Wrinkles naturally form as your skin gets older, thinner, drier and less pliable, according to MayoClinic.com. Once they've already formed, they're also impossible to wipe out completely, barring surgical intervention. However, you might be able to minimize their appearance if you take care of your skin and regularly apply a wrinkle cream that has been proven effective in some people.
Risk
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, classifies creams as cosmetics, which means creams aren't regulated strictly through many tests for safety and effectiveness before they are approved, according to MayoClinic.com. Sometimes cosmetics end up posing dangers, too. In 2002, for example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that products containing alpha hydroxy acids could increase a person's risk of sunburn, so it told manufacturers of such products to include a warning label.
Prescription Creams
Dermatologists can prescribe creams that contain topical retinoids---which are derived from vitamin A---to help reduce wrinkles as well as skin flaws such as roughness and uneven tone. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin are the most potent skin cream for wrinkles, but they also come with a host of potential side effects such as itching, burning, tingling, dryness and susceptibility to sunburns, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Potentially Effective Ingredients
Retinol, a weaker retinoid, is in over-the-counter creams, but it is thought to be an effective ingredient for mild improvement in wrinkles, according to MayoClinic.com. Hydroxy acids, such as alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, contain substances that help remove the top layer of dead skin and stimulate production of new skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, alpha hydroxy acids show promise in undoing some sun damage. Other potentially effective ingredients are Coenzyme Q10, kinetin, copper peptides and green, oolong and black tea extracts, says MayoClinic.com.
Before You Buy
Consider how much you're willing to spend, what effects you would like to see and what side effects you're willing to endure before you decide to buy a wrinkle cream. Over-the-counter wrinkle creams contain lower doses of active ingredients, so they are likely less potent, but they also are less expensive than prescription treatments. However, MayoClinic.com says that costly creams aren't necessarily more effective than cheaper creams. MayoClinic.com also recommends looking up the latest research on ingredients as information on active ingredients can change quickly. Whichever product you choose, carefully read through the list of potential side effects.
Considerations
The results you see from wrinkle creams will vary based on how wrinkled your skin is and where the wrinkles are located. Also, since most wrinkle creams' effects are temporary and dependent on daily application, your best bet is to take extra precautions to reduce wrinkle formation over time. Major ways to protect your skin are: wearing protective hats and clothing when you go outside, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains an SPF of 15 or higher every day and not smoking.
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