Can creams help all kinds of wrinkles?

It seems as though there is a new cream out on the market every day. And what they promise is so enticing that resisting them is very difficult. But which ones are really worth the time and money? And should we really use them? And are we actually damaging our skin in the name of protecting it?

Skin expert Dr. Serpil Özyılmaz from the dermatology department at Sema Hospital notes that it is important not to go overboard with creams. She warns against turning over fortunes to the cosmetics sector in the name of obtaining beautifully packaged creams just because of promises made in ad campaigns. She notes that the most important part of skin care is cleanliness, and that, if your skin feels dry after you clean it, you can use a moisturizer. Özyılmaz advises people to lean toward using moisturizers that are well-known and have been on the market for many years, and she adds that the under-30 age group should stay away from heavier moisturizers. She also notes that those with actual skin problems should make sure they see an expert and then use special products according to the advice of the expert. In other words, don’t just rely on tips from people working in cosmetics stores, especially if you have problem skin.

In recent years, two especially popular concepts have guided the cosmetics sector: one is the concept of creams that reduce or slow down the effects of aging, and the other concept is natural beauty products. Özyılmaz warns that there are really no 100 percent natural products out there. And she adds that herbal products can have a different effect on different types of skin. Özyılmaz emphasizes that people need to talk to real experts or doctors before using these products. She also notes that products which promise to slow down skin ageing should only be used by people over the age of 30.

As for Professor Gülgün Yener, head of the pharmacology faculty at İstanbul University, she links the enormous number of anti-aging creams on the market to the increase in lifespan and the fact that skin begins to lose its elasticity due to a number of factors as people get older. Anti-aging creams offer various factors aimed at boosting skin’s elasticity and firmness, though Yener stresses that people need to purchase these creams from pharmacies, and not cosmetics shops.

Your skin is a valuable asset

Özyılmaz provides us with some tips on things to be aware of when using skin creams, as well as some general warnings:

Using lots and lots of cream at one time can cause an allergic reaction, early aging, widened and more obvious pores and actually, skin that dries more quickly. In big cities especially, keeping your skin clean is very important. You need to choose the products that you use to cleanse your skin very carefully. Soap, for example, dries skin out. Choose products that don’t undermine the natural balance of the skin’s oils.

Stay away from cleaning dry skin with soap. After you wash, dry the skin. There is no need to use a tonic. Scrubs can actually be harmful to skin when used the wrong way. Talk to your doctor about how and when to use scrubs on your skin. Do not use scrubs on skin that is very delicate or dry.

Anti-wrinkle creams are made for people over the age of 30. Some creams are even only intended for those over 50. When used on younger skins, these are creams which can cause early damage, early aging, and general skin problems.

Also, using night creams at a too early age is a big mistake. These too can wind up causing early aging effects and early damage to skin. This is because these creams contain anti-aging elements in their formulas which speed up certain aspects of your skin’s natural functions, and so could wind up damaging skin which is too young. Do not use night creams or eye creams until after the age of 30

Keep your age, your specific skin type, and the season in mind when purchasing creams. Test out a new cream for a few days first and make sure it is not causing any allergic reactions in your skin. If you have any redness or itching or general allergic reaction, stop using the cream immediately.

It is very important to use sun-block, as this is one way of protecting against skin cancer. Make the use of sun-block a habit at every age.