Skin care stars

SKIN DEEP

As pro beauty sleuths, we have opened up countless jars of fancy creams, slathered on a gazillion high-tech face se-rums and witnessed loads of advanced gadgetry designed to help us look younger. To our delight, the battle against lines and a blah complexion (think dull, blotchy, grey skin) has become increasingly convenient, affordable, fast and effective from one year to the next. Here we list the star ingredients and technologies that get our seal of wrinkle-bustingg, complexion-brightening, skin-tightening approval.

Broad-spectrum sun-screen

Step one of any preventive antiaging regimen? Sunscreen, because as we all know, sun damage can cause lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and loss of firmness. In fact, when a panel of leading dermatologists consulted on Olay Professional Pro-X skin care, one of their first requests was to include a broad-spectrum (meaning it shields both UVA and UVB rays) SPF 30 in the line"s day lotion. Mary Johnson, principal scientist for P&G Beauty (the maker of Olay), says the inno-vation in sunscreen (which has existed for decades; in fact, the first sunscreen sold on the market was launched by L"Oréal in 1935) is its evolution in texture. Modern formulas are no longer thick, sticky, tacky or heavy, plus they pack in lots of skin-care technology. "The new sunscreens make your skin feel fantastic and provide moisture and antiaging bene-fits at the same time," says Johnson.

Flare"s Pick: Olay Professional Pro-X Age Protection Lotion with SPF 30, $55.

The Skin Brightener: Kojic Acid

A fungal molecule found in Japanese foods such as sake and soy sauce, kojic acid is considered a natural alternative to hydroquinone. But it came under scrutiny last fall, when patch tests on humans showed it can sensitize skin, which can lead to dermatitis. With no bans on kojic acid in sight, there"s no need to avoid it; instead, use it in moderation.

Flare"s Pick: La Roche-Posay Mela-D Bright Daily Complexion Brightening Skincare, $44.

Antioxidants

Within the past 20 years, discoveries in topical antioxidants have shown they can neutralize free radicals and slow down the signs of aging. New York dermatologic surgeon (and consulting dermatologist for Garnier Nutritioniste) Dr. Diane Madfes recommends looking for creams containing star antioxidants such as: vitamin A, also known as wrinkle-buster tretinoin; vi-tamin C, which has a solid reputation as a skin brightener, too; vitamin E, which is often combined with other antioxidants for powered-up protection; and green tea (new research by Garnier shows promise that low concentrations of green tea can help protect against UV damage).

Flare"s Picks: Garnier Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Roller, $23

Microdermabrasion

When microdermabrasion first broke onto the scene in the "90s, fresher, younger-looking skin was reserved for the elite. Only attainable under the skilled hands of a usually pricey dermatologist, crystals were blasted onto the face to aggressively exfoliate dead, dull skin cells and refresh the complexion. Then, in 2004, celebrity dermatologist Dr. Fredric Brandt brought microdermabrasion to the masses when he launched Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar, an at-home formula using the same exfoliating diamond crystals he applied on the rich and famous. It was such a hit that it led to a host of copycats on drug- and department-store shelves. The most recent news is that pairing microdermabrasion with an antioxidant can up its antiaging ante. A recent study by the Plastic Surgery Associates of Northern Virginia, pub-lished in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, shows an increase in skin thickness (a hallmark of youthful skin) when crystal microdermabrasion care was followed by a polyphenol antioxidant preparation (think green tea) versus mi-crodermabrasion alone.