If you Google “anti-wrinkle creams,” you get pages upon pages of different options – all promising to be the number one option or to remove years of wrinkles in just a few weeks. Some options are $60 for what looks like 15 uses and others are $10 for a tub that will last more than a month. With so many options, how do you choose?
While it may be tempting to look at price as an indication of how well a product actually works, there are many cheap products with the same ingredients that work just as well. The best way to select an anti-wrinkle cream or serum is to know what ingredients are most effective against signs of aging. Four key ingredients to look for are:
- Hydroxy acids – A selection of natural acids found in food, hydroxy acids include citric, glycolic, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids. These are excellent for hydrating dry skin, reducing wrinkles, and removing acne because hydroxy acids remove the top layers of dead skin cells. When used frequently, creams and serums with hydroxy acids also increase the thickness of skin, increasing firmness and minimizing wrinkles. These acids smooth, tighten, and brighten skin, which is why they have become so popular for skincare!
- Copper peptides – These tiny copper proteins penetrate the skin to repair damage and boost collagen production. Their regenerative properties are so strong they can break down scar tissue or skin that is damaged from the sun, acne, and other related factors and replace it with firm, new skin. Copper peptides also aide in the production of the enzyme that retains moisture in skin cells.
- Retinol – If you’ve been looking at wrinkle creams, you’ve probably heard of retinol. It causes surface skin cells to die, promoting growth of new, healthy cells. While it can cause skin to turn red and peel in the beginning, that doesn’t mean it’s doing damage – it is just clearing the way for fresh skin. Retinol smooths skin, minimizes effects from sun damage, slows collagen breakdown, and thickens the deep part of the skin where wrinkles form.
- Kinetin – Probably the least well-known on this list, kinetin has antioxidant properties. Studies show it protects skin cells from damage and increases water retention in the skin. Often used in combination with retinol, kinetin alleviates many signs of aging, including wrinkles, rough skin, visible blood vessels, and uneven skin tone. It also keeps skin more hydrated and overall more healthy.
Each of these four ingredients help minimize wrinkles with regular, consistent use. Anti-wrinkle creams or serums that list these ingredients at the beginning of their contents list are more effective that ones with these ingredients toward the bottom. If you are unsure of what percentage a product contains, you can look it up online to make sure you will be satisfied with the product. If you are looking for a face mask or other ingredients with antioxidant properties, download our free healthy skin care guide here!
