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There are hundreds of thousands of creams on the market that promise consumers everlastingly youthful looks.  But do they really make a difference? Previously, there's been little scientific evidence to back their effectiveness against crow's feet or frown lines.  However, researchers from the University of Reading claim that that an ingredient used in some anti-wrinkle creams really does turn back time.  Apparently, this "miracle chemical" produces clear anti-aging results by doubling the amount of protein collagen produced by the skin.

Collagen is a naturally occurring skin-repairing protein that gives the skin it's firmness, and elasticity. The amount of collagen produced by the body decreases as people age. Researchers said that the protein has become an essential ingredient in many anti-aging creams that claim to erase wrinkles and restore youthful skin.

While many beauty products claim to stimulate the production of collagen to revitalize the skin, others contain collagen in the cream itself.  However, because of the fierce competition in the cosmetic industry, researchers say evidence of the effectiveness of ingredients use in skincare products, particularly those that claim to contain "miracle" compounds that turn back time, is hard to find.

A number of past studies have also revealed that pricey collagen-containing skincare products don't deliver what they promise. In 2011, researchers at the University of Bath found that the collagen molecules in many expensive creams are too large to soak into the skin. Therefore, the collagen molecules just sit on the surface of the skin until they are rubbed off or washed away.

Recently, a team of researchers at the University of Reading tested the effectiveness of a peptide called MatrixylTM on collagen.  And to their surprise, they found that when the concentrations were high enough, MatrixylTM triggered human skin cells to produce almost double the amount of collagen.

"Studies like this are very important for the consumer as cosmetic companies rarely publish their work so rivals can't copy their products," Professor Ian Hamley, from the University of Reading's Department of Chemistry, said in a statement, adding that the latest finding "shows that products with MatrixylTM will have skin-care benefits."

According to Daily Mail, products that contain MatrixylTM include some L'Oreal and Skindoctor skincare creams.

Hamley said that besides anti-wrinkle and anti-aging creams, collagen-based materials could also be used to treat wound and enhance stem cell and artificial tissue research

"Collagen-based materials have immense potential in tissue engineering," Hamley concluded.

The findings are published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.