I’ve written before about many Avon products, and my experience selling them.  Anti-aging skincare is a huge and growing market, filled with an every growing number of products making a dizzying array of claims.  Here’s what I’ve learned in the ten years I’ve been selling them.

1. Most of the benefit you’ll get from any skincare regimen come from keeping your skin moisturized and protected from the sun – both UVB (measured by spf) and UVA, which causes aging and 65-90% of all skin cancers.  So the best anti-aging skin care is skin care is one you like enough to use every day, and that has a specific UVA block (Parsol 1789 (avobenzone) or Mexoryl (ecamsule).  That’s the best place to start.

2. Skin is a living organ, and everyone’s skin is different.  What works well for one person may not work for another, and vice-versa.  This was confirmed by Consumer Reports in their January 2007 review of skin care. Finding a skin care regimen that works for you may require some trial and error.

3. Price is not indicative of quality.  Consumer Reports also confirmed this.  Sure, that $500 Clé de Peau (yes, $500!) night cream might work miracles… but it’s just as likely (maybe even more likely!) that a $25 Olay Regenerist cream would do the same.  I have an obvious bias for Avon’s Anew brand skin care, based on my experience with the brand.  But if not Avon, I’d be using Olay or L’Oreal, not La Mer.

When Avon introduced alpha hydroxy acids to the US market back in 1992, it started a technology revolution in anti-aging skin care.  AHAs were the first ingredient that demonstrated a visible efficacy in reducing the signs of aging.  Since then, there have been many incremental advances.  The latest advance is the biggest since AHAs. Avon is once again first to market with a night cream that stimulates sirtuin and remodeling proteins in the skin.  Sirtuins are enzymes that extend the healthy life of cells.  Over 200 scientists at Avon worked for seven years, testing 125 different technologies to develop Anew Ultimate Age Repair Night Cream and Elixer.  Only one other product makes a similar claim about activating sirtuins in the skin:  Orlane Paris Global Anti Aging System.  While the Avon products, at $34 and $54 respectively, are the company’s most expensive to date, the $750 price tag on Orlane’s product makes them seem quite the bargain.    They’re definitely worth trying if you’re concerned about the visible signs of aging. Like all Avon products – they’re 100% guaranteed, so if they don’t work for you, just return them for a full refund or credit.

As for the daily moisturizer with UVA  protection , I’m currently recommending two:  My first choice is an Avon product:  Anew Alternative Photo Radiance Treatment.    The other is L’Oreal Skin Genesis.  Both are $25, though often on sale.