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- What causes wrinkles?
- Common ingredients in anti-aging products
- Types of anti-aging products
- Other things to consider
- Commonly asked questions
What causes wrinkles?
Aging. This may seem like an obvious point to make, but it’s often overlooked when people start searching for a cure-all anti-wrinkle cream (hint: it doesn’t exist). As you grow older, your production of collagen will decrease and your skin will start losing its elasticity, leading to wrinkles and more saggy skin.
It’s a natural process, and one that you shouldn’t stress over when you notice your crow’s feet start to deepen.
Heredity. Your genetics play a large role in determining how you visibly age, so if your parents started getting wrinkles at a younger age, there’s a likelihood that the same will happen to you too.
Sun exposure. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays can affect the pigmentation of your skin (such as causing ‘sun spots’) and impair the elasticity of your skin (meaning your fine lines will deepen and become more visible).
A bit of sun is good for you, but sun tanning is more often than not harmful to your skin. To combat this and to prevent burning, it’s good practice to apply sunscreen to your face every day, even in winter.
Poor nutrition. Having a poor diet deprives your body of the nutrients you need for healthy, strong skin. Avoiding processed foods and eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and oily fish help give your skin the vitamins and minerals it needs to glow.
Dehydration. Collagen - the protein in your skin that’s responsible for skin strength and elasticity - is mostly made up of water. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror after a night of heavy drinking, you’ve probably seen how much older your face looks when it’s dehydrated.
Aim to drink at least 2L of water a day if you’re a woman, and 2.6L a day if you’re a man, and ensure you drink more if you’re exercising or perspiring.
Smoking. Smoking constricts your blood vessels and limits the blood supply to your skin - this diminishes your body’s ability to generate new skin and can over time make you look older than you are. Reducing or quitting smoking can help prevent the signs of aging.
Common ingredients in anti-aging products
Read the label of any product you’re considering buying to look for the active ingredients that help with anti-aging - doing this and seeing the dosage of these ingredients can help you easily compare products to see which products are more potent and thus likely to be more effective.
Ensure you consult a doctor if you’re taking medication, as some ingredients found in anti-aging products can interfere with the effectiveness of some medicines you may be taking.
Retinoids. Retinoids (such as retinol and retinoic acid) are a derivative of vitamin A, which is a nutrient that’s important for strengthening cell turnover and increasing collagen production - making it an essential for skin health, helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinoids make your skin more susceptible to burning, so ensure you only use them at night and be vigilant about applying a broad-spectrum SPF during the day.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralises the free radicals that stress skin and cause premature skin aging. If you choose a product with vitamin C in it, store it in a cupboard or place that’s away from sunlight, as this can affect the effectiveness of the product.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs, such as glycolic, citric, and lactic acids, help get rid of dead skin cells, thus promoting the growth of new, smooth skin. Because of their exfoliating properties, using them regularly can help your skin better absorb other skincare products.
Beta-hydroxyl acids (BHAs). BHAs, such as salicylic acid, also act as a chemical exfoliant and improve the texture of skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain moisture in our skin, helping it look firm, smooth, and plump.
Peptides. Peptides are known to promote the production of collagen, which can help smoothen the texture of your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Niacinamide. Niacinamide is an antioxidant that reduces water loss in your skin, which can help it stay moisturised.
Types of anti-aging products
There are plenty of anti-aging products out there, and while this list is by no means exhaustive, it covers the most commonly used and effective anti-aging skin care items you can buy.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is considered by many dermatologists to be the most effective anti-aging product out there, which is why it gets a special mention here. It protects against photoaging, that is, the wrinkles, spots, and elasticity loss caused by solar UV radiation.
Most people don’t apply an adequate amount of sunscreen, which is why you should consider upping your sunscreen use if you’re concerned about aging.
The Australasian College of Dermatologists recommends applying at least 1 teaspoon of sunscreen to each body part (face and neck, arm, leg, front of torso, back) and reapplying every 2 hours if you’re outdoors.
You can also look for anti-aging creams that have SPF in it, but remember that a normal application usually doesn’t contain nearly as much SPF as your skin needs - these products are a great additional skin protection barrier, but shouldn’t replace a dedicated sunscreen.
Creams
Anti-aging cream often comes as either a day cream or a night cream. They’re most commonly found as face creams (for wrinkles, dark spots, skin dullness, or an all-in-one), or anti-aging eye creams.
A common anti-aging eye product is an eye retinol cream, as it helps plump up the thin, delicate skin around your eyes, smoothing fine lines in the area.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, you should consider opting for a thicker, oil-based cream. If you have oilier skin or are looking for anti-aging products for blemish-prone skin, consider buying an anti-wrinkle cream with salicylic acid in it - an ingredient that helps to unclog pores.
Serums
Like face creams, anti-aging serums can target different areas, or be a general serum that tackles all visible signs of aging. Collagen serums are popular, as they help fight skin sagginess and can hydrate and plump up your face.
Face masks
There are plenty of anti-wrinkle face masks - many of which are overnight masks - that contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. These can be a great option for people who are concerned about their skin aging but don’t necessarily want to use anti-aging products daily.
Other things to consider
Your skin type
A product your friend swears by may do nothing for you, because different people have different skin types, and thus react differently to various products. That’s why it’s generally a good idea to buy a product that’s specially formulated for your skin type - whether you have “normal”, sensitive, oily, combination, or dry skin.
Your target area
Fine lines and wrinkles aren’t the only sign of aging skin - your skin will start losing its elasticity, you may develop age and sun spots, and your skin might start looking more dull. If there’s a particular area of concern you have, then you should consider looking for a product that targets the specific area you want to work on, as this will likely yield better results.
Your personal preferences
If you have any of the following preferences, you may have to put a little more effort into your search to find the right product for you.
- Cruelty free: Cruelty free products haven’t been tested on animals - if this is important to you, check for a cruelty-free label on the label. There are also plenty of vegan wrinkle creams to look out for.
- Paraben free: Parabens are artificial preservatives that are thought to impair immune system function. Just because a product is labelled as paraben free, doesn’t mean it’s free from preservatives - most skin care products aren’t.
- Fragrance free: Added fragrances don’t have any anti-aging benefits, but can often hike up the price of a product. If you don’t care about your face cream smelling nice, then search for a fragrance free option.
- No artificial fragrances: Artificial fragrances can often irritate sensitive skin, so if you itch easily, you might want to skip artificial fragrances, or even fragrances altogether.
- Phthalate free: In cosmetics, phthalates are used to preserve and soften the product and make it easier to apply. Although research into this ingredient hasn’t been extensive enough to draw reliable conclusions from, there have been studies that have linked phthalates to a number of health conditions.
Price
Anti-aging products are notorious for being expensive, however there are cheaper alternatives on the market.
Expensive creams aren’t necessarily better for your skin than their cheaper counterparts - a lot of expensive products have the same active ingredients in the same dosage as drugstore products, but contain a lot of added ingredients (such as fragrances) and flashy marketing that drives the price up.
More costly creams and serums may feel more “luxurious” when applied to your skin, but if this isn’t important for you, then you may find that a more budget option is just as suitable - if not more suitable - for you.
Commonly asked questions
Do anti-aging products really work?
Anti-aging products promise a lot, and opinions - medical or otherwise - are divided about whether or not they’re actually effective.
It’s recommended to read reviews on any product you’re thinking about buying so you can read first-hand whether a product has worked for people.
If you do choose to use anti-aging products, don’t expect to see visible differences overnight - results often take weeks or months to show.. Some products also won’t make you look younger, but may slow down any future visible aging.
Our advice? Don’t expect a cream to perform miracles.
At what age should I start using anti-aging products?
Truth be told, there’s no age that you “should” start using anti-aging products, as they’re not really necessary.
Many skin care brands will say that you should start using anti-aging products in your early to mid-twenties, but you should always take their marketing-speak with a grain of salt - it’s good business for them to get consumers to start using their products at an earlier age.
Generally speaking, a good time to start using anti-aging products is when your aging skin starts to concern you. Whether that happens at age 30, age 80, or never happens at all, then more power to you.
Are anti-aging products safe to use during pregnancy?
You should consult your doctor for this one and ask them if the product you’re thinking of buying is safe to use. Some common ingredients found in many anti-aging products - such as retinoids - can be harmful to your baby, even when only used topically. This may also make some anti-aging products unsuitable for use if you’re breastfeeding.
Wrapping up
Aside from sunscreen, anti-aging products aren’t necessary. They have no essential health benefits and are most often used purely for cosmetic reasons. That being said, if they make you feel more confident and better about your skin, then they’re probably a worthwhile investment.
Any skin care item you buy is unlikely to be the face-lift in a bottle you’re looking for. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and being realistic with yourself about what aging naturally does to your skin will help you age with grace.