Moisturizers are widely available as over-the-counter preparations. They are designed to protect the condition and health of skin and are commonly used to treat dry and rough skin. Many moisturizers are also marketed as a way to reduce wrinkles and may diminish the overall appearance of wrinkles by increasing the tone and improving the texture of skin.
Causes of Wrinkles
Wrinkles are the naturally occurring furrows that develop in the skin as we age. Certain activities can accelerate the aging process and produce wrinkles prematurely. These include excessive sun exposure, smoking or excessive alcohol use, a poor diet, stress and lack of sleep. The cells of the skin and the collagen that supports skin are unable to maintain the form and elasticity of the skin, and wrinkles develop, particularly where the skin folds around the mouth, eyes and forehead. These folds eventually become permanent, forming wrinkles.
Skin Health
Moisturizers work to return a measure of health to skin affected by the causes of wrinkles. First, they are used as a water-proof barrier to hold moisture in the outer layer of skin and work to prevent it from evaporating. Moisturizers can also draw water into the skin, helping to make wrinkles less noticeable. Some moisturizers also claim to improve skin health by promoting cell growth and removing free radicals that can damage skin cells.
Ingredients
A number of ingredients may be used in moisturizers, each providing a different effect on the skin. Humectants, such as glycerin, actually attract water from the air and can help to increase the moisture within the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. They also act to soften and reduce scaling of skin, which can also help to make wrinkles less obvious. Emollients are either oil- or water-based ingredients that actually enter the spaces between skin cells, providing a smoothing effect. They also lubricate and soften the skin. These include lanolin and mineral oil.
Beyond Moisturizing
Some moisturizers on the market today go beyond simply improving the moisture and softness of the skin. Ingredients, such as alpha-hydroxy acids and Retinol, are now included in some products and are intended to increase cellular activity and promote growth of new skin cells in the lower layers of the epidermis. This supposed to fill in the wrinkles with new cells, making them less noticeable. Other ingredients, such as antioxidants and vitamins, are also being added to improve the strength and overall health of the cells, allowing them to live longer and maintain the skin better, preventing wrinkles from becoming more prominent.
Limitations
It's important to realize that the many claims made by manufacturers of anti-wrinkle moisturizers may not prove effective in all cases. Results will vary and may not prove satisfactory, especially for cases where there are many, or deeply formed, wrinkles, particularly if they are a result of sun damage or exposure to toxins, such as from smoking. Other forms of treatment, such as laser surgery or dermabrasion, may prove, in the end, to be more effective ways to remove or significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
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