Analysis of 14 anti-wrinkle creams

Madrid 28 May.

OCU has conducted an analysis of 14 facial day creams for all skin types that claim to reduce wrinkles. It is a reflection of what the consumer can find on the market: mostly brands sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets, a pair of own-brand creams, some parapharmacy and branded perfume creams.
The measurements, made with devices and image analysis to detect changes in wrinkle depth and moisturising, were made on day 0, before using the creams, and 4 weeks later. Each product was compared to a control or standard product of known efficacy and the results were disappointing in almost all cases. In their advertising and packaging they claim and promise more than they are able to fulfill. They do not eliminate wrinkles, they barely reduce them. Full information on this analysis is published in the June issue of OCU Salud, the OCU health magazine.

Between ages 30 to 40, the skin begins to age and wrinkles appear. This is influenced by many factors, our genes condition many physical changes that occur in our body, as do the aggressive effects of external agents such as sunshine, tobacco, etc. Anti-wrinkle creams promise to remove or reduce the wrinkles caused by the passage of time and these other factors. OCU wanted to find out if what they promise is true.

The wrinkle results have been rather disappointing. Only one cream gets a rating of good (64 out of 100). After laboratory tests, OCU has found:
• Only two creams reduce wrinkles compared to the standard control product. With the rest there is a barely noticeable difference or the appearance is the same as the day before starting treatment.
•  As regards moisturising, which is essential to improve the appearance of wrinkles and the skin, three of the 14 creams tested moisturise a little.
To complete this study we checked if the labeling complies with the law. OCU states that the labeling of all creams analised complies with the law, although some of them could be improved. Surprisingly, however, the literature that accompanies these products is full of promises and claims that are not supported by rigorous scientific evidence.

In addition we collected through individual questionnaires, the opinions of users on the anti-wrinkle effect (if the naked eye could tell or not after a month of use) and cosmetic properties: texture, smell, absorption, stickiness, if they leave the skin soft, feeling good ...
OCU has also inspected prices. There are large differences in price per jar which do not correspond to greater efficiency. The price range of creams analysed by OCU moves between 3 € and 113 €. This is an enormous price difference, especially taking into account that, on this occasion, the anti-wrinkle creams analyzed by OCU which obtained the most satisfactory results correspond to the lowest priced creams.

The most expensive creams are those sold distributed in high class cosmetics departments. This being the case,  unless you really appreciate the attention and advice they offer, OCU points out that you will save a lot money if you choose other brands that are not sold through this sales channel. A very graphic example is the Cien (Lidl) brand that costs 3 € per pack and with an overall rating which beats, by 14 points, Lancôme which is about 30 times more expensive. 

More information: piel/noticias/mejor http://www.ocu.org/salud/cuidado-wrinkle-cream-
For more information (media) Eva Jimenez Tel:   917 226 061  prensa@ocu.org