With more and more older women being concerned about their skin, you'll find that there are plenty of anti-aging creams on the market. They claim to reduce wrinkles and ease the impact of the years of sun and free radicals on the skin. The question is, do these creams actually prevent your skin from aging?

Moisturizers that claim to put a stop or at least slow the effects of aging are not all telling the truth. A huge number of studies and tests have found that most of these anti-aging creams don't have a lasting effect on the skin and any effects they do have tend to be shortlived and not very spectacular. But some of the ingredients can and do change the appearance of your facial skin, even if only for a period of time.

Retinol

This vitamin A derivative is found in animals and is vital for the proper growth of skin cells. Including this vitamin in anti-aging creams can have a positive effect. Retinol stimulates the growth of new skin cells, creating a healthier look. It also can be used to reduce the appearance of dark spots on the face and hands, which often appear with age and sun exposure. Many women use creams with retinol to help reduce liver spots on the backs of their hands.

Hydroxy Acids

There are two main types of hydroxy acids that are used in anti-aging creams, alpha and beta. Beta hydroxy acid is more commonly known as salicylic acid and is mostly found in acne treatments. Alpha hydroxy acids are many, including citric acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid. Both alpha and beta hydroxy acids are used in chemical peels. The idea in including them in anti-aging creams is to help remove older, dead skin cells, making room for new ones that will look more youthful. However, you will find that the majority of creams simply don't contain a strong enough concentration of these acids to do much good.

Collegen

You've no doubt heard of collegen as a lip plumper. It is also an ingredient often found in anti-aging creams and when applied to the skin, can help hydrate it and plump the skin cells up. This temprorarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles by swelling up the loose skin and making it appear softer and smoother. Many people find satisfying results with the proper amount of collegen, but not all creams contain the same amount.

Sunscreens

While many anti-aging creams contain sunscreen or sunblock and boast an SPF rating, this is more of a preventative measure, rather than a reversal of effects. It is nearly impossible to undo the effects of years in the sun, but you can certainly protect your skin starting now and make sure that the sun doesn't age you any further.

Not all anti-aging creams work. Some simply don't have any ingredients that will actually make a difference. Some have them, but in such low concentrations that your skin won't even notice the difference, while others have enough to actually make your skin smoother and younger looking. However, it's important to note that most anti-aging creams have only a temporary effect, so you'll need to continue using them as long as you want to maintain the youthful appearance. As soon as you stop, the wrinkles will be back again.