We've all heard of that mythical spring, a drink from which gives you glowing skin, glossy hair, youthfull strength and flexibility - The Fountain of Youth. If such a fountain existed, it would likely have long ago been drained and bottled.

Although the Fountain is nowhere to be found, we still seem determined to hold on to or recapture our youthful looks. Witness the wealth of products selling briskly on the market, vitamins, anti-aging creams, tonics and a host of other items. We hope that the right combination will give us back the youthful skin and glowing complexions of our youth.

One of the hallmarks of youth is soft, smooth, moisturized skin that is free of laugh lines and creases. Since wrinkles have come to be viewed as one of the 'dead giveaways' of a person's age, manufacturers have developed many varieties of anti-aging moisturizers to launch an all-out attack on encroaching crow's feet.

Now most consumers are probably a bit suspicious, perhaps very suspicious of the claims made for the products on the shelves. Some of the "magic" ingredients are well known, others are not. In any event a good question to ask is how is the product going to react on my skin? There does not seem to be a simple solution to what is really the best product for the individual.

An active ingredient such as retinol, a form of vitamin A, is the basic active ingredient for many wrinkle creams and retinol- based creams are indeed often more effective in the battle against wrinkles than is the case for other products. Retinol promotes the development of new surface cells and also increases the amount of collagen in the skin, the combination reducing though not completely eliminating, wrinkles.

Reduction of wrinkles is one step towards achieving more youthful skin. Another popular active ingredient is alpha hydroxy acid - AHA. AHA is a peeling agent. It is present in a very low concentration to avoid damage to the skin, AHA removes the dead skin cells at the surface, exposing new cells beneath. The result is the adding of a glow that we associate with youthful skin.

Two products may claim to contain the above mentioned active ingredients yet do not necessarily provide the same results. The answer is often found in the degree of concentration of the active ingredients. One product may contain only a trace of retinol. A second product, containing a much higher concentration of retionol mayingedients are present.

It never hurts to ask the question "Why are some products better than others? or "Which wrinkle creams would be most effective?" Asking the question leads to getting the facts you need to make a choice, second best to the "Fountain of Youth" but a good choice nevertheless.

Jen Hopkins has worked in the wrinkle reducer industry for years. He maintains websites about anti wrinkle cream and wrinkle cream reviews. If you want to contact him, you can use the contact for at one of his sites.