With picks for every budget from Drunk Elephant and CeraVe
Texture changes, dark spots, crepey skin, and moisture loss are ordinary effects of aging. We’re all for embracing getting older, but the fact is there’s still a substantial market for anti-aging products, namely, wrinkle creams. So in the spirit of supporting all types of skincare journeys, we’re here to help you find the best ones.
According to dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, wrinkles are a result of sun damage, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity. As such, the most effective products for treating them will directly address the causes. Deep wrinkles—those furrows most often noticed around your eyes, mouth, and on your forehead—are more stubborn, but they can be treated, too.
“Look for ingredients that are going to stimulate collagen and elastin, like retinoids, glycolic acids, and peptides,” says Madfes. “Remember to protect from future sun damage with UV blockers and DNA repair enzymes.”
We conducted hours of research on the best wrinkle creams in our Manhattan-based Lab and at home, evaluating each formula on active ingredients, benefits targeted, and results. We also considered a variety of skin types and concerns—because although these formulas primarily address wrinkles, they often contain ingredients targeted to specific skin types as well. After consulting with board-certified dermatologists for their expert recommendations, we narrowed down our list to give you the best in show.
Best Overall: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
If we could only pick one wrinkle cream to use until the end of time, we’d go with Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni. It checks two of Madfes’s recommended boxes (retinol and peptides) to support collagen production, boost elasticity, firm sagging skin, and—more to the point—reduce the appearance of wrinkles as well as sun damage and dark spots.12
What’s more, this all-star cream contains ceramides and nourishing fatty acids from plant oils to minimize irritation from the retinol and replenish the skin barrier.3 It also promises to deliver a plumping effect and an all-around supple, healthy-looking complexion.
A-Passioni is undoubtedly expensive. Nonetheless, we stand behind it not only as one of the best Drunk Elephant products but arguably the best wrinkle cream out there today. And we love how the superfood-rich ingredients also target uneven skin tone, improving the look of dark spots over time.
When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, plant oils, ceramides, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overall Runner-up: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
Scoring a very impressive 5 out of 5 during testing in our Lab, we had to award CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream as our overall runner-up. What we liked about this moisturizer was how much it improved our overall hydration levels and skin texture. CeraVe’s general USP is the way its formulas help to restore and strengthen the skin barrier, and this cream definitely delivers on that. This is down to a complex of biomimetic peptides, hyaluronic acid, and 3 essential ceramides – in essence, ingredients that help to keep your skin really soft, plumped up, and supple.
As such this is a good choice if your skin has been particularly irritated and unhappy, and you just want to take things back to basics. Apply this each evening to help restore your skin barrier and improve overall hydration levels.
When to apply: Apply to the face and neck each evening.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, 3 essential ceramides, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget: RoC Retinol Correxion Night Cream
On a budget? You can still get great results from an affordable formula. Case in point: RoC. Containing two of Madfes’s recommended actives (retinol and glycolic acid) this night cream resurfaces dull, dry skin while smoothing fine lines and supporting collagen production.4
We tested it out for ourselves and can report that we were very happy with the results. On top of being affordable, it didn’t irritate our skin, and we noticed a reduction in fine lines within a week.
When to apply: Apply to clean, dry skin (face and neck, if you like) at night.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, squalane, glycolic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream
When it comes to over-the-counter retinol products, Neutrogena is a drugstore standby. The brand’s Regenerating Cream (which can be used daily) combines the vitamin A derivative with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to deliver plumping hydration while smoothing wrinkles.5
When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night. If used in the morning, apply prior to sunscreen and makeup.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Crow’s Feet: The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream
If you’re looking to target crow’s feet, your best bet is a retinol eye cream, like this supremely affordable pick from The Inkey List. It hydrates and plumps with hyaluronic acid, boosts radiance with vitamin C, and, thanks to the slow-release formula, reduces the appearance of wrinkles without the irritating effects of retinol.6
When to apply: Using your ring finger, apply a dot of the product to the area around your eyes. For best results, use daily prior to applying makeup.
Active Ingredients: Slow-release retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: Balanced, mature, combination | Size: 0.5 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Plantkos Phyto A Face Lotion
If your skin doesn’t tolerate retinol well, Plantkos Phyto A is a prime choice. It contains bakuchiol, an up-and-coming plant-derived retinol alternative that offers similar effects without any redness, stinging, or irritation.7
When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night. If used in the morning, apply prior to sunscreen and makeup.
Active Ingredients: Bakuchiol, niacinamide, vitamin C, gotu kola, Schisandra sphenanthera | Skin Type: Mature, sensitive, balanced, oily, combination, acne-prone | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Skin, Runner Up: ROSE Ingleton MD Skin Calming Booster
Developed by board-certified dermatologist Rose Ingelton, MD, this calming formula is ideal for those with dry skin looking to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. In addition to hyaluronic acid, this multi-tasking serum includes niacinamide to promote skin barrier health, while also reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It’s a great retinol alternative for those with dry skin who might experience flaking or irritation from retinol products.
When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night. Sunscreen, moisturizer, and makeup can all be layered on top.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Re-Texturizing: MGSkinLabs Inc Essential Antioxidant Infusion
Developed by board-certified dermatologist, Michele Green, MD, this retinol active infuses a blend of antioxidants to help deliver plump skin with diminished visible lines and wrinkles. A pure concentration of vitamins A, C, and E help cell turnover and exfoliate skin gently overnight. We love how the formula includes botanic actives like lavender, geranium, and bitter orange to help address elasticity and texture without causing irritation. Although the product is expensive, we think it’s worth it, especially because the potent formula can be applied sparingly to achieve results.
We especially love the velvety texture of this cream that sinks into skin immediately. We also found that it helped to correct our discoloration as well as soften the appearance of lines, without irritating any areas of sensitive skin.
When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin at night.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamins A, C, E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best with AHA: SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Dr. Madfes is a fan of wrinkle creams with alpha-hydroxy acids and retinoids, and this luxury formula from SkinBetter contains both. AHA is in the form of lactic acid and glycolic acid, which help retexturize your skin and address dark spots4 while the retinol gets to work on smoothing fine lines and creases.2 The price might be hard to justify, but if it’s within your budget, you can count on noticeable results.
When to apply: Apply a thin layer once a day at night. Alternate days if your skin is sensitive.
Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, retinol | Skin Type: Mature, dry, oily, combination | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Oily Skin: Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream
If you have oily skin, you’re probably a little weary of applying anything too rich at bedtime. This lightweight night recovery cream from Olay strikes the perfect balance with a formula that adequately hydrates the skin without leaving a greasy feeling behind. It also sinks in quickly so you won’t be left with any residue on your pillow.
We applied this in our Lab after a retinol treatment and found that it didn’t cause any pilling. We also really enjoyed how it felt to apply and our skin felt noticeably soft and smooth come the morning. This is a great everyday night cream that’s ideal for those looking for something a little lighter.
When to apply: Apply a thin layer once a day at night.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin and niacinamide | Skin Type: Oily, combination and mature | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best with Collagen: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Collagen Cream
Packed with collagen, peptides, and niacinamide, this sumptuous cream from First Aid Beauty is well-equipped to help your skin feel more supple and firm. We tested it out in our Manhattan Lab to see if it lived up to the hype and are happy to report that it did. After application, our skin felt immediately hydrated, smooth, and slightly dewy, and, over time, it also helped to smooth the appearance of fine lines while targeting a few stubborn dry patches on our cheeks and nose.
What’s more, it’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and causes no irritation at all. Our only real complaint is the jar which we found made the cream hard to get out. We’d prefer a tube.
When to apply: Apply a thin layer to the face and neck each morning and night.
Active Ingredients: Collagen, peptides and niacinamide | Skin Type: Dry, normal and combination| Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Firming: L’Oréal Revitalift Night Cream
If you’re looking for a cream with a hefty dose of anti-aging benefits, consider this great option from L’Oréal. Claiming to deliver smoother, firmer skin in just four weeks, we were excited to put it to the test. It has a thick and rich texture which takes a few moments to sink in but once it does, it feels pleasant and not greasy at all. The cream’s two main ingredients are Centella Asiatica and Pro-Retinol which are clinically proven to smooth the look of wrinkles and give the skin a more supple feel. As such, we found that it left our skin feeling much softer and firmer, so we started to need less hydration in our morning routine as a result. Overall, this is a great product to have in your anti-wrinkle arsenal.
When to apply: Apply a thin layer to the face and neck each evening.
Active Ingredients: Centella Asiatica and Pro-Retinol | Skin Type: All skin types| Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Overnight: SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry Nighttime Face Moisturizer
This overnight cream from SkinCeuticals has an exfoliating action on the skin thanks to its key active ingredient, 10% hydroxy acid blend. This makes it a great option if you want to brighten your skin while tackling concerns such as blemishes and discoloration. We tried it out over a couple of weeks and found that it left our skin noticeably brighter and more even-looking with fewer dry patches and blemishes. Overall, our complexion just looked healthier and more youthful after using it.
Other details to note? It doesn’t have any real fragrance which is a bonus for sensitive noses, and doesn’t leave an oily sheen behind when you lie on your pillow. There’s no getting away from its higher price point, however, but if you’re in the mood to splurge, this is definitely worth the investment.
When to apply: Apply a thin layer to the face and neck each evening.
Active Ingredients: 10% hydroxy acid blend | Skin Type: Dry, normal and mature| Size: 70ml | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Splurge: Macrene Actives High Performance Extra Rich Face Cream
You only have to look at the online reviews for this cream to start to get a feel for why it’s so revered. With one reviewer claiming that they love it so much they ‘want to swim in it,’ we couldn’t wait to get our hands on a pot. But what makes it so special and worthy of that eye-watering price tag? First off, it promises to deliver the results of cosmeceutical brands with clean and green yet clinically proven ingredients.
This cream stays true to that promise with a formula comprising red algae, vitamins C and E, and coconut-based glycerides which are all USDA Certified Organic. Added jojoba esters and coco glycerides give the cream its rich lipid texture that makes it incredibly hydrating while Copper Peptide, Resveratrol, and Hyaluronic Acid work on improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles. You also won’t find any petrolatum, mineral oil, or wax on the ingredients list.
In terms of results, we definitely felt an improvement after using it, especially in regard to the tightness and texture of our skin. It also layers with other products such as toners and serums like a dream and is non-comedogenic meaning it won’t clog your pores. The downside? The pot is small for the price (so swimming in it is not an option), but thankfully a little goes a long way.
When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to slightly damp skin morning and evening.
Active Ingredients: Red algae, vitamins C and E, Copper Peptide, Resveratrol, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin Type: Dry and mature| Size: 1.0 oz | SPF: No
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Drunk Elephant A-Passioni, a brilliant moisturizer containing line-reducing retinol, collagen-supporting peptides, and barrier-replenishing ceramides. A close runner-up was CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream which tackles aging signs by repairing the barrier and improving the look of fatigue with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides.
What To Look For in a Wrinkle Cream
Retinol
According to Kavita Mariwalla, MD, Byrdie Beauty & Wellness board member, this over-the-counter anti-aging ingredient has a proven track record of helping to stimulate collagen production to help smooth fine lines and deep wrinkles. Our best overall pick, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream, is our favorite option containing retinol, but RoC Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is a great budget pick.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
Not only does this category of exfoliating acids help to even out skin tone and texture, one of them in particular, glycolic acid, also has some collagen-boosting effects as well. SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream combines glycolic acid and its AHA cousin lactic acid to retexturize and smooth the skin.
Peptides
There’s a whole new category of peptides that help with skin elasticity and firmness, both of which play a role in the formation of wrinkles and deep wrinkles, too, explains Mariwalla. Not to mention that peptides also tend to be better tolerated and elicit less sensitivity than the retinoids and acids of the world. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sulpting Cream is an excellent choice for those looking for a product containing peptides.
Vitamin C
This vitamin is a triple threat, acting as a protective antioxidant and excellent radiance-booster while also helping to stimulate collagen production for smoother, less wrinkled skin.9 Priori DNA Intense Recovery Creme contains brightening vitamin C, plus reparative enzymes that give mature complexions a boost.
FAQ
Do wrinkle creams work?
If you choose the right formula that contains some of the tried-and-true anti-aging ingredients we mentioned, use it diligently, and have a little bit of patience—they will work. However, it’s important to remember that, no matter what type of wrinkle cream you’re using, it’s imperative to wear sunscreen (with broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection or higher) daily to ensure that sun damage doesn’t thwart your wrinkle-fighting attempts.
At what age should you start using wrinkle cream?
The age at which you start seeing wrinkles will depend largely on external and internal factors, according to Mariwalla. That being said, she says that generally speaking, your mid-20s is a good time to start an anti-aging skincare routine, including a wrinkle cream.
How do you apply wrinkle cream?
For retinoid-based creams, Mariwalla recommends applying a pea-size drop of product to clean skin by dabbing it on your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. If the product you’re using doesn’t contain a retinoid, you can use about a nickel-size amount.
How can I improve my wrinkles?
The best way to improve wrinkles is to keep your skin moisturized. Well-moisturized skin is plump skin, and wrinkles are less noticeable when skin is hydrated. Moisturizers temporarily plump the skin, making lines and wrinkles appear less visible.
How do I get rid of deep wrinkles around my mouth?
Look for active ingredients such as niacinamides, retinoids, and vitamin C—all of which can improve the skin’s texture and elasticity to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.