Monday, February 23, 2009

Cramming For Creams: Which Wrinkle Cream Rises To The Top?

By Jen Hopkins

Shopping for wrinkle creams can be challenging. There are many products on the market promising miraculous results and the advertising can be overwhelming. You should consider a number of factors, such as age, location and budget, as well as what you really want your wrinkle cream to do for you.

Even the very young require the protection of a good skin cream in order to combat the elements that begin bombarding their skin as soon as they're born. Once a child gets exposed to the sun, the deterioration begins. The best strategy is to prevent wrinkles from occuring by addressing the issue of atmospheric contaminants from an early age. Sun exposure can have adverse effects on adults, as well, and a sunscreen just isn't enough. A thick, moist cream for the face and body should be applied regularly if you are exposed to the damaging rays of the sun too often. Smokers do even more damage to their skin and should quit smoking and invest in a high quality wrinkle cream. If you've reached the age of forty without previous wrinkle cream use, then you may need to consult a skin care professional to find a wrinkle cream capable of combating years of neglect.

Where you live is also very important. High altitudes put people closer to the sun and lack humidity, so consider that when shopping for a cream in those climates. Apply often. And those in more humid environments may not suffer the ill effects of wrinkles nearly as early, but preservation of your complexion will require a wrinkle cream down the road.

A quality wrinkle cream can be obtained from a local big box store for as little as $20. Or you can splurge on "miracle creams" that can cost hundreds of dollars per container. But whatever you spend, be sure to pay attention to the list of ingredients. Avoid anything that contains alcohol, which, as a drying agent, is counterproductive.

A wrinkle cream is not going to transform you and take years off your face. For that, you need to see a plastic surgeon. Instead, manage your expectations. A good cream will protect you and help to minimize the effects of age, sun exposure and pollutants on your skin. As long as you keep this in mind, any quality cream that meets your own personal criteria will work for you.

Picking out the best cream for you requires a bit of research. Check out the ads, but also search the web for reviews and user comments. Then check the ingredients of the cream and search for any potential risks posed by those ingredients. Word of mouth is often the best way to hear about good wrinkle creams. Members of your own family may have similar skin issues, so ask them what they like and why. Consulting a professional for advice is also a good idea. Your local department store cosmetics counter is a good place to get the most up to date information on available wrinkle creams.

Keep in mind that a wrinkle cream alone may not be able to solve your problems. Often, a wrinkle cream is merely one element in a larger overall skin or face care program, so the cream might rely on the other elements to do its job properly. These programs can involve a large investment of both money and time, and you will have to decide if this investment is right for you. If not, there are less expensive but still effective national brands available from companies such as Ponds and Nutrigena.

How do you determine the "best" wrinkle cream for you? Do your research. What works for you with your specific needs may not work for someone else. Keep your age, location and budget in mind as you seek out that perfect wrinkle cream option. And remember, you're only as young as you feel. - 15683

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