There are a lot of people in the world today who are searching for a fountain of youth they’re never going to find. You need to understand that the amount of active ingredients in over-the-counter wrinkle creams is minimal at best, and although you may get some results from using them, they’re going to be limited and won’t last for very long. The best anti-wrinkle creams you can buy are prescriptions. However, since the FDA looks at the creams as being cosmetics with no medicinal value, they aren’t regulated very well.

A wrinkle-cream regimen will need to be continued for the rest of your life unless you want to see the results disappear. When you first begin using it, you’ll need to make two applications per day for weeks, and often months, before you will start seeing any difference. The best anti-wrinkle creams work to hydrate dry skin. As the tissues begin to plump up, lines, creases, and wrinkles seem to disappear. Once you stop using the product, any results you’ve achieved will disappear in short order.

You can find a lot of good information online about some of the ingredients commonly used in the best anti-wrinkle creams. A few of the substances discussed include:

• Retinol – this was the first antioxidant that was used in the production of anti-wrinkle creams. A vitamin A compound, it neutralizes free radicals which cause the skin to shrivel and wrinkle. This substance has been clinically-proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but it’s not as effective as the similar prescription cream, Tretinoin.
• Green tea extracts – also antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatories, green tea extracts can often be found in anti-wrinkle creams.
• Hydroxy acids – there are a number of different hydroxy acids, all of which work to exfoliate the skin and pave the way for the production of new, smooth skin.
• Kinetin – this is an unproven substance that is believed to help the skin retain moisture as well as to stimulate the production of collagen. It is mostly just speculation, though, but if it really works the way people think it does, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Very little testing has been done on the ingredients that are used in the manufacture of the best anti-wrinkle creams, because the FDA doesn’t press the issue. Therefore, there is no clinical evidence that any of the creams work the way they say they do. At this point in time you can spend a lot of money on products that may or may not improve the condition of your skin.

Modern technology is producing new anti-wrinkle products all the time. While you’re never going to find a fountain of youth in a jar, you will be able to find some of the best anti-wrinkle creams that will make a difference in the appearance of your skin. Find some websites that you can trust to give you the most up-to-date information available, and they can aid you in your quest.

You need to start by taking inventory. What are the exact problems you’re starting to see on your skin? Does your skin look dull indicating that you need an exfoliant? Is your skin looking rougher than it used to? Does it have fine lines, age spots, and sun damage? You will be able to find creams that will address each of these conditions, but you need to be able to determine which have been proven to be the best anti-wrinkle creams based on clinical testing.

To get rid of dull-looking skin, dead skin cells, and a rough appearance, you need a good exfoliant. Products containing alpha or beta hydroxy do an excellent job of minimizing the toll sun exposure has taken on your skin. Made with fruit acids, sugars, or milk, or else synthetically, you can find the more natural products by reading the product labels. Exfoliants work to remove dead skin cells which can build up and cover new, healthy skin cells beneath them. Products with these ingredients also act as moisturizers which can improve the condition of dry skin, plump up tissues, and cause fine lines and wrinkles to be much less noticeable.

Are fine lines and age spots starting to pop up on your face? If they are, you’re probably wondering what the best anti-wrinkle creams are in order to minimize their appearance. Products with Retinol are what you’re looking for. Dermatologists rate Retinol highly because it actually stimulates new cell growth and the production of collagen which are both essential in having healthier, younger-looking skin. It’s important to find the cream that has the highest percentage of Retinol in order for it to have the desired effects. Retinol products also remove dead skin cells which will brighten the appearance of your complexion, fade age spots, smooth out uneven skin tones, and minimize the look of fine lines.

Another ingredient that makes anti-aging products more effective is vitamin C. Since vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that works with your body to neutralize free radical damage, the products which contain it are some of the best anti-wrinkle creams you can buy. Vitamin C is one of the few ingredients in skin care products that have been clinically-proven to do what they claim to do. It is especially effective on skin that has a lot of damage due to exposure to the sun. Some of the products you can buy that contain vitamin C are moisturizers, eye creams, and sunscreens. You can’t go wrong with a product that contains a high percentage of vitamin C.