Saving Face

If you're stymied by myriad offerings in the face cream aisle, here's a hint: look for retin A on the label.

A new study finds topical Vitamin A - Retinol - may improve those fine wrinkles, collagen deficiency and shrinkage of fragile skin in elderly patients. So I figure, if it works for those with many years on their face and perhaps many more hours under the sun, it ought to do just fine for the junior set.

Even without being in the sun, which we know ages skin, our skin thins out, gets saggy and wrinkles as we log years.

In this study with real senior citizens, folks 80-96, topical retinol lotion of 0.4% was applied to one arm but not the other.
After 4 weeks a wrinkle difference appeared - but it didn't last unless the folks continued using the lotion.

As always, read warning labels before using any new product.