Collagen creams. Collagen may be the ‘wonder’ ingredient in the cosmetic world’s coffers but it does not appear to do much for the skin.
Advertisements implying anything to the contrary are misleading. Collagen is a protein substance found in the connective tissue, cartilage, and bone of the body. While it is true that changes in collagen fibres contribute to wrinkles and the appearance of ageing skin, adding collagen to a cosmetic will not affect the collagen in the skin, nor in any way reverse the changes that have taken place.
Hormone creams. It has been claimed that hormone creams containing the female hormone oestrogen may cause thickening of the thinner skin of the elderly person. While such creams can be absorbed by the skin, there is however, no evidence of such thickening effects on facial skin. Nor is there any evidence that the addition of hormones will make skin creams more effective in relieving dryness. Indeed, there is no evidence to indicate that the thinner, less hydra ted dermis or subcutaneous fat layer of the elderly has any capacity to become thicker or more hydra ted with the addition of topical hormones. Furthermore, excessive use of such preparations may have harmful internal effects and therefore should be avoided.
Medicated creams. The practice of incorporating antibacterial agents into soap, cosmetics, and other toilet preparations has increased markedly in recent years. These medicated’ preparations in fact have the effect of limiting bacterial contamination of the product rather than of the user. Furthermore their potential harm often outweighs their benefits. People can become allergic to these anti-bacterials, and thereby allergic to many other commonly used products containing the same ingredients. As a result some of these people may develop a sensitivity to chemically related compounds, which is in itself a considerable disability.
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