3 Affordable Wrinkle Creams That Work
What are the best wrinkle creams that work on the market? This article will review the best wrinkle creams that work to decrease the visibility of wrinkles and are backed by clinical studies.
Due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, you may begin to notice more fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and brown spots on your skin after you turn 30 years old, especially if you have lighter colored skin. This is normal, but preventing signs of aging is important to many people as they get older.
As a pharmacist who has experimented with many different wrinkle creams and serums, I wanted to share with you the most evidence-based wrinkle creams that work.
This article will save you time and money because you are going to learn about wrinkle remedies that help with facial wrinkles without breaking the bank.
After reading this article, you will learn how to shop for the most effective anti aging treatments that you can purchase over-the-counter or with a prescription.
You will also learn about how to prevent wrinkles on your face, neck, arms, and hands.
This post is all about the best and most inexpensive wrinkle creams that work.
Best Wrinkle Creams that Work
1. Sunscreen
Sunscreen products are the best anti aging treatments because they prevent rather than treat wrinkles. Sunscreen blocks harmful UV radiation from the sun that speed up aging.
The sun’s rays are usually strongest from 10am to 4pm during the summer months. Follow these sunscreen tips to prevent wrinkles from forming:
- Apply a sunscreen every 2 hours that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has at least SPF 30
- Stay in the shade
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, and thin clothes that cover your head, face, arms, and neck
Sunscreen products have an Sun Protection Factor called an SPF:
- SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays
- SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays
- SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB Rays
Therefore, you will want to purchase a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. I personally use a Neutrogena sunscreen.
Apply your sunscreen about 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply it every 2 hours. You should apply it more often if you go swimming or sweat a lot because water can wash it off.
If you use a topical medication that you apply to your skin, wait about 30 minutes before applying sunscreen. This should give enough time for your topical medication to absorb into your skin.
If you are concerned that too much sunscreen will lead to Vitamin D deficiency, you can also take an oral Vitamin D supplement.
2. Topical Retinoids
The top dermatologist recommended skin care products for aging skin are topical retinoids. Topical retinoids are related to retinols, but retinoids are stronger. Retinoids work by increasing collagen and decreasing fine lines.
The most effective anti wrinkle cream that really works is Retin-A (tretinoin), but it requires a prescription. Retin-A is also available as a gel.
The next best cream for deep wrinkles is Differin (adapalene). Differin is also available over-the-counter as a gel.
Both Retin-A and Differin are FDA-approved for treating acne, but they have also been shown to be effective for wrinkles. In fact, one medical trial for Differin “revealed significant improvement in wrinkles and other clinical features of photoaged skin.”
Here are some IMPORTANT FACTS about retinoids:
- Do NOT use a retinoid if you are pregnant because it can harm the fetus
- Skin irritation (dryness, peeling, stinging) are worse during the first 2 weeks of treatment
- A retinoid should be kept away from around the skin of the eyes, the mouth, angles of the nose because it can cause dryness there.
- Avoid products that contain alpha hydroxy or glycolic acids.
- You will need to apply a retinoid regularly for 4 months before you being to see improvement in your wrinkles
- A retinoid is probably safe to use longterm. One study showed that a topical retinoid was safe for up to 2 years. Unfortunately, your wrinkles may return if you stop using it.
Below are INSTRUCTIONS of how to apply a topical retinoid to your face:
- After cleansing your face, wait 20 minutes for your face to fully dry before applying a retinoid.
- Use every 2 to 3 nights for the first few weeks. Your goal will be to use the retinoid every night but go slow since it can cause skin dryness and irritation.
- Do not apply another skin care product or cosmetic for at least 1 hour after applying a retinoid
- Apply a moisturizer with sunscreen (SPF 30 and above) every morning after you wash.
Is Differin as good as Retin-A for wrinkles?
Differin (adapalene) and Retin-A (tretinoin) have both been studied to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
However, Retin-A is usually recommended first since it is has been studied the most for wrinkles.
Differin may have less skin irritation than Retin-A since it targets certain receptors on the skin.
Is retinol better than retinoid?
No, retinols are not better than retinoids. Retinols are Vitamin A derivatives that are found in many anti aging creams.
Although retinols are related to retinoids (tretinoin, Retin-A, Differin, etc.), retinoids are stronger than retinols.
Stick to either a retinol or retinoid, but do NOT use them together.
Is Differin or Retin-A safe under the eyes?
According to Differin’s drug label information: “Avoid application to the areas of skin around eyes, lips, and mucous membranes.” The same precaution would apply to Retin-A.
The skin around the eye is very thin, so it is best practice to avoid using a retinol or retinoid near the eye.
For a good explanation of why retinoids may be unsafe near the eye, check out this video from an Ophthalmologist:
To learn more about alternatives to retinoids to prevent wrinkles under the eyes, check out this video:
3. Moisturizer
Retinoids such as Retin-A and Differin are the best wrinkle creams that work, but they cause dryness and peeling. Therefore, a moisturizer is a must.
You will need to purchase two kinds of moisturizers, one for the morning and one for the evening.
For mornings, apply a moisturizer with at least SPF 30. We recommend Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. This moisturizer already contains sunscreen, so you can use it in place of a sunscreen. You will want to reapply it about every 2 hours.
For evenings, apply a nighttime moisturizer without SPF such as Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. And remember to wait at least 1 hour after your retinoid dries before applying a moisturizer.
Are other cosmetic wrinkle creams a waste of money?
With the exception of retinoids, sunscreen, and moisturizers, other wrinkle creams and products might be a waste of money.
There is a slew of cosmetics available over-the-counter that claim to be effective wrinkle creams that work. However, because these claims have not been rigorously tested by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), these “anti aging” wrinkles may or may not work.
On top of that, these cosmetics are expensive. They may be worth a try if you have failed or cannot tolerate a retinoid.
Below is a list of some of the more popular ingredients used in these anti wrinkle creams and products:
- Vitamin C: Antioxidant that protects your skin from free radical skin damage caused by UV sunlight.
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant that reduces redness and damage from UV sunlight.
- Coenzyme Q10: Antioxidant that prevents the breakdown of collagen and protects your skin from free radical skin damage caused by UV sunlight.
- Green tea: Protects your skin from sunburn and damage by UV sunlight. Also acts as an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radical skin damage caused by UV sunlight.
- Niacinamide: Vitamin B-3 that keeps your skin hydrated, increases collagen, and increases melanin, which is a skin pigment that protects your skin from sunlight damage.
- Alpha hydroxy acid: Increases exfoliation and improves skin hydration.
The video below goes over wrinkles remedies that you probably do not need:
The Verdict on Anti Aging Treatments
The most effective and inexpensive wrinkle creams that work are a sunscreen (SPF 30 and above), a retinoid (Retin-A or Differin gel), and a moisturizer.
In the morning after cleansing, I apply a moisturizer with SPF 30 (or higher).
Throughout the day I will apply a sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) about every 2 hours, especially from 10am to 4pm.
At night about 20 minutes after cleansing, I will apply Differin 0.1% gel. If my face feels dry, I will apply a nighttime moisturizer 1 hour later.
Other cosmetics that contain other ingredients (Vitamin C, Green Tea, Niacinamide, etc) may also have anti aging properties, but there is not much science to back up these claims. More is not always better.
In addition to using wrinkle creams that work, you will also want to do general lifestyle tips that promote healthy skin are often overlooked. These anti aging tips include:
- Drink plenty of water
- Sleep 8 hours a day (this will prevent under eye hollows)
- Quit smoking (smoking can cause mouth wrinkles)
- Eat fruits and vegetables (these contain antioxidants which prevent free radical skin damage from the sun)
- Wear a hat to protect your face from the sun
This post was all about 3 essential and inexpensive wrinkle creams that work so that you can simplify your skincare regimen without wasting money.
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