Report says all eye creams are created equal regardless of price

As a 50-something female, I'll admit to having been lured by the siren call of wrinkle creams for years. Apparently, I'm not alone in wanting the claim of "brighter, younger-looking eyes" to be true. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on wrinkle removers.

Anyhow, I was interested in the findings of tests conducted by Consumer Reports magazine about the effectiveness of 16 different over-the-counter eye creams. Ten of these creams are sold in the U.S. and six are European products, bought online and range in price from $20 to $95.

The participants in the study included 94 women and 13 men who were each asked to use two creams, one on each side of the face around the eyes, morning and night for six weeks and fill out questionnaires. The package labels were covered.

High-resolution digital photographs of each person's eye area were taken before the test, one hour after the first application and again after the six weeks of use were completed. Then trained sensory testers evaluated the before and after shots without knowing what wrinkle creams had been used.

Results varied. I was surprised to learn that a moisturizer with no anti-wrinkle claims that was used as a control, reduced wrinkles about as well as several high-rated creams did.

The tests showed that several of these wrinkle creams are worth trying. I was particularly pleased that a couple of my favorite brands, L'Oreal and Olay, made the grade. Still as anyone fighting the battle against saggy skin will attest, no product, however effective, is going to make you look like you're 19 again.

What were the rest of the brands tried, you ask? You have to subscribe to Consumer Reports online or buy the October 2009 issue to find out. I got a copy of the magazine and here's the list of the "slightly more effective" products, the ones that were found to smooth wrinkles somewhat better than the rest. The operative word here is "slightly."

L'Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Revitalift Double Lifting Eye, $41.34

Nivea Visage Anti-Rides Q10 Plus, $33.84

Dr. Brandt Lineless, $60

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Booster Eye Transforming Cream, $20