Anti-Ageing Creams: Fact vs Fiction

It's an anti ageing minefield out there. So, how can we be sure to choose the right product? Here are 10 facts to set you on the right path.

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Anti ageing and anti wrinkle creams are the same thing

False: Anti ageing and anti wrinkle creams tackle different problems. So what's the difference? An anti ageing treatment will combat all signs of skin ageing - age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, loss of density, dullness and dryness. Anti-wrinkle treatments, however, just deal with the wrinkle side of things.

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A decent moisturiser is all it takes

False: Moisturising is essential for great skin but our faces need more than hydrating if we're to slow down the clock. Anti ageing creams are designed to target the three main signs of ageing skin: dry skin/dehydration, expression lines and hollow features. So as we get older, it's important to moisturise with an anti ageing formula.

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Anti ageing treatments aren't just for our faces

True: It's not just our faces that suffer from the passage of time! We should also religiously apply an anti ageing cream to our neck and cleavage. Not forgetting our hands, which tend to get dry and develop age spots.

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I should start using an anti ageing cream when I reach 50

True and false: Although age affects us all differently, our first wrinkles will appear at around 25, when skin cell production begins to slow down. We may notice some sagging and a slight loss of tone. We need to progressively incorporate anti ageing treatments into our beauty routine. To fully hydrate your skin and deal with loss of tone, you should start with anti ageing moisturisers packed with antioxidants. You can move on to a global action anti-ageing cream further down the line. And treat yourself to anti ageing night and eye contour treatments. Leave the anti-wrinkle heavy artillery until last!

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Anti ageing creams work best at night

True: Our skin regenerates overnight because cellular activity varies depending on the time of day or night. It reaches a peak between 11pm and 4am. If you have to choose between a day or night anti ageing cream, go for the latter!

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Anti ageing serums are the same as creams

False: Serums are designed to be used alongside and not instead of a cream. They're great wrinkle-busters thanks to their fluid texture and active ingredients that quickly penetrate skin. However, they don't moisturise as well as creams, so they're best applied before your anti ageing moisturiser.

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There are anti ageing treatments for all skin types

True: Today's anti ageing treatments are designed for different skin types. For example, if you have oily or combination skin, you can opt for an anti ageing cream that will deal with wrinkles and mattify your skin in one fell swoop. And don't worry if your skin's acne prone - these treatments may be rich in texture, but they're still suitable.

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There's an art to applying an anti ageing treatment.

True: Anti ageing creams work best if they're massaged on - this helps them to better penetrate and treat skin. Apply your cream to your neck using upwards movements, iron out frown lines by working out from your inner eyebrows towards your temples and plump up crow's feet by tapping on your treatment.

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A healthy lifestyle keeps wrinkles at bay

True and false: A healthy lifestyle does keep our skin glowing for longer, so bin the cigarettes, eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water. But that's not all. To prevent wrinkles from appearing and/or deepening, avoid exposure to the sun and make sure you apply suitable treatments adapted to your skin.

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Richer creams work better

False: Some ingredients penetrate better in an oily base, but it really depends on what your treatment contains. How well it works varies according to its concentration of active ingredients. And to set the record straight, anti ageing creams don't become ineffective over time - your skin won't become immune to its beneficial properties. An anti ageing serum, for example, works better with every application!