How to tackle the anti-wrinkle cream minefield

Which Anti-Wrinkle Creams Are Backed Up By Science?

Whether you’ve just found your first fine line or you’ve been using anti-wrinkle creams for years, choosing the right product can be confusing. Will it really work or are you just wasting your money?

As soon as you start browsing the anti-aging shelves or do a Google search, you’re bombarded with hundreds of creams and serums, all claiming to have the answer.

If you’ve ever looked into this, you’ve probably heard of an ingredient called retinol, or at least seen it plastered all over product packaging. But does it really work? How do you know whether a product contains enough retinol to have an effect?

Brands can be very clever with their marketing, so it appears a product contains more retinol than it actually does. We want to give you the best recommendations for products that really work, based on the science and facts.

Does retinol actually work?

We spoke to professional dermatologist, Dr Sunil Chopra from the London Dermatology Centre about retinol, who said that “The best available treatment for wrinkles besides Botox or surgery, are retinoids, which can be prescribed by your dermatologist or GP. The next most effective treatment available over the counter is retinol (a weaker type of retinoid.”

Why does retinol prevent wrinkles?

Retinol can be extremely effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It works by going deep into your skin and boosting the production of elastin and collagen, to help plump it and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It also has an exfoliating affect, which can improve your skin’s texture.

It is also used to treat acne and scarring, so it can be a great way to tackle all your problems in one!

Here are some of the best products you can buy which contain retinol:

ROC Deep wrinkle Night Cream - £20.93

One of the products containing the most retinol, that you can buy without a prescription.

Buy on Amazon here.

Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer - £18.86

This contains retinol, moisturises and has SPF 20

Buy on Amazon here

If you need something stronger for deeper wrinkles, you can get retinoids prescribed from your dermatologist or online through websites such as Dermatica. You can also contact your GP and you may be able to get a prescription through the NHS, as some products such as Treclin are also a treatment for acne.

While retinol can be great for reducing wrinkles, it can irritate sensitive skin and make your skin more vulnerable to the sun, so be careful. Always do a test patch and build up your tolerance by using it 2 or 3 times a week, before progressing to daily use.

What else can you do to prevent wrinkles?

Whenever you start using an anti-wrinkle cream or product, remember that while these can be effective over time, none of them will be a miracle cure.

There are some other very important steps, backed up by multiple dermatologists, that you can take to help the appearance of fine lines and help prevent wrinkles.

Avoid the sun

Exposure to UV rays is the number one factor that causes skin to age. It can also make hyperpigmentation and acne scarring worse. It’s tempting to forget about this, but your older self will thank you.

Wear moisturiser containing at least SPF 30, even when it’s cloudy. If you still want a tan, you can get some great fake tanning products that will give you the same effect, without damaging your skin.

Moisturise

Although moisturising alone cannot prevent wrinkles, this will trap water in your skin so that it will appear fuller and smoother.

Don’t smoke

Smoking damages the collagen and elastin in your skin, making it sag prematurely. You can prevent this by not smoking or quitting to prevent future wrinkles.