Like many of the health care products available at drugstores and supermarkets today, the sheer number of skin care lotions, wipes, creams and the like can make selection a lengthy, difficult, sometimes overwhelming process. It’s actually a known fact of psychology that the more options we are presented with the harder it is to make a decision. Therefore, it is helpful to arm yourself with the knowledge of exactly what you need, why you need, and in what quantity prior to approaching the task. This article outlines a handful of specific ingredients to look care in your next skin care product or products as well as exploring the scientific basis for the value of each one. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Showing up in skin care goods since as early as the 1980s, this is a chemical exfoliant design to peel off the surface layer of dead skin cells and expose the new, healthy skin hidden beneath. This is an excellent choice for obliterating fine wrinkles and lines, and freshening up your skin tone overall. Stimulating cell growth and collagen production is another beneficial effect of hydroxides. As the name implies, AHA is a form of acid, so this is pretty powerful stuff. It can be used in a range of different concentrations depending on where you get it and who is applying it. Over-the-counter varieties utilize glycolic acid and dilute it in a solution that contains as much as 10 percent. A licensed cosmetologist or other beautician can use products with up to 30 percent AHA, which is strong enough to be comparable to microdermabrasion. And lastly, a dermatologist can use anywhere from a 50 to 70 percent concentration, but this is really only for extreme cases since it results in pain, redness and oozing for up to a month. Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) With a common name of salicylic acid, this is another typical kind of exfoliant. The difference from the previous chemical is that BHA is oil-based, whereas AHA is water-based. This oleaginous property makes it superior at penetrating and unblocking the white and blackheads inside of clogged pores. Because of this it is the ideal choice for oily or acne-prone skin, and most products targeting that type of skin contain this ingredient. Alpha-Lipoic Acid: ALA just about does it all. Serving the dual function of acid and antioxidant (meaning it helps prevent cell damage via oxidation) it also acts as an anti-inflammatory (seen as products that are advertised to “reduce the appearance of red, blotchy skin”) and is useful for removing several toxic metals from the body. Dimethylaminoethanol Not as important for general skin care, DMAE is a topical agent that stabilizes the cell-membrane and produces a firming affect on the skin. This is less beneficial for young persons but an absolute god-send for people getting on in age. Vitamin A (tretinoin) We all know the importance of vitamins in maintaining health, and the same is true for your skin. Vitamin A pretty much stimulates everything that has to do with skin cell regrowth, synthesis and protection. It stops enzymes from breaking down skin-firming collagen and elastin, a process which becomes more problematic with age. Research has provided solid proof that tretinoin reduces skin roughness and fine wrinkles, stimulates collagen production, as well as several other benefits. A common acne-treatment product, Retin-A, is a very widely recognized form of tretinoin. It is, however, prescription only. Vitamin C Another highly beneficial ingredient with wide application in the skin care field, it applies mostly to skin rejuvenation and reducing wrinkles. Like some of the other ingredients, it is also vital for collagen synthesis and is an antioxidant. Now that you’ve got a good grasp on the really important ingredients to look for you in your skin care products, finding the one perfectly suited to your individual needs should be a total breeze. To simplify the process even further, try looking up reviews of products that contain some or all of the specified ingredients prior to hitting your local drugstore.