Wrinkles are an inevitably with age, and Americans spend more than a $1 billion a year on wrinkle removers, according to "Consumer Reports." While wrinkle creams won't completely turn back the clock, some ingredients in these products can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes.
Types
Over-the-counter and prescription eye wrinkle creams often contain the same ingredients in different strengths. Certain ingredients can result in slight or modest improvement in wrinkles around the eye area when used as directed, though most wrinkle creams have not undergone rigorous scientific testing to prove whether they are beneficial, explains MayoClinic.com. Retinol, hydroxy acids, copper peptides, and creams that contain certain herbal ingredients, such as kinetin or tea extracts can help minimize the appearance of wrinkles in some individuals. Wrinkle fillers, such as those that contain hyaluronic acid, can temporarily plump the skin around your eyes, contributing to a more youthful appearance.
Function
While many ingredients in eye wrinkle creams can help improve your appearance, they work in slightly different ways. The Food and Drug Administration has approved retinol, a vitamin A compound, to treat wrinkles. The compound has antioxidant properties that break down the cells that cause wrinkles. Do not use vitamin A compounds if you are pregnant, as they increase the risk of birth defects. Eye creams with hydroxy acids exfoliate the upper layer of skin and encourage new skin growth, which can make the skin around your eyes appear smoother. Copper peptide creams help enhance collagen production, which may make the skin around your eyes appear fuller and tighter. Herbal ingredients, including tea extracts and kinetin, act as antioxidants to fight against free radicals that cause skin to wrinkle. Fillers that contain hyaluronic acid or dimethicone sit on top of the skin, enhancing the look of a smooth, plump surface, but the results usually only last for the day, explains Richard Glogau, M.D., a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California.
Potential
Many eye creams can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, though they are usually more effective on shallow lines. Deep and sagging wrinkles often benefit more from injectable wrinkle treatments. For the best results with eye creams, apply the product daily and continue use. If you stop using the product once you achieve your desired results, your wrinkles are likely to reappear, explains MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Eye wrinkle creams range in price from as low as less than $20 to $100 or more. It is important to look at the ingredients when selecting a wrinkle cream, as a high price is not necessarily indicative of a more effective product, explains MayoClinic.com. If you have tried wrinkle creams in the past without results, look for a cream that contains a different ingredient. Do not rely too heavily on testimonials or advice from friends when it comes to wrinkle creams. An active ingredient that works for one person may not work for you due to skin differences. Speak with your dermatologist about a prescription-strength eye wrinkle cream if over-the-counter products fail to provide you with your desired results. Always apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 when using wrinkle creams, advises MayoClinic.com. Some of the ingredients make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Expert Insight
"Consumer Reports" magazine conducted a test on eye creams featured in the October 2009 issue. The study included 107 participants who applied different eye wrinkle creams to each side of their faces for six weeks. Sensory testers studied sets of high-resolution photographs of the participants' eye areas taken before and after the course of treatment to determine which creams were most effective. The results showed that even the people who showed the best results only saw minor improvement and creams that worked on some individuals did nothing for others. Basic moisturizers softened the appearance of wrinkles in some people as well as creams marketed as anti-wrinkle products.
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