning questions that keep us up at night and make us late in the morning? Well we have access to some dermatologists and some free time, so we asked the questions we all want to ask – or at least the ones we wanted to ask – and have compiled the answers for you here.

What are the best antioxidants to look for in anti-aging products?

We have all heard that antioxidants are important both in our diets and our beauty regimens. But which ones are best for fighting the effects of aging? Antioxidants help protect your skin’s cells from the damage of free radicals. According to our experts, the best antioxidants to look for in beauty products are coffeeberry, phloretin with vitamin C and ferulic acid, and idebenone.

When should I start using anti-aging products?

No matter how old you are, you should be taking steps to keep your skin healthy and young-looking. The key here, according to our experts is two-fold. First, you want to stop damaging your skin and second, you want to attempt to fix the damage that has already been done. Of course the religious use of sunscreen tops the list for ways to prevent further damage and antioxidant-rich anti-aging products can help reverse or at least mitigate the existing damage.

What is the best treatment for my neck?

The best place to start with on your neck is with the same anti-aging products you already use on your face. In general, what is working on your face should yield results on your neck as well. Depending on the condition of the skin on your neck, a preventative approach might be all that is required, but if you need something more proactive, many dermatologists recommend laser, light or thermage therapies to help restore tautness and structure to your skin.

Can I make the brown spots on my face and chest disappear?

The answer is maybe. The ingredient you need to look for is called hydroquinone – it’s approved by the FDA for skin lightening. Another ingredient that can be helpful is tretinoin. Some of our experts also pointed out that pulsed laser therapy has been shown to work on these skin discolorations in as few as five treatments. Bear in mind though that all of these will require time to be effective.

How can I get rid of the bags and circles under my eyes?

The easiest solution might be as simple as an earlier bedtime and a good night’s sleep. So many of our facial woes can be mitigated by sleeping more. More exercise and less salt are also good non-invasive ways to get results. Look for eye products that contain caffeine to help reduce the puffiness and swelling of your eyelids. For discolored circles, products with antioxidants can help and vitamin K has also shown some promise, but, unfortunately, circles are tenacious. In many cases, dermatologist-administered laser therapy is your best bet.

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