An antiwrinkle cream that actually works?

I use google alerts to get up to date stories and data relevant to the 50+'s and at least half of all the alerts are about anti-wrinkle creams of some kind or another. So what might make this story different. A new pill has beeen developed by food giant Nestlé and L’Oréal, the world’s biggest cosmetics company. It uses a compound found in tomatoes to promote the regeneration of new skin cells and protect old ones from damage.

Known as Innéov Fermeté, it is claimed that taking one of these pills just once a day will lead to a younger appearance by harnessing the health-giving properties of tomatoes.

Scientists who designed the pill claim that trials have shown it dramatically slows down the ageing of the skin.It is already on sale in parts of Europe and South America.

A British launch is planned, although the companies remain tight-lipped about the exact date. Before this can happen, teams of skincare consultants will have to be trained to help customers with advice on taking the pill.

Scientists developing the pill based it on lycopene, the red carotene pigment found in tomatoes. They modified it into a form more readily absorbed by human cells, then combined it with a form of vitamin C and with isoflavones — chemicals extracted from soya beans.

All three ingredients are powerful antioxidants which, scientists believe, help protect tissue against damage.

The developers have tested their wrinkle drug with two groups of female volunteers: 90 post-menopausal women aged 51-69 and 70 others with an average age of 45.

In each study, the women were divided into those who took the new pill and those who swallowed a placebo.

After six months, the skin of those taking the real drug showed an 8.7 per cent better rate of elasticity — the rate at which it sprang back into place after being stretched or twisted rather than leaving wrinkles.

One drawback, however, is the cost. The new drug will cost about £25 for a 10-day supply. In addition, manufacturers say women may not notice a difference for three months.

Maybe I should offer to be a tester!