Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As we get older, our body produces less collagen and elastin which makes our skin sag and become less elastic.

Although the formation of wrinkles has a genetic component, you may actually be accelerating the aging process with bad habits. This means that you can actually do something to prevent face wrinkles and body wrinkles. Here's a list of habits you should change followed by the ingredients you should look for in wrinkle creams.

Stay Young with a Few Lifestyle Changes

Smoking, sunbathing and excessive alcohol consumption are all known to accelerate the aging process. The basic idea is to moderate these habits so that you can reduce the risk of premature aging.

Smoking causes severe skin damage. Not only does it lead to skin wrinkles (all over your body) it also accentuates eye wrinkles due to the toxins present in cigarette smoke. Not to mention that when you smoke you produce specific facial expressions that also contribute to the formation of crow's feet.

Sunbathing is another bad habit that is responsible for skin wrinkles as well as age spots and dry, leathery skin. When staying out in the sun for prolonged periods of time you should use sunscreen and protective clothing. This will help minimize the possible effects of the sun.

Alcohol should be avoided because it causes severe dehydration and may lead to aged skin. It is important to moderate your intake and to increase your consumption of pure water. These basic steps will help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

To provide your skin with extra protection, use anti-aging or wrinkles cream. This step should begin when you're in your late 20s, early 30s. Remember that it is easier to prevent aging problems than treating them.

Here's a list of a handful of ingredients that should be in your anti aging cream. You should find one or more in any given product:

*coenzyme Q-10 *hyaluronic acid *alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) *copper peptides

Coenzyme Q-10 has become very popular in anti aging products. It helps make skin smoother and promote skin growth.

Hyaluronic acid's water holding capacity has clinically proven to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, it has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Alpha-hydroxy acids are one of the few anti aging ingredients that has proven its true effectiveness. This ingredient is added to products because it helps promote exfoliation, stimulate skin repair, increase skin thickness and increase collagen production. Glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and citric acid are all AHAs.

Recent studies have shown that copper peptides are beneficial in the healing process. They help stimulate collagen production and make skin firm again.