Today, people are eating better, staying fitter and living longer, and although aging is a fact of life, most women and many men don't like what the years are doing to their skin. Many people want to look youthful for as long as possible and decide to buy an anti-aging cream for help. Thousands of anti-aging creams claim to be the best but the fact is, there is no "best" when it comes to anti-aging products.
We researched hundreds of anti-aging creams and, in general, it seems that one person's fountain of youth is another's nightmare. Still, there are some consistently good anti-aging creams. Of course, your results will vary. Your age, skin type, skin condition and genetics all factor into how well a product will work for you. This guide can be a starting point for those confused by the many types of anti-aging products out there.
Before you venture out to buy an anti-aging cream, there are a number of questions you have to ask yourself.
WHAT TYPE OF WRINKLE CREAM AM I LOOKING FOR?
Anti-aging creams come in several categories.
- Wrinkle relaxants work to slightly relax the muscles under expression lines, somewhat simulating the Botox effect on a small scale. These products don't actually get rid of wrinkles or ward off new ones. They just relax creases a bit and give you a slightly more youthful look. When you stop using them, your skin will go back to the way it was before you started so you don't get cumulative effects. These creams are good add-on products to use with other anti-aging products.
- Antioxidant creams are filled with vitamins and minerals healthy for your skin. Vitamins A, C, D and E are popular antioxidants but there are many different ingredients that fall into this category, including minerals like copper. The theory is that detoxing the skin will give it a youthful glow, rid the epidermis of poisons and impurities and give the skin an overall more youthful appearance.
- Repairing creams use ingredients like Retinol (a much less harsh version of the prescription skin cream Retin-A), Alpha Hydroxy acids, collagen and elastin to reverse sun damage and encourage cell turnover to reveal new, fresh, youthful skin. These creams also claim to replenish the skin, giving it back elasticity and firmness that is lost with age.
- Deep hydrating creams rely on the plumping effect of moisturizers to smooth the skin, plump wrinkles and creases and keep the skin moist and dewy. They may also contain small amounts of antioxidants and other ingredients but their main goal is to deeply hydrate the skin. Studies show that dry skin creases more, is more fragile and tends to wrinkle faster. Creams in this category work by eliminating dehydrated skin, thus warding off new lines and plumping existing ones.
- All-natural creams are becoming popular as skin care companies are discovering certain roots, herbs, extracts and oils have a positive effect on the skin. Many people prefer to use natural ingredients on their skin and believe them to be safer than their chemical counterparts. Most natural creams aren't potent enough to reverse aging skin but can delay new lines by imparting moisture and natural ingredients that nourish the skin.
- Firming creams work less on wrinkles and more on sagging skin. They lift the skin and give your skin a more youthful appearance. Firming creams and serums often are used in conjunction with hydrating creams to lift and moisturize the skin.
Naturally, there are products that combine ingredients to make up their own unique formula. However, most can still be categorized by the main ingredients and the claims made by the skin care company.
1 Comment