Instant facelifts! Slimmer necklines! If you’re up late, and in the market for the fountain of youth, infomercials about anti-aging 'miracles' can be downright hypnotizing. While the words ‘paid spokesperson’ should snap you out of the spell, those before and after photos are pretty convincing. They're cheaper than Botox, yes, but do as-seen-on-TV products work as well? Here’s a look at some of small-screen anti-aging stars and their off-screen reputations.
Product: Neckline Slimmer
Price: $20
Targets: waddle
How it works: It's basically a pogo stick for your neck muscles, the jaw workout comes with three different taut springs and an "accelerator" cream.
The good: ConsumerSearch writer Sage McHugh points to at least one happy customer, who used the product for 30 days and noticed a definite difference.
The bad: A running list of online complaints about results, hidden charges and the occasional jaw pain hover around the product. And according to Consumer Reports' ShopSmart research, the science behind the device is baseless. "[It] mainly exercises neck-flexor muscles that have nothing to do with a heavy neck or a double chin...and are not correctable with exercise."
The verdict: Don’t expect miracles, in fact, don't expect much.
Product: Frownies Facial pads
Price: $19.95
Targets: deep forehead wrinkles and crow's feet
How it works: Stick-on pads “re-educate” your facial muscles by molding your skin into smoother shape overnight.
The good: They work! According to Jessica Wu, a cosmetic dermatologist who tested the product for Harper’s Bazaar. “They keep your facial muscles from contracting and lines from becoming deeper,” she explained.
Other beauty hounds that put them to the test had similar results.
The bad: One online review warns of the lack of scientific evidence and the possibility of the adhesive gel affecting sensitive skin.
The verdict: For $20, it's definitely worth a try.
Product: DermaSilk 5 Minute Facelift
Price: $40
Targets: Fine lines and wrinkles
How it works: A special ingredient called Helix Aspersa secretions takes most of the credit for this product's effectiveness. For those who don't know, it's snail slime. “The skin renewal substance gathered from the secretions of the Helix Aspersa – an element the snail itself uses to quickly regenerate its own shell and skin when damaged… is now available to give skin a more dewy texture,” according to the product's 2007 press release.The good: In Consumer Reports' 2010 test of anti-aging serums, this one came out on top.
The bad: The product’s effectiveness was still considered “slight” when put to the test by the magazine's participants. Overall, all of the serums they tested “made little difference on average in the skin's appearance.”
The gross: Reminder—contains snail slime.
The verdict: Cheaper than a facelift, but also not as effective.
Product: Ageless Sleep Pillow
Price: $70
Target: Cheek wrinkles and crow's feet
How it works: Cradles your head so you don’t get pillow imprints or crinkled skin. It also positions your body in a way that keeps your airways opened which may mean better sleep, which always improves skin appearance.
The good: It's natural, and definitely won't do you any harm. And if it helps you sleep better, your overall appearance will improve.Dermatologist Dr. Katie Rodan recommends the cradle-design to improve skin, backing up the claim that standard pillows speed up the aging process. "I can usually tell what side a patient sleeps on when I look at her face," she revealed to Marie-Claire. "The wrinkles will be more compressed, and they might have an unnatural line next to their nose from the pressure."
The bad: The shape of the pillow might take getting used to, or make it hard at first to fall asleep.
The verdict: It’s expensive for a pillow but the 30-day money back guarantee makes it worth trying out.
Product: GeneSphere Anti-wrinkle Formula
Price: $34.95 plus delivery
Target: facial wrinkles
How it works: Their patented "microsomes" are designed to hydrate the skin by absorbing the body's own moisture.
The good: “It's active ingredient is hyaluronic acid which is just going to hydrate the skin. That may give the appearance of less fine lines,” says Dr. Erica Kelly, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at University of Texas.
The bad: Dr. Kelly also notes the results of that active ingredient are only temporary.
The Verdict: Pricey for short-term results
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Price: $20
Targets: waddle
How it works: It's basically a pogo stick for your neck muscles, the jaw workout comes with three different taut springs and an "accelerator" cream.
The good: ConsumerSearch writer Sage McHugh points to at least one happy customer, who used the product for 30 days and noticed a definite difference.
The bad: A running list of online complaints about results, hidden charges and the occasional jaw pain hover around the product. And according to Consumer Reports' ShopSmart research, the science behind the device is baseless. "[It] mainly exercises neck-flexor muscles that have nothing to do with a heavy neck or a double chin...and are not correctable with exercise."
The verdict: Don’t expect miracles, in fact, don't expect much.
Price: $19.95
Targets: deep forehead wrinkles and crow's feet
How it works: Stick-on pads “re-educate” your facial muscles by molding your skin into smoother shape overnight.
The good: They work! According to Jessica Wu, a cosmetic dermatologist who tested the product for Harper’s Bazaar. “They keep your facial muscles from contracting and lines from becoming deeper,” she explained.
Other beauty hounds that put them to the test had similar results.
The bad: One online review warns of the lack of scientific evidence and the possibility of the adhesive gel affecting sensitive skin.
The verdict: For $20, it's definitely worth a try.
Price: $40
Targets: Fine lines and wrinkles
How it works: A special ingredient called Helix Aspersa secretions takes most of the credit for this product's effectiveness. For those who don't know, it's snail slime. “The skin renewal substance gathered from the secretions of the Helix Aspersa – an element the snail itself uses to quickly regenerate its own shell and skin when damaged… is now available to give skin a more dewy texture,” according to the product's 2007 press release.The good: In Consumer Reports' 2010 test of anti-aging serums, this one came out on top.
The bad: The product’s effectiveness was still considered “slight” when put to the test by the magazine's participants. Overall, all of the serums they tested “made little difference on average in the skin's appearance.”
The gross: Reminder—contains snail slime.
The verdict: Cheaper than a facelift, but also not as effective.
Price: $70
Target: Cheek wrinkles and crow's feet
How it works: Cradles your head so you don’t get pillow imprints or crinkled skin. It also positions your body in a way that keeps your airways opened which may mean better sleep, which always improves skin appearance.
The good: It's natural, and definitely won't do you any harm. And if it helps you sleep better, your overall appearance will improve.Dermatologist Dr. Katie Rodan recommends the cradle-design to improve skin, backing up the claim that standard pillows speed up the aging process. "I can usually tell what side a patient sleeps on when I look at her face," she revealed to Marie-Claire. "The wrinkles will be more compressed, and they might have an unnatural line next to their nose from the pressure."
The bad: The shape of the pillow might take getting used to, or make it hard at first to fall asleep.
The verdict: It’s expensive for a pillow but the 30-day money back guarantee makes it worth trying out.
Price: $34.95 plus delivery
Target: facial wrinkles
How it works: Their patented "microsomes" are designed to hydrate the skin by absorbing the body's own moisture.
The good: “It's active ingredient is hyaluronic acid which is just going to hydrate the skin. That may give the appearance of less fine lines,” says Dr. Erica Kelly, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at University of Texas.
The bad: Dr. Kelly also notes the results of that active ingredient are only temporary.
The Verdict: Pricey for short-term results
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