The term “antiwrinkle” has become a buzzword that entails everything, from consuming antioxidant-rich food and supplements to opting for laser and Botox treatments. All these majorly focus on improving the appearance of wrinkles.
When it is about antiwrinkle products, you must take preventive steps and follow a strong routine, which is based on products with ingredients that help maintain skin texture and elasticity. We notice that wrinkles usually start to appear in the late 20s or 30s. This is when skin stops or reduces the production of collagen – a structural protein found in the skin.
There are many antiwrinkle products like lotions, creams, moisturizers and serums that are being sold in the market and are highly popular. These make a promise to reduce wrinkles and provide protection against damage from the sun and other environmental factors.
Now the question arises that do these really work! Well, this depends on what are the ingredients of an antiaging product and for how long it has been used. It would be also interesting to know that antiwrinkle products do not require approval or research to prove their effectiveness as these are not categorized as drugs.
How effective these antiwrinkle products are, depends on the active ingredients or ingredient it contains. Some common ingredients are listed below for you to know what these antiwrinkle products on the market contain.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid:
This is present in every single cell. It works as an antioxidant agent and attacks free radicals. In the skincare world, it is often projected as something that can help you get rid of fine lines and wrinkles and give you a healthy, younger-looking skin.
Green Tea Extract:
Green tea is packed with nutrients, known as polyphenols, which are effective in fighting against free radicals. Polyphenols in creams and lotions may reduce the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin.
Retinol:
It is made from vitamin A. It is usually added in skin care creams to enhance collagen production in the skin. Retinol plumps the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Some dermatologists ask the patients to use stronger a version of retinol – tretinoin – to slow down the process of aging and remove breakouts and skin coloring. Over-the-Counter OTC products containing retinol are weaker, but they do improve the look and feel of the skin. A retinol-based product can make the skin dry and flaky. So, it is advised to put it on during night and wear a sunscreen next morning before stepping out.
Vitamin C:
With aging, the body starts making less collagen and elastin. These are important for giving resilience to the skin, and making it firm and flexible. As an antioxidant, vitamin C is known to increase the amount of collagen and decrease fine lines and wrinkles.
Coenzyme Q10:
With aging, less of antioxidant coenzyme Q10 is made by the body. This leaves the skin cells more susceptible to damage. A study has revealed that coenzyme Q10 reduces crow’s feet around the eyes, and works on wrinkles and fine lines.
Caffeine:
It is an antioxidant and is added to various creams and lotions. It helps reverse the signs of aging. It prevents the growth of skin cancer when applied on to the skin and also helps remove wrinkles, particularly fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids:
These include citric, glycolic, tartaric and lactic acids. These work by exfoliating the skin as well as by decreasing fine lines, age spots and acne. Peels with high content of AHA are available, but you can use lotions and creams with lower concentrations of 5%-10%.
It is recommended to use moisturizers and sunscreens when products containing AHA are used, since these have the potential to cause skin irritation and dryness even when used in lower concentrations.
Salicylic Acid:
This ingredient is present in many OTC and prescription products. A good thing about it is that it does not irritate the skin to the extent done by alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and so, reduces the signs of aging.
You must avoid the use of salicylic acid if you have allergy to aspirin and other products with salicylic acid. You may get allergies from the use of salicylic acid. Discontinue the use if such things persist.
Hyaluronic Acid:
This is produced naturally by the body which lubricates the tissues. It is present in the skin and other connective tissues. Products containing hyaluronic acid smoothen the skin. These products work well when used in combination with vitamin C-containing products.
Peptides:
These have the potential to work on the deeper skin levels for promoting healthy skin functioning. These also activate the production of collagen. Peptides also increase the production of hyaluronic acid as it helps the skin to retain moisture; thereby, making the skin plump and smooth.
Thus, we have discussed a handful of powerful ingredients that make up the antiwrinkle products like creams and lotions. Creams and lotions are considered as cosmetics, so these are not regulated for their effectiveness. It is only the safety part that must be taken care of. As far as their effectiveness is concerned, it may vary from person to person as different people have different skin types. Therefore, it is always recommended to choose an antiwrinkle product only after consulting a dermatologist.
