Is Botox the Only Way to Get Rid of Wrinkles?

A couple decades ago, no one would have thought that people would pay thousands of dollars to get injections of toxins in their face.

Today’s generation, however, is full of people that are leaping at the opportunity to get injections of the toxic Botox to paralyze the muscles underneath their skin in order to smooth their fine lines and wrinkles.

But even though Botox is very high risk, most people are aware of the fact that the risk of side effects is very high well before they go into the procedure.

So with so many financial and physical risks associated with Botox, what keeps us going back? Is this age-defying skin treatment really all it’s cracked up to be?

What Is Botox, Really?

Even if you’ve heard about Botox, you might not know exactly what it is. Well, Botox is a protein that is produced by the bacterium (clostridium botulinum) and is considered the most powerful neurotoxin ever discovered.

Originally, it was found in 1897 by Justinus Kerner and called the “sausage poison” because it was derived from improperly handled meat. However, it wasn’t until 1949 that Arnold Burgen’s group discovered that the botulinum toxin they had discovered blocks neuromuscular transmission by decreasing the release of acetylcholine and in turn “freezing” the muscles.

Botox was only approved 30 years ago, in 1989, as muscle therapy for those who suffered from eye spasms, muscle spasms, overactive motor responses, and bladder disorders like incontinence.

But as the news of Botox spread, cosmetic specialists began looking for alternative uses for the toxin and found it to be effective in reducing the appearance or preventing the onset of fine lines and wrinkles.

Since Botox is such a harsh treatment and can have extremely negative side effects, there have been more and more people that have been turning to alternatives.

Risks Associated With Botox

Financial: As most people know, Botox procedures are extremely expensive and are usually reserved for the rich and famous. In fact, each injection costs around $375 and often times several injections are needed to treat an area.

Physical: Unsurprisingly, injecting toxins into your face can have some physiological side effects. Many people who have used Botox report nausea, flu-like symptoms, respiratory infection and headache.
Cosmetic: Even though there is no other reason to receive Botox injections other than to look better, many have found that Botox goes wrong and they look even worse than before. It’s not uncommon to report facial numbness and more rigidity in their skin than before.

Alternatives

Even though Botox is one of the only wrinkle removal treatments that people are talking about these days, there have been many alternatives that have been developed to sort of mimic the muscle paralyzing effects of Botox.

Wrinkle Creams: Many wrinkles are caused by muscles that are in constant contraction and cause the skin to fold into fine lines and wrinkles. Ingredients like Argireline NP and several peptides have been developed to penetrate the skin and relax these muscles without actually paralyzing them like Botox.

Relaxed Expressions: This alternative uses targeted radiofrequency energy to weaken the motor nerves that connect to the muscles in the forehead responsible for the crinkling of the skin. However, this method is still very new and largely uninvestigated by the FDA.

Facial Exercises: Instead of paralyzing the muscles, facial expressions try to reverse the effects of the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles, different muscles are flexed to even out the crinkling. These include manually pulling skin in a different direction and smoothing out wrinkles by rubbing skin in a different direction.

So rather than spending a large sum on a procedure that has many side effects associated with it, make sure you do your research before you decide whether Botox is the right way for you to get rid of your wrinkles.

With trips to the spa costing as much as a couple hundred dollars simply for a facial, more and more people are finding ways to save money and get the same benefits from items they have stashed in their refrigerator.

But because you don’t want to stick just anything on your face, here are a list of some of the most beneficial ingredients for your specific skin type that will help revive your skin so it will look and feel healthier than it ever has before.

Oily Skin

A moisturizing mask like one with avocado or olive oil in it is the last thing you want to spread on your skin. If you have oily skin it is best to look for one that will absorb natural oils without over-drying your complexion.

Banana Mask: This mask is the perfect way to take advantage of bananas that are too ripe to eat, but a soft consistency to spread on your face. Just mix a bit of honey and a couple of bananas into a blender or a food processor and then spread onto clean skin. Keeping this mask on for 10-15 minutes will help absorb oil.

Aspirin Mask: Not only can aspirin help your headache feel better, but it can also help dry up pimples that have been caused by too much oil blocking your pores. Simply crush up some aspirin and mix into a little bit of water and honey for a mask that will dry up your skin. In fact, 85% of the reviewers who tried this mask said they would try it again.

Strawberry and Lemon Mask: As natural astringents, these two fruits work well as natural cleansers that won’t irritate your skin. Mix some lemon juice, 1 cup strawberries, 2 egg whites and a little bit of honey into a blender. Leave this mask on your skin for at least ten minutes and then rinse your oil and bacteria away.

Dry Skin

Unlike oily skin, you’re looking for masks that not only help you keep your own moisture in, but will add a little extra moisture while they’re at it. Even though you’re not going to want to sleep with moisturizing masks on, it’s best to keep them on as long as possible in order to quench your skin’s thirst.

Milk Mask: Surprisingly, milk works great as a moisturizer as well as a soothing agent for skin that might be so dry it’s chapped. Mix some powdered milk with honey and aloe vera gel. Because this mixture can get a little runny, it’s best to use powdered milk if you have it, but if you need to do regular milk simply use less aloe.

Avocado Mask: If your skin is in desperate need for some moisture, try this ultra-concentrated mask. Mix some very ripe avocado with a little bit of olive oil and egg whites in a blender. Spread onto clean skin and let it rest as long as you can. In fact, it’s best to put this mask on before you get into a bath so that your pores can be open and the moisture can sink beneath the surface level.

Don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a facial even if the spas will make you pay a fortune for one. Find one that will work best for your skin type to make the most of your skin, as well as your groceries!

You can spend hundreds of dollars on the “best wrinkle creams” money can buy but efficacy always comes down to ingredient composition. If a product doesn’t contain its key ingredients in clinically proven dosages then it’s not going to work, no matter the price tag.

Prevera is an anti-aging product that claims to not waste time with fancy packaging or celebrity advertising, but instead focuses on including high enough amounts of their active ingredients to ensure that their product actually works. Prevera claims to be the best wrinkle cream on the market available for under $40 and promises to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in a hurry.

Peptide Formula

Peptides are the most powerful wrinkle fighting ingredients present within effective wrinkle creams and the Prevera formula contains several.

Peption-5 – This peptide helps lower neuron excitability in the face and therefore prevent the furthering of wrinkles due to every day facial expressions.

Oligopeptide-29 – This 5-sided peptide has the ability to increase collagen production in the skin. When collagen breaks down, it breaks down into individual peptides. When these peptides are present, they signal for the manufacturing of additional collagen. By applying peptides like Oligopeptide 29 to the skin, you are essentially signally your body to produce more collagen and thus smooth your complexion.

Octapeptide – This peptide contains 8 different amino acids that all work to promote collagen production and strengthen and fortify the skin. Octapeptides are also great moisturizers for the skin, especially around the forehead and eyes because they lock in moisture and keep the skin looking supple and fresh throughout the day.

Aside from containing three separate peptides to help combat wrinkles, strengthen the skin, and retain moisture, Prevera also contains the key ingredients Argireline, Glycerin, and Sodium Hyaluronate which work synergistically to reduce wrinkles and restore health to your complexion.

Product Details

It is rare to find an over the counter wrinkle cream, for under $40, that contains 3 different peptides. Peptides are one of the most expensive ingredients that can be included in a wrinkle cream and it’s apparent that the makers of Prevera put their money where their mouths are and spend their money on quality ingredients rather than filler ingredients and unnecessary advertising.

Additionally, Prevera comes with an impressive 100% money-back guarantee. According to their website, if you are at all unsatisfied with the product, simply use the entire container (to ensure you’ve given the product a fair shot), then send back the empty bottle to receive your money back in full.

Our Thoughts

We’re confident that Prevera contains ingredients that will actually help you improve the smoothness and elasticity of your skin and we’re impressed by the presence of such high quality ingredients at such an affordable price. Also, we like the fact that Prevera comes with a full money back guarantee. To us, this shows that Prevera believes so strongly in their product that they feel comfortable guaranteeing it.

Although Prevera doesn’t contain any extreme ingredients and won’t smooth wrinkles overnight, we’re confident that this product is going to give you the most value for your money.

Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar is a moisturizing facial cream that claims to be able to brighten and lighten the skin, improving the texture and increasing blood flow to the skin. Using all-natural ingredients and no harmful additives, this is a unique product that doesn’t rely on controversial chemicals.

However, just because a product is safe, that doesn’t mean that it is effective. We need to take a close look at the ingredient list and consumer reviews before we can recommend using Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar.

Product Details:

The two key ingredients in Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar are Vitamin C and Arctic Cloudberry.

It contains 7 other extracts, all of which claim to naturally brighten and improve the skin. However, extracts can only help to a certain extent. They cannot stimulate collagen production, which means that they cannot effectively reduce wrinkles or other signs of aging.

Sucrose Dilaurate Menthyl Lactate is another ingredient in Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar. It is a clinically proven sugar-based exfoliate, which will safely improve skin texture.

In terms of consumer reviews, Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar is a very good product. The vast majority of consumers find that it is easy to use, evens out skin tone, improves skin texture, is non-greasy, and smells great. Even those who typically buy high quality products are happy to pay a lower price, because they find that they are still getting a quality product.

Overall Impression:

Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar is an interesting product. We usually would not recommend a face moisturizer that does not contain higher concentrations of proven ingredients, but in this case, the consumer reviews seem to be all in favor.

In either case, it’s affordable price tag makes it a small investment, so if you do not see the results you are looking for, you have not wasted too much time or money. Another reason to try Lumene Vitamin C + Bright Skin Nectar is the fact that it is safe. Taking these factors into consideration, we feel that this might be a good moisturizer to try.

Nur76 Skin Lightening Cream claims to be able to give you all of the brightening and lightening benefits of a regular skin whitening formula, but does so without chemicals or harmful ingredients that are found in other creams.

It says that in can reduce the appearance of freckles, age spots, sun spots, and scarring as well as uneven complexions. Nur76 Skin Lightening Cream claims that its use of natural plant and herb extracts can reduce the production and spread of melanin beneath the skin, making it lighter and younger looking.

Nur76 Skin Lightening Cream makes some impressive claims about being able to give us results without harsh chemicals such as hydroquinone and other skin lighteners. But before we can determine how effective it will be, we need to look at the ingredients and at consumer reviews.

Product Details:

Licorice, bearberry, kojic, and kiwi extracts are some of the key ingredients in Nur76 Skin Lightening Cream. Unfortunately, these ingredients are not capable of permeating the epidermal layer of the skin, which means that they cannot reduce wrinkles or fine lines.

It also contains vitamin C, tyrosinase enzymes and arbutin complex, which reduces the appearance of dark skin areas and also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

While we appreciate the fact that Nur76 Skin Lightening Cream contains safe, natural ingredients, it simply does not have enough of the effective elements to lighten the skin.

Overall Impression:

There are plenty of natural and safe ingredients that can be used in a lightening cream that will still deliver results. As a consumer, you do not have to sacrifice results for safety. As we mentioned, Nur76 Skin Lightening Cream does not have effective ingredients, but you can find a cream that does.

We would recommend looking for something that contains glycolic acid, which can help to remove dead and dying skin cells and stimulate new growth. Another ingredient essential for minimizing wrinkles and fine lines is a strong peptide.

Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue is expensive little eye cream that can be found in department stores and notable online retailers like Sephora.

Claiming to be able to “visibly brighten eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, ” this .5 ounce jar costs $100. Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue says that it can minimize wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, and fatigue, giving you a rested and radiant look.

Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue might be the sort of eye cream that people assume is high quality because of the high price, but that is not necessarily the case. Before we can recommend this product, we need to look at the ingredients and consumer reviews.

Product Details:

We are very disappointed in the ingredients that we found in Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue. In a high-priced, effective eye cream, we should expect to see peptides. These are chains of amino acids which will stimulate collagen production. Another ingredient we look for is glycolic acid, which will brighten the skin and improve skin growth. We don’t see these or any equivalent ingredinets.

Instead of peptides or other ingredients that can actually change and improve the skin, Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue contains primarily extracts. These cannot penetrate the epidermal layer of the skin. There are also many other unproven ingredients that make big claims but are not supported by scientific research.

These ingredients are ineffective at best, but there are also some that are potentially harmful. Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, and Propylparaben are all found in this eye cream and parabens are potentially dangerous ingredients that have been linked to various irritations and even possibly fatal conditions.

Overall Impression:

Don’t be fooled by the designer name, expensive price tag, or department store location – Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue is not worth your time and is definitely not worth $100. It contains harmful ingredients and will be ineffective at best. We would recommend looking for something a little easier on your wallet – and tougher on wrinkles.

Pentaxyl claims to be able to work on both the dermal and epidermal layers to reduce wrinkles and increase skin firmness and thickness.

Beyond that, Pentaxyl says that it can reduce skin discolorations and increase hydration, improving skin texture and color. These are all of the essential things that we would hope to see accomplished in a wrinkle cream, but claims mean little.

Pentaxyl could give us those kinds of results if it contained proven, effective ingredients in high concentrations, and we need to look closely at the ingredients and at consumer reviews before we can recommend this product.

What are the Ingredients in Pentaxyl?

Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 – This peptide is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles on the forehead and eyes caused by facial expression muscles by disrupting nerve signals to the skin. This softens deep wrinkles, particularly those found around the eyes and mouth.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide – Palmitoyl Oligopeptide stimulates both collagen production and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, providing skin firming and anti-wrinkle properties. These help your skin to naturally replace what it loses as you age.

Matrixyl – Also known as palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, Matrixyl stimulates collagen production in the skin and produce the same effects of BOTOX® injections used for its anti-wrinkle properties.

Extracts – Pentaxyl contains various plant extracts, including Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Coneflower, Bearberry and Licorice extracts. These all claim to soothe and moisturize the skin in various ways, but the fact is that extracts are not capable of permeating the epidermal layer of the skin, and will not reduce wrinkles or fine lines.

Vitamins – A variable alphabet of vitamins, Pentaxyl contains vitamins A, C, and E. Again, these help the skin in various ways, giving moisture and temporarily improving the texture and brightness of the skin, but they will not have any permanent anti-aging effects.

What Else Should I Know About Pentaxyl?

Pentaxyl contains some very impressive ingredients, including a complex of three different peptides. It has received many positive consumer reviews as well. However, we can’t recommend this product because we could not find a complete ingredient list. An ingredient list would tell us exactly how much of each ingredient was in the product, rather than just saying that it contains some of each.

Ole Henriksen ‘Ultimate Lift Eye Gel’ is an anti-aging eye treatment that claims to be able to “reduce puffiness, sagging, and wrinkles in the eye area.” Containing cucumber extract and two different peptide complexes, this gel is to be used at night, after the skin has been cleansed and moisturized.

This is the kind of product sold in department stores and it costs $38 for 1 fluid ounce. For that price, we should expect to see some serious results. We are going to look at the ingredients and consumer reviews before we determine how effective this product will be.

What are the Ingredients in Ole Henriksen ‘Ultimate Lift Eye Gel’

Though Ole Henriksen ‘Ultimate Lift Eye Gel’ claims that the cucumber and calendula in the gel are the operative ingredients, we are more interested in the peptides. Extracts do not permeate the epidermal layer of the skin, so they cannot stimulate collagen production.

Peptides, on the other hand, are proven ingredients that can thicken the skin and reduce wrinkles quickly. However, peptides are listed as some of the last ingredients in Ole Henriksen ‘Ultimate Lift Eye Gel,’ so we know that there are actually very few in this product.

Containing aloe and other extracts, these ingredients are supposed to moisturize the skin, but several consumers found that the gel was sticky on their face. This is a common complaint with eye gels, since only the best products will absorb and not feel like a stick mask.

What Else Should I Know About Ole Henriksen ‘Ultimate Lift Eye Gel’?

Ole Henriksen ‘Ultimate Lift Eye Gel’ is not a harmful product, but it doesn’t contain effective ingredients. Despite the high price and department store location, it cannot give you the results that it claims. If you want an eye treatment that really works, you should look for something that contains a higher concentration of peptides.

Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes’ is an anti-aging eye cream that claims to be able to “change the way we think about eye care forever.”

While most creams and gels shy away from abrasive materials and exfoliating ingredients, Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes’ claims to be able to very gently exfoliate your eye area without damaging the delicate skin.

Is it possible for an exfoliating cream to safely tighten and brighten the under-eye area? Before we can make that determination, we need to look at the ingredients.

Benefits of Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes’

Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes’ has some good ingredients. Rather than just containing salt or sugar-based scrubs, it actually contains lactic & glycolic acid which are effective. They are used in very high dosages in chemical peels to renew the skin and generate new skin growth.

Possible Side Effects for Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes’

We don’t see any potentially harmful ingredients in Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes,’ but we did see some ingredients that are very ineffective.

Micro algae is supposed to firm the skin and increase collagen production, but there simply isn’t a high enough concentration for it to be effective. Though a higher dose of algae could stimulate the production of collagen, this product has more fillers than it does effective ingredient.

Rice bran protein is supposed to strengthen under eye tissue and improve circulation to reduce dark circles and puffiness, but research has proven that it does not permeate the skin and cannot give you lasting results.

Conclusion

We would not recommend using Ole Henriksen ‘truth is in the eyes.’ It is not a harmful product, but it simply does not have the capabilities to give you the kinds of results that it promises. If you truly want to see results, look for an eye cream that contains peptides and other proven collagen-stimulating ingredients.

Despite its light texture, Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation is a face cream that claims to penetrate the skin and fade discolorations such as freckles, age spots, and sun damage. Additionally, it is said to instantly sustain and retexturize the skin and smooth facial lines and provide powerful free radical protection.

Best of all, it contains only safe, all-natural ingredients. While we appreciate that there are no reported side-effects associated with Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation, the ingredients will ultimately determine how effective this product will be.

Product Details:

The active ingredients in Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation are all natural extracts and vitamins. They listed Actiwhite™ and licorice, used to prevent and correct discoloration and even skin tone. Actiwhite is a patented ingredient made from a combination of pea extract and sugar.

They also listed vitamin C, which they claim will stimulate the production of collagen. Unfortunately, it does not penetrate the epidermal layer of the skin and cannot effectively thicken the skin or reduce wrinkles or fine lines.

They also list fruit acids which they claim will soothe lines on the face. They will probably moisturize the skin, but, like vitamin C, they cannot reduce lines because they remain on the surface of the skin.

Sandalwood, geranium, licorice and chamomile are other extracts designed to soothe, replenish, balance and purify the skin while vitamin E Heals, restores and nourishes.

Overall Impression:

Many consumers say that they like the light texture of the cream and find that it does moisturize their skin effectively, but with these ingredients, Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation cannot possibly give you significant results in terms of anti-aging and wrinkle treatment.

If all you are looking for is a cream, then you might want to try this product. However, it will not brighten your skin or make it more youthful.