Popular Anti-Aging Products Not Worth the Money

Many beauty and skin products become popular based on the promise of results that achieve the impossible: preventing us from growing old. Though aging is a common fear shared by most, it is something that no amount of money can realistically buy.

However, anti-aging products still manage to profit from these empty promises for some reason. So, before you buy the next overpriced “miracle” product, you should be aware of the limitations of these types of products, as well as recognize when they are overselling their abilities.

Here are some of the most popular (and expensive) anti-aging products that are all marketing and no substance.

StriVectin Potent Wrinkle Reducing Treatment ($99)

Cosmetics, including makeup and non-prescription wrinkle creams, are not reviewed for effectiveness by the FDA like approved drugs are. Therefore, it is illegal for these types of products to make claims that involve changing the structure or function of your skin. In recent years, several skincare companies (including Avon and Lancome) have received warning letters for making these types of claims about some of their anti-aging products. One of the most recent warnings was sent to StriVectin for products such as this one. This product claims that it is “clinically proven to change the anatomy of a wrinkle,” which is a claim not allowed according to the FDA, unless it is a certified, prescription medication.

Chanel Precision Sublimage Essential Regenerating Cream ($350)

Chanel describes its Sublimage line as “the ultimate anti-aging skincare experience.” This expensive product claims to “intensely regenerate and deeply revitalize the complexion…restoring skin to its most youthful appearance for a captivating new radiance.” These claims didn’t hold up according to reviewers of the product, though. One reviewer says that this product is “expensive and sooo NOT worth the price,” while others say it is simply a “disappointment.” In one review the product is described as a “heavily perfumed cream with a waxy texture that failed to sink into my skin.”

Bremenn Research labs Hylexin Eye Cream ($95)

This product claims to eradicate and prevent dark circles under your eyes by using “hylexin to cause red-blue pigmentation of dark circles to fade” and “optimizing enzymatic activity.” However, customer reviews of this product say that it is a “terrible waste of money.” One reviewer points out: “We’ve all fallen for ‘too good to be true’ claims, and this is one of them.” Another says that she had to “break down and admit that I had spent a lot of money on an eye treatment that did absolutely nothing.” One reviewer even states that “there are far more effective products that aren’t nearly as expensive.”

Freeze Anti-Wrinkle Cream ($125)

On its website, this product is described as “A pre-moisturizing skincare treatment product that diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the facial area within minutes of application,” as well as “A natural alternative to Botox and other potentially harmful invasive procedures.” In the meantime, customers who purchased this product are saying that it had the opposite effect: “It made my eyes look more tired than usual and it seemed to dry out the skin around the eyes making the lines more evident.”