Over the counter wrinkle creams have been growing in popularity ever since they were first introduced. They can, after all, be found almost everywhere, from drugstores, to department stores, to the Internet (of course). From a general perspective, they are all the same, promising to erase (or at the very least, reduce) wrinkles that have been caused by aging or some sort of damage. However, are all of them really telling the truth? Do they work as well as the ads say they do? Knowing which ones are right will help in avoiding the fakes.

The main concern when dealing with over the counter wrinkle creams is the ingredients, and that is also where all the questions and subsequent answers lie. All brands insist that each ingredient can help the skin (sometimes even within minutes of applying the wrinkle cream), depending on how long the product is used. The best thing to when choosing the right over the counter wrinkle cream is to make sure it has a combination of all the most effective ingredients. Among the following are ingredients that are commonly found in wrinkle creams, and may or may not improve the skin.

Retinol is an antioxidant and a vitamin A compound that was used even in the very first wrinkle creams that did not require a prescription. A reason for this is that it is (as an antioxidant) able to eliminate certain radicals, including unbalanced oxygen molecules that are responsible for destroying skin cells and causing wrinkles. It is popular because it is a milder form of Tertinoin, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a fitting treatment for wrinkle, but can only found in wrinkle cream brands requiring a prescription.

Coenzyme Q10 is another popular ingredient, for it is a nutrient that maintains cell energy production. One of the advantages of having it as an ingredient is that it does not result in any possible side effects, and in fact has been proven to reduce fine wrinkles (especially around the eyes), and can even protect the skin from any form of sun damage.

Various hydroxy acids are also commonly found in over the counter wrinkle creams mainly because they can all act as exfoliants, and therefore will easily eliminate any old, dead skin, replacing it with firmer skin that is more evenly-colored and smooth. However, the disadvantage to having it as an ingredient is that it makes one more susceptible to sun damage. There are people who avoid this ingredient, while others simply put on sunscreen in addition to the wrinkle cream.

Lastly, copper peptides can help heal any wounds on the skin and stimulate the production of collagen, which keeps the skin smooth and younger-looking. They are often placed in wrinkle creams to help retinol by enhancing its effects.

There are other notable ingredients out there but the aforementioned are some of the most commonly used ones, which means that they are often found in popular over the counter wrinkle creams. By knowing which ingredients are right, you will now have an easier time choosing the brand you like most.