Every time you cried, every time you got sunburn, every cigarette and every time you felt your skin tightening after a shower — you knew these things were going to eventually catch up with you. By the time you’re in your late thirties, you find yourself needing wrinkle treatment to rejuvenate not just your skin, but also your mind set. Aging is a difficult process for many Americans, one that we fight tooth and nail, but it doesn’t have to be agonizing. We can’t “turn back time” as Cher sings, but we can definitely take advantage of some wrinkle treatments on the market, whether it’s wrinkle cream or some other wrinkle reducer.

The quintessential element in preventative treatment is simply sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and avoiding the sun during those crucial hours from noon to 3pm. Ninety percent of deep wrinkles are caused by sun-related skin damage, so don’t overlook the importance of slathering yourself up with lotion at the beach. As with all health-related things, exercise and diet are important as well. Instead of white bread, refined foods, cereals, sugar, and potatoes, try eating fruit, beans, vegetables, sourdough, multigrain bread, honey and sweet potatoes. Instead of bar soap and hot showers, take a warm shower and use body wash. The importance of a daily moisturizer after age twenty cannot be overstated.

Once the skin damage has already been done, there are still ways of obtaining healthier and younger looking skin. A good do-it-yourself method involves first using a scrub or exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, followed by a moisturizer and anti wrinkle cream or firming cream. There are special eye wrinkle creams and nighttime revitalizing creams that can restore the skin with essential vitamins. For instance, creams with vitamin A (like Retinol) help build collagen beneath the skin and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that stabilizes collagen and aids in skin healing. Another antioxidant, vitamin E, helps reduce swelling and puffiness beneath the skin, while improving hydration and softness.

Some people prefer “all natural” cures. In addition to dieting and exercise, there are natural wrinkle treatment products on the market too. N-6 furfuryladenine (kinetin) found in plant cells and in vitro human skin fibroclasts serve as a natural wrinkle reducer. Some people are allergic to Retinol and vitamin C containing products, so Kinetin is a viable alternative. Green tea extract has been used by the Asians for centuries due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant qualities. Q10 supplements keep free radicals moving to encourage younger looking skin and oral vitamin E or DMAE are options for triggering the body’s natural anti-aging processes too.

Individuals over 40 years of age will undoubtedly notice fine lines and wrinkles, skin thinness, uneven skin pigmentation, dehydration and declining elastin or collagen production. Cumulative sun exposure may even contribute to sun spots or skin cancer. Research suggests that if detected early, 90% of skin cancer is treatable. Also, there are many wrinkle treatment products on the market to meet our aging skin’s needs, helping to stimulate the body’s natural processes once again.