The Truth on Anti-Aging Products

If you want the best in anti-aging or wrinkle cream the strength of marketing makes the choices difficult and confusing. The brands all claim that their anti-aging cream is the best, or wrinkle free in how ever many day claims. When the search for beauty products to enhance our youth is a high priority for most, how do we know if they are just taking advantage of our search for an effective aging treatment?

Every now and then we see a news headline or reviews emphatically stating that it is all hype and a waste of money. This is very quickly drowned out by advertising claiming some form of miracle new formulation has been found. Reviews of products are released in millions all across the Internet claiming effectiveness from products.

What do you believe, and what do you spend your money on?

I intend to outline some tips on assessing different products and hopefully help you make an informed choice, not one which is just a marketing persuasion.

Underlying Truth of Maintaining Skin Health

In gathering information to share with the concerned consumer I have discovered this truth. The secret to good skin care is;

· A daily skin care routine i.e. cleansing, toning and moisturising

· A healthy diet, and one which is high in antioxidants

· Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day

· Sunscreen to prevent sun damage which is the main cause of aging

Many anti aging formulations are just as effective as applying a moisturiser twice a day. Choice Magazine conducted a trial of creams and found that even the more effective brands were only slightly better than applying the control moisturiser.

One of the cheapest and easiest ways you can look after those wrinkles is by applying a moisturiser plus sun cream product.

Finally, if you are a smoker quiting is going to prevent heaps of wrinkles!

What to Look for in a Anti- aging/Wrinkle cream

If you want to spend some money on really beating those wrinkles, there are products out there that are worthwhile. The problem is finding them!

There are prescription skin treatments containing Tretinoin, which has been proven to be very effective with various skin complains. If you have acne or scaring a trip to see a dermatology specialist may be worth your while. There are variants of this in non-prescription creams, commonly known as Retinol.

It has been found that creams with 10% or more of AHAs are more effective. Unfortunately many do not contain a high enough percentage, but check the label or the websites to carefully scrutinise ingredients.

There are quite a few new products which are based on the science of collagen formation, such as Dermitage, which was actually mentioned by Dr Oz in relation to skin care strategies. These creams claim to stimulate collagen formation. We will see in the future as to the long term effectiveness of these products.

How Not To Get Duped

1. Look for products offering a free trial or money back guarantee. This way if you purchase the product and it doesn’t stack up then you haven’t lost anything.

2. Analyse before and after shots. There are lots of tricks to making it look like it is legitimate. A change in lighting or undetectable makeup may have been used.

3. Be realistic in your expectation of a product.

4. Read the fine print when products make claims regarding their effectiveness.

5. Go to a skin care clinic or dermatology specialist and get expect advice. Prefer somewhere recommended by a friend.

Personally I have been using Neutrogena 'Healthy Defence' which has a 30+ SPF.  It is not oily, and I use the combination/oily skin product which is great for me as I struggle with acne.  I found an improvement within a week of using it, without all the expensive products with all their promises!

Last Words

Perhaps the best option is just to invest in overall good health, lots of water and a good skin care routine that includes sunscreen. If you want more than this, get proper advice from professionals, rather than believing claims from marketing agencies trying to sell their products. And finally, if you really want to give it a go take the free trial/money back options and if it doesn’t work send it back!