Wrinkle Creams: Your Guide to Younger Skin

People buy anti-wrinkle creams and lotions without a prescription in the hope that these products can reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage from the sun. Here is your complete guide to Younger Skin.

Do they work?
That often depends on the ingredients in the products and how long you use them. Because these over-the-counter (OTC) wrinkle creams are not classified as medications, they do not need to undergo scientific research to demonstrate their effectiveness.

If you’re looking for a bottle facelift, you probably won’t find it in over-the-counter wrinkle creams. The benefits of these products are generally slight.

Hydration alone can improve the appearance of your skin. Temporarily fills in the skin, making lines and wrinkles less visible. Moisturizers are lotions, creams, gels, and serums made from water, oils, and other ingredients, such as protein, wax, glycerin, lactate, and urea.

Anti-wrinkle creams are often moisturizers with active ingredients that offer additional benefits. These additional ingredients are intended to improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. The effectiveness of these products depends in part on the type of skin and the active ingredient or ingredients.

Here are common ingredients that can result in an improvement in the appearance of your skin.

Retinoids
This term is used for vitamin A compounds, such as retinol and retinoic acid. These ingredients have long been used topically to help repair sun damaged skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which means it protects the skin from free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Vitamin C can help protect skin from sun damage and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Before and between uses, wrinkle creams containing vitamin C should be stored in a way that protects them from the air and sunlight.

Hydroxy acids.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) include glycolic, citric, and lactic acid. They are used to remove dead skin cells (exfoliate). Regular use of an AHA product prepares your skin to better absorb other products and stimulates the growth of new smooth and evenly pigmented skin.

AHAs, beta hydroxylic acids, and a newer form called polyhydroxy acids have also been shown to be effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Coenzyme Q10.
This ingredient can help reduce fine wrinkles around the eyes and protect the skin from sun damage.

Peptides
These molecules occur naturally in living organisms. Certain peptides can stimulate collagen production, and have been shown to improve skin texture and wrinkles.

Tea extracts
Green, black and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-wrinkle creams are more likely to use green tea extracts.

Grape seed extract.
In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, grape seed extract promotes collagen production.

Niacinamide
A powerful antioxidant, this substance is related to vitamin B-3 (niacin). Helps to reduce water loss in the skin and can improve skin elasticity.
Creams and lotions are classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as cosmetics, which are defined as having no medical value. Therefore, the FDA regulates them less strictly than drugs. This means that cosmetic products do not undergo the same rigorous safety and effectiveness tests as topically applied medications.

Because the FDA does not evaluate the effectiveness of cosmetic products, there is no guarantee that any over-the-counter product will reduce your wrinkles.

Consider these points when judging the merits of using a wrinkle cream:

Cost.
Cost is not related to effectiveness. A wrinkle cream that is more expensive may not be more effective than a less expensive product.

Lower doses.
Over-the-counter wrinkle creams contain lower concentrations of active ingredients than prescription creams. Therefore, the results, if any, are limited and generally short-lived.

Multiple ingredients
A product with two or three active ingredients is not necessarily more effective than a product with only one of them. Similarly, using multiple anti-wrinkle products at the same time can irritate rather than benefit the skin.

Daily use.
You will likely need to use the wrinkle cream once or twice a day for many weeks before you notice any improvement. And once you stop using the product, your skin is likely to return to its original appearance.

Side effects.
Some products can cause skin irritation, a rash, burning or redness. Be sure to read and follow the product instructions to limit side effects. It may be helpful to select products that do not cause allergic (hypoallergenic) or acne (non-comedogenic) reactions. Choose products that offer a consumer hotline in case you have questions.

Individual differences.
Just because your friend swears by a product doesn’t mean it works for you. People have different types of skin. No one product works the same for everyone.
A wrinkle cream can decrease the appearance of your wrinkles, depending on how often you use it, the type and amount of active ingredient in the wrinkle cream, and the type of wrinkles you want to treat.

But if you want to take the guesswork out of your skincare regimen, try these more reliable ways to improve and maintain the appearance of your skin:

Protect your skin from the sun.
Exposure to ultraviolet light accelerates your skin’s natural aging process, causing wrinkles and rough, blemished skin. In fact, sun exposure is the number 1 reason for signs of skin aging, including uneven pigmentation. Protect your skin and avoid future wrinkles by limiting the time you spend in the sun and always wearing protective clothing and a hat. Also, use sunscreen on exposed skin year-round when you are outdoors.

Choose products with built-in sunscreen.
When selecting skin care products, choose those with a built-in SPF of at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of 30 or higher. Also, use broad spectrum products, which means they block UVA and UVB rays and are waterproof. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or perspiring.

Use moisturizers.
Moisturizers cannot prevent wrinkles, but they trap water on the skin, temporarily masking small lines and wrinkles.

Don’t smoke
Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin, fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. As a result, the skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely. Even if you have smoked for years or have smoked a lot, you can still improve the tone and texture of your skin and prevent future wrinkles by quitting.
A dermatologist can help you create a personalized skin care plan by evaluating your skin type, evaluating your skin condition, and recommending products that are likely to be effective. If you’re looking for more dramatic results, a dermatologist may recommend medical treatments for wrinkles, including prescription creams, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, or skin rejuvenation techniques.