Do anti wrinkle creams work? Wrinkles are an inevitable byproduct of aging, but the depth and quantity of fine lines and wrinkles can be managed with anti wrinkle face creams. Antioxidants, fatty acids, herbs, and fruits all help to reduce wrinkles and counteract the causes of wrinkles. Look for the best anti wrinkle creams made with these natural ingredients to truly attain beautiful, younger looking skin.
Fundamental Causes of Wrinkles
To understand how the natural ingredients in anti wrinkle face creams can reduce wrinkles, it is important to have an idea of what causes wrinkles. Some factors are controllable, such as sun exposure, others are not, such as genetics. Regardless, dry, aging skin is a fact of life, but supple, nourished skin is possible later in life with a healthy, anti-aging diet and good skin care habits. Even the best anti wrinkle creams can only minimize wrinkles and fine lines, still topical skin nourishment and moisturizing is an integral part of healthy skin care.
As we age, skin naturally becomes drier and thinner. There is less elasticity, the connective tissue loses integrity, and inevitably creases begin to form in the skin — crow's feet around the eyes, laugh lines at the corners of the mouth, stress lines along the forehead. The body has more trouble retaining nutrients and moisture, and essential nutrients which support healthy skin may be depleting. Also, skin cells begin to produce excess free radicals, increasing the need for neutralizing antioxidants.
Time is not the only factor, however, that causes wrinkles, as it is estimated that as much as ninety percent of the signs of skin aging are actually the result of sun damage. Some natural ingredients in anti wrinkle face creams, such as vitamin A, specifically address the destruction of skin cells from UV rays, promoting healthy cell regeneration and healing, while others provide the much needed antioxidants that the skin requires to maintain younger looking skin.
How the Best Anti Wrinkle Creams Can Reduce Wrinkles for Younger Looking Skin
Anti wrinkle face creams which are made from natural ingredients do have the capability to reduce wrinkles. They provide nutrients and phytochemicals which act in a variety of ways to heal and help prevent further damage. Antioxidants are one of the most essential ingredients of the best anti wrinkle creams. They help to counteract the excess of free radicals produced because of aging and UV ray exposure, thereby protecting cells from damage. Antioxidants also contribute to younger looking skin by helping to reduce inflammation. These powerful phytochemicals are found in fruit and tea extracts. Vitamins A, C, and E all act as antioxidants as well.
Other ingredients help to reduce wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein found in the connective tissue of skin. Collagen-rich skin tends to also be smooth and supple skin. Silica and vitamin C both promote collagen production; the protein is also used itself as an ingredient in anti wrinkle skin creams.
Herbal extracts are often used in anti wrinkle creams for their ability to encourage healing and to calm the skin. Many herbs, such as lavender, for example, have several beneficial properties for the skin, from fighting bacteria to reducing inflammation. Others, such as yarrow and witch hazel act as natural astringents, helping to tighten sagging skin.
Aside from providing nutrients and antioxidants, fruit extracts are beneficial for aging skin as they provide alpha-hydroxy acids, which act as natural exfoliants, removing dead skin cells so new healthier cells can regenerate.
Fatty acids, found in natural oils, such as primrose or coconut oil, fortify cell walls, helping to protect cells from damage. They are also an essential ingredient for retaining moisture.
Natural Ingredients in the Most Effective Anti Wrinkle Face Creams
Look for any of these natural ingredients when trying to find the best anti wrinkle creams. The more natural a face cream is, the more nourishing and beneficial it is for the skin.
- papaya
- grape seed extract
- pomegranate
- green tea
- primrose oil
- coconut oil
- black current seed oil
- retinol/vitamin A
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- silica
- aloe vera
- comfrey
- calendula
- chamomile
- arnica
- cucumber
- ginkgo biloba
- ivy
- witch hazel
- yarrow
Although even the best anti wrinkle creams cannot completely erase wrinkles, natural ingredients have the greatest potential for healthy, younger looking skin.
Sources:
Balch, Phyllis A. " Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Fourth Edition (Penguin Books, 2006).
Hoffmann, David. "The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies." (Element Books, 1996).
Page, Linda. "Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone." Eleventh Edition (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).
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