Anti wrinkle creams or anti aging creams have become extremely popular recently and promise to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and other aging effects such as skin damage caused by too much sun exposure. Anti aging creams are formulated with an array of all natural ingredients, such as herbal extracts, antioxidants and other natural substances that are found in skin. However, with the large number of anti aging products to choose from, how do customers choose a anti wrinkle cream that is right for them?

There are many anti-aging cream ingredients available and anti wrinkle creams are formulated with ingredients that have either a theoretical or proven effect on the elimination of wrinkles. While skin moisturization itself can already lead to fewer wrinkles, here are a number of ingredients that are thought to increase the anti-aging effect of facial moisturizers:

• Hyaluronic acid is a major component of the extra-cellular matrix and is thought to promote cell proliferation and migration. Hyaluronic acid is a large polymer consisting of disaccharides, which themselves are made up of D-Glucuronic acid and D-N-Acetylglucosamine. Hyaluronic acid attracts water and therefore it promotes moisture absorption and retention in the skin. When skin absorbs moisture, it swells up, leading to a reduction in lines and wrinkles.
• Peptides such as Haloxyl were thought to have a beneficial effect on the elimination of pigmented by-products of hemoglobin breakdown. Breakdown products of hemoglobin tend to accumulate in the skin around the eyes, resulting in dark circles under the eye.
• antioxidant ingredients such as found in acai, pomegranate and blueberry extracts, protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Excessive sun exposure can also result in free radical formation in the skin, which is proven to be the number one cause of premature skin aging.
• Collagenis a structural protein found in skin that gives the skin it’s youthful appearance and flexibility. With age, the amount of collagen in the skin decreases, which results in more wrinkles and lines. Hydrolyzed collagen is a controlled enzymatic breakdown product of collagen-derived protein and is rich in the amino acid hydroxyproline.
• Shea butter, an extract from the fruit of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is an excellent moisturizer and emollient. Shea butter absorbs readily into the skin without being overly greasy.
• Ceramides have potent regenerating and moisturizing properties. Ceramides reduce skin irritations and helps to restore the skin’s barrier function. Chronic stress can jeopardize the skin’s barrier function, which can lead to the development of skin conditions such as rosacea.

Anti-Wrinkle Cream ingredients that are proven to have a beneficial effect on reducing lines and wrinkles, are ingredients that block UVA and UVB radiation and vitamin A derivatives (e.g. retinol). Prescription strength retinol has been shown to increase collagen in the skin resulting in fewer wrinkles. Whether over-the-counter retinol can do the same, is at present, not clear. OTC retinol is less likely to cause skin redness, peeling or irritation as prescription strength retinol does.

While a carefully chosen anti wrinkle cream can be beneficial for the reduction of facial wrinkles and fine lines, it is equally important to nourish the skin from the inside out. This means eating a healthy diet containing rich nutrients and vitamins and minerals. Smoking also has a detrimental effect on skin and can result in premature aging of the skin, in particular of the face. Regular exercise will help increase the overall circulation of blood and helps with the removal of toxins and waste products from the skin.

In addition to using an anti wrinkle cream, the following skin care routines can help your face look younger: treating the face with alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (from fruit or plants) will help with the removal of dead skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells. Combining gentle skin exfoliation with moisturization and protecting the skin from UV radiation will result in a skin with better complexion and fewer wrinkles and lines.