There are numerous wrinkle creams available today sold in malls, beauty shops, on the internet, etc. Each of these product promises to reduce or even eliminate wrinkles and make the skin look younger. However, the major question is if these products really work or are they just a plain waste of money. Let’s take a closer look at wrinkle creams in order to answer this major question.
Common Ingredients in Wrinkle Creams
Most wrinkle creams are basically the same except for a special key ingredient or two. One of the most common ingredients in wrinkle creams is retinol. This is a vitamin A compound and is the first antioxidant included in wrinkle creams. Antioxidants are substances that are able to neutralize free radicals which cause damage to skin cells resulting to visible signs of skin aging. Another popular ingredient in wrinkle creams is tretinoin which is a derivative of vitamin A. However, this ingredient is only available in prescription wrinkle creams. Take note that vitamin A derivatives should be avoided by pregnant women as this may increase the risk of birth defects.
Another common ingredient is hydroxy acids (alpha, beta and poly) which are synthetic versions of acids from fruits that contain sugar. These acids are used for exfoliation or removing dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. Most wrinkle creams also contain tea (green, black and oolong) extracts which are potent antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Some other common ingredients of wrinkle creams are coenzyme Q10, copper peptides and kinetin which have different functions that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
No Medical Value
The Food and Drug Administration classifies wrinkle creams as cosmetics therefore having no medical value. This is the reason why it is not strictly regulated which means there are many low-quality wrinkle creams on the market because of the lack of rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness of these products. Therefore, there is no guarantee to the effectiveness of wrinkle creams.
So, Do Wrinkle Creams Work?
According to numerous studies, SOME wrinkle creams really work. However, there are many wrinkle creams on the market that are just the same as moisturizing creams. This is why you really need to do some research before purchasing wrinkle creams. Look for a high quality product from a reputable manufacturer. Check the ingredients and the clinical studies regarding these ingredients. There is no shortcut to finding wrinkle creams that really work. You really need to invest some time in researching in order to find the wrinkle creams that are effective.
