The beauty industry is constantly launching and researching anti-ageing creams. It’s a challenge trying to keep up with so many new products, let alone understand their so-called “miracle” ingredients.

 
For most women, buying a face cream these days can be confusing. There are hundreds of products lining the shelves, all claiming to be “clinically proven” or “scientifically driven” to make you look younger. So how do you know what to choose? First, as much as we’d love to say there are miracle creams that will have a dramatic impact on wrinkles and sagging skin, there’s no such thing. Although it is tempting to try every product to hit the market remember that new isn’t always best. We recommend a good skin-care routine using proven ingredients.
If it’s an instant fix you’re looking for the only way you’ll achieve this is with non-surgical treatments such as muscle-relaxing injections to ease lines or lasers and peels that change the structure of the skin and have long-lasting effects. However, creams can do a lot to improve the condition of your skin.

 
They can plump up the surface layer to smooth fine lines and boost radiance but you won’t wake up looking 10 years younger. Despite what the packaging may claim there is no such thing as a “facelift in a jar” or a miracle wrinkle eraser. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on anti-ageing creams. There are some excellent products on sale in supermarkets and the high street. It’s the ingredients that make a product worth buying.

Each cream will have a label listing the ingredients in descending order. If the one you want appears second or third on the list that’s great but if you find it at the bottom it means there is only a very tiny amount so forget it and look for something else. There are certain key potent ingredients to look for when buying an anti-ageing product that will help the fight against lines and wrinkles.

 

These are the ones we think will make a difference to your skin.

 

CO-ENZYME Q10
This powerful antioxidant, also known as Co-Q10, speeds up skin-cell repair, aids healing and is vital for skin health. It’s beneficial for menopausal skin and is worth taking in supplement form too.

This is found naturally in the deeper layers of the skin and keeps it smooth and plump due to its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It’s a great choice for mature and dehydrated skin.
A lot of the big cosmetic houses are now putting this in their creams and you can achieve strong results with topical products.

Retinoid products have been the top solution for dermatologists for years when it comes to skin repair and it is one of the best ingredients for anti-ageing. It’s derived from antioxidant vitamin A and rejuvenates by helping cell turnover. It boosts cell production and collagen formation.
A stronger relation, Retin-A, is available on prescription only and is often given to people with thick, sun-damaged skin or acne as it increases the turnover of skin cells.

 
GLYCOLIC ACID

We’re big fans of this ingredient. It’s a fruit acid that comes from sugar cane. Fruit acids are collectively known as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids). Glycolic acid is a brilliant exfoliator, removing dead skin and boosting cell renewal for a luminous complexion.
It also stimulates collagen with regular long-term use. You must wear at least an SPF15 with it to protect the newer skin that will be exposed to the sun.

 
PEPTIDES

Peptides are chains of two or more amino acids which occur naturally in the body.
The connection of peptides allows for skin cells to link together to reduce wrinkles by speeding healing and restoring collagen.The best of these to look out for is a pentapeptide (five peptides bonded together) and the palmitoyl pentapeptide called Matrixyl.

 
VITAMINS C AND E

These powerful antioxidants work to slow or reverse the effects of ageing, boosting collagen production and healing sun damage. Vitamin E also increases the effectiveness of sunscreen.

 
TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTORS

These hormones are called TGFs for short and are produced naturally in the body. The ones found in skin-care products are synthetic but will stimulate the production of new collagen and aid healing.