Anti Aging creams (or anti wrinkle creams) come in many shapes and forms, which are heavily marketed through ads and infomercials on TV. Anti wrinkle creams differ widely between various manufacturers, some having just a limited number of ingredients, while others have many.

Some anti aging creams come with a claim that their effect can be seen just shortly after application. This is usually achieved by the presence of skin irritants that cause the skin to contract, resulting in a temporary smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles. Due to the nature of these irritants, the fine lines and wrinkles quickly re-appear. Therefore, to better measure the effectiveness of an anti aging cream, changes in the skin should be looked at over the span of several weeks.

Anti wrinkle cream ingredients that improve the skin's underlying structure are aimed at reducing the effects of free radicals (anti-oxidants), decreasing collagen breakdown and improving the skin's overall hydration, vasculature and skin tone. The effectiveness of anti aging skin care products is not just determined by the ingredients, but also by their concentration. Please note however, that a high concentration of certain ingredients (in particular peptides and proteins) can induce skin sensitivity over time. For that reason, look for anti-aging creams containing multiple ingredients with a lower than usual concentration to limit skin sensitivity issues.

There are many popular ingredients one should be aware of when choosing an anti wrinkle cream. One popular anti wrinkle ingredient is retinol (or vitamin A). While retinol is generally considered to be a powerful weapon against wrinkles, retinol has also shown to cause sensitivity in some people, leading to skin reactions.

Additional popular anti-wrinkle ingredient is ceramide, which reduces skin irritations and improves the skin's barrier function. Sun flower seed extract contains both anti-oxidants as well as certain glycoproteins that can inhibit the cross-linking of collagen, leading to a more flexible skin. Collagen is a favorite ingredient as well, which can enhance the skin's youthful appearance.

Preservatives are also important ingredients to consider. Many products contain paraben, usually multiple forms of paraben (methyl-paraben, butyl-paraben, propyl-paraben etc.). Parabens can be hazardous to human health due to the estrogren-like activity of these compounds, in particular when exposed to it on a daily basis.

Anti wrinkle creams are usually more expensive than other skin care products for several reasons, including the rarity of some ingredients, the cost of purification, or when a particular ingredient is patented, so it is important to know the effects of the ingredients before choosing one that is right for you.

Finally, additional ways to reduce the effects of aging on the skin is to smoke less, eat a balanced diet, exercise more and apply a sun screen when going outdoors. Please note that people with sensitive skin are often also sensitive to chemical sun screens. In that case it is better to choose an anti aging cream without (chemical) sun screen and use a mineral sun screen (containing either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide).

Disclaimer: the information provided is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended to replace the advice from your health care professional. Always talk to your health care professional.