I’m In Wrinkle Cream Rehab – Care to Join Me?

By Barbara Morris, R.Ph.

From a bulletin board: "I have been seeing lots of ads for Olay's new anti-aging products to diminish lines on lips, around the eyes and the entire face also. I was hoping to hear from someone who has actually tried these products before I spend any more money on creams and serums that don't really produce any noticeable results."

I have purchased Olay products on and off over the years, starting when their first product was advertised in tiny newspaper ads. Their product marketing was genius then and today it is over the top.

Based on my experience with Olay products, I rate them from a charitable "just okay" to "useless." The recent run of Olay TV ads is egregiously deceptive. I can't understand how they get away with suggesting (however cleverly) that use of Olay products will take the place of a facelift. They use a model with flawless skin and firm jaw line to talk about removing or preventing wrinkles.

I'm thinking, "You have to be pretty stupid to fall for that" but until recently, I tried new Olay products hoping that maybe, just maybe, they will come up with something that produces what the advertising promises. (Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!) I will never, ever, even for research purposes, buy another Olay product. If you are an Olay fan, my apologies, but I think there are more probably more dissatisfied women like me than fans.

Right now I have a can of Definity gathering dust which claims to provide "deep penetrating foaming moisture." I am ashamed to admit it's the second can I purchased. It's gathering dust because I've found that less expensive Gold Bond Healing Lotion is far better.

I have a lot of would be miracle potions gathering dust. The reality is that most products tend to be what they are: Hope in a jar – nothing more. Having said that, I stand by my loyalty to a product called Nutrius. It's not a miracle cream by any means, but it provides a level of benefit to me that makes me come back for more. The Nutrius, along with my prescription Retin A is going to have to do it for me from here on out.

I'm getting smarter, or maybe my common sense is finally kicking in (it's about time) and I've made a decision not to buy any more new skin creams – regardless of how powerful the advertising. I am now in "Wrinkle Cream Rehab." With any kind of luck, I won't relapse.

Do you have products gathering dust? Don't throw them away. This is what I am now doing: If they still look and smell good (don't ever use on your skin anything that smells rancid), I use my beauty cream orphans as body cream. The "under eye miracle cream" gets smeared on my arms. The "collagen eyelid cream" goes on my legs, or wherever. The vitamin C serum cream enjoys the same "wherever" fate. I'm determined not to throw the cost of these useless products down the drain.

So, ladies, use that stuff up if it's still good. And here's what you can do that is a better approach to beautiful skin: Collagen powder taken internally works far better. I take collagen powder every day. You can slather a ton of collagen cream on your face, or products that claim to boost collagen production, and the effect, if any, will be temporary. Another benefit of taking collagen internally: It makes your nails very strong. You should be able to grow your nails as long as you like without them breaking off easily. The collagen I take is called Super Collagen Type I & III.

The same advice holds for vitamin C cosmetic products. Claims abound about new technology that supposedly produces better product absorption. I am not convinced. I prefer to take my vitamin C internally and let its magic work from the inside out. I use calcium ascorbate crystals, a form of non-acidic vitamin C.

The thing about skin creams is that a product may be very effective for some women yet doesn't do anything for others. So I know some of you will defend products you've found useful (as I have found Nutrius helpful) and protest my comments. And that's okay! (Hey, look, if you have found a true miracle cream, share the info with us!)

I think there comes a time when we have to realize there are no miracles in a jar and enough is enough. I welcome you to join me in Wrinkle Cream Rehab.

I’m getting smarter, or maybe my common sense is finally kicking in (it’s about time) and I’ve made a decision not to buy any more new skin creams – regardless of how powerful the advertising. I am now in “Wrinkle Cream Rehab.” With any kind of luck, I won’t relapse.

Barbara Morris is a pharmacist and author of Put Old on Hold. Visit her web site, http://www.PutOldonHold.com and sign up for her free content-rich newsletter and receive a complimentary copy of special report, "Thirteen Diva Tested Tips for Fabulous Skin."

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