Anti-wrinkle creams

[unintentionalthreadkiller]

So, wise mumsnetters, do they work or not. I read I another thread someone with a scientific background saying they are a con and it got me thinking.

Are there any products you recommend under the £20 mark?

At the grand old age of 35 my. face isn't in bad shape but the same can't be said for my neck

For some reason I don't think I've ever moisturised it regularly and now it is wrinkle city!

[billandcoo]

I'd plump for a serum like one of Olay's and a cheaper moisturiser. I've come to the conclusion that moisturisers are for moisturising and serums are for more targeted concerns.

[FrankCarsonsDressingRoom]

Rosehip oil

[specialsubject]

they are a con. No cream will reduce wrinkles that are already there. Read the ads properly and see what they actually promise - nothing.

to reduce the chance of new ones:

• pick the right parents
  
• don't smoke. Not only do you reek and die early, but it adds wrinkles
  
• wear sunscreen
  
• eat properly
  
• never smile or frown, go totally expressionless.
  

I recommend ignoring the first and last suggestions...

[Eliza22]

I'm thinking it's all a massive con. You can't halt time and it's all in the genes. (Having a bad skin/hair day). ask me tomorrow

[coffeeinbed]

The way they work is put moisture and temporarily plump out wrinkles.
That's all they can do.

[Floisme]

I agree with other posters that they're a complete con. If they actually worked, they would be pharmaceuticals, not cosmetics so you wouldn't be able to buy them anyway.

The way I see it:
Sunscreen prevents sun damage so yes, worth using.
Moisturisers can disguise wrinkles which isn't to be sniffed at but that's all they do.
Serums - Pah!

The only anti aging product that seems to have any scientific basis is Retin A, which is prescription only and can have some pretty extreme side effects, like peeling off your skin.

The beauty industry is playing on our insecurities and getting nicely rich in the process.

[lurkingaround]

Agree with PPs. Moisturisers temporarily plump skin and ever so slightly smooth the appearance of the lines.
We all live in hope, but at the moment there is no miracle cream. Retin A will help. SPF is a must.
You don't even need to spend £20. Depends on your skin type, but any that makes your skin comfortable is fine. Save your money and buy a really great foundation with light reflecting 'soft focus' thingys in it. (I'm currently using Chanel, it's fab).

It is nigh on impossible to ignore and withstand the absolutely fantastic advertising the big and small companies do. It really is wonderful, so so clever, and I've often almost fallen for it. Examine what they say very closely, and you will realise what they say is actually....nothing. (And 23 women doth not a clinical trial make. Makes my teeth itch, that one grrr!!).

[almondcake]

Which Chanel, LurkingAround?

[lurkingaround]

Vitalumiere aqua. I now have luminous skin ! It doesn't last all day and needs reapplication (if I'm fussed and not lazy), seriously lovely.

[Eliza22]

Hijacking a wee bit.... Anyone tried the Bobbi Brown CC creams? Am looking at the Pale Nude one, which is pink and supposedly "brightens" your complexion. It has a (great) SPF 35! Anyone?

That's all I feel prepared to do really. High spf (and sunglasses) with a moisturiser and the Joy that is... Makeup. I've tried serums and frankly, I couldn't really see a difference.

[LaCerbiatta]

Retin-a is scientifically proven to reduce wrinkles, not just the appearance of wrinkles, but it really is the only one.

[lottieandmia]

Some of them are not a con. The ones that contain hyaluronic acid do produce visible results. Nothing is going to stop you aging but you can do things to make sure you don't age prematurely. The problem is that most people wait until they already have wrinkles before worrying about their skin and by then the only thing that will make a difference is Botox.

The single thing that will harm and age your skin the most is the sun, so you should use SPF all year round. But products like MD Formulations do make a difference IMHO when combined with regular facials. Skin peels are very good and affordable.

But as for the ones you find in places like Boots, then yes those are a con.

[lurkingaround]

Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water, which will plump up your skin. This will not reverse aging. Hyanuronic is, AFAIK, in its most usual form, too big a molecule to be absorbed into your skin. It needs to be injected (fillers) to cause a semi-permanent effect.

Skin peels will brighten your skin, and glycolic acid, often used in peels, can help stimulate collagen production.

SPF, SPF, SPF.
And all the usual ding-dong:
Don't smoke.
Eat well.
Little alcohol.
Feck all sugar (includes fruit sugars). Yes, this one breaks my heart too.
Retin A.

[lottieandmia]

Nothing reverses aging - you need to start using these products before you get wrinkles. I started having regular treatments and specific products at 25. I am sure it made a difference.

[lottieandmia]

Microdermabrasion is also good because it encourages cell renewal.

[lurkingaround]

Retin A reverses aging.

[lottieandmia]

Permanently?

[lurkingaround]

Yes, it is not a temporary effect. Unlike moisturisers etc. It does take many months of use before this effect is visible (possibly seen earlier at a microscopic level).

[lottieandmia]

Ah I see.

[specialsubject]

lottieandmia you can't be sure it made a difference, unless you go back in time to age 25, clone yourself, instruct the clone not to use the con creams and see what she looks like now.

if you use SPF year round that has almost certainly helped; look at people who sunbathe regularly and see how they look like their handbags as they age.

[lottieandmia]

But I think my skin looks better on a day to day basis if I use certain products than if I use Nivea or whatever. I am a trained therapist so I am also trained in various product ranges and it really does help if you use decent stuff. Dermologica also has some good things. Aging is mostly to do with genes and then lifestyle. But good products are worth investing in IME.

[YNK]

Retin A Creme is the only effective treatment for wrinkles. Scientifically proven.

[Floisme]

Yes, a product can make your skin look better - that is what cosmetics do. But I know of no cream that you can buy over the counter that will actually change the structure of your skin.

[lottieandmia]

Of course, otherwise people would not still be having Botox and facelifts.

[castlesintheair]

I don't believe there are any effective anti wrinkle creams which is why I am off to the paint shop (as DH calls it) in a couple of weeks.

I do believe that microdermabrasion / glycolic peels / retin a can improve your skin's overall appearance but it doesn't de wrinkle.

I think it's worth buying a primer or similar. I slap Benefit's Poretastic on after tinted moisturiser and it seems to fill in the cracks a bit.