Anti-Aging Cream

Avon, Neutrogena get top marks

Reviewers point to Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift (*Est. $28 for 0.66 ounces) for fighting droopy eyes and sagging skin. It comes packaged with both brow bone/upper-eye gel (0.33 ounces) and under-eye cream (0.33 ounces). Experts concur that the emollient factor of the cream helps to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles, as do all good moisturizers. It contains mica and titanium dioxide, both of which reflect light and reduce the appearance of dark circles. The gel, on the other hand, is light and absorbs easily. Avon claims that it instantly tightens the skin and, over time, visibly improves sagging and drooping.

Paula Begoun, however, is skeptical. She says, "The gel is supposedly responsible for the lifting and tightening actions, yet it doesn't contain ingredients that have that effect." She also complains that the jar that Avon uses does not lend to the stability of the antioxidants it contains.

Furthermore, there are many good facial moisturizers with similar ingredients. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream (*Est. $13 for 1.4 ounces) , for example, is a facial moisturizer that contains several antioxidants. It is perfectly safe for the eye area and sells for about a quarter of the cost of Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift. It's also packaged, for stability, in a tube. Editors at Allure magazine claim that Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream softens existing fine lines and that it helps to delay the appearance of aging. Because of this, it has won a Best of Beauty award from Allure for six years and has been inducted into its Hall of Fame. Only 24 other beauty products currently hold that honor, none of which are a so-called "eye cream." Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream is also included in our companion report on facial moisturizers.

Neutrogena's active ingredient is retinol, which many experts recommend for the treatment of fine lines and crow's feet. Paula Begoun, on the other hand, recommends prescription-strength retinoids (which are available only with a dermatologist's prescription). She says that they improve the skin's collagen production and in turn create a "modest (but noticeable) decrease in the depth and appearance of wrinkles."

Experts agree that the best anti-aging remedy is prevention. Harmful UV rays contribute to the breakdown of collagen and lead to the wrinkling of skin. Products like Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Eye Cream SPF15 (*Est. $60 for 0.5 ounces) help to protect against harmful UV rays that cause sunburns and cancer. Unfortunately, this particular cream will not protect against UVA rays that contribute to premature aging. Dermatologists recommend products that offer broad-spectrum protection, containing ingredients such as avobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Mexoryl SX.

Products like Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion (*Est. *$17.50 for 2.5 ounces) and Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF 15 (*Est. $38 for 1.7 ounces) are well-formulated moisturizers that provide adequate broad-spectrum protection for the whole face. Their only downfall is that they use avobenzone, an effective but synthetic sunscreen ingredient that can irritate the eyes, according to editors at Cosmopolitan. They suggest choosing a cream that uses "physical ray repellers (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide)" instead.

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 (*Est. $12 for 1.7 ounces) is one such product. Experts say that it is a good, basic moisturizer without any fancy cutting edge ingredients. It does, however, offer broad-spectrum sunscreen protection for daytime use. It uses a gentler zinc oxide sunscreen, which is hard to find in either a facial moisturizer or an eye cream. Some users at MakeupAlley.com complain, though, that the moisturizer "balls up," making it difficult to apply makeup.