Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As we age, our body produces less collagen and elastin. Due to this decrease, our skin begins to sag and becomes less elastic.

Although the formation of wrinkles has a genetic component, you may actually be accelerating the aging process with bad habits. This isn't so bad, because it also means that if you can do things to accelerate the process, you can also do things to prevent face wrinkles and body wrinkles. Here's a list of habits you should change followed by the ingredients you should look for in wrinkle creams.

Make a few Lifestyle Changes

Excessive alcohol consumption, sunbathing, and smoking are known to accelerate the aging process. The idea is to reduce the risk of premature aging by moderating solar exposure and alcohol consumption. As for smoking, you should try and eliminate it all together.

Smoking is probably one of the habits that causes the most amount damage to your skin. Not only does it lead to skin wrinkles that appear all over your body, but it also accentuates eye wrinkles due to the toxins present in cigarette smoke. Not to mention that when you smoke you produce specific facial expressions that also contribute to the formation of crow's feet.

Sunbathing is also responsible for skin wrinkles as well as age spots and dry, leathery skin. When staying out in the sun for prolonged periods of time you should use sunscreen and protective clothing. This will help minimize the possible effects of the sun.

Alcohol should be avoided because it causes severe dehydration and may lead to aged skin. It is important for your skin that you moderate your intake of alcohol and increase your consumption of pure water. These simple steps will help keep your body and skin hydrated.

Sometimes these precautionary measures aren't enough. In this case you can provide your skin with extra protection by using an anti-aging or wrinkles cream. This step should begin when you're in your late 20s, early 30s. Don't forget that it's always easier to prevent aging problems than to treat them.

Here's a list of some of the most important ingredients that should be in your anti aging cream. You may find one or more in any given product:

*coenzyme Q-10 *hyaluronic acid *alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) *copper peptides

Coenzyme Q-10 has quickly become a popular addition to anti aging products. It helps make skin smoother and promote skin growth.

Hyaluronic acid's water holding capacity has clinically proven to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. As a matter of fact, iIt has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are one of the few anti aging ingredients that have proven their effectiveness. This ingredient is commonly added to anti aging products because it can help stimulate skin repair, increase skin thickness, promote exfoliation, and increase collagen production. Glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid are all AHAs.

Among several recently studied ingredients, copper peptides have been proven beneficial in the healing process. They can also stimulate collagen production and have firming qualities.