<p>Kind of strange to ask but since as a group CC’s like to research many topics including recipes, books, cleaning products etc I though I would add one more to the mix.</p>
<p>I’m looking for a recommendation of a product that does a good job reducing the effects of fine lines and wrinkles. I’m not interested in surgery etc and I know the results of course would not be the same. BUT everyday there are more and more options out there and many from the same company. How does one choose? The goal is to reduce the effects of wrinkles and lingering marks from mild acne. Any ideas would be great! Thanks!</p>
<p>My derm suggested glycolic peels and face wash and cream made with glycolic acid. I’ve been doing that for about 4 years and I’m 52. The peels are every 3-4 months. This isn’t over the counter, but I do the Restylane, too around the area from nose to mouth. Sort of smooths things out, so to speak! That’s twice a year. I’m afraid of surgery, especially after seeing Dr. Laura on Fox News last night!</p>
<p>bluejay, CC is the place for this stuff. A couple of months ago I got some fabulous makeup advice from a thread on makeup (for the face, not school work). :D</p>
<p>Retin A, by prescription, is one of the very few things that is demonstrably proven to reduce lines. It increases collagen production as it is mildly irritating to the skin. I use it and it is very effective. You need to be careful of sun exposure when using it though, always wearing sunblock.</p>
<p>There is a OTC cream, Roc, that I’ve heard works fairly well… but it isn’t as strong as the prescription stuff.</p>
<p>My dermatologist says we should all be using RetinA at LEAST once a day! It comes in various strengths, so if one is too harsh, you can go milder.</p>
<p>Doesn’t Restylane hurt a lot? I heard it hurts a lot more than Botox.</p>
<p>Ahhh- the things we do for beauty and youth!</p>
<p>Find a product that combines Retin A with some kind of Vitamin C. There’s a line called Vichy (available through CVS here) that has some products that combine the two. Personally, I use some things from that line, some things from DHC.com, and quite a few products from Olay…Regenerist is very good. Be aware that if you use any glycolic type products or Retin A you should be extra careful in sun. </p>
<p>I’m 45 and recently I accompanied a friend to a dermatologist/spa place for a grand opening. They had one of those machines that measures how dry, how wrinkled and how sun damaged your skin is. Compared to other women my age, I have no wrinkles on my cheeks and forehead. I put it down to always wearing sunglasses and sunscreen when I’m outside. I also sleep on silk pillowcases which not only prevent you getting sleep wrinkles (which over time can turn permanent) they also keep the expensive night creams on your face better than being absorbed into cotton bedlinens. </p>
<p>Now if there were only a way to get younger looking <em>feet</em>!</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the suggestions. If I understand correctly there are some over the counter products that do contain Retin A? Is that how it is listed in the ingredients? Thanks, again!</p>
<p>The over-the-counter Retin A isn’t strong enough. It may help a little, but it’s worth getting a prescription. The stuff lasts forever (one tube can last a couple of years).</p>
<p>A friend gave me a tube of retin-A but I’ve never used it.
Now I’m curious…
Is it for just around the eyes or the whole face?
How long does it take to see results? (Assuming it is corrective & not just preventative).</p>
<p>Friend moved away so I can’t ask her as conveniently as CC - thanks!</p>
<p>Use it on the whole face. You may have some redness and peeling at first. If you do, use it every other day or even less frequently until you get used to it. The highest strength is .1 (I think) and below that is .05%. Be VERY sure to use sunblock. RetinA makes you more sensitive to the sun. It is a really good product with no downside, in my opinion.</p>
<p>OP: I use any of the Nivea Q-10 products for wrinkle smoothing, the eye version for daytime, above (forehead), corners, and below eyes, the night-time for nights. H uses it, too. I use a glycolic acid moisturizer on the lower half of face, which helps with any ingrown issues (ahem). The main thing is to keep yourself slathered all the time, just pick the products of the consistency which makes you comfortable. Gel moisturizers are better for summer, creamier ones for winter, and the older you are, thicker is better.</p>
<p>Thanks mowc - appreciate the info. Probably best for me to wait until the fall to start using it. I live in the south & in the sun (hence the need for the product!). </p>
<p>Maybe that way I can counteract all the damage I’ll probably do this summer!</p>
<p>How long for results?? (Got a HS reunion in October! :))</p>
<p>I would allow 6 weeks for results. I think you should start it- I live in the south, too. You just have to protect your face a little more (which we should be doing anyway).</p>
<p>Smart decision. One should never use medicines prescribed to someone else.</p>
<p>There seems to be some confusion about this drug. Last time I checked, tretinoin aka Retin A was still a prescription drug, and I highly doubt that the FDA would allow the OTC use of something known to be potentially carcinogenic. Roc A cream contains retinol (Vitamin A), the reduced form of Retin A, and the body has the potential to interconvert the two. If Retin A has not been OTC-approved, then all creams claiming to contain it are either making fraudulent statements or contain it illegally.</p>
<p>Many moisturizers contain sunscreen. Make sure you have it in your daytime product so you don’t have another step to forget. Also apply your moisturizers as soon as you have patted your face dry after washing. Most work by keeping moisture already present in the skin from disappearing, they do not <em>add</em> moisture. Be sure to exfoliate with either a product (scrub), a utensil (there’s a bunch of ‘microdermibrasion’ wands out there), or a gentle wet washcloth. Don’t be aggressive. There’s no point in applying an expensive cream to the outer layer of skin which is just going to flake off…that’s why you see so many ads for stuff that promise to reach the deeper layers.</p>
<p>An excellent book is Don’t Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me (there’s also a website) as the author cuts through a lot of the hype to tell you the active ingredients in products. You’ll be amazed how many very expensive creams are still just water and some type of lard aka hydrolyzed animal protein. Not to mention how many products that flak their ‘naturalness’ and ‘exotic ingredients’ have those qualities way, way down on their list. Cosmetic ingredients are listed just like those in food…the more of a substance present the higher on the list. Cosmetics and cosmeceuticals are a multi-billion dollar business – there’s always going to be a certain amount of snake-oil advertised and sold.</p>
<p>I like products with papaya/pineapple that help shed uneven skin cells, before I apply something to add moisture.[facial</a> mask - Zia Natural Skincare: natural skin care products for face and body](<a href=“http://www.zianatural.com/products/H23658.jsp]facial”>http://www.zianatural.com/products/H23658.jsp)
Also drink lots of water & wear sunscreen.
I use Weleda skin food ( also like Dr Hauschka- which has been recommended on CC)</p>
<p>I highly doubt that the FDA would allow the OTC use of something known to be potentially carcinogenic</p>
<p>My Progesterone cream says that it is known to cause cancer- in California.</p>