Getting That Fresh Young Look

We’ve all heard of that mythical spring, a drink from which gives you glowing skin, glossy hair, youthfull strength and flexibility - The Fountain of Youth. If such a fountain existed, it would likely have long ago been drained and bottled.

Although the Fountain is nowhere to be found, we still seem determined to hold on to or recapture our youthful looks. Witness the wealth of products selling briskly on the market, vitamins, anti-aging creams, tonics and a host of other items. We hope that the right combination will give us back the youthful skin and glowing complexions of our youth.

One of the hallmarks of youth is soft, smooth, moisturized skin that is free of laugh lines and creases. Since wrinkles have come to be viewed as one of the ‘dead giveaways’ of a person’s age, manufacturers have developed many varieties of anti-aging moisturizers to launch an all-out attack on encroaching crow’s feet.

Some consumers eagerly try a number of the products which claim to satisfy our search for youthful skin. Others, most consumers perhaps, are more cautious. The ingredients of many products are well known, but many are not and how they will react with our skin is an unknown. Like the Fountain of Youth, if a product really was “the” solution, it would probably be impossible to keep it stocked on the shelves. So how do you know what, if anything, is best for you?

It’s important to know about the ingredients in various anti-aging creams before purchasing. So, why are some wrinkle creams better than the others? The active ingredient in many wrinkle creams is retinol, which is a form of vitamin A. Retinol is effective in making wrinkles less noticeable, because the skin absorbs the vitamin A and uses it to make new surface cells. It also increases the amount of collagen in the skin, which improves elasticity.

Whereas retinol functions to reduce the severity of wrinkles, another popular ingredient is alpha hydroxy acid, AHA. AHAs chemically peel away the outer layer of skin. The concentration is very low to prevent serious damage, so the peeling effect while slight, adds a glow the skin as new cells beneath the peeled away dead cells become visible.

So, why are some wrinkle creams better than the others? The answer is most likely found in the concentration of the active ingredients. A cream might claim to contain retinol, but it could be present in such a small amount that it would be ineffective. On the other hand, a cream with a higher percentage of retinol might well be very capable of refreshing and plumping the skin for that dewy, youthful look.

If you’re in the market for an anti-aging cream, make sure you have the facts. Now that you’ve asked, ‘Why are some wrinkle creams better than others?,’ you’ve armed yourself with the information you need to discover the Fountain of Youth for yourself!

Jen Hopkins has worked in the wrinkle reducer industry for years. He maintains websites about Lifecell skin reviews and anti aging skin care. If you want to contact him, you can use the contact for at one of his sites.

- Jen Hopkins