Anti-Ageing Creams Consumer Guide

We outline which creams best positioned to help your skin, and which creams to avoid

Updated 20 July 2020

It seems almost magical that you can apply a cream to your face and your wrinkles and age spots will just disappear, but very few people enjoy such results. Anti-ageing creams are not a magic solution to forever younger skin. However, with consistent application, the right anti-ageing cream may help your face look and feel smoother.

Certain anti-ageing creams can help you reduce the fine lines and wrinkles that you’d love to erase. In this guide we outline which creams may help your skin and which to avoid. Which one will provide the results you desire as well as provide the result you expect? Your skin type is unique and needs to be matched to the right anti ageing cream. In this guide, we outline:

Know this first - what causes wrinkles?

Unfortunately, wrinkles are a part of life. Just because you have wrinkles doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong – it’s just a natural part of ageing. But why do you get them?

The primary cause is sun exposure. Other top contenders are smoking and environmental pollutants. In other words, any toxins your skin comes into contact with can cause wrinkles. Your skin is the largest organ on your body, so it takes in everything that you come into contact with, which is why a skincare regime is vital.

The top five reasons you may have wrinkles include:

Ageing – Just like everything else, when you age, your skin becomes more fragile. It may also become less elastic. In other words, it won’t just bounce back – it will begin to sag and look looser. You’ll also lose some of the fat deep within your skin’s layers, which leaves more room for wrinkles.
Smoking – Smoking causes your skin to age faster. Your skin loses its elasticity and inability to renew its cells.
Sunlight – The sun’s UVA and UVB rays cause a loss of collagen as well as dark spots. The UV rays break the skin’s tissues and dry the skin out, making it harder to replenish itself and easier for wrinkles to form.
Genes – Blame your parents for your wrinkles, especially if you get them early on in life. The chances are that if your parents showed early signs of ageing, you will too.
Habits – Think about your common facial expressions. Do you squint, frown, or even smile a lot? As you age, your skin has a harder time bouncing back from these expressions; forming wrinkles in the places you most commonly move your skin.

Understand How Your Skin Type Affects the Anti-Ageing Cream You Use

Each skin type needs different care, especially while fighting the signs of ageing. Everybody’s skin needs moisturizing to fight the signs of wrinkles and fine lines, but you should consider the ingredients in your anti-ageing cream based on your skin’s texture.

Dry skin – If you have dry skin, you have the highest likelihood of wrinkles because dry skin has the least amount of collagen. Look for a moisturizer with a heavy cream that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or additives.
Oily skin – Even people with oily skin need a moisturizer to fight the signs of ageing, but you want a water-based moisturizer versus an oil-based product. Using an oil-based product will make your skin oilier and cause breakouts.
Sensitive skin – If your skin reacts to most products, avoid anti-ageing creams with retinoid ingredients. Retinoid ingredients can cause irritation and dryness if you have sensitive skin. If you can’t find an over-the-counter cream that doesn’t irritate your skin, you may want to create your own products using natural ingredients.
Normal skin – Consider yourself lucky if you have ‘normal’ skin, but don’t choose a moisturizer with heavy creams or harsh chemicals. Even people with normal skin can have clogged pores, which makes it harder for your skin to regenerate itself, making it easier to form wrinkles.

Ingredients to Look for in Anti-Ageing Creams

No two people will have the same needs for an anti-ageing cream, but below are the most common ingredients found in these products:

Retinoid – Several retinoid ingredients fall into this category, including retinol and retinoic acid. They contain Vitamin A compounds and are great for those with severe wrinkles, especially from sun damage.
AHAs – Hydroxy acids help exfoliate your skin. This helps your skin regenerate new pigmentation, giving your skin a chance to have a smoother appearance.
Ascorbic acid – Otherwise known as Vitamin C, ascorbic acid protects the skin from the environment, including the UVA and UVB rays.
Natural ingredients – Many anti-ageing products use green or black tea extracts or grape seed extract to help with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection.
CoQ10 – If you have sun damage near or around the eyes, this can help fight the wrinkles in that area.

What to Look for in Anti-Ageing Creams

As you can see, there are so many options and considerations when choosing an anti-ageing cream, so what should you look for in your choices? To select an anti-wrinkle cream, these tips may be helpful:

Don’t look at the price tag as a measure of effectiveness – Just because a cream is higher priced than others doesn’t mean it’s more effective.
Do look at the ingredients – The first few ingredients in a label should be some of the ingredients mentioned above. If you don’t know an ingredient, Google it. Determine if it has anti-ageing properties or is just a chemical or additive – you should avoid those.
Do consider your skin type – Choosing the wrong ingredients for your skin type can have the opposite effect on your skin. If you’re not sure of your skin type, ask a professional at a spa, dermatologist, or even local drugstore.

In addition to the above, consider what type of anti-ageing cream you want as there are three common options:

Day cream – This cream is light enough to wear all day but protective enough to regenerate your skin’s cells and protect it from sunlight (if you choose one with SPF).
Night cream – This cream is typically heavier than day cream as it helps your skin rejuvenate throughout the night. This is crucial if you have a lot of wrinkles as your body and skin repair themselves while you sleep.
Eye cream – The skin around your eyes is very sensitive and is often prone to wrinkles. Choosing an eye cream with caffeine or peptides can help reduce wrinkles and puffiness in this area.

What to Avoid in Anti-Ageing Creams

You may not be able to avoid every harmful ingredient in skincare products, but knowing the most harmful ingredients can help:

Parabens – Any ingredient ending in ‘paraben’ could be an endocrine disrupter, which messes with your body’s hormone system and may increase your risk of certain cancers.
Sulfates – Ingredients ending in ‘sulfate’ may irritate sensitive skin or cause allergic reactions.
Phthalates – You may see these ingredients as DBP or DEHP. They are also endocrine disrupters, messing with your hormones.
Fragrance – Companies don’t have to disclose what’s included in ‘fragrance,’ which may mean a variety of chemicals harmful to your skin.
Formaldehyde – This is a carcinogen that is toxic and can trigger asthma in certain people.

The Best Anti-Ageing Creams in New Zealand

Merino Placenta Night Creme 50g

Cost: Around $17
This non-oily and light night cream helps rejuvenate your skin while you sleep. With no harmful chemicals and the crucial vitamins B5, C, and E, your skin will feel healthier and look smoother with regular use. Benefits include:

Great for all skin types
Only for nighttime use
Contains no fragrances, parabens, or sulfates

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream Night 40g

Cost: Around $25

With Retinol A, vitamin B5, and E, this anti-wrinkle cream is light on the face but works wonders underneath the skin. It absorbs into your skin quickly, leaving it feeling soft and smooth while it works hard to reduce your fine lines and wrinkles. Benefits include:

Contains no fragrances
Contains no oils
Safe for even sensitive skin types

FaceWorks Overnight Cream

Cost: Around $58

This moisturizer contains natural ingredients that exfoliate and repair your skin while you sleep. With antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, your skin will be protected from damage while having the chance to rejuvenate itself without feeling oily or bogged down. Benefits include:

Minimally irritating
Holds moisture in your skin overnight
Has anti-inflammatory properties

Tips to Keeping Younger Skin

Finding the right anti-ageing cream can help you diminish the signs of fine lines and wrinkles and even prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Knowing your skin type and what your skin needs will help you choose the most effective products.
Like anything else, consistency is the key. As you age, you may also find that your skin changes, which means your skincare routine may need to change as well.