Skin damage can be hard to spot, until it's too late. Special instruments can help people see the damage better than the naked eye. But is there any way to undo what's already been done?
We spend millions trying everything from age defying creams to anti-aging products.
The smorgasbord of options now includes a growing number of anti-wrinkle face serums, which are thinner than creams and soak into the skin quickly.
Consumer Reports tested nine serums, including ones from Olay, Lancôme and Neutrogena. They cost anywhere from $20 to $65 and claim to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. One even promises a five-minute face-lift.
Using an instrument with a high-resolution digital camera, testers photographed 79 participants before the experiment, shortly after the first application, and again after six weeks -- longer than any of the tested serums say it takes to see visible results. Then the photos were evaluated for signs of improvement.
"None of the products we tested are the fountain of youth. Some did slightly reduce the appearance of wrinkles in some people, but the changes were very subtle," said Gayle Williams of Consumer Reports.
Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum -- ounce per ounce one of the most expensive serums tested -- was the least effective.
But if you're still interested in trying one, consider either the Dermasilk 5 Minute Face Lift, for $48 an ounce and available online, or the Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Serum, for $28.
Your best bet in the battle with wrinkles is to minimize skin damage in the first place by protecting your skin with sunscreen and moisturizing regularly.
With a report from CTV's British Columbia's Chris Olsen.
