Are Wrinkle Creams Miracle Creams?

Can you really find the fountain of youth in a jar of wrinkle cream? Apparently, a lot of American women think so. They spend millions of dollars every year for lotions and creams that promise to reduce wrinkles. But although there are hundreds of wrinkle creams available, most dermatologists agree there is little you can do to stop time. However, they do so there are products which can temporarily reduce the look of wrinkles, sagging skin and other tell-tale signs of aging.

As skin ages, it loses firmness and elasticity. It becomes drier and the underlying fat supporting the skin disappears. The skin starts to sag. It also starts to show the effects of a lifetime of improper care, such as sun abuse, bad diet and smoking. Ultraviolet radiation is to blame for about 90 percent of early wrinkles and age spots. Doctors caution the best wrinkle treatment is simply prevention from an early age: use sunscreen liberally, follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and don't smoke. Smoking causes premature wrinkles. It damages collagen and the elasticity of the skin.

But for most women, there comes a time when they start looking for that face lift in a jar. Researchers say non-prescription winkle creams do contain ingredients which may give modest improvement to wrinkled skin. Here are some key ingredients to look for when choosing a cream or lotion.

Topical Vitamin A, or retinol, is a frequently found in wrinkle creams. It is an antioxidant, which means it can assist in neutralizing oxygen molecules that damage cells in the skin. Retinol is a step down From Retina A, which is available only by prescription.

Any product with retinol makes the user much more susceptible to sunburn, so sun exposure should be severely limited during usage.

Alpha hydroxy acids are also popular ingredients in wrinkle creams. They are natural exfoliates that can help smooth fine lines and even out the complexion, as well as unblock and clean pores. They work especially well for oily skin. Glycolic acid offers the most benefits of the alpha hydroxy acids. This acid actually ignites new collagen that will diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Like retinol, hydroxy acids also increase chances of sunburn.

Copper peptides are relatively new in the skin care world. In the last few years, shoppers have found the word "copper" appearing more and more on the front of the anti-aging bottles. Copper peptides can stimulate production of collagen, and in turn, give the look of firmer, smoother skin.

Tea extracts are also used in wrinkle treatments. Some teas, including black and green, have elements that contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Non-prescription wrinkle creams promise the moon. They're classified by the Federal Drug Administration as cosmetics, so they are not subject to vigorous testing. Here are some particulars to think about when choosing a cream or lotion for your face.

Price doesn't necessarily mean a product is better. Drug store brands work just as well as the pricier department store ones. Some women even say ordinary household ingredients, such as Crisco, olive oil or Vaseline can be just as effective as the most expensive over the counter treatment. There are plenty of women who swear by hemorrhoid cream as a quick fix for an important event. Look for store brands, like Wal-Mart's Equate line. They'll be sitting right next to their more expensive look-alikes. Or consider a trip to the dermatologist for a prescription of Retina A. It will usually be less costly than many of the ones at department store cosmetic counters.

You'll probably also need to use your chosen creams and lotions religiously. It may take weeks or months to see any improvement. And don't loyally stick to one brand. While a product containing alpha hydroxy may be beneficial for your skin for a while, over time you may find it is too drying.

For an easy, temporary fix, use moisturizer daily. A moisturizer won't prevent wrinkles or make them go away. But it will temporarily hide fine lines by plumping dry skin.

The bottom line? Nothing really does stop time, but with a little help from the store, you can probably at least give the appearance of slowing it down.