Recent Articles of Interest

We've all heard of that mythical spring, a drink from which gives you glowing skin, glossy hair, youthfull strength and flexibility - The Fountain of Youth. If such a fountain existed, it would likely have long ago been drained and bottled.

Who wouldn't want to recapture their youth - or at least preserve it as long as possible? There is a wide variety of products, from wrinkle creams to vitamins, designed to do just that. The brisk sales of these anti-aging products demonstrate that, indeed, many women (and men!) intend to keep their skin looking as youthful as it can, well into middle age.

We look in the mirror and take careful note of the crow's feet, laugh lines, worry lines, wrinkles and creases that we've been collecting over the years. Like rings on a tree, these lines and creases serve to highlight the fact that we are getting older. It doesn't help to look at a picture taken of us at a young age in which none of these signs were visible. A steady stream of anti-aging moisturizers have entered the marketplace, "guaranteed" to do effective battle against the dreaded crows feet and other signs.

Of course, consumers are frequently dubious of any product that makes such claims, and with good reason. What are these magic ingredients, and how do they work? Can anyone really bottle the freshness of teenaged skin? How can you tell which is the best wrinkle cream?

There are several things you can look for. Retinol, a form of vitamin A is the active ingredient in many anti-aging products. Retinol promotes the production of new surface cells as the skin absorbs vitamin A and also increases the amount of collagen in the skin. The net result is more elasticity in the skin and a reduction in the severity of wrinkles. Wrinkle creams based on retinol are often more effective than non-retinol based creams.

Another ingredient that is popular in anti-aging moisturizers is alpha hydroxy acid, or AHAs. AHAs are the active ingredient in chemical peels, but the concentration in anti-aging cream is very low, resulting in only a slight peeling effect. The use of AHAs in wrinkle creams effects a glow to the skin by exposing the new cells underneath.

So, why are some wrinkle creams better than the others? The answer is most likely found in the concentration of the active ingredients. A cream might claim to contain retinol, but it could be present in such a small amount that it would be ineffective. On the other hand, a cream with a higher percentage of retinol might well be very capable of refreshing and plumping the skin for that dewy, youthful look.

If you're in the market for an anti-aging cream, make sure you have the facts. Now that you've asked, 'Why are some wrinkle creams better than others?,' you've armed yourself with the information you need to discover the Fountain of Youth for yourself!