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Whether we like it or not, wrinkles are a fact of life. As we age, our skin begins to produce less and less collagen and elastin. These are two basic elements of healthy, plump and young looking skin.

Since genetics also plays an important role in the aging process, it may be difficult to prevent face wrinkles, however, there are environmental factors and bad habits that can be controlled to help slow down the process.

Common Factors that Accelerate Aging

Smoking and sunbathing are the worst culprits when it comes to accelerating the aging process. Both habits are known to produce free radicals which eventually destroy healthy tissue.

Smoking is the worst habit you can acquire because its effects aren't exclusive to your facial area, in fact, they can lead to skin wrinkles all over your body. This happens because of the recurrent facial expressions done while smoking.

Sunbathing is also responsible for skin wrinkles as well as for age spots and dry, leathery skin. To minimize the possible effects of the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Nevertheless, if for some reason you need to stay in the sun for prolonged periods of time, remember to wear protective gear such as wide brimmed hats and long sleeved tops.

Consuming large amounts of alcohol is also a way of accelerating the aging process. Alcohol dehydrates the body and can actually dry out the tissues in your body and skin. It is important to moderate your alcohol intake and increase your consumption of pure water.

Wrinkle Creams for Your Skin

A good wrinkle cream will help you skin resist the signs of aging. If you have dry skin, you may notice fine lines as early as your twenties. Because dry skin has a lower level of natural oils, it tends to wrinkle faster than other skin types.

However, if you have oily skin you may not have to worry about wrinkles until you hit your mid thirties. Whichever is your case, look for products that contain coenzyme Q-10, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or copper peptides.

Coenzyme Q-10 has firming properties that help make the skin smooth, while it also contains other known properties that help promote skin growth. Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that has been clinically proven to diminish fine lines and wrinkles due to its water holding capacity. In fact, it has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Alpha-hydroxy acids, on the other hand, help promote exfoliation, increase skin thickness, stimulate skin repair, and increase collagen production. Some common AHAs are glycolic acids, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid. Copper peptides are another key ingredient that can help boost the healing process and increase the production of collagen.