There are so many anti wrinkle treatments on the market today, claiming everything from being the fountain of youth to making you look like a movie star. Prices can vary dramatically and often the most expensive don't give any better results than thew cheapest. There are prescription creams and over the counter creams. The products that contain Retinol, which is a form of Vitamin A, are available in both prescription and over the counter forms. But, to understand the way they work, you need to understand the forms of Retinoic acid or Tretinoin.

Basically, wrinkle formation occurs as you age, from various factors, heredity, excess sun exposure, or smoking, and natural aging-which causes the outer layer of the skin to become dry and the previously plump skin cells, become shriveled forming the wrinkle appearance, much like an orange shriveling that was left in the refrigerator too long. Underlying the surface, the skin cells begin to lose their elastin and collagen, which as the basic facial muscle structure cells. Anti-wrinkle creams actually work on the premise of superficially removing the dry, dead outer layer of skin, (anything containing acid in it's name) and by making the underlying skin plumper, increasing elastin and collagen and increasing anti-oxidants.

Retinoic Acid and Tretinoin, are the FDA proven prescription creams that reduce wrinkles. There are many over-the-counter creams sold in stores and the internet, and while these can claim to contain Retinol A, it is important to note that the FDA allows them to be sold without prescription, because they do not contain enough Retinol A to be considered worthy of monitoring. In other words, they are a milder form of the prescription treatments available. That is not to say, they do not have some effectiveness, but it is important to understand that these are milder forms, and the effects are temporary, whether prescription or over-the-counter, once the treatment is stopped.

The strength levels of Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin from the weakest form through to strongest are Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A), Retinol A, Retinaldehyde, and Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin, which is also known as Retin A or Renova.

When you are looking at the active ingredient list on anti wrinkle creams, it is important to compare the level, as it would take longer and more frequent applications of Retinyl palmitate to equal the Retinol A, longer and more frequent applications of Retinol A to equal Retinaldehyde applications. So when comparing pricing, it is important to consider that you may need more anti wrinkle cream, (because of more applications), of a weaker concentration to get the effects of the next step up and so on.

The over-the-counter, slower process could even be a better choice for many people. The prescription levels can result in excessive redness and skin irritations. If chronic, the only solution is to stop its use. In the weaker forms, a user could experience these symptoms on a lesser scale, but it allows the skin to gradually adapt the retinoids from the Retinoic acid. Many people do the reverse, stopping their prescription and going to over-the-counter products. You may decide to consult a dermatologist and get the prescription strength. Either way, Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin, it is a proven an anti-wrinkle cream ingredient.