How To Get Rid Of Wrinkles And Creases And Have Young, Firm Skin

Wrinkles and creases appear as you get older and result from various factors--the leading one being too much sun exposure. However, you can also blame aging and its symptoms of wrinkles, lines and creases on pollution, smoking, genetics, poor skin care and illnesses, according to Paula Begoun, author of "The Original Beauty Bible." These factors cause the proteins in your skin that give it structure and elasticity--collagen and elastin--to break down, leaving skin without its youthful look.

Step 1

Wash your skin--face and body--with lukewarm water, never hot. Use a gentle moisturizing soap or liquid cleanser with a soft wash cloth to help exfoliate your skin. Aging skin has trouble retaining moisture so don't make the situation worse by using drying or perfumed soaps.

Step 2

Moisturize daily with products that contain anti-aging ingredients, such as alpha hydroxy acids, which boost collagen and elastin, and vitamin E, which reduces wrinkle depth. Vitamin C is also an essential building block of collagen, so moisturizers with this ingredient will help to fight wrinkles and lines.

Step 3

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 15 SPF every time you head outdoors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You will prevent existing wrinkles and lines from deepening and new ones from forming.

Step 4

Apply an anti-aging gel or serum that contains tretinoin. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it's the only medication approved for photoaging or sun-related skin damage.

Tips and Warnings

Avoid heat treatments such as saunas or hot tubs. If you do use these therapies, moisturize thoroughly afterward with a rich cream, followed by an oil such as jojoba or petroleum jelly to seal in the moisture. Also, drink at least two 8 oz. glasses of water afterward.
Consume 2-½ cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit daily. Vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants--potent fighters of free radicals that speed up aging and cause your skin to wrinkle and sag. Do not smoke. Aside from increasing your risk of health problems such as cancer and heart disease, smoking also breaks down collagen and reduces circulation of blood and oxygen to your skin and makes it more likely to wrinkle. Do not sunbathe or use indoor tanning machines, which also damage your skin.