London - It is news that will put a smile on the face of plenty of women of a certain age – and stop them worrying about the lines it may leave.
Anti-ageing creams really do work, scientists claim.
Experiments have found that an ingredient in anti-wrinkle creams does have the power to turn back the hands of time.
The secret weapon, Matrixyl, almost doubles the production of collagen, the anti-wrinkle protein that keeps skin looking plump and youthful.
Even better, the ingredient is found in face creams made by high street brands such as Olay, with prices starting at just over £8 (about R100) for a large tub.
Chemist Ian Hamley, who is researching the use of collagen in wound healing, looked at the effect of Matrixyl on sheets of skin cells in a dish.
His research, published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, found that when concentrations were high enough, the chemical hugely boosted the amount of collagen made.
The Reading University professor said: “Our research shows that products with Matrixyl will have skincare benefits. Studies like this are very important for the consumer, as cosmetic companies rarely publish their work so that rivals don’t copy their products.”
Matrixyl is found in Olay’s Regenerist range, as well as in creams made by less well-known brands such as St Ives and Skin Doctors.
Word is already out and some products have sold out online.
Previous research has questioned the benefits of creams that contain collagen, claiming it cannot penetrate the skin to get to work. However, Matrixyl – which is a peptide, or protein fragment – stimulates the collagen factories from within the skin.
Lisa Haynes, beauty editor at the Press Association, said: “Anti-ageing creams frequently boast about being packed full of peptides, but aren’t specific as to which one.
“Now the secret’s out and there’s some scientific evidence for its collagen-boosting properties, women will be rushing to find out if it’s in their anti-ageing potion.
“It’s likely that brands with products that do contain Matrixyl will start shouting about it too if the ‘miracle’ peptide becomes the new buzz word in beauty.”
Chief scientist at Olay, Dr Sian Morris, said the company’s “studies have shown consistently the abilities [of Matrixyl] to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve visible firmness and provide younger-looking skin”.
THESE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES
St Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturiser (£8.44 for 296 ml)
L’Oreal Collagen Filler (£10.99 for 30ml)
Olay Regenerist Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream (£15.32 for 50ml)
Skin Doctors Cosmeceuticals 2600 Retanew – Retinol Wrinkle Reduction (£25.56 for 50ml)
Tranquillity Skincare Youth Re-Surge Anti Wrinkle Cream (£30 for 30ml). - Daily Mail