If you are thinking about buying prescription wrinkle cream, you have better options.
Only one formula is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for reducing wrinkles.
It's called Retin-A.
There are risks and benefits.
But with over the counter formulas, you can get the benefits without the risks.
Retin-A is actually a synthetic form of the nutrient retinol or vitamin A.
Although it is an essential vitamin and a potent antioxidant, large amounts of retinol can be toxic.
When taking oral supplements to correct or prevent deficiencies, beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A found in a variety of plants, is recommended.
Retin-A is somewhat toxic to the skin.
It causes redness, irritation, itching and peeling.
It was originally developed for acne patients, but the side effects outweighed the benefits and it is rarely used for that purpose today.
The reason that Retin-A works to reduce wrinkles has never been fully explained.
But judging from the results of other scientific studies, it is probably due to the antioxidant activity of the formula.
You don't need a prescription wrinkle cream to get antioxidants.
You can and should get them through your diet.
Dermatologists suggest that you can look one to two years younger simply by increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
You can also buy antioxidant-rich creams without seeing a doctor.
Why do antioxidants reverse wrinkles? One of the causes of cellular aging is free radical activity.
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing them from doing damage to cells and fibers.
Some antioxidants will even work to repair damage that has already occurred.
Research has shown that the skin's antioxidant/free radical balance changes as we age.
When we are young, assuming we eat right, there are more antioxidants and fewer free radicals in the skin's cells.
As we get older, there are more free radicals and fewer antioxidants.
That imbalance sets the stage for wrinkles and other signs of aging.
So, the prescription wrinkle cream called Retin-A may work to increase the skin's antioxidant content.
But, is it as effective as coenzyme Q10? Recent research has shown that creams containing coenzyme Q10 reduce wrinkles, repair sun damage and reduce roughness by as much as 30%.
The creams improve the skin's moisture and antioxidant content.
It takes about six weeks to see results, which is not unusual.
The skin's epidermis is completely replaced in about that length of time.
Some companies have considered producing a prescription wrinkle cream containing a synthetic version of coenzyme Q10.
But, they may have little market for it.
While it is true that natural coenzyme Q10 is somewhat expensive, some manufacturers have been able to create products that are affordable.
There are no unwanted side effects of creams containing coenzyme Q10.
It is not the only beneficial natural ingredient available, but it is one of the most important.
Instead of risking your skin's health and appearance with a prescription wrinkle cream, you can use a safe and natural one.
It costs less and is more effective.
What more could you ask for?