How to Choose the Best Anti Wrinkle Cream
For a wrinkle cream that’s both gentle and affordable, try this Hims product. It contains 3% vitalease retinol in a slow-release formula that’s suitable for all skin types. It leaves the skin supple and soft and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Most anti-wrinkle products require daily use for a few weeks before you see results. Keep in mind that you must wear sunscreen as well to prevent further sun damage and premature aging.
1. Retinol
Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also stimulates cell turnover and encourages collagen production, making skin look smoother. However, it can irritate the skin and cause redness and flaking, which is why most dermatologists recommend starting with a low-concentration product.
This wrinkle cream from Indie Lee contains a natural retinol alternative and squalane to improve the appearance of fine lines, firmness, and uneven skin tone. It’s free from GMO, mineral oil, phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrance. The reusable bottle is also recyclable, and the brand sells refills on their website to help cut down on waste.
A favorite of TikTok users, this anti-aging moisturizer is a triple threat: It addresses fine lines and loss of firmness, while also brightening the complexion and reducing the look of dark spots. It contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol substitute, and peptides to promote natural collagen production.
A popular wrinkle cream for men, this formula is fragrance-free and contains shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and baobab seed extract. It locks in moisture to plump the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains niacinamide to minimize the appearance of pores and brighten the complexion. This product is also cruelty-free, vegan, and contains no talc, petrolatum, paraffin, or mineral oils. It’s recommended to massage a dime-size dabs on the chin, cheeks, forehead, and neck. It may take a few weeks to notice results, but it’s safe to use daily.
2. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a key player in your skin’s healthy-looking glow. It’s naturally found in your skin, but levels decrease with age and environmental assault, leaving it feeling dehydrated, dry or flakey. When used topically, it can help plump fine lines and wrinkles, soften dryness and give your skin that youthful-looking bounce. It works by mimicking the moisture in your skin, drawing it in and holding on tight to it.
The formula for this Wrinkle Cream from Hims is specially designed to lock in moisture, a key factor in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to hyaluronic acid, it includes shea butter, baobab seed extract and caffeine to keep your skin looking young and beautiful. It has a natural almond scent and is suitable for all skin types. You can use it in place of a regular moisturizer or as part of your nighttime skincare routine.
This hydrator from Bliss is a favorite of NYC dermatologists Garshick and Dr. Hadley King. It contains both micro and macro hyaluronic acid molecules to deeply hydrate the skin, and it’s also loaded with other beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and shea butter to boost your complexion’s elasticity and fight against hyperpigmentation. It’s best for those with normal to dry skin who want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin in the morning or evening, then follow with sunscreen and makeup.
3. Aloe vera
The succulent dubbed the “plant of immortality” by Ancient Egyptians boasts antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that may help calm red patches of psoriasis or itchy scaly spots associated with eczema. It also helps hydrate the skin and may slow the signs of aging. It can boost collagen, even out skin tone and support the skin barrier, says Green.
For example, in a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, researchers discovered that compounds in aloe vera—aloin and salicylic acid—were effective in fading dark spots from sun damage and post-acne scarring. But the beauty plant’s most impressive benefit may be its ability to strengthen the skin barrier and keep water locked in, which could help reduce fine lines.
In addition to aloe vera, this vegan wrinkle cream is packed with other ingredients that are good for your skin. It contains olive-derived squalane, which moisturizes and mimics the skin’s natural oils; shea butter, which is nourishing and softening; and baobab seed extract, which boosts hydration. And a triple threat of retinol, hyaluronic acid and glycerin target fine lines and wrinkles.
This wrinkle cream from RoC is designed to be used at night, when the skin is most receptive for repair and renewal. It also features a soothing dose of line-correcting retinol and SPF 30 for protection against the sun’s damaging rays. The formula is gentle enough for daily use, but reviewers recommend applying it prior to makeup to allow the sunscreens to penetrate.
4. Shea butter
Shea butter is a common beauty ingredient, and it’s easy to see why. It’s hydrating, softens the skin, and adds sheen without making it oily. It’s also rich in vitamins A and E, which are known to protect the complexion from sun damage. It can also be used to soothe dry skin and help it recover from sunburns.
Shea butter can be found in many face and body products, but it’s important to look for unrefined or organic options to ensure that you are getting the full benefits of this natural elixir. Dobos explains that “refined shea butter has been chemically altered, which takes away the majority of its inherently good properties.”
When choosing shea butter, make sure it is certified organic, as this indicates that it has undergone minimal processing. It is also helpful to look for brands that partner with organizations like the Global Shea Alliance, which helps promote sustainable harvesting practices and provides training to help improve quality of shea production while ensuring fair pay and equitable trading conditions.
Shea butter is safe for all skin types, including sensitive and irritated ones. It’s a must-have for every household, whether you store it among your beauty supplies for soft, smooth, and better-looking skin or keep it in the medicine cabinet to use on any minor wounds. It’s even safe for those with nut allergies, though it can be hard to find a product that doesn’t contain any tree nuts.
5. Glycerin
Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is an essential humectant that helps keep the skin hydrated. It also acts as an emollient to soften the skin. Glycerin is commonly found in hydrating face moisturizers and is often used with retinol and other age-defying ingredients to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
According to dermatologists, glycerin is safe for all skin types and is especially effective for those with dry or flaky skin. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. It’s also a good option for those with oily or acne-prone skin, as it helps to balance the skin’s natural oils and can make it appear less greasy.
You can find glycerin in many beauty products, including moisturizers, toners, cleansers, and micellar water. It is also a great ingredient for face masks, and you can mix it with other ingredients to make your own DIY skin-care product. For example, you can add a few drops of glycerin to half a cup of rose water and apply it to the skin, leaving it to absorb for a few minutes.
Looking for the best wrinkle cream? Try Drunk Elephant A-Passioni, which features a line-reducing retinol and barrier-replenishing ceramides. It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin, and it’s formulated with nourishing shea butter. If you prefer a more affordable option, check out RoC Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. Both are available online and in stores.
6. Vitamin C
Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, vitamin C can boost collagen and elastin production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps protect skin from sun damage, even out skin tone, improve skin texture and clarity, and reduce redness, blotchiness, and hyperpigmentation. It’s a great option for all skin types, but it’s especially helpful for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
Celebrity facialist Candace Marino recommends this serum-cream hybrid, which combines the firming powers of dermatan and chondroitin with vitamin C and shea butter for a rejuvenated complexion. She says it works best for deep wrinkles and can be layered with night wrinkle creams to amp up the results.
NYC dermatologists Garshick and King both love this drugstore favorite, which is recommended for all skin types by more than 46,000 Amazon reviewers. It has hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and ceramides to hydrate the eye area and improve dark circles and puffiness. It’s fragrance- and alcohol-free and noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.
Keep in mind that most wrinkle creams won’t work overnight, but consistent and frequent use with sunscreen can help achieve a smoother complexion over time. It usually takes about 8 to 12 weeks of twice-daily application before you can see results, so be patient and enjoy the journey! Also, remember to moisturize after every wash and use a gentle exfoliating scrub once or twice per week.
