Aging happens and while there are some delightful things about getting older, wrinkled skin can be one of the downsides. The good news is that a healthy skin care routine – when started early – can help you ward off wrinkles a bit longer.
Dermatologists and aestheticians usually recommend beginning a dedicated skincare routine in your 30s. When you begin this early, you can protect your skin and heal any damage you may have done in your wild 20s.
Whether you were over-exposed to harmful UV rays while frolicking in the sunshine or you slept with your makeup on too many nights in a row, there are a variety of products that can help with the effects of aging and wrinkles and fine lines. By incorporating a powerful anti-wrinkle cream, you can also improve your skin’s elasticity.
Our skin in our 30s isn’t as forgiving as it once was, and it may be even more stubborn about the products you are applying to it. That’s why you should always be selective about the ingredients in the products you use.
If you start using something packed with hard-to-pronounce chemicals, you may be doing more harm than good. And with so many options on the market, it can feel a bit overwhelming to select the right product for you.
Manufacturers can promise a lot. And with the power of advertising combined with sincere hope, you may be duped into buying something that won’t work. So, what should you look for when you review an anti-wrinkle cream?
1. Know your skin type
If heredity passed you oily, dry or sensitive skin – it’s best to know what products will benefit your skin in advance. If you can determine what typically breaks your skin out, causes irritation or drying, then you can make a better decision when you purchase.
2. Read the ingredients
To avoid being completely overwhelmed, do some research before you purchase. Most products have their ingredients listed on a company’s website. But you can always pull out your smartphone if you are faced with a decision at the store. Look for active or organic ingredients.
3. Don’t base your decision on the price tag
Don’t relate a high price to a great product. Some companies have invested millions in marketing and merchandising to get you to buy. Then you’ll be feeling fooled with the product doesn’t actually work.
4. Read the reviews
Whether you’re shopping on a beauty site, a company site or Amazon, there is usually a section for reviews and testimonials. This can also give you an indication of the company’s reputation and customer service.
We touched on ingredients, but, when you’re looking specifically for an anti-wrinkle cream, there are a few key ingredients that you should look for:
Retinol:
This will help your skin naturally produce better, healthier cells. It’s an antioxidant that can improve texture, pigmentation and tone.
Vitamin C:
This is also a powerful antioxidant and can help prevent your skin from sun damage. Vitamin C also prohibits the production of melanin, which causes sun spots and age spots. It will actually improve your pigmentation for glowing skin.
Hyaluronic Acid:
Your body already produces this naturally and its main job is to keep your skin hydrated. With age and environmental factors, the hyaluronic acid in our skin depletes. So, when applied in a serum or cream, it can help improve the appearance of your skin by softening wrinkles and making it look more supple.
Peptides:
These are amino acids making up specific proteins that your skin needs. Adding peptides to stimulate your skin will help in your body’s natural collagen production. When you increase your collagen, it will reduce the look of wrinkles, smooth your skin and ease inflammation and damage.
Grape Seed Extract:
Yet another source of antioxidants, grape seed extract also contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E. This helps the skin stay protected against harmful elements. It will restore elasticity to wrinkled skin giving you a more youthful appearance.
While this isn’t a conclusive list of great anti-wrinkle ingredients, it should guide you in the right direction. As long as you are staying vigilant about using an anti-wrinkle product with proven ingredients, you have a better opportunity to see results. And if you are serious about decreasing the appearance of your wrinkles, you’ll need to commit to using the product daily (some products recommend twice a day).
At the end of the day, no one anti-wrinkle cream is going to work for everyone. Genetics, diet and lifestyle all play large factors when it comes to your skin. But the positive thing is that there are a wide variety of products made with this in mind.