Anti-wrinkle creams are becoming household names among older women (and a few men) and are beginning to litter bathroom counters and medicine cabinets everywhere. Anti-wrinkle creams are not medical treatments, so they may not all be regulated by the FDA. This is where you need to step in- know the risks and side effects of any and all products before you begin to use them. You can do a simple search on Google.com to find out.

This is not to say that topical creams are not safe to use, just that you may not know exactly what you are putting onto your face every night. Formulas and creams generally have a list of several ingredients, and the average person does not know what many of them are, or even how to say a few of them! So, what is really in a face cream, and what are the risks associated with them?

Take Coenzyme Q10 for instance- this particular substance is naturally created within our body, but when applied topically, there may be a chance of side effects- including but not limited to: dizziness, nausea, diarrhea or even gastrointestinal issues. There is another supplement called HGH (human growth hormone), which is said to provide amazing results in a variety of areas, from facial creams to weight lose, but this also comes with a background of side effects: high blood-pressure, joint pain, or a higher risk of diabetes in those who have a family history. HGH was initially formulated to be used in shorter stints, but its uses have been increased thru some anti-wrinkle treatments.

Side effects are not definite, but they are something that you should know and consider. They are listed everywhere and on everything, from skin care products, to medications to food products. Think about it: have you ever been to a fast food restaurant, such as McDonalds? Ok, now remember the last time that you actually sat down to eat instead of rushing out. I’m not sure if you noticed, but on your tray, underneath your meal, was a thin tray liner. On that tray liner (or on the back) was a list of food items and the nutritional information for each one. The nutritional chart displayed something like this:

• Calories- 169
• Fat- 85g
• Sodium- 324mg
• And so on..

Do you get where I am going with this? Within the nutritional chart was a hidden list of side effects. The calories were high, the fat content was high, and I’m sure that the sodium (salt) content was off of the radar! These are the nicer names for the side effects of ‘high cholesterol’, ‘high blood-pressure’ or ‘diabetes’ all rolled into one. Not saying that the next combo meal you buy will immediately clog your arteries, but hopefully you get what I am saying. Basically, there may be a possibility of damage or other problems happening from use of an anti-wrinkle cream if the user has not been careful in reviewing her options before purchase. Studies have shown skin bleaching, rashes and mild redness to occur in some people who did not even know they were allergic to any of the ingredients in their creams.

Another issue arose from those who mixed their anti-wrinkle products together. This could have easily been avoided by simply reading the instructions stamped onto the packaging before usage. Most side effect issues occur with people who are mixing their products, or with those who are over-using their face creams. Be careful not to do either of these; mixing or over-usage may actually speed the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

It is best to be patient and simply follow the given instructions on the product’s label. Speaking with your trusted healthcare provider before self-administering any topical treatments will better help you understand the risks associated, and will help you in knowing what to do if you run into any problems. In case of discomforts or irritation, immediately discontinue the use of any product and call your doctor. By doing your research and being patient, you will ensure your safety and less time wasted as you reap the benefits of turning back time.

Made famous by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, the use and application of makeup to become more youthful and beautiful has been a major staple among women around the world. Mixed with medicinal beliefs, anti-aging and skin-tightening methods became the norm- beauty creators had to manufacture products worthy of keeping their consumers attention. Ingredients started to become more exotic and rare, claiming ‘fountain-of-youth’ benefits.

While many old-fashioned beauty rituals are no longer practiced, such as henna being brushed across the cheeks for a redish-toned blush in the Victorian Era- makeup and facial creams are still around and as popular as ever. Millions of women are shelling out hundreds of dollars at a time for these products. ‘Luxury’ face creams are so in demand today that a few of them even cost more than cosmetic surgeries! I’m sure that you have seen several commercials or magazine advertisements broadcasting some form of specially bioengineered formula, containing plant extracts or ultra-rare ingredients promising to lift-and-tuck your face. In this article, we will examine a few of the most shockingly exotic (and somewhat expensive) facial creams on the market and whether or not they are worthy to be praised.

Uguisu No Fun

Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Well, this Japanese-inspired face cream was derived from creams originally used by geisha girls and Kabuki actors decades ago in Japan. This treatment has now become a renowned spa method and exfoliant. What makes this cream so interesting? Nightingale poop, of course! Before you get all grossed out, let me further explain. Nightingale bird-dropping were used to remove makeup and to help brighten and retexturize the face. The hidden qualities of Guanine in the droppings were said to give the skin a ‘pearly luster’.

Uguisu No Fun may not sound too friendly at first, and it can get pretty costly; but its effects are sworn to by many spas around the world. These facials can run up to $200 or more for a 60-minute session, but you can find this product online for around $40 if you’d like a more at-home environment.

TNS Recovery Complex

The Tissue Nutrient Skin Recovery Complex happens to be one of the more expensive items on our list. Scaling a price tag of around $250, the TNS Recovery Complex has been recommended by Oprah Winfrey as a very effective cosmetic.

You may or may not be aware of this, but the TNS cream has been rumored to include human foreskin as one of its main ingredients! Do I have your attention yet? In all actuality, this cream’s story is a little more detailed: let me introduce NouriCel-MD (a variety of proteins and collagen formulated to activate select cellular activity. This concoction is thought to produce anti-aging properties; the excitement comes from the fact that this mixture can be cultivated from human derivatives like foreskin, human skin, or placentas.

This is not to say that the TNS cream does actually contain any human foreskin, though it may have an ingredient or two that could have been extracted from fibroblast cells from human foreskin.

La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare

This facial cream is by far the most expensive and extravagant one I have discovered to date. Platinum is a rare and exponentially valuable metal; greater than that of gold. Running at $1,000 for 50ml worth, the creators claim that the precious metal is able to fuse with the skin. Their motto is that “It recharges the skin’s electrical balance, which improves its absorption of beneficial nutrients. (The cream is) designed to enhance your skin’s natural beauty, preserve its texture and tone, and restore its radiant glow”.

These facial creams definitely give you something to think about, now don’t they? Do they really work the miracles of which they represent? Are they worth the price scales? Now those seem to be a few ‘grand’ questions worth asking. One of the new popular product on the market is called Perfect Radiance. Many websites have been raving about the results it has been getting.