Are anti-wrinkle creams worth it? Do they really work?

I don't consider myself to be old but I was always told that once you hit 25 you need to start using, at least, a good eye cream to avoid the tell tale signs of ageing. As someone who is convinced they are covered in wrinkles I took this advice seriously! I was also told once that you need to invest in your skin as you 'wear it everyday' - again I took this advice seriously. I then trained as a beauty therapist and began to understand the skins ageing process and the need for additional moisture to pep up your skin as it becomes less elastic and wiling to bounce back, particularly on your face, I also took this seriously! It is a good idea to begin to use preventative creams from 25 onwards. This is when your skin starts to become less elastic and less able to repair itself. It is at this stage that you should introduce a 'wrinkle prevention' cream rather than an 'anti wrinkle' cream. You should also introduce an eyecream as the skin around your eyes is very thin and appears to be papery as you get older.

To be honest I think there is an element of pschology when it comes to wrinkle creams. I have read so many articles that suggest that these creams have such small amounts of anti wrinkle ingredients that it is unlikely they will have any effect. However, I have tried a few and maybe it is all in my head but I feel as though I can see a difference in my skin. It could be the particularly rich formulas that hydrate your skin more than an everyday moisturiser, it could be certain ingredients that improve the overall look of your skin, giving the illusion that the wrinkles are reducing, but part of me feels that whatever it is surely it is worth it if we feel better? There will always be Scientists to tell us we are wasting our money but I believe even if it is a pschyological improvement surely that is better than no improvement atall? 

I have found the best results come from the mid range products, for example the Nature Fusion from Olay. This cream leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and supple. Most ranges offer a day and night cream but I wouldn't necessarily recommend a night cream as these tend to be heavy and often leave my skin feeling over oily and shiny. 

So what can we do alongside using anti wrinkle creams to prevent the onset of age? Well the first thing is sleep. Getting 8 hours a night will do your skin the world of good. It is while you are sleeping that your skin repairs and rejuvenates, it is therefore imperative that you get enough sleep to ensure this is happening. It is not good to get a couple of hours one night, then twelve hours the next, the important thing is consistency.

The next thing is cigarettes and alcohol - such an obvious one but necessary to mention. If you are out drinking and smoking all the time your skin is going to suffer. Alcohol causes the small blood capillaries in your face to break, leaving you with red patches particularly around the nose. Smoking just starves your skin of oxygen and of course causes those tell tale lines around your mouth from sucking on so many cigarettes. 

Stress will also age you more quickly. Worry, sleepless nights and angst will show on your face very quickly. Remember to find time to relax and enjoy life and try to manage stress (I know it is impossible to eradicate it altogether!). 

Eat a healthy and varied diet. This again seems obvious but those of you out there undertaking fad diets and cutting out this and that are doing yourselves no favours. Your skin needs a balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. The only way to truly achieve this is by eating a balanced diet. Include plenty of fresh produce in your diet!

Drinking water keeps your skin plump and hydrated and glowing all over. It is recommended that we drink 2 litres daily - I would definitely second that, it is so important to flush all those toxins out and feel refreshed. 

Don't forget your daily skincare routine. This is crucial, I know it seems like a drag sometimes removing makeup and daily dirt but it will improve the overall look of your skin. Your skin needs to breathe when you sleep, if you fail to remove makeup your skin will struggle to breathe and begins to look dry. I would recommend a daily cleanse and moiturise, however, if you are really tired at least use a make up removing wipe to get the worst off. 

If you like to treat yourself have a facial once a  month - this helps to rejuvenate your skin, working on the basis that the skin renews itself every 28 days. A monthly facial will help with sleusing off dead skin cells and dirt, leaving you with a glowing, healthy complexion. 

Finally always wear sun screen when out in the sun. Most daily moisturisers come with an SPF but know your skin and know how much protection you need. A little bit of sun is actually good for your skin, we all need vitamin D, however, no more than ten minutes daily. None of us want leathery skin afterall!

Do remember your skin has to last you a life time so look after it carefully!