Don't Get Loss at "C" Keep in mind that topical C has not been conclusively proven to reduce wrinkles. ("With topical C going for $70 a pop, Id put my money on tretinoin," says Dr. Terezakis.) On the other hand, if you want to maximize the effectiveness of your sunscreen, it may be worth buying if you can afford it. Here's what to look for. At the cosmetics counter. With some notable exceptions, vitamin C creams are unlikely to work, says Dr. Price. Mostly because vitamin C is extremely unstable and loses its potency rapidly, explains Dr. Clark. There's also no telling how much vitamin C these products con¬ tain or if it's in a form that won't break down as soon as you open the jar or that has already been broken down by other ingredients. The only topical C products that have been scientifically tested for their effects on aging skin contain a 5 to 15 percent concentration of Lascorbic acid, a specific form of vitamin C. They also have a low (acidic) pH, which helps the skin absorb the vitamin. They're pure formulations that don't contain extra ingredients, such as sunscreen or other vitamins, and they are kept airtight in their dispensers to prevent oxygen from breaking down the vitamin C and turning it brown. These products have been shown to penetrate the skin and protect against free radical formation. Currently, several brands of topical vitamin C meet these standards, say Dr. Price and Dr. Clark. And you can find them all in the cosmetics departments of fine department stores, licensed skin care professionals' offices, and skin care salons. You can also get them through mail order. Cellex Cs High Potency Serum contains 10 percent L ascorbic acid. Another brand, EmerginC, offers a serum (with 12 percent Lascorbic acid) and a cream (with 10 percent). The Skinceuticals line features a High Potency Serum 15 (with 15 percent L ascorbic acid) and a High Potency Serum (with 10 percent). Anti Aging Anti Aging Generation| Anti Aging Health Strategy| Anti Aging for Women| Take a Bite Out of Aging| Check the Index| Aim Low| Fat Factor| The Zobra Diet| Bulf Of Long Life| What about Meat?| Get the Protein, Forgo the Fat| The Taxic Avengers| Great Ways to Ambush Radicals| Going Vegetarian Sparked Her Youth| Is That a Toxin in My "Soup"?| Put Your Diet into Rehab| Little Bean, Big Benefits| Sneaking Soy into Your Diet| The Anti Aging Supplements| Alpha Lipoic Acid| Vitamins Minerals| Bioflavonoids| Coenzyme-Q10| Flaxseed Oil| Ginkgo| Are Harmone Supplements Safe?| Melotonin| Phoaphatidylserine| Pycnogenol| Vitamin C| Vitamin E| Aerobics| Disease-Proof Your Body| Liven Up Your Lifestyles| 12 Tips For a Better Workout| Weather Your Workout| Water| Erasing the Lines of Time| Skin Enemy Number One: The Sun| Sunscreen to the Rescue| A Sunscreen Primer| Sun Tips for Sun Junkies| Clean Up Your Act| Perfect Cleanser| Navigating Moisturizer Maze| The Care and Feeding of Youthful Skin| Special Problems of Aging Skin Cosmetic Nutrients Cosmetic Nutrients| Get Glowing with Glycolic Acid| User's guide of Glycolic Acids| Retin-A and Renova| Using Retin-A and Renova| Vitamin C: Future Youth?| Don't Get Lost at "C"| Getting the Most from C Makeups Makeup That Enhances| Foundation| Concealer| Blush| Powder| Eye Makeup| Lipstick| Winning the Battle of the Mane| Color to the Youthful| Dressed to Impress| Acting Your Age| 10 Attributes of a Youthful Mind Right Weight Getting Your Right Weight| Weighing In| Say Goodbye to Dieting| Putting Exercise into Everyday Events| Defying Disease| Disease Proof Your Lifestyle| Arthritis| Cancer| Diabetes| Heart Disease and Stroke| Osteoporosis|Keeping Your Senses Sharp|Can You Speak Little Louder?|Preventing Hearing Loss|Target Hearing Loss Early|The Eyes Have It|Buying Sunglasses|Eyes Need Exercise|The Life of Visionary Memory Memory Like an Elephant| Keeping the Brain Up and Running|Improving Your Everyday Memory| Get Organized| Living a Memory Enhancing Lifestyle Sleep Sweet Sleep and Relaxation| Turning Out the Lights, Naturally| Easing Toward Dreamland|When All Else Fails