What is the best anti-ageing wrinkle cream?

I often get asked this question, and basically I don't believe any single cream can work miracles. A combination of ingredients all working together to tackle the various signs of ageing are often found in different products at varying strengths. Because everyone's skin is different, their skin needs are also different too, so mixing your products gives a more bespoke skin regime, targeting the individual concerns.

The 3 most important ingredients to look for in products if skin ageing is a concern are:

#1 – SPF

Number 1, we need to protect the skin from the damaging rays of the sun which increase the rate at which skin ages.

UVA (ageing) causes 90% of premature ageing and is present 365 days of the year, even through cloud and glass!

UVB (burning) only really effects us during the summer months but still causes damage (yes, a tan is damaged skin!) and increases pigmentation and age spots.

A lot of moisturisers and make-up contain SPF but these are mostly chemical sunscreens or aren't broad spectrum so don't really give enough protection. Chemical sunscreens absorb the suns rays and need reapplying regularly but are OK for your 2 week summer holiday.

A broad spectrum physical sunscreen, those which contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide, act as a shield on the skin bouncing away the rays like a mirror, so no nasty chemicals are being absorbed into the body, and are perfect for everyday use.

#2 – Vitamin C

This vitamin is an amazing antioxidant for the skin. It neutralises free radicals (basically these cause damage within skin cells resulting in premature ageing!), boosts collagen production, stimulates production of Hyaluronic Acid (moisture molecules found in the skin that draw in and hold 1000x their weight in moisture), evens out skin tone by inhibiting melanin production (pigmentation, age spots etc.) and strengthens the tiny blood vessel walls (broken capillaries and redness). L-Ascorbic Acid is the most super powerful form of the topical Vitamin C family.

#3 – Vitamin A

Vitamin A or Retinol is one of the only clinically proven ingredients to cause an actual physical change within the skin and helps repair damage. It increases skin cell turnover, helps improve the skin functions of desquamation (natural shedding of old skin) regeneration, healing and protection. It is also great for acne skin too, by unclogging pores to prevent future breakouts. Pigmentation can see an improvement too as Vitamin A inhibits melanin (pigment) transfer from melanocytes (pigment producing cells) to new skin cells.

My favourite products right now for :

SPF

Alumier Moisture Matt SPF40, as it gives a light coverage make-up effect

and

The Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF30, tinted powder for those who prefer a drier feeling product.

Vitamin C

Alumier EverActive C&E serum as it contains super powerful Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E and anti-ageing peptides too.

Vitamin A

Retinol 0.5% from Alumier as it's micro encapsulated so slowly drip feeds the product into the skin overnight for better results.

I have also tried the Medik8 Retinol Serum too which I really liked.