The number one cause of premature wrinkles is overexposure to the sun and sun damage and while wrinkle cream can be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as always prevention is better than cure.  The use of over the counter anti aging creams is popular and while some of the creams and lotions are effective it should be noted that not all of these products will have the desired effect.

When choosing an anti aging skin treatment or wrinkle cream you should always look for products that contain sun protection.  If you are unsure of which treatment is right for you, you should consult a dermatologist who can assess your skin type, evaluate the condition of your skin and recommend a suitable product or skin care treatment.

Wrinkle creams fall under the class of cosmetics and as such they are not as rigorously tested as prescription treatments, however if you look for products containing some of the common ingredients that are noted to improve wrinkled skin they can help to reduce some age lines and discolorment.

Some of the most common ingredients found in anti aging creams that have been found effective are as follows:

• Kinetin – said to improve pigmentation and stimulate the production of collagen helping to restore the elasticity of the skin.
• Copper Peptides – also has the effect of stimulating the production of collagen and known to speed up the healing time of tissue damage.
• Exfoliants are often added and work by removing the surface layer of dead skin cells, stimulating the regrowth of cells and improving the overall texture and smoothness of the skin.
• Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that helps the skin cells energy production and has been found to show improvement in lines and premature wrinkles.
• Tea extracts such as green tea have anti inflammatory properties and antioxidants.

Anti Aging Skin Care Guide

When treating your skin for wrinkles and fine lines it is worth noting that sometimes a natural skin care routine will work quite well, depending on the amount of skin damage, a simple skin care routine combined with a sensible diet and sun safety awareness can dramatically improve your skin.

Any skin treatment you choose should be followed carefully if you want to achieve younger looking skin.  You will need to apply your wrinkle cream as specified (usually daily or twice daily) for the required length of time and you should not expect an immediate result, repairing the skin can take time but once you are prepared to follow the instructions and provided you are not suffering any side effects from the treatment, you should see an improvement.

Not all anti aging creams are the same and can vary in potency with the over the counter creams being distinctly less potent that the prescription variety, if you experience any side effects such as itching or redness you should consult your doctor or dermatologist and stop using the cream or lotion in question.  If you have purchased a non prescription wrinkle cream then you should bring the packaging with you so that your doctor can see which active ingredients may be causing the problem.