People invest in high-quality skincare products for a number of reasons. Some want to banish acne forever, some are looking for ultra-hydration, and others want to keep irritation at bay. One of the number one qualities you may be looking for in a product is an anti-aging effect to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and restore a youthful glow. However, while many options promise results in these areas, there are a few so-called “anti-aging” ingredients that you may want to be wary of; derms warn there are several that actually do nothing to help your wrinkles!
To learn more about the least effective “anti-aging” products, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD and Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD. They told us to save your money when it comes to collagen creams and hyaluronic acid—they do nothing to fix your wrinkles!
Collagen Creams
Collagen is an extremely important protein when it comes to your hair, skin, and nail health—so it may be surprising to hear that dermatologists say topical collagen treatments such as collagen creams aren't actually effective at reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Garshick says they can be good at keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized, but beyond that, their anti-aging benefits are minimal. "While putting collagen on your skin may sound good in theory, because collagen is a large molecule it is unable to penetrate the skin to have the desired effects for anti-aging," she explains. Say it ain't so!
Jaliman agrees, emphasizing that collagen is "too big to to penetrate the skin and it's just a waste of money." Instead, she says you should opt for products that contain peptides or pentapeptides for the most youthful-looking skin around. Got it!
Hyaluronic Acid
While hyaluronic acid is a popular, ultra-hydrating skincare ingredient found in many different products, it lacks in the anti-aging department. Just as with topical collagen, dermatologists say the hyaluronic acid molecule is simply to large to deliver on any promises to reduce signs of wrinkles—at least when applied topically.
"The hyaluronic acid molecule is very large so it is important to note that applying hyaluronic acid topically is not going to give you the same results as you would get by injecting hyaluronic acid as you do with filler," Garshick notes.
So next time you're looking for the best anti-aging skincare product on the market, don't be fooled by these ingredients. While they offer their fair share of benefits, they won't do much at all for your wrinkles. Instead, Garshick says you should reach for serums and creams containing antioxidants like Vitamin C, which are great at fighting free radical damage. When you incorporate these ingredients into your routine, you're much more likely to see results!
