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Wrinkles are an unfortunate 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 play an important role in the aging process, it may not be possible to prevent face wrinkles, however, there are a few things you can do to help slow it down.

Common Factors that Accelerate Aging

Two habits that are enjoyed by millions but that pose a threat to the aging process are smoking and sunbathing. Both habits are known to produce free radicals which eventually destroy healthy tissue.

Smoking is probably the worst habit you can acquire because not only does it affect your lungs, but it also leads to skin wrinkles that may appear all over your body. This happens because while you smoke you have to make repeated facial expressions that will eventually lead to wrinkling.

Sunbathing and exposing your skin to too much sun are also responsible for skin wrinkles as well as for age spots and dry, leathery skin. In order to minimize the harmful effects of the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you need to stay in the sun for prolonged periods of time, wear protective gear like wide brimmed hats and long sleeved tops.

Another way of accelerating the aging process is by consuming large amounts of alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body and can actually dry out the tissues in your body and skin. So, it is important that you moderate your alcohol intake and increase your consumption of pure water.

Facial Wrinkle Creams

By getting hold of a good wrinkle cream you can actually help your skin resist the signs of aging. People with dry skin may notice the appearance of fine lines as early as their twenties. Because it has a low level of natural oils, dry skin has a higher tendency to wrinkle than other skin types.

However, if your skin is oily you may not have to worry about wrinkles until after you hit your thirties. Whichever is the case, look for products that contain one or more of the following ingredients: coenzyme Q-10, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and/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 has been clinically proven to diminish fine lines and wrinkles due to its water holding capacity. As a matter of fact, it has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

AHAs, more readily known as Alpha-hydroxy acids, help promote exfoliation, stimulate skin repair, increase skin thickness and collagen production. Some common AHAs are glycolic acids, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid. Copper peptides have been proven beneficial to skin care because they boost the healing process and also help increase the production of collagen.