What You Need to Know About Anti-Wrinkle Creams

But you will not learn from industry advertising

By Fayne Frey, MD

I’m often asked what I think of “anti-wrinkle” products, most importantly, those that contain retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives that promise the “Fountain of Youth” in a jar. The answer I give to patients is never a sexy one and almost never the answer the consumer wants to hear. I base this answer on three things:
Scientific literature;

• Thirty years of experience as a board-certified dermatologist and;
• As a consumer who has personally tried most topical retinoid creams for extended periods of time

Vitamin A and its derivatives

Vitamin A and its derivatives (retinoids) are the most prevalent anti-aging ingredients on the market today. Tretinoin, a retinoid approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is only available by prescription. And although there is ample scientific evidence that shows the ability of retinoids to have a positive effect on cell gene rearrangements, fibroblast activity, and collagen synthesis, studies proving cosmetic benefits with statistical significance are lacking.