| The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams depends in | | | | performer cost only $19. However, none of the |
| part on the active ingredient. Anti-aging creams are | | | | products they tested was able to significantly reduce |
| cosmetic products marketed with the promise of | | | | wrinkles."The top-rated products smoothed out some |
| making the consumer look younger and reducing visible | | | | fine lines and wrinkles but even the best performers |
| wrinkles on the skin. Despite great demand, most such | | | | reduced the average depth of wrinkles by less than 10 |
| products and treatments have not been proven to | | | | percent, a change barely visible to the naked eye," |
| give lasting or major positive effects. There are a | | | | according to Belinda Goldsmith of Reuters."The tests |
| range of cosmetic treatments for the appearance of | | | | revealed that, on average, these products made little |
| wrinkles on the skin such as plastic surgery and botox | | | | difference in the skin's appearance and there's no |
| injections. Advertising sometimes presents anti-aging | | | | correlation between price and effectiveness," a |
| creams as an alternative to these more costly and | | | | spokeswoman for the magazine said.For its tests, |
| invasive cosmetic treatments.Many wrinkle creams | | | | Consumer Reports chose several popular brands |
| and lotions sold in department stores, in drugstores and | | | | priced from $19 to $355. The creams were used by 17 |
| on the Internet promise to reduce wrinkles and prevent | | | | to 23 women aged between 30 and 70. The services |
| or reverse damage caused by the sun.Do they work? | | | | of a European laboratory were used to recruit the |
| Some research suggests that wrinkle creams contain | | | | women and evaluate the products."The women used |
| ingredients that may improve wrinkles. But many of | | | | a test product on one side of their face and the lab's |
| these ingredients haven't undergone scientific research | | | | standard moisturizer on the other side for comparison. |
| to prove this benefit. If you want to look young, don't | | | | A high-tech optical device was used to detect |
| spend a fortune on anti-wrinkle creams. A study | | | | changes in wrinkle depth and skin roughness," |
| shows that the cheaper brands work just as well - if | | | | Goldsmith said.Results were disappointing and showed |
| not better - than the more expensive ones.Do | | | | that the effects of most anti-wrinkle creams were |
| anti-aging skin care creams containing Vitamin C | | | | barely noticeable.The small study, however, was |
| work?Both "yes and No" are the answers! On one | | | | criticized by some dermatologists. Dr. Tina Alster, a |
| hand, vitamin C does possess definite, scientifically | | | | dermatologic laser surgeon from Georgetown |
| validated merits for wrinkle reduction and skin | | | | University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a |
| rejuvenation. On the other hand, most anti-wrinkle anti | | | | member of the American Academy of Dermatologists, |
| aging vitamin C products does not work. And worse is | | | | said it was difficult to conclude from such a limited |
| that they may aggravate wrinkle formation.Here are | | | | study that these products did not work."People would |
| some of the most common ingredients that are used | | | | love to believe that cheap products are the same as |
| in anti wrinkle creams.* Vitamin E. Vitamin E is known | | | | the more expensive ones, and I may pooh-pooh |
| to be a good vitamin for skin.* Tretinoin (or retin-A). | | | | someone paying $500 for a cream, but I do see the |
| The effects of retin-A or tretinoin will be similar to | | | | value of some of the luxury brands which are |
| vitamin A, as it is a similar ingredient. It can be also be | | | | science-based. But it is a cautionary tale that people |
| used to treat acne and sun damage.* Hydroxy acids | | | | should be looking at the ingredients rather than just at |
| (including Alppha hydroxyl acids, beta hydroxy acids | | | | the packaging," she said.Still, some women said they |
| and poly hydroxy acids). Hydroxy acids are synthetic | | | | would continue to use anti-wrinkle creams if only |
| versions of the acids contained in fruit. They remove | | | | because it gave them the illusion of being beautiful."I've |
| the upper layer of old dead skin and stimulate the | | | | never really believed these creams would stop |
| growth of new skin.* Vitamin A (or retinol). Retinol is a | | | | wrinkles, but they make me feel and smell good," said |
| derivative of vitamin A. It is an antioxidant and is used | | | | Amira Thoron, a 36-year-old New York teacher.To |
| in many anti wrinkle creams. This was the verdict of | | | | maximize your beauty without losing money, redefine |
| Consumer Reports, a monthly publication of the | | | | your skin with Dermaxin cream. This potent |
| non-profit consumer research group Consumer Union | | | | needle-free formula will reduce the signs of aging |
| that recently tested different products to determine | | | | without the discomfort and side effects of painful and |
| whether or not they could fight wrinkles.After 12 | | | | costly doctor administered injectables. |
| weeks of testing, researchers found that the best | | | | |