Things You'll Need:
- Mirror
- List of ingredients of potential products
- Dermatologist
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Step 1
Evaluate your skin issues. The types of conditions that you want to fix will play a large role in what product you select. Look in the mirror and decide what your major issues are. Examples of common problems that can be treated with anti-wrinkle creams are crow's feet, furrows in the brow, age spots and discolorations, fine lines and sagging skin. Each of these issues is addressed with different components in different ways, depending on the product.
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Step 2
Decide what types of treatment you are comfortable with. Some people are willing to use just about anything to avoid going under the needle or the knife and still get results. However, others prefer to stick to organic or all natural ingredients in their skin care products. You must decide what you prefer before moving forward. Many "cosmeceuticals" (cosmetic products based on pharmeceutical research in some form or fashion) use some harsh chemicals to get fast results, but alleviate the irritation they can cause with natural ingredients.
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Step 3
Look for ingredients that address your issues directly. If you have sun damage, for example, then you should consider using a product that is high in vitamin C. However, moisture-related issues like fine lines and dry skin need products that encourage the skin to absorb and hold more water, such as hyaluronic acid. Many products contain collagen and elastin, but these will only be effective if they are in a form that can be absorbed by the skin--research that is still under debate. Finally, other products contain amino acids and enzymes that can "fool" your skin into acting like it is younger than it really is and start producing natural hormones and other substances that will make it fuller and less wrinkled.
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Step 4
Determine how much time you are willing to put into your anti-aging regimen. Some anti-aging creams only require a few seconds to apply. Other routines can take up to an hour to complete. You must follow the directions on these products exactly or you can negate your results. Do not buy a product that you simply do not have time to use.
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Step 5
Read sound product reviews. One of the best ways to get a good idea of how well an anti-aging cream will work is to read product reviews about it. Look for reviews with a sound, scientific evaluation of how and why the product works as well as things written by or about people with your type of skin who used the products. While you can never be sure of the results of this type of subjective treatment, you can hedge your bets by purchasing products with solid reputations.
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Step 6
Consult your dermatologist. If you are considering an anti-aging cream, call your dermatologist to make sure that it will not interact badly with other medicines you may be taking. Also, find out if there is a way to test the product to determine if you will have an allergic reaction before you apply the product to your entire face.
