Facial wrinkles, loss of firmness and resiliency, sagging, and creases are all unavoidable signs of aging, and although they may not bother most men, at least to any great extent, many women are distraught when they look in the mirror and note the ravages of time. So, dissatisfied with their appearance, these women then embark upon a quest for that elusive Fountain of Youth.
Granted, if a woman can afford it, since insurance does not cover elective procedures performed for purely cosmetic reasons, she can opt for a laser peel, skin resurfacing, botox injections, or even plastic surgery. The average woman, however, cannot afford such costly measures, so she usually begins searching for a “facelift in a bottle,” in the form of a cream, lotion, and/or serum that promises smoother, tighter skin, with improved elasticity and reduction in wrinkles. The question, however, is whether or not such products really work or if that promise is merely advertising hype.
Brands of Anti-Aging CreamsMost cosmetic companies have recognized the profitable market in anti-aging creams and, as a result, have devoted (and continue to devote) considerable time, money, and research to developing over-the-counter products that appeal to women desiring a more youthful appearance.
Although myriad anti-aging products are available today, a few examples of name-brand products that can be purchased in most department stores and/or discount stores include:
- Garnier Nutritioniste
- L'Oréal RevitaLift and Skin Genesis
- Olay PRO-X
- Dermitage
- Elizabeth Arden
Note: All companies offer a complete line of firming serums, day and night creams, eye creams, lotions, and deep wrinkle treatments. The one thing that sets them apart is the price.
Ingredients in Anti-Aging Creams
Even though a product might occasionally contain some unique ingredient, the key ingredients in most anti-aging products are, if not completely identical, at least comparable, although referred to by some trademarked terminology or phrase that implies exclusivity.
Some examples of ingredients contained in anti-aging products:
- Copper peptides
- Bblue copper 5
- Omega 3 + 6
- Lipopeptides
- Magnesium
- Aloe Vera Extract
- Glusosamine
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Pro-Retinol A
- Collagen
- Botanical Antioxidants
- Pro-Elastin
- Oligogeline
- Linefactor
Promised Results Compared to Price
Based upon advertising for various products, the effectiveness of anti-aging creams range from a low of 42 percent of users who saw a reduction in wrinkles and improved firmness and elasticity of the skin to a high of 97 percent who saw the same improvements.
The effectiveness, however, is apparently unrelated to cost, since some of the producers of more expensive creams report a lower percentage of satisfied users than some of the producers of less expensive creams. (The most expensive product researched for this article was $150 for 1.7 ounces, and the least expensive $13.85 for the same size container.)
Effectiveness of Anti-Aging Products
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Research suggests that some wrinkle creams contain ingredients that may improve wrinkles.” However, if a woman is looking for a facelift in a bottle, she is not going to find it in any over-the-counter wrinkle cream, although such creams can improve the overall appearance of her skin. Yet, to what degree her skin improves depends upon several factors, including how long the cream is used, its composition of active ingredients, and the potency of its ingredients.
What many women do not consider is that over-the-counter products contain lower concentrations of ingredients than prescription creams, which means that any results will be limited and usually temporary because once she discontinues the product, her skin will revert to its former condition.
The Solution
Whereas the Fountain of Youth remains an elusive dream, there are yet certain "common sense" steps any woman can take to help protect her skin and, in so doing, remain youthful looking longer:
- Avoid overexposure to the sun, but when it cannot be avoided, wear a hat and use sunscreen, even in the winter since the sun's rays are just as harmful then.
- Use daily moisturizers since they plump up cells and help make surface lines and creases less noticeable (And price really has no bearing on effectiveness).
- Don’t smoke because smoking not only damages collagen and elastin, but also leads to narrowing of the blood vessels beneath the skin surface, and these things contribute to making skin look older.
The bottom line is that although many anti-aging products promise quite amazing results, those results at best are minimal; and if women expect a facelift from any over-the-counter product, they are going to be disappointed. On the other hand, many of these products do improve the overall appearance of the skin, which results in women feeling better about themselves, and considering this benefit, perhaps the products are worth the cost after all.
Source
- “Wrinkle Creams: Your Guide to Younger Looking Skin.” (2008) Mayoclinic.com
 |
