What Makes the Best Wrinkle Cream?
A wrinkle cream is a skin care product that typically has ingredients like retinol, peptides, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help reduce signs of aging and plump fine lines.
When selecting a wrinkle cream, consider its skin type suitability and price. You also should note that aging support products usually take time to work.
1. Retinol
Retinol is one of the most effective wrinkle reducers out there. It’s been proven to stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can be a little harsh on sensitive skin, but if you’re willing to put in the time (it takes about 8 to 12 weeks of twice daily application) you will see results.
A firming cream with retinol and shea butter, this anti-aging face moisturizer is a best seller for good reason. It’s super affordable, oil-free, non-comedogenic and works great on all skin types, including normal skin. It’s also a GH Beauty Lab favorite for its visible brightening, smoothing and firming benefits.
Made to be used backstage at fashion shows to prep models for the runway, this coveted wrinkle cream has a unique trifecta of ingredients. It boosts skin’s natural radiance, firms and smooths wrinkles with pro-retinol and Centella Asiatica and hydrates with shea butter and argan oil. It has a thick, rich texture that takes a little while to sink in but is super hydrating once it does.
This wrinkle cream is formulated for men and contains antioxidant-rich baobab seed oil, shea butter and vitamin E to help sooth the skin and reduce redness. It also has a peptide blend and hyaluronic acid for firming, plumping and smoothing the skin. This one also has a time-release retinol formula, which is good for those with more sensitive skin because it helps to minimize irritation.
2. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a skincare ingredient that aims to boost skin’s elasticity, plumpness, and hydration. It’s naturally occurring in the body and can help slow down aging by fortifying the skin’s natural barrier. This helps prevent toxins from getting in and makes it more effective for other anti-aging ingredients to penetrate the skin, such as vitamin C serums and retinoids.
This product from Hims contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter to hydrate the skin. It also has aloe vera and bakuchiol to soothe and balance the skin. This is a gentle moisturizer that’s suitable for all skin types. The company recommends applying a dime-size amount to the face and neck twice a day.
Hyaluronic acid has been studied in terms of its effects on skin hydration, thickness, and elasticity. Researchers found that lower molecular weight hyaluronic acid, like the kind found in this product from RoC, is better at improving the skin’s elasticity than higher molecular weight HA.
The higher the molecular weight, the more difficult it is for the HA to pass through the skin’s barrier. The lower molecular weight HA, however, was still effective at improving the skin’s hydration and elasticity. In addition, hyaluronic acid has been known to reduce redness and inflammation from sun damage or other factors, according to a study from dermatologists. The best wrinkle cream out there will have a low molecular weight and be free of irritants, such as silicones and fragrance.
3. Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid is an exfoliant and pore-refiner. It’s a dicarboxylic acid that is naturally produced in the skin (but can also be synthesized in the lab from products like barley and wheat) and works to unclog pores by exfoliating, according to research. It’s also anti-bacterial, which makes it great for those with blemish-prone skin. When bacteria overcrowd a pore, it can cause inflammation and lead to those all-too-familiar red bumps with whiteheads on top or a deeper lump called a nodule. And then, because of its pigmentation-fading properties, azelaic acid can help to prevent those dark marks that linger on post-acne complexions.
If you’re going to add azelaic acid into your skincare routine, experts recommend starting off slow. It can be irritating if used too often, so start off by applying it only twice a week to see how your skin reacts. Then, as you get accustomed to it, you can slowly increase how much you use and how often.
As a bonus, Curology’s product blends azelaic acid with other ingredients that address your specific skin concerns, so you know the formula is optimized for your unique needs. It contains red algae and shea butter, for example, to improve elasticity; copper peptides, to reduce fine lines; and coconut-based glycerides, to lock in moisture. Plus, it’s a gentle and vegan product. And, because it’s a prescription product, you can feel confident it was made by a licensed dermatology provider to be safe for your skin.
4. Phytessence Wakame
Phytessence Wakame is another ingredient that makes this anti-aging cream one of the best out there. This is a brown sea algae (kelp) that is native to the waters around Japan. It is a popular food among the Japanese, and they eat it fresh or dried as part of their daily diet. It is rich in minerals such as calcium (15 times more than milk), sodium, iron, potassium, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B12. This algae also has powerful antioxidant properties that make it a great choice for skin care.
It is known to prevent aging and increase the production of collagen. It is also said to reduce wrinkles and hydrate the skin. This ingredient is a must-have in any anti-aging product.
This cream is specifically designed for reducing expression lines and wrinkles. It is formulated with seven peptides and is recommended by dermatologists. It can be applied before makeup and is also used backstage at fashion shows to prep models’ skin.
Paula’s Choice writes that this cream contains several important ingredients to combat wrinkles. These include squalane, which provides moisture and elasticity to the skin, as well as vitamin C and E for brightening the complexion. The formula also features an advanced peptide complex to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This wrinkle cream is also free from parabens, alcohols, and fragrances. It is suitable for all skin types.
5. Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is one of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that loosens the glue-like substance that holds dull skin cells to the top layer, helping you shed dead skin and reveal newer, healthier-looking complexion. It also helps treat other common skin issues, including wrinkles, rough texture, and large pores. AHAs can be combined with other face treatment products, but it’s a good idea to stick with gentler exfoliants—like manual scrubs or salicylic acid—when using glycolic acid.
The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate most wrinkle creams, but a person should be wary of any product that claims to remove wrinkles or increase collagen. Instead, look for an anti-aging cream that contains retinol, bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, or antioxidants to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
This affordable moisturizer from RoC is a dermatologist favorite for its formula, which includes stabilised retinol to reduce signs of ageing, bakuchiol to smooth and even skin tone, and hyaluronic acid for hydration. It’s also free of fragrance and suitable for all skin types.
For a more targeted wrinkle treatment, dermatologists recommend this cream from ALASTIN for its blend of silver mushroom, niacinamide, and collagen-building peptides. It’s a bit of a splurge, but both Sobel and Saedi consider it worth it as it’s loaded with proven wrinkle-reducing ingredients. It’s best used at night when the skin is most receptive to repair and rejuvenation.
6. Algae
Algae moisturizes and calms skin, plus it helps to manage dehydration, which is a major contributor to fine lines and wrinkles. It also inhibits the enzymes that break down collagen, another important wrinkle-fighting ingredient. In this pick, you’ll find red algae concentrate and patented alguronic acid to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, plus jojoba esters and coconut-based glycerides to moisturize your skin all day.
Peptides are amino acids that tell your body to make more collagen, which helps smooth and firm your skin. They’re often used in combination with other anti-aging ingredients because they can turbocharge their effects. In one study, applying peptides to the face resulted in a significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles in just two weeks.
The best wrinkle creams are formulated with the right balance of ingredients and come with all the bells and whistles you need to address your specific signs of aging. However, keep in mind that even the most expensive wrinkle creams aren’t necessarily more effective than less expensive ones. That’s because over-the-counter products typically contain lower concentrations of anti-aging ingredients. You also need to use a wrinkle cream on a regular basis—at least twice a day, every day—to see results, and any changes can be short-lived.
