Creams, Potions and Cat Poo

Dear Dr. Rivkin,

I have a questions and hope that you find the time for a reply.

1) Do creams, tonics, lotion and so on really make younger or prevent aging?
2) If some of that works, what does?
3) Are there any real results or is it marketing and our hopes that they work?
4) And... do face exercises make a face look younger or prevent or slow aging or do these exercises rather cause wrinkles?

What is your take on this?



hi,
your question is a good one.
i think that if you put cat poo in a box, put a ribbon on it, sell it at sephora and price it at $250, it will fly off the shelves.
yes, some topical creams certainly help. first and foremost is sunblock. moisturizer is second on the list daily use of these two will go a long way toward keeping your skin healthy and looking good. a good cleanser that is not too harsh (i think that IS clinical and skinceuticals make good cleansers and moisturizers) is good. at night, a retin-a cream is an excellent way of keeping the skin cells active and fresh. also, a vitamin c or prevage like antioxidant is good. much of the rest of this "growth factor" and salmon oil and nanotechnology creams are hype, in my opinion.

i think that most face exercises cause wrinkles. i have seen a couple of people that do specialized ones that seem to have firmed up their jawline, but i am very skeptical.