It seems to be almost cyclical - every few months, a brand new, game-changing anti-wrinkle cream is introduced to the market, only to face lawsuits due to suggestions that the "scientific" claims made on the side of the bottle are absolute bunk. CBS news tells the story of one such case involving a product made by Estee Lauder.

DNA rebuilding?
You may have heard about the company's Advanced Night Repair cream, because for $92, the formula is supposed to reduce signs of aging by repairing DNA, thanks to "innovative DNA technology," according to the news source.

However, a class-action lawsuit is saying that such claims are erroneous and could be misleading for consumers. Individuals who had used the cream spoke with the news source, and some said that the effects were either nonexistent or temporary.

At least one dermatologist isn't so skeptical. She says the cream may feature certain ingredients, such as peptides, retinols or enzyme inhibitors, that may help reduce DNA damage. The ingredient list for the product is secret, so there's no telling whether any of these substances are present within the cream.

However, she does concede that just because a product has a high price tag doesn't necessarily mean it's the best of the best.

"[Shoppers] can go into their drug store, into their mass market stores and they get excellent products for a lot less and get great results," she explained to the news source.

A smarter choice
Creams and lotions can help reduce wrinkles and skin blemishes, but do not need to prove their merit to be sold in stores. Unlike injections of Botox and fillers, which have to prove their safety and efficacy to the FDA, an "age-defying" cream could be nothing more than an expensive moisturizer. 

Injectable cosmetics can smooth fine or deep wrinkles and even plump up parts of the face that have become thin. Laser skin resurfacing can improve texture and help enlarged pores. Other treatments performed by a licensed aesthetician, like microdermabrasion or chemical peels, can treat blemishes such as sun spots and discoloration on the skin.