Wrinkling is caused by the sun, the aging process, by smoking and to some degree through the hereditary process. Some people are more prone to wrinkling than others. The primary contributor to wrinkling is the loss of collagen, a natural substance that lies in the dermal layer of skin just beneath the outer layer, or epidermis. Injectable wrinkle fillers are used to replace collagen, but there are a number of topical creams that contribute to younger looking skin and to minimizing wrinkles.
Vitamin A is the most potent treatment for skin that shows roughness, pigmentation marks and wrinkles – all signs of aging. Vitamin A acid is contained in Retin-A, Renova and other several other brands. Creams containing this active ingredient should be used on a continual basis in order to be effective. They may cause redness and discomfort at first, but improvement is evident after a short period.
Antioxidant creams contain vitamins A, C and E as well as beta-carotene, a substance that converts to vitamin A. Avalon Organics makes several face creams that contain antioxidants; Allergan has a new product called Prevage on the market; most major skin care companies offer a cream with active antioxidant ingredients. There are also several that claim collagen as an active ingredient. While collagen is the ultimate wrinkle remover, it cannot be applied topically and expected to pass through the skin to the dermal layer.
Alpha hydroxyl acid is another popular active ingredient in anti-aging wrinkle cream products. Included in this chemical group are the citric acids found in fruit; lactic acid, found in milk products; and glycolic acid, which is found in sugar cane. These substances are similar to the chemicals used in facial peels, but are found in much lower concentrations for skin creams. They act as exfoliants, causing the removal of dead cells on the outer layer and exposing the newer, fresher skin beneath. This process can cause skin irritation and redness, but will result in fresher looking skin and a reduce the wrinkling effect.