Here’s what to consider when shopping for a product.
Table of Contents
Active ingredients
First things first: You’ll want to scan your product’s label for beneficial active ingredients. Here are some common ones and what they do:
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- Retinol. Retinol is the over-the-counter (OTC) form of retinoids. Retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives, are a popular ingredient mainly used to remedy signs of aging and acne. Retinoids help skin cells turn over faster, and they boost the production of collagen and elastin.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is thought of as one of the top ingredients available for mature-looking skin. It helps skin stay smooth and offers a glowing effect. It also protects skin from free radicals. Free radicals are unbalanced oxygen molecules that damage skin cells, triggering wrinkles and breaking down collagen.
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). This term refers to a group of plant- and animal-derived acids. There are actually seven different types of AHAs commonly used in skin care products. AHAs are mostly used to gently exfoliate. But they’re also known for other benefits, like encouraging collagen and blood flow, brightening skin, preventing acne, reducing the appearance of scars and age spots, and more.
- Peptides. Peptides are amino acids that structure specific proteins the skin needs. For example, collagen has three polypeptide chains, so increasing peptides can encourage skin to make collagen. This could possibly lead to more youthful, firmer-looking skin.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is an antioxidant. It has many benefits, one of them being lowering oxidative damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, smoke, and pollution. It can also reduce the depth of some wrinkles.
Your skin type
As you scan ingredients lists, you’ll want to consider your skin type.
If you’re looking to target wrinkles and acne at the same time for acne-prone skin, consider creams with retinol, which do just that.
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If you have oily skin, look for products that are lightweight and free of oils. Retinoids are also a good choice for oily skin, as they can remove some oil and help with fine lines and wrinkles.
If you have dry skin, consider wrinkle creams that promise to give an extra boost of hydration. It’s still a good idea to look for noncomedogenic options, though, so all that added moisture won’t clog your pores.
Got sensitive skin or combination skin? Steer clear of options that have fragrances or alcohols.
If you have rosacea, you may also want to stay away from retinols and vitamin C. Vitamin C can sting when applied, and retinols can worsen rosacea. Look for products specifically made for rosacea, or talk with a dermatologist for suggestions.
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Finally, know that heavy night creams can clog pores. No matter what type of skin you have, look for products labeled noncomedogenic to avoid this.
Time constraints
Before you buy, make sure you pick a product that you’ll use. A mistake many people make is spending oodles of money on a skin care system that contains lots of products and is more time consuming than their lifestyle allows.
Budget
The most expensive wrinkle creams out there aren’t necessarily the best. There are options for every budget, so you don’t need to break the bank to get good results.
Sellers
You can avoid buying counterfeit products by checking seller reviews. The seller and the manufacturer aren’t necessarily the same. If you have any doubts, buy directly from the manufacturer in store or online, or consult a dermatologist.
Allergies and sensitivities
If you have sensitive skin, look for a hypoallergenic product or one that’s fragrance-free.
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