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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.