What it is: The scientists at Avon and Neostrata were looking for the next miracle molecule -- something that would be even more effective than Alpha Hydroxy Acid and retinol at fighting wrinkles. They used Nobel Prize-winning research on proteins to discover Aminofill 33 (A-F33).
What it does: It repairs the skin and unlocks unused collagen. "Deep wrinkles start to get addressed in the first week of use, which is quite impressive for a topical anti-ager. The visual results of this product are impressive," says New York dermatologist Cheryl Karcher, MD.
"The simplest way to explain how this ingredient works is that it helps the skin behave the way it did naturally when you were younger," says Avon researcher Anthony Gonzalez. "When you're 15 or 16, your skin naturally forms properly -- but that changes as you age. This ingredient brings it back to that place."
What it is: A natural ingredient found in plants that helps speed up cell division.
What it does: It helps the skin hold onto moisture, and it can lighten dark spots and even out texture. It's great for annoying post-breakout red splotches. Massachusetts plastic surgeon Glen Brooks notes that kinetin's benefits for the skin have been well-documented by skin care brand Kinerase.
Try it: In serum form, try Pro+Therapy MD Emergence Serum, $130, which can be used night and day and contains a slew of other high-tech ingredients. (It's also one of my personal favorites -- my skin looks older on days I don't use it. Seriously.)
If you prefer a multi-tasker, you'll love Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase Instant Perfecting BB Cream, $15.97. You get the benefits of Kinetin along with SPF 15, moisture, and color. The coverage is between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation, and it creates a pretty dewy effect.
I write about everything from hairstyles to nail art, but my passion is skin care. Call me weird, but nothing gets me jazzed more than wrinkle research and new skin care ingredient breakthroughs. I could look at before and after pictures for days.
Skin care is an amazing field because there's so much science -- and new skin care ingredients are being discovered practically every day. I'm not saying you should give up on retinol, and I think everyone should slather on SPF religiously each morning, but there's also a ton of new skin care products you should try. From serums to BB creams, beauty brands are packing high-tech research into every step of your routine.
My evening ritual can be as many as eight steps (cleanse, exfoliate, tone, three serums, moisturizer, and eye cream) and take me 20 minutes, and I'm not advocating that for everyone. But I'm confident that you can integrate one more product into your regimen -- and I think it should be one of these.
Here are the new skin care products I'm most excited about -- as well as a breakdown of their key ingredients and what makes those ingredients special. This way you'll know what to look for when you're shopping for new products. Which ones are you most excited to try?
