How Does Anti-Wrinkle Cream Work?

Skin wrinkles and fine lines are a product of aging and many environmental factors, and are caused by damage to one or many layers of the skin. There are a number of cosmetic products available that either reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, or promise to eliminate them altogether. Due to the deep damage caused to create the appearance of wrinkles, very little can be done at the topical level to completely eliminate wrinkles altogether, but much can be done to reduce their appearance.

Anti-wrinkle creams can be useful in removing the dead outer layers of skin that cause wrinkles to deepen. Dead skin enhances this effect as dead skins cells pile up inside of superficial wrinkles. The dead skin cells don’t worsen the wrinkles at the level of the skin, but simply magnify the appearance of any wrinkles.

Anti-wrinkle creams are most effective on the least damaged skin, meaning younger skin. The earlier anti-wrinkle cream is used in a person’s life, the more effective it will be. Also, the younger the user is, the greater the potential for preventative measures, such as sunscreen, drinking adequate amounts of water and a healthy diet, to also be effective.

Alpha Hydroxyl Acid

One key ingredient that has been found to be useful in anti-wrinkle creams is called alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA). This is a group of organic compounds that come from food sources like sugar cane, milk, apples, citrus fruits and grapes. The acids in AHA are able to penetrate the skin at both the epidermal layer, which is the outermost layer, and the dermal layer, which is the next layer down. At the epidermal layer, AHA can repair small cells called keratinocytes. These cells create a tougher outer layer of the skin to protect it. If the protection of the skin is increased, wrinkles are less likely to occur.

At the dermal layer, AHA can repair the collagen, which give skin its fullness and makes skin appear fuller. AHA can also repair UV damage by prompting cells to reproduce and consume older cells. It can also improve blood flow, meaning that vitamins are able to flow to the epidermis and improve the skin’s appearance.

Anti-oxidants

Anti-oxidants are other key ingredients often found in anti-wrinkle creams. Often air is polluted with small compounds called free radicals that are small carcinogenic (cancer-causing) particles. Free radicals are inhaled, travel through the bloodstream and be stored in the skin, particularly in wrinkles. This worsens the health of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles. Anti-oxidants stop the carcinogenic elements in the free radical from reacting with the human body, or in this case the skin, and spreading the problematic material.

Anti-oxidants are generally found in natural sources although they can be synthetically created. These synthetically anti-oxidants are topically used in industrial applications like hydraulic fluids and jet fuel. Natural anti-oxidants however can be taken from food sources such as cocoa and mangoes. Generally all fruits and vegetables are good sources of anti-oxidants, as these compounds are significant to the plants’ survival as well. Anti-oxidants typically include important vitamins for the skin such as Vitamin A and E. These vitamins hold water, which is essential for the elasticity of skin. As the skin becomes dehydrated, it becomes less fluid and more fragile and easier to tear. Many anti-wrinkle creams contain anti-oxidants, but it doesn’t hurt to eat the different foods containing them either.