Wrinkle Creams: Your Guide to Younger Looking Skin
Do over-the-counter wrinkle creams really reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? It depends.
People buy over-the-counter wrinkle creams and lotions in the hope that these products can reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse sun damage.
They work? This often depends on the ingredients in the products and how long you use them for. Since these over-the-counter (OTC) wrinkle creams are not classified as drugs, they do not need to undergo scientific research to prove their effectiveness.
If you're looking for a facelift in a bottle, you probably won't find it inmilitary cadet corpswrinkle creams The benefits of these products are usually only slight.
Common ingredients in anti-wrinkle creams
Hydration alone can improve the appearance of your skin. Temporarily plumps the skin, making lines and wrinkles less visible. Moisturizers are lotions, creams, gels, and serums made with water, oils, and other ingredients like proteins, waxes, glycerin, lactate, and urea.
Wrinkle creams are usually moisturizing creams with active ingredients that offer additional benefits. These added ingredients are intended to improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. The effectiveness of these products depends in part on your skin type and the active ingredients.
Here are common ingredients that may result in some improvement in the appearance of your skin.
- Retinoides.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 your skin from sun damage and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Before and between uses, anti-wrinkle creams that contain vitamin C should be stored so that they are protected from air and sunlight.
-
Hydroxy acids.Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) include glycolic, citric, and lactic acids. They are used to remove dead skin cells (exfoliate). using aDogThe product regularly prepares your skin to better absorb other products and stimulates the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin.
AHABeta-hydroxy 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 are found naturally in living organisms. Certain peptides are capable of stimulating collagen production and have been shown to improve skin texture and wrinkles.
- Tea extracts.Green, black, and oolong teas contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 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 potent antioxidant, this substance is related to vitamin B-3 (niacin). Helps reduce water loss in the skin and can improve skin elasticity.
No Guarantees: Safety and Efficacy Assessment
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies creams and lotions as cosmetics, which are defined as having no medical value. SoFDAit regulates them less strictly than drugs. This means that cosmetic products are not subjected to the same rigorous safety and efficacy testing as topical medications.
Because itFDAdoes not evaluate the efficacy of cosmetic products, there is no guarantee that anymilitary cadet corpsproduct will reduce your wrinkles.
Consider these points when judging the merits of using an anti-wrinkle cream:
- Cost.Cost is not related to effectiveness. A more expensive wrinkle cream 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. Also, using multiple anti-wrinkle products at the same time can irritate the skin instead of benefiting it.
- Daily use.You may need to use the wrinkle cream once or twice a day for several weeks before you notice any improvement. And once you stop using the product, your skin will likely return to its original appearance.
- Collateral damage.Some products can cause skin irritation, rash, burning, or redness. Be sure to read and follow the product directions to limit side effects. It may be helpful to select products that do not cause allergic reactions (hypoallergenic) or acne (non-comedogenic). Choose products that offer a direct line to the consumer if they have questions.
- individual differences.Just because your friend swears by a product doesn't mean it will work for you. People have different skin types. No product works the same for everyone.
Your anti-wrinkle regimen
A wrinkle cream can lessen 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 trusted ways to improve and maintain your skin's appearance:
- Protect your skin from the sun.exposure toultravioletLight accelerates the skin's natural aging process, causing wrinkles and rough, blotchy skin. In fact, sun exposure is the #1 reason for signs of skin aging, including uneven pigmentation. Protect your skin and prevent 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 outdoors.
- Choose products with built-in sunscreen.When selecting skin care products, choose those that have aFPSof at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommendsFPS30 or above. Also, use broad-spectrum products, which means they block bothUVAmiUVBLightning and water resistant. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, or more often if you've been swimming or sweating.
- Use moisturizers.Moisturizers don't prevent wrinkles, but they do retain water in the skin, temporarily masking fine lines and folds.
- No Smoking.Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of the skin. It also damages collagen and elastin, fibers that give skin strength and elasticity. As a result, the skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely. Even if you've smoked for years or smoked heavily, you can still improve your skin tone and texture and prevent future wrinkles by quitting.
A dermatologist can help you create a personalized skin care plan by evaluating your skin type, assessing your skin's condition, and recommending products that are likely to be effective. If you're looking for more dramatic results, a dermatologist can recommend medical wrinkle treatments, including prescription creams, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, or skin resurfacing techniques.
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May 04, 2021
- Neligan PC, et al., eds. Skin care and non-surgical skin rejuvenation. In: Plastic Surgery. 4th ed. London, UK: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Consulted on January 4, 2018.
- Azizzadeh B, et al., eds. Topical skin care and cosmetic patient. In: Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation. 2nd ed. New York: N.Y.: Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Consulted on January 4, 2018.
- McCook JP. Topical products for facial aging. Plastic Surgery Clinics. 2016;43:597.
- Read CM. Fifty years of cosmeceutical research and development: a contemporary review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2016;15:527.
- How to select antiaging skin care products. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/anti-aging-skin-care/selecting-anti-aging-products. Consulted on May 9, 2019.
- How to maximize the results of anti-aging skin care products. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/anti-aging-skin-care/maximizing-anti-aging-products. Consulted on May 9, 2019.
- Anti-wrinkle treatments and other anti-aging products. United States Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/ruga-treatment-and-other-anti-aging-products. Consulted on May 9, 2019.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. May 16,
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