Are Wrinkle Creams Miracle Creams?

Can you really find the fountain of youth in a jar of wrinkle cream? Apparently, a lot of American women think so. They spend millions of dollars every year for lotions and creams that promise to reduce wrinkles. But although there are hundreds of wrinkle creams available, most dermatologists agree there is little you can do to stop time. However, they do so there are products which can temporarily reduce the look of wrinkles, sagging skin and other tell-tale signs of aging.

As skin ages, it loses firmness and elasticity. It becomes drier and the underlying fat supporting the skin disappears. The skin starts to sag. It also starts to show the effects of a lifetime of improper care, such as sun abuse, bad diet and smoking. Ultraviolet radiation is to blame for about 90 percent of early wrinkles and age spots. Doctors caution the best wrinkle treatment is simply prevention from an early age: use sunscreen liberally, follow a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and don't smoke. Smoking causes premature wrinkles. It damages collagen and the elasticity of the skin.

But for most women, there comes a time when they start looking for that face lift in a jar. Researchers say non-prescription winkle creams do contain ingredients which may give modest improvement to wrinkled skin. Here are some key ingredients to look for when choosing a cream or lotion.

Topical Vitamin A, or retinol, is a frequently found in wrinkle creams. It is an antioxidant, which means it can assist in neutralizing oxygen molecules that damage cells in the skin. Retinol is a step down From Retina A, which is available only by prescription.

Any product with retinol makes the user much more susceptible to sunburn, so sun exposure should be severely limited during usage.