Sorry, but this is more junk science. A 6 week study? That's plain ridiculous. Cellular renewal on the face takes 3-5 months, so any 6 week study will only show the hydration properies of a product and NOT the restorative properties of any treatment cream.

Good products are expensive because of the years of research that goes into them, and the very high quality ingredients they have. Anybody who thinks petroleum jelly will work the same as a quality treatment cream are living in a dream world.

I worked in research for one of the best treatment lines in the world when I was just out of college. What I learned there changed the way I think about treatment lines forever. Some of the lines are expensive because they use expensive ingredients--but YOU have to do your homework. Any good treatment line does not rely on artificial ingredients and inexpensive products like animial fats to work.

This is my advice--if you have any money at all, spend it on your face. That's where it will do the most good and show the best results. Buy your expensive creams from a company that is ONLY in the skin treatment business, not a cosmetic line that decided to cash in on profits by making moisturizers. Do your homework--find out why these companies can exist with only a skin treatment line, and what exactly goes into their products that justify the high cost. If your skincare regime is made by a marketing or direct-sale company, throw it out. Buy the best products you can buy and use them sparingly so that they last at least a few months. The results will be worth it.

I am a Dr. Brandt product girl all the way. LOVE LOVE LOVE I have tried at least one product from pretty much every brand there is that is relatively known. The lowest marks from me goes to Philosophy's hope in a jar, although I give them high marks for their cleansers, and the Kinerase products that just made my skin hurt and made it so dry, even the lady shaping my eyebrows mentioned the condition of my skin at that time.

You are right, Sue. Shiseido started making skin care products in the 1890's. They are the best.

Until I was in my early 60s I used regular dial bar soap and baby lotion on my face. I am now close to 70 and my face has few wrinkles and my eye area has no wrinkles or lines. Finally I have changed to using a name brand product in hopes of keeping a young face.

I gave the Strivectin anti-wrinkle product line the full 6 months test and it was a huge disappointment. Not only does the product cost ten times more than other products, it actually caused discoloration of a minor scar I had on my forehead. It bleached the scar white so that it became more visible than it ever was. There is a similar product from CVS called Preventin-AT that works really well for reducing and flattening forehead wrinkles. That one is great. I also swear by Olay moisturizer. It is inexpensive. I've been using it since 1980. I'm 52, male, and people think I look like I'm in my early 30s. I used to get carded well into my 30s simply by using Olay every day around my eyes and face right after my morning shower and sometimes before bed. I swear Olay is the best deal around. Preventin-ATis a little more expensive, but I use that only specifically to target forehead wrinkles because it actually works best solely for that purpose. I have tried ALL of the most expensive ones. The majority are a really bad value for the price compared to the cheaper ones that actually work as well and often times with less grease and perfumes that can be irritating.

Hey, I'm 52 and have been using various products for over 30 years religiously. I have tried everything from Estee Lauder to Strivectin, to Collagen 5, and every other brand and gimmick on the market including Avon (which has some really good stuff.) First off, I KNOW from experience that what was said in this article is spot-on correct. Secondly, it is ridiculous to say it is too late after 50. That has got to be the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time. It's like saying it's too late to quit smoking. You CAN reverse aging damage to the skin using proper care at ANY AGE. As far as lab tests, etc., I found that one of the fancy ingredients in Strivectin is actually used in wood repair products! They are ALL tested in labs because it is required. And, they could all use the scientific names for any of their ingredients to make them sound more serious, but the bottom line is the skin needs hydration and most moisturizers accomplish that regarless of hyped up test results. Anything will show improvement under the microscope. It's how it works in the real world that matters. It's never too early and its never too late to moisturize and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. It is all marketing to dummies. "A fool and his money are soon parted," as they say.

I do not know how the new proactive products will work, but I know that when my son used the acne products, they worked extremely well. Maybe something cheaper would work as well on some people as well, but did not for him. Not everyone's skin is going to react the same way. I have loved Avon product's, Olay, and L'oreal. I am 58 and last week someone guessed my age at 42!! People that guess are usually closer than that, but always think I am younger. ONe of the best things to do is sun-protection. I did not get that as a youth and got many sunburns, and I am fair -hair and skin. It is Never too late