Before & After. Not exactly clinical, but you get the idea. I'm makeup-free in both (except for mascara)

When my friends used to warn me that my skin would change after I hit 30, I never really believed them. Unfortunately, after a year of relishing the big 3-0, I am beginning to witness what they meant.

Fine lines are creeping across my forehead, deep lines are settling between my eyebrows and overall, I can see the fullness beginning to give way. I realized that it was time for me to get a little more serious about anti aging skin care.

So, I decided to start with the easiest way—an anti-aging moisturizer. I first saw Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream in a beauty magazine. I decided to do more research and was enticed by its clinical claims: Reduces wrinkle depth by 78%! Increases hydration by 45%! Transforms the complexion in two weeks! Needless to say, I was sold.

I have been using the antiwrinkle cream daily for two weeks and I have to admit I like what I see. It hasn’t been long enough yet to notice a dramatic improvement in my facial wrinkles (I’ll write again in a few months for an update on that), but I am seeing some reduction in my fine lines and a definite improvement in my overall skin health.

First, it’s a very good moisturizer. Even with my oily skin, this skin care cream goes on light and absorbs quickly, leaving just enough moistness to keep my skin supple all day long. I credit this to the natural moisturizers shea butter, jojoba seed oil and wheat germ oil.

Second, my skin is looking fuller. It’s almost as if I can feel it plumping. It’s not a tingling or stinging (like some harsher treatments) but a slight sensation that’s just enough for me to notice it’s working. This is probably a result of the ginkgo biloba and chlorella vulgaris (a marine extract), which are known for increasing circulation in the skin.

Third, my complexion looks and feels better. I don’t know how to exactly describe it. My skin actually looks healthier. It’s smoother and clearer. Plus, I feel good knowing this is an antioxidant moisturizer, which means it’s preventing more wrinkles while it’s working on the ones I already have.

To top it all off, it smells good. It has a light fragrance, a sweet floral that doesn’t linger, but is just enough to make it enjoyable when you’re applying it. Oh, and a little goes a long way, which when you’re using a $124 skin cream makes the price tag definitely more bearable.

I’ve only been using this wrinkle treatment once a day, alternating between morning and night, depending on what other products I’m using. I’ve noticed it works either way. It does a good job at providing all day or all night moisture. I’m going to up my usage to twice a day to see if I will see a more noticeable improvement in my wrinkles.

Still, the real key to results will not necessarily be how often I use it, but how long I stick with it. Here’s to making healthy skin a habit!