Understanding Anti Wrinkle Creams

by Julie Samtsonn

Okay, so we're all getting older, right? Yes, right, but even though this is true, we can still look our best.

These days, we don't have to suffer from the dry skin our grandmothers had to put up with. Instead, the market contains many anti-wrinkle creams that can help us have smooth, supple skin well into what used to be called "old age."

Let us think about the reasons your skin starts to age before reflecting on the factors that make anti-wrinkle cream work. As we advance in years our skin begins to reflect our age. We begin to experience wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots. Of course there can be many reasons for this. Prolonged exposure to the sun, smoking, heavy drinking, and even genetics can play their part in skin aging. Your skin gradually undergoes changes as you age. You will find that collagen will decrease and there is often an increase in "free radicals" which will deteriorate your skin.

Although skin on the face will without question wrinkle to some extent as we get older, we can help reverse some of those effects of aging with a good antiwrinkle cream. Of course, we also have to make good choices with diet, exercise, and proper hydration, as well as avoiding smoking and getting enough sleep if we want to look younger.

The market is full of anti-wrinkle creams and anti-aging remedies but the really good ones will have a few of the following ingredients:

Retinol is an effective substance found in anti-wrinkle creams. It is an antitoxidant and a by-product of vitamin A. It helps to increase skin cell generation and eliminate free radicals. A 20 year old skin will be replaced in about 28 days but a 40 year old skin can take up to 42 days and more to be replaced. This means that as we get older this process of skin replacement needs to go at a faster rate. Retinol dissolves the old outer skin and allows the new skin to emerge.

Alpha hydroxy acids and the newer beta and poly hydroxy acids are acids derived from fruit. These acids are exfoliants, which means it removes the outer layer of skin and encourages fresh new skin to appear from beneath. This is similar to one of retinol's functions, but hydroxy acids produce a minor "injury" to the skin that also encourages new collagen growth to occur in the skin layers themselves. One drawback to hydroxy acids is that they do make you much more photosensitive, so always wear sunscreen when you're out in the sun.

Coenzyme Q 10 is another antioxidant that's many times more potent than traditional antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals. This is beneficial to skin because free radicals contribute to aging. Some studies suggest that it may also help stimulate collagen growth.

It is thought that Kinetin may help to moisturize the skin and increase collagen growth. It is relatively new and more clinical trials must be done to see the real results.

Keep in mind as well that when you're looking for the most effective anti-wrinkle cream possible, don't look at price tag. Price really has very little to do with how effective an antiwrinkle cream is. Instead, do your own research, look for reviews of products online, and choose based upon what others say about a particular cream's effectiveness. This will not only save you some money, but will give you an effective antiwrinkle cream you can be happy with.

About the Author:

Now that you are in the market for anti wrinkle cream, you should check out Julie Samtsonn's great review site. She has put a lot of time and energy into reviewing wrinkle skin care products and offers her opinions on what to avoid. Please visit today!