Washington, Dec 30 (ANI): A new study has shown that new ingredients in anti-aging products, which work like prescription drugs, improve skin.

Researchers at the Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, North Carolina, have demonstrated that new ingredients in drug-like beauty aids, cosmecueticals are providing new ways to treat aging skin.

The team looked at a range of new ingredients in cosmeceuticals that provide a visibly clear improvement in maturing skin.

They found that the most dramatic and apparent signs of aging include the lack of skin surface regularity, formation of wrinkles, and increased presence of abnormal pigmentation.

Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, of Dermatology Consulting Services, and colleagues assessed the ingredient efficiency in a variety of cosmeceuticals on each of these areas of aging skin.

They discovered that skin surface irregularity can be improved through the topical application of niacin, while the appearance of fine lines can be diminished through the application of moisturizers containing engineered peptides and over-the-counter retinoids.

Skin pigmentation can become more regular with the use of photoprotective ingredients, the authors said.

In addition, combining cosmeceutical ingredients in a moisturizing agent can magnify benefits and improve skin appearance, they added.

Evidence-based cosmeceutical ingredients can provide anti-aging benefits. This new generation of cosmeceuticals can provide valuable skin benefits, Draelos said.

The study is published in the December 2007 issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. (ANI)