There is a multitude of wrinkle creams on the market today. All of them claiming similar, wonderful results fast. Prices vary widely and some are over-the-counter or other prescription medicine. It’s easy to believe claims by products that contain Retinol (a type of A Vitamin) but to understand how it works, you need to start with the forms of Retinoic acid or Tretinion. There are prescription forms of this as well as milder forms sold over-the-counter.

Wrinkles form as you age. It is a fact of life that none of us can escape. The formation of wrinkles occurs because of some other factors, also. Heredity, excess sun exposure and smoking can all encourage wrinkles. Anti-wrinkle creams actually work on the concept of removing the dry, dead outer layer of skin from the surface of your face and by making the underlying skin plumper, increasing elastin and collagen. Some forms of the cream also introduce antioxidants.

Retinoic Acid and Tretinoin are FDA proven prescription creams that will reduce wrinkles. There are many over-the-counter treatments sold in stores and on the internet and while these products claim to contain Retinol A, it is important to understand that the FDA allows them to be sold without prescription because they do not contain enough Retinol A to be monitored. So, they are a milder form of the prescription creams that are available. That is not to say, they do not work at all, but it is important to realize that they are milder forms.

The strength levels of Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin from weakest form to strongest are Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A), Retinol A, Retinaldehyde, and Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin, (under the prescription name, 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.

With Retinoic acid, the over-the-counter process that is available may actually be a better solution for some consumers. The prescription levels can sometimes cause excessive redness and skin irritations in the prescription versions. If the reaction is chronic, the use must be discontinued immediately. So, by using the weaker forms of the cream a person risks milder symptoms and it allows the skin a gradual adaptation to the retinoids, from the Retinoic acid. Sometimes, the prescription has to be stopped and the consiumer must change to the over-the-counter remedies. You might decide to talk to a dermatologist and get the prescription strength. Either way, whichever choice you make, it is a proven anti wrinkle cream ingredient.