Who looks attractive, gets further in life, finds a better paid job and has a supposedly happier partnership. At least that is the widespread opinion of our society. Nevertheless, in the quest for youth and beauty, the cosmetics industry is constantly launching new products such as anti-wrinkle creams to bring consumers a little closer to this dream.
What is anti-wrinkle cream?
The effect of anti-wrinkle creams is invariably limited to the top layers of the skin. Anti-wrinkle creams are liquid, creamy or oily substances that are intended to fulfill the cosmetic purpose of reducing wrinkles on the face and décolleté when applied permanently, or preventing them even before they form. Creams generally consist of emulsions and gels and are more than 90% identical in their basis, regardless of the manufacturer. The remaining additives vary, contain hyaluronic acid, the co-enzyme Q10, fragrances, but also silicones, parabens and much more, which is supposed to give the skin a smoother appearance and reduce wrinkles, depending on the current state of cosmetic science. Despite the immense demand for anti-wrinkle creams of all kinds, their effectiveness has not been proven to date. Test reports of all kinds portray anti-wrinkle creams of all brands as ineffective, most recently “Stiftung Warentest”, which was unable to prove or establish a visible effect in any of the anti-wrinkle creams tested. However, the demand for youthful skin is and remains unbroken.
Application, effect and use
Anti-wrinkle creams usually do not serve a medical purpose, but rather a cosmetic one. However, the daily use of moisturizers can have a positive effect on the skin, for example, in the winter cold, when the skin is often chapped and cracked (see also: Dry skin). The effect of anti-wrinkle creams is invariably limited to the top layers of the skin. If they were to act beyond this and penetrate into the layer of skin where expression lines form, they would no longer be considered cosmetics but medicines and would have to be prescribed accordingly and would only be available in pharmacies, and would also cost accordingly. Anti-wrinkle creams moisturize the skin like any other cream and can thus achieve a slight “padding” effect and temporarily soften the smallest “wrinkles” a little.
Herbal, natural and pharmaceutical anti-wrinkle creams.
Anti-wrinkle creams are available from every conceivable manufacturer in all kinds of packaging, fragrances and for all ages and skin types. The vast majority of cosmetic companies offer anti-wrinkle creams for the first wrinkles from 20, for slightly more mature skin from 30 and for very mature skin from 40 upwards. This again applies to all skin types, sensitive skin, oily skin and combination skin. They are available in tubes, cans and other packaging, usually in the size between 50 and 250 ml and, depending on the manufacturer and seller, can be expensive from 2 euros (drugstore) to several hundred euros (perfumery and Internet). The most common ingredients with the aim of reducing wrinkles today are hyaluronic acid, co-enzyme Q10, natural cosmetics, on the other hand, contain more oily plant substances, such as rose oils or pomegranate.
Risks and side effects
The risks and side effects of using anti-wrinkle creams are very limited. The only thing that can happen is that a user is allergic to one or another substance in the cream. This should be clarified in advance with a dermatologist. If there are known intolerances to silicones, parabens, etc., only appropriate preparations without these additives should be used. In addition, anti-wrinkle creams that are very rich when used on young skin or on skin that does not need such rich care can cause pimples to appear because the skin is then “overgreased”. This phenomenon is called “Mallorca acne“. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with using anti-wrinkle creams. However, if skin irritation occurs, the cream should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted. Even if anti-wrinkle creams are advertised as all-rounders and miracle cures, their effectiveness is probably a matter of subjective feeling. Skin care is nevertheless important and demonstrably not a question of money. What is allowed here is what pleases. However, an anti-wrinkle cream cannot perform miracles.
