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Do anti-wrinkle creams really work? (part 2 of 2)
Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen. It also encourages the renewal of skin cells and is an antioxidant, which means that it mops up skin damaging free radicals. Vitamin C is a very unstable vitamin that is broken down by light and does not penetrate the skin readily, so cosmetic companies have had great difficulty making a skin preparation containing it. They seem to have cracked the problem, and skin preparations containing vitamin C are now available.
Copper peptides. Copper is a trace element found in every cell. In products applied to the skin, it’s combined with small protein fragments called peptides. Copper peptides enhance wound healing. They also stimulate production of collagen and may enhance the action of antioxidants. It is not known if they reduce wrinkles.
Collagen. Collagen creams work only on the skins surface. A moisturizer with or without collagen, cannot penetrate the skin and is not designed to be absorbed. No moisturizer can undo the cumulative effect of collagen loss. Creams primarily slow the rate of water loss from the skin and help keep the skin supple.
Do anti-wrinkle creams really work? (part 1 of 2)
Many wrinkle creams and lotions sold in department stores and on the Internet promise to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Do these anti-wrinkle creams work?
Some research suggests that wrinkle creams contain ingredients that may improve wrinkles. But many of these ingredients haven’t undergone scientific research to prove this benefit.
The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams depends in part on the active ingredient or ingredients. If you’re looking for a face-lift in a bottle, you can’t buy it over the counter. Some cream may slightly improve the appearance of your skin, depending on how long you use the product and the amount and type of the active ingredient in the wrinkle cream.
Some of the active ingredients used are:
Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A compound and is the first antioxidant to be widely used in anti- wrinkle creams. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Retinol is less potent than the vitamin A derivative tretinoin, a prescription-only cream, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating wrinkles.
How effective is tretinoin cream? A study of 251 people, aged 29-50 years, with sun-damaged skin showed that tretinoin cream used once a day for 6 months (Archives of Dermatology 1991) produced some type of improvement in 79%. It faded age spots by 37% and improved wrinkles by 27.1% (measured by taking silicone impressions of the skin).
Coenzyme Q10.Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells. Some studies have shown reduction in fine wrinkles around the eyes with no side effects. Application before sun exposure may protect against sun damage.
… part 2 of the Guide to Anti-Wrinkle Creams in the next posting.