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Recently, I was putting on mascara and noticed that when I scrunched my forehead in order to focus, a small line was left there after my face relaxed. This was a new development, a sign that my frontal lobe had fully closed and that I had lived enough life to make a repetitive face that left a mark. In other words, I had a wrinkle. Wrinkles are part of life, a result of the natural aging process. As dermatologist Noelani Gonzalez, a specialist at Mount Sinai Health System, explains, “As we get older, our skin gets thinner and produces less collagen and elastin — which means it doesn’t repair itself as well and isn’t as plump or moist, which in turn causes our expression lines and wrinkles to stick around.” One way to address this is through a wrinkle cream. Unlike regular moisturizers, these tend to be richer and more nourishing and contain actives like retinol or AHAs, to aid in exfoliation, or peptides, to encourage collagen production.
To find the best creams for preventing and treating fine lines and wrinkles, I spoke to Gonzalez and seven other dermatologists and slathered on a few myself. Read on to find out what to look for in a wrinkle cream, or use the links below to jump straight to our experts’ picks.
Update on December 13, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Retinol
When it comes to fighting wrinkles, retinol is the gold standard. Morgan Rabach, a dermatologist at LM Medical NYC, says this derivative of vitamin A is the “No. 1 most important ingredient when looking for an anti-aging cream.” Dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum agrees, calling it one of the hardest-working products in your beauty arsenal for treating aging skin. That’s because retinol can help increase cellular turnover and encourage the formation of new skin as well as the production of collagen and elastin, all of which help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, according to Nussbaum. It helps fade discoloration, improve the appearance of pores, and repair UV damage. It can also be used to treat acne, so if you have acne-prone skin, choosing a wrinkle cream with retinol may help you manage two concerns at once. Retinol is not without drawbacks, however: It makes skin more sensitive to sunlight and tends to have an adjustment period marked by peeling, flaking skin. Still, the benefits usually outweigh the negatives. We’ve noted when a wrinkle cream’s formula includes retinol, as you shouldn’t double up if you’re already using a prescription retinoid. You should avoid retinol entirely if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Other active ingredients
Besides retinol, additional active ingredients can help with smoothing wrinkles. These include peptides, which dermatologist Karan Lal calls a powerhouse ingredient. Peptides, explains Lal, are bunches of amino acids that cluster together and serve as building blocks for proteins like elastin and collagen. “They help the skin heal, which is important for skin as it ages. Peptides help to restore some integrity to the skin,” Lal says. Other notable actives include vitamin C — a powerful antioxidant that helps with brightening and fighting free radicals, which break down skin cells and can cause wrinkles. Vitamin C can also help protect skin from sun damage, another leading cause of wrinkles. Chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy acids can also help; common AHAs include lactic and glycolic acids, both of which are popular wrinkle-reducing ingredients. These remove dead skin cells and prepare skin to better absorb other products, like moisturizers.
Size
Because wrinkle creams tend to be very pricey, the amount of cream in the jar or tube is important too. We’ve factored in how much you’re getting — and, by extension, the cost per ounce — so you can decide which creams might give you the best bang for your buck.
Best wrinkle cream overall
Retinol: Includes retinol | Other actives: lactic acid, antioxidants | Size: 1 ounce bottle ($130/ounce)
Skinbetter’s hero ingredient is retinol, the gold-star anti-aging ingredient. In this formulation, retinol is combined with lactic acid, which minimizes irritation while still delivering the benefits of both. “With this, you get the brightening effects of lactic acid in addition to the anti-aging effect of retinol,” says dermatologist Samer Jaber, founder of Washington Square Dermatology. The silky, lotion-y texture is moisturizing and feels like an added layer of hydration while also delivering other benefits. After incorporating it into my routine — I use it every three days — I was surprised to find that my notoriously sensitive skin tolerated it well, especially when applied over a layer of moisturizer. (Jaber says that even his patients who have struggled with other retinoids find Skinbetter “very tolerable.”) That extra layer of product didn’t seem to change Skinbetter’s efficacy, either: In just a few short weeks, I’ve noticed my skin is brighter overall and some dark marks from pimples past have lightened up. My skin has an overall smoother look, which I imagine would be particularly helpful for wrinkles. The formula also contains a blend of antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals.
Best drugstore wrinkle cream
Retinol: Includes retinol | Other actives: glycolic acid | Size: 1 ounce tube ($18/ounce)
If you don’t want to spring for the Skinbetter, RoC’s night cream is a good option. The drugstore product punches far above its weight, offering an effective but mild retinol along with glycolic acid to help with fine lines, wrinkles, and firming the skin. It has a similar consistency to Skinbetter (it’s maybe a touch thinner) and is moisturizing enough to use on its own. It’s also a dermatologist favorite. Dermatologist Carlos A. Charles, the founder of New York City–based Derma di Colore, told us he typically suggests that patients use retinoids, retinol’s prescription-strength cousins, to treat wrinkles, but “in the over-the-counter world,” he says, “RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream can be used for those who prefer a milder retinol formulation.” Rabach agrees, adding that the RoC is gentle enough to use on more sensitive, wrinkly skin around the eyes. When using retinol, correct application is key to avoid irritating your skin (though irritation may still occur if you’re just starting out). Dermatologist Noelani E. Gonzales advises you to start slow and apply a pea-size amount just two to three times a week, then work up from there.
Best wrinkle cream for expression lines
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: Peptides | Size: 0.5 ounce bottle ($260/ounce)
If you’re already using a retinol but want to continue to support your skin goals, or don’t want to use a retinol at all, this serum is a good option. It contains seven different peptides and has been clinically proven to reduce expression lines around the eyes, forehead, and mouth, with lots of participants seeing results after eight weeks. “It helps to soften the lines,” says Lal.
Best wrinkle cream for fine lines and hyperpigmentation
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: Vitamin C, gingko bilboa | Size: 1 ounce bottle ($105/ounce)
One of dermatologist Dr. Bradley Glodny’s favorite anti-wrinkle ingredients is vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that’s often recommended for hyperpigmentation and brightening skin tone. The ingredient, he says, builds collagen and helps “fine lines and wrinkles begin to diminish and appear less obvious.” One of his favorite vitamin-C serums is Isdin Flavo-C, which he recommends applying in the morning right before sunscreen. “It rubs in nicely and doesn’t have an off-putting odor like other vitamin-C serums,” he says. “It contains a mix of antioxidants like ginkgo biloba, which can also help to protect your skin from toxins in the outside world.”
Best wrinkle cream with peptides and retinol
Retinol: Includes retinol | Other actives: peptides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 ounce bottle ($69/ounce)
This serum from Clinique contains both retinol and peptides that work together to boost collagen production and smooth skin. Lal calls it a good two-in-one product. “This is great if you don’t want to use multiple products,” he says. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate skin. The more hydrated skin looks, the less visible wrinkles will be, thereby reducing the look of fine lines. Despite being a lightweight serum, it’s hydrating enough to use on its own as a moisturizer, though you can layer it with a dedicated moisturizer for even more hydration.
Best wrinkle cream for dry skin
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: vitamin B3, hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide | Size: 1.7 ounce jar ($12/ounce)
This cream is infused with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and niacinamide, all of which work together to plump and smooth fine lines. Niacinamide is a star ingredient in the formula, and it works especially well for lightening dark marks. That means this product is ideal if you want to treat hyperpigmentation as well as wrinkles. Niacinamide also acts as a humectant, which prevents additional moisture loss — key for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. “Slathering a moisturizer on every night will also help” plump wrinkles and fine lines, says Rabach, noting that Olay Regenerist’s thicker texture is particularly good for wrinkly skin that’s super-dry.
Best wrinkle cream for very dry skin
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: Yam extract, soy isoflavones, shea butter, vitamin E, beeswax | Size: 1.7 ounce jar ($205/ounce)
Biologique Recherche may be known for its smelly-but-effective P50 toner, but celebrity esthetician Sarah Akram says the brand’s anti-aging cream is really good too. It’s designed for people with very dry skin and often recommended for pre- and postmenopausal women dealing with a loss of elasticity or extreme dryness. In addition to deeply moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and beeswax, it contains soy isoflavones, an antioxidant that’s said to counteract signs of skin aging by thickening the skin and addressing common concerns like hyperpigmentation and, of course, wrinkling.
Best wrinkle cream for oily skin
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: vegan collagen, peptides, vitamin B5 | Size: 1.7 ounces ($45/ounce)
Products formulated for mature skin tend to be heavier, the idea being that mature skin is usually dry and thus in need of more moisture. However, this isn’t always the case. Some people with mature skin are oily, so if that’s you, you’ll want to opt for a lightweight formula. I like this water cream from M-61, which contains a mix of vegan collagen, vitamin B5, peptides, and Kakadu plum. “It’s lightweight but hydrates,” says dermatologist Rachel Cheung. “The vitamin B5 draws in moisture to restore the skin barrier, while antioxidants protect from free radicals and peptides boost collagen production.”
Best retinol-alternative wrinkle cream
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: bakuchiol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 ounces ($35/ounce)
If you have sensitive skin and are looking for a less irritating alternative to retinol, this moisturizer from Alpyn Beauty is a good option. It contains common anti-aging staples like peptides along with bakuchiol, a natural ingredient that works similarly to retinol. “It’s a plant-derived alternative to retinol that delivers the same collagen-boosting effects without the irritation,” Cheung says, adding that the formula contains moisture-barrier-supporting ingredients like squalane to help maintain and hydrate the skin.
Best wrinkle cream for the chest
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: heparan sulfate analog, dermatan sulfate analog, chondroitin sulfate analog | Size: 1 ounce bottle ($198/ounce)
Celebrity facialist Candace Marino generally prefers serums to creams because they offer a more targeted approach. “Since serums are molecularly smaller than creams, they allow for better product penetration of the active ingredients,” she says. The serums can be layered with other night wrinkle creams for an additional benefit. She likes this cream-serum hybrid from Senté in particular, which she says helps firm and support skin from within and works particularly well for deep lines, especially on the chest area. It’s formulated with dermatan sulfate analog (DSA) and chondroitin sulfate analog (CSA) — a skin-firming duo that helps promote collagen and elastin production. Marino says it helps to “re-volumize lax, depleted skin,” and takes about four weeks of consistent use to see a noticeable difference.
Best wrinkle cream for under eyes
Retinol: Does not include retinol | Other actives: caffeine, pro-xylane, peptides | Size: 0.5 ounce jar ($232/ounce)
If you’re struggling with under-eye wrinkles, Nussbaum suggests splurging on the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, which she calls one of her “favorite creams to combat those pesky wrinkles around the eyes.” She adds that “its balmy formula and optical diffusers reflect light away from the eye area, which is instantly illuminating.” That exact product has since been discontinued but the brand also makes A.G.E. Advanced Eye, which has very similar ingredients and texture. It’s formulated with wild fruit extracts, peptides, and pro-xylane to “moisturize, nourish, and prevent future visible signs of aging, while boosting elasticity and fortifying the skin’s matrix, thus reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s-feet,” Nussbaum explains. This formula also has the benefit of caffeine, which helps to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles.
Some more skin-care products for wrinkles we’ve written about
Our experts
• Sarah Akram, aesthetician
• Dr. Carlos A. Charles, dermatologist and founder of Derma Di Colore
• Dr. Rachel Cheung, dermatologist
• Dr. Bradley Glodny, dermatologist and owner of Park Avenue Dermatology
• Dr. Noelani Gonzalez, dermatologist
• Dr. Samer Jaber, dermatologist and founder of Washington Square Dermatology
• Dr. Karan Lal, dermatologist
• Candice Marino, aesthetician
• Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, dermatologist
• Dr. Morgan Rabach, dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical NYC, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
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