Face Lift Creams – A Reasonable Alternative in the Field of Face Lift Without Surgery

Nowadays, thousands of face lift creams abound on the market. While all manufacturers claim that their product is the best, offering amazing lifting results that can compete with the effects of plastic surgery or non-surgical procedures like dermal fillers, dermabrasion, laser or ultrasound, we – the consumers – have to be careful before trusting our skin to a certain cream.

Having a face lift without surgery is a wise decision, of course. However, you have to be aware that there are hundreds of non-invasive products and procedures out there – including face lift creams – and that only a good, thorough research will help you decide which one is the best for you. This is the purpose of this website – offering you as much information as possible on all non-surgical face lift options available nowadays.

So let’s get back to face lift creams, which are designed to eliminate (or at least reduce) the appearance of fine lines and deeper wrinkles, at the same time offering you a visible lifting effect for a more youthful look. As compared to other procedures in the field of face lift without surgery, especially the ones using modern technologies, creams are cheaper and safer. On the other hand, if we compare them to natural means of getting a face lift (healthy diet, physical exercises, acupuncture or facial exercises), face lift creams don’t seem so ‘innocent’ and ‘safe’ anymore. So, as you can see, it’s all a question of perspective.

Personally, I would create an imaginary ‘safety and effectiveness’ line and I would put anti-wrinkle creams somewhere in the middle: as you can guess, on one end of this line (with maximum immediate effectiveness and maximum risks) there will be technology-based procedures (laser, microcurrent, thermage, ultrasound) and dermal fillers, while on the other end (with long-time effectiveness and minimum risks) there will be natural procedures like facial exercises, natural spa procedures, acupuncture and a healthy lifestyle. The bottom line is – if you want fast results with minimum effort, expect to pay a price (and I don’t talk only about money!).

Also, before selecting a face lift cream, remember that creams are considered cosmetic products which don’t require FDA approval. So, if you’re having doubts about a certain cream, it would be a good idea to consult your physician/dermatologist/cosmetologist.

For a better understanding of this topic, I will also classify the available face lift creams in several categories:

1. Natural face lift creams. Many products claim to be natural nowadays. Don’t let this statement fool you. A cream can be called truly natural only when it’s prepared at home (or at a salon) by using fresh ingredients, being used immediately after preparation (or stored in the refrigerator for maximum a few days). A product with a long shelf-life cannot be 100% natural – it contains preservatives that keep it from spoiling and prevent the growth of naturally occurring bacteria, viruses and fungi which inevitably appear in any product in a few hours/days after preparation.

These preservatives are not ‘natural’, of course – they’re chemical substances with pros and cons: on one hand, they protect your skin from infections; on the other, they affect the skin on the long run. Unfortunately, we can’t estimate how much our health is going to be affected on the long run by all the chemicals that we ingest/breathe in/apply on our skin on a daily basis (creams and lotions included).

This doesn’t mean, however, that natural face lift creams are not effective – it only means that a packaged product that contains chemical ingredients and preservatives cannot be 100% natural. On the other hand, these ‘natural’ creams can indeed contain useful extracts of various plants (like green tea) that can have a very good effect on the skin. When choosing a face lift cream based on natural ingredients, make sure that you’re not allergic to any components!

2. Face lift creams based on Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA).

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are usually derived from certain plants, fruit or milk. Here are the most commonly used AHAs: glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane); lactic acid (from milk); citric acid (from lemons and oranges); malic acid (from apples); and tartaric acid (from grapes). These acids are used in the cosmetic industry because of their exfoliating effect, being a key ingredient in AHA-based creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, foundations and peelings.

AHAs can penetrate the skin and remove the dead cells from the superficial layer of the epidermis, this way contributing to the regrowth of new cells. After several months of daily use, these products can visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, making the skin much smoother.

However, since high concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids cause sun sensitivity and irritation, being very damaging to the skin, it is recommended to use them in cosmetic products in concentrations of 5-8% and a pH of 3-4, in combination with a sunscreen product (or to have a sunscreen formula included).

3. Argireline face lift creams.

Many creams nowadays contain Argireline – an amino acid also called acetyl hexapeptide-3. Many studies have proven that peptides have the ability of healing wounds and restoring the tissues to their normal state. That’s why peptides (including Argireline) have begun to be used in the cosmetic field as well, especially in rejuvenating products such as face lift creams.

If used for more than four weeks, Argireline can also reduce muscle contractions – process that has a smoothing effect on the skin. However, this effect lasts only for the duration of the treatment. When you stop using the product, the wrinkles will reappear.

Argireline creams are considered a safer alternative to products containing alpha hydroxide acids. Instead of removing the superficial skin layer like AHA creams do, Argireline creams simply relax the facial nerves and muscles, thus making the skin look smoother and less wrinkled.

Manufacturers claim that Argireline-based products can penetrate the skin and treat the underlying muscles – similar to the action of Botox injections. However, many specialists disagree with this statement, proving that topical creams and lotions cannot reach and relax the muscles the way injections do.

4. Hyaluronic acid (HA) face lift creams.

What is hyaluronic acid and why is it used in facial creams? According to specialists, this acid is naturally present in our bodies, being found in all kinds of connective tissues – under the deep layers of the skin (keeping it plump and smooth), in the joints, in the eyes and even in nervous tissues. Hyaluronic acid has various medical applications – treating joint disorders, eye conditions and accelerating wound healing. HA also has the ability of moisturizing the epidermis from the inside, also minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.

In the cosmetic field, HA is used in two kinds of anti-aging products: topical anti wrinkle creams and health supplements that have an internal action, restoring moisture and elasticity to the deep layers of the skin.

6. Stem cell face lift creams.

Many people are discussing online the recent appearance of a face lift cream that uses stem cells as its main ingredient. As you probably know, the stem cell face lift has been practiced for several years in cosmetic clinics. It is an injectable non-surgical rejuvenating treatment which is meant to replace the fullness and elasticity of the facial skin. The stem cells, which have the potential to recreate and repair all types of tissues present in the human body. are extracted from the patient’s own fat. This revolutionary treatment is still in its research phase and its safety and effectiveness have not been totally confirmed yet.

The injections work by delivering the stem cells directly to the deep layers of the epidermis, this way smoothing the skin and filling the wrinkles. Even if the ‘stem cells’ themselves fail in their ‘repairing mission’, they still act as a dermal filler with visible face lifting results.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to believe that topical creams can have the same effects. Applying the stem cells to the surface of the skin can hardly make them penetrate to the deep tissues – where they can really make a difference.

Another aspect that is confusing both specialists and home consumers is the provenience of these stem cells: in the injectable treatment, these cells are extracted from the fat of the patient. However, if you buy a topical face lift cream in a drug store or a supermarket, then where are the ‘stem cells’ coming from?

I also came across the presumption that these creams work not by delivering stem cells to the skin, but by activating the stem cells already present in the skin. Even if this scenario sounds more realistic, it is still in the field of science-fiction, as many experts agree.

The same can be said about all types of creams that promise results which are similar to those of Botox injections. Anytime you’re considering buying such a cream, remember that neurotoxins (and other powerful muscle relaxing substances) need to be delivered directly to the muscle in order to work.

7. Instant face lift creams.

This type of face lift creams (also called face lift in a jar or face lift in a bottle) are totally different from the creams described above: instead of having a gradual rejuvenating effect by slowly changing the structure of the skin, the instant creams (also called smoothing serums) are simply applied as a mask which tightens the skin in the drying process, making it look smoother and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Once the product is washed off, the wrinkles will reappear.

These face lift creams and serums are considered really effective, but, as I already said, they only hide your wrinkles and sagging skin for several hours. For more information on this topic, read my previous post on instant face lift.

As a conclusion, I will say that anti wrinkle creams are undoubtedly a useful cosmetic product that has to be present on any woman’s shelf. The earlier you start using them (especially moisturizers and sunscreens), the better will be their effect in time. When we talk about face lift creams, prevention is the key: it’s easier to reduce fine lines when you’re still in your twenties and thirties than to start using anti-aging products when your wrinkles are too deep and very difficult to remove. In such cases, complex rejuvenating procedures are more appropriate.

And don’t forget – a face lift without surgery starts with your daily routine: drink enough water, eat only natural products, exercise, spend more time outdoors and keep positive!