Wrinkle Cream Ingredients Overview

Anti aging ingredients work to prevent, diminish, and reduce the many signs of aging. Wrinkles, fine lines, age spots are targeted through a combination of the most effective natural and synthetic ingredients. The said ingredients fight aging mainly through 3 effective ways: first, fighting of free radicals; second, moisturizing; and third, exfoliation. So the top anti aging ingredients can be classified as anti oxidants, moisturizers, and exfoliants.

To start off, let us briefly describe how an anti oxidant works. Anti oxidant fights off the free radicals that are by products of cellular oxidation. These free radicals cause damage to the skin cells, leading to the outward manifestation of wrinkles and fine lines, among others. To this day, an anti aging product is not complete without an anti oxidant.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

This antioxidant is one the most promising anti aging ingredients today. According to a study conducted by the British Journal of Dermatology, the use of Alpha Lipoic Acid significantly reduce wrinkles and smooth skin by 50%. The subjects of the study were middle aged women. What makes Alpha Lipoic Acid even more effective is its water and fat soluble property as such it can be absorbed throughout the body. Apart from the reduced wrinkles and smoothed skin, Alpha Lipoic acid also reduces enlarged pores it repairs cells too.

Idebenone (derivative of Coenzyme Q 10)

Idebenone is an anti oxidant that is a synthetic variant of Coenyzme Q 10. Some have said that it is even more effective than Coenzyme Q 10. As with other anti oxidants, Idebenone has a protective and preventive function to the cells by binding with free radicals before they can cause damage. It repairs sun damaged skin and promotes new cell growth. It also has firming and smoothing properties.

Spin Traps

This is a technique formed using compounds to target free radicals. Anti oxidants that use spin traps are described as ‘intelligent’ anti oxidants. They identify free radicals and return them into its normal vibrational state. They don’t get rid of free radicals. Instead, the erring free radicals are returned to its normal state to resume its former role in the cell. But aside from that, these anti oxidants also have scar reducing properties.

While the anti oxidants prevent and reduce the appearance of signs of aging, moisturizers work to keep the skin looking young and healthy.

Pro-xylane

Before there was pro-xylane, the most common anti aging ingredient that has a moisturizing property is hyaluronic acid. Pro-xylane is another form of hyluronic acid, described to be a long lasting form of hyaluronic acid. Pro-xylane moisturizes by attracting water to cells. It can hold water up to 1000x greater than hyaluronic acid. It also promotes collagen formation and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

To reveal a younger looking skin, the old skin must be stripped away. Exfoliants do just that. It smoothes the skin and promotes the production of collagen. It also improves the overall appearance of the face. It can also improve mild acne.

Retinol, Tretinoin

Vitamin A derivatives, also known as retinoids reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They smooth the skin texture and increase collagen production. The over all condition of skin is improved – its elasticity, firmness, skin tone, and hydration. Its exfoliant property diminishes any pigmentations and age spots.

These are the anti aging ingredients that are the forefront in giving you a younger, healthier look. An emerging anti aging ingredient comes in the form of ‘peptides’. These are proteins that act as chemical messengers to induce a healing effect. As the body responds, it increases collagen production.

Cynergy TK

CynergyTK is one of the prime ingredients that are celebrated by skin experts all around. It's a protein that is needed by the skin, mainly because it encourages keratin production. Besides that, it supplements the production of collagen and elastin. The workings of these two molecular components help in making the skin smooth and elastic; two of the characteristics that wrinkled skin lacks.

Phytessence Wakame

Phytessence Wakame is another ingredient that exhibits desirable qualities. Originating from Japan, the ingredient is used in giving moisture to collagen, further enhancing its youthfulness. What you get from this is increased skin elasticity. Natural Vitamin E is also indispensable when it comes to keeping skin young. Science places it among the top anti-wrinkle ingredients that an anti-wrinkle cream can have.

Hydroxy Acids

Hydroxy acids are also essential when it comes to skin exfoliation. This is the process of skin renewal where old skin is shed. When the skin is continually renewed, the appearance of wrinkles diminishes. Of course, the use of these alpha hydroxy acids is limited because of they increase sensitivity to sunlight. They are ingredients that are used in moderation, and may not always be present in a said wrinkle cream. They are part of the general list though. Tretinoin is a common exfoliate that serves a similar purpose like the hydroxy acids.

Tea Extracts

Tea extracts, or more precisely green tea extracts are also essential ingredients found in wrinkle creams. These usually play the role of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Oolong tea extracts are also sometimes used as well. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient ingredient whose primary role is energy regulation in skin cells. It is especially efficient in reducing the wrinkles around the eyes. It also plays the role of a sunscreen by protecting the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.