ANTI-WRINKLE FACE CREAMS

Anti-wrinkle face creams and formulations claim to work against both natural and photo aging. Apart from natural aging, external causes of aging, also called photo aging, are normally long skin exposures to sunlight. Such a skin looks thick or leathery, has irregular pigmentation, blood vessels may be visible on the surface of the skin, and deep furrows develop in the skin in addition to wrinkles.

ANTI-WRINKLE CREAMS: BASIC TIPS

Wrinkles vary in shape, size, depth, extent of coverage, and age. The type of cream you should use depends on what type of problem you are facing. If you are older and with more wrinkles, a stronger product should be searched for. A young face with fine lines should require any general-purpose cream. Examine all the factors before deciding on which product to go for.

ANTI-WRINKLE CREAMS INGREDIENTS

VITAMIN A
Vitamins are said to help nourish skin, hair and other tissues. This has made them a preferred choice in anti-wrinkle creams. Vitamin A, in the form of retinol, is said to repair injured skin and improve collagen formation. It supplies moisture, and helps the skin remain soft and plump and improve its water barrier properties. Other vitamins like C, and E are very popular for their anti-oxidant effects.

FRUIT ACIDS (AHA)

Alpha hydroxy acids are popular exfoliants and used in the form of Glycolic, Malic, Tartaric and Citric acid, and many other formulations. These acids brush off the dead cells and tissues revealing new, fresh under skin.

The extent of scrubbing varies with the concentration of the AHA, its pH (acidity), and other ingredients in the product. Most cosmetics sold to consumers contain AHAs at levels up to 10 percent. Products with AHA concentrations of 20 percent or higher are used by trained cosmetologists for salon "mini-peels."

PHYTOCHEMICALS

These are the famous anti-oxidants that fight against free radicals that roam and damage body tissues. Vitamins, and other compounds are used in formulations and are said to be effective against these radicals.

COSMETIC GIMMICK INGREDIENTS: PUFFERY

The cosmetics industry has traditionally used gimmicks to sell their products. Ingredients such as turtle oil, shark oil, queen bee royal jelly, chick embryo extract, horse blood serum, and pigskin extracts are used to impress and lure women to try these products. Add to this modern scientific humbug, and it becomes difficult to separate the genuine from the fake.

ANTI-WRINKLE TREATMENT: PROCESS

Three basic steps are normally followed to treat facial problems:

• Cleanse: Using skin cleansers like fruit acids.
• Tone: Using toners like moisturizers, vitamins and minerals
• Nourish: Using more advanced formulations.