How to Choose Anti-Aging Cream

Many anti-aging creams work incredibly well, but they do not work equally well on all skin types.

Anti-aging creams and treatments come in a vast array of forms and products designed to fit any budget. Some people prefer an all-natural approach, while others want to use any means--scientifically engineered and otherwise--to reduce signs of aging on the face, neck and shoulders. To make things more complicated, the same cream may have great results on one person and no effect at all on another.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Ingredient lists

Instructions

1. Evaluate your skin type. If you have extremely sensitive skin or deal with problems such as adult acne or rosacea, many types of anti-aging cream will treat these problems as well. Determine whether you have oily skin (it will appear shiny in the mirror) or dry skin (it will be flaky and your nail will leave a trail if you scratch skin lightly). Anti-wrinkle creams' effectiveness depends on all of these facets.

2. Determine what type of damage you have. If your wrinkles are caused by sun damage, they will need a particular type of treatment, whereas wrinkles caused by habitual facial expressions need something different. Wrinkles also can be a result of dry skin tearing repeatedly or of simple sagging skin as you age. If you are looking for a preventive measure but do not yet have serious problems, this is an important consideration, as well.

3. Decide on a strategy. Some people like laser peels and chemical treatments that are accompanied by anti-aging creams, while others like all-natural strategies that rely on ingredients such as royal jelly, rosemary or chamomile to soothe skin. Your personal preference will play a large role in your treatment options.

4. Identify desirable ingredients. Some people have favorite ingredients that treat certain things. Some examples of effective or popular ingredients are hyaluronic acid, which increases the amount of moisture your skin can hold and absorb, idebenol, which changes the way your skin functions in order to restore a youthful look, vitamin C, which has been conclusively shown to prevent and restore aging skin, and royal jelly, which is eaten by queen bees as a high-nutrient food and is currently a popular ingredient in items from lip balm to shampoo.

5. Talk to your dermatologist. Your dermatologist will be able to examine your skin and your needs in medical detail and give you a good idea about what type of product will work best for you.

6. Set a budget. Most anti-aging creams and treatments require continuous use in order to maintain results. You will need to decide how much you can spend each month and whether you are willing to buy supplemental products to improve the results of your anti-aging cream.

7. Find out about guarantees. You may end up buying products that do not work for you. The best way to prepare for this is to make sure that you can return the products if you are not satisfied. Most vendors have some type of return policy, but the policies vary, and you will need to make sure that you can open the product and try it, then return it if it does not work as intended.

8. Read reviews. The best way to make your final selection is to read product reviews online. Look for reviews where the reviewer has similar skin to yours and has gotten good results. For example, if you have a lot of sun damage but no serious wrinkles caused by habitual facial expressions, then you will not necessarily benefit from a cream that worked wonders for a woman with deep frown lines. Instead, you should look for something that worked well for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors.

Tips & Warnings

• No anti-aging treatment is guaranteed to work for everyone, even if it says it is. Review all policies and promises carefully before buying.