If it's smooth, bright, glowing skin you covet—and, let's be honest, who doesn't?—there are plenty of at-home and in-office treatments you can try. From procedures like microdermabrasion to dermaplaning and specialty serums like hyaluronic acid and retinol, they'll all provide some level of anti-aging benefits.
But what if you don't have the time for a multistep routine or the budget for one of the more expensive approaches? It doesn't matter where the lines are—around your eyes, adjacent to your mouth, or even down your neck—a simple wrinkle cream can help, says Debra Jaliman, MD, also a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
To ensure the cream or serum you're selecting is most effective, look for retinol, peptides, and niacinamide, she suggests. And make sure these ingredients show up in the beginning of the ingredient list, which indicates they appear in the product in a higher concentration than other ingredients lower down on the list.
And try to exercise patience if you don't see improvements—particularly if your wrinkles are deep and dark. "The results of wrinkle creams can take weeks to months for results to show," says Green. "For example, when it comes to retinoids, it typically takes three to six months of regular use before improvements are apparent with the best results occurring after six to 12 months," she explains. Other factors that can contribute to the effectiveness of wrinkles creams include your lifestyle and diet. "If you regularly smoke or drink alcohol, you are less likely to see results from the wrinkle creams," says Green.
Hoping to see those results sooner rather than later? Peep this list of hardworking wrinkle creams, all dermatologist approved.
Our top picks
- Best for Eyes: Kiehl's Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Peptides
- Best Luxury: Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter
- Best Night Cream: Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Ole Henriksen Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Creme
- Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream
- Best Brightening: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream Face Moisturizer
- Best for Deep Wrinkles: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
- Best for Sun Damage:
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol
Cream
- Best Lightweight:
Miami Beach Bum Facial In A Jar Face Cream
- Best for Oily Skin:
NEOCUTIS Lumiere Bio-restorative Eye
Cream
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Best for Eyes
Kiehl's
Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Peptide
This eye serum contains three wrinkle-combating ingredients: vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, says Dr. Brendan Camp, a dermatologist in New York. And while wrinkles are no match for this potent formula, you'll get the added benefits of tighter eyelid skin and diminished dark circles, he says.
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Best Luxury
A.G.E. Interrupter
A splurge, yes, but this wrinkle cream contains antioxidants and ingredients to help stimulate the formation of glycosaminoglycans—key for supplying hydration and keeping the skin supple, says Camp.
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Best Night Cream
Olay
Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer
Swipe on this nourishing cream right before bed for all kinds of beauty benefits, thanks to ingredients like retinol, peptides, and niacinamide, a vitamin B derivative that helps soothe the skin at the same time, says Camp.
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Ole Henriksen
Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Creme
When it comes to fine lines, retinol is one of the most powerful options, but it can be irritating to those with sensitive skin. If you fall into that camp, try this night cream instead. It contains bakuchiol, a gentler, plant-derived ingredient that offers similar benefits, says Camp.
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Best Drugstore
Neutrogena
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream
It may be more budget-friendly, but this serum still contains a triple threat of retinol, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, says Camp. The hyaluronic acid is a a natural humectant that plumps the skin, while the glycerin further moisturizers, says Jaliman.
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Best Brightening
Sunday Riley
C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream Face Moisturizer
This product relies on an impressive 5 percent concentration of vitamin C to deeply hydrate, visibly brighten, and actively fight free radical damage, says Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in NYC.
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Best for Deep Wrinkles
Murad
Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Because this product combines three retinol technologies with hyaluronic acid, it's an especially effective treatment for deeper, darker wrinkles around on the face, particularly around the eyes, says Green.
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Best for Sun Damage
Drunk Elephant
A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream
In addition to a high concentration of retinol, this product contains a triple peptide blend and various rich oils that smooth, firm, and strengthen the skin, says Green. Use it for fine lines and deep wrinkles, but expect it to help improve visible signs of sun damage, too, she adds.
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Best Lightweight
Miami Beach Bum
Facial In A Jar Face Cream
This is a lightweight, fast-absorbing face cream packed with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and vitamin C that will restore the skin barrier while keeping your skin hydrated and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, says dermatologist Martina Granara.
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Best for Oily Skin
NEOCUTIS
Lumiere Bio-restorative Eye Cream
Because this cream is so lightweight cream, it's great for layering under makeup, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. And though it works hard to stimulate collagen growth, it's also non-comedogenic—a must for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin.
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Caudalie
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Night Cream
A combination of glycolic acid, natural papaya enzymes, and vine sap gently but effectively diminish and prevent the appearance of dark spots while exfoliating and brightening the skin, says Green.
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Neova
Overnight Repair
This alpha-beta-retinol is packed with potent ingredients to accelerate cell renewal, improve hydration, and soothe any irritation, says NYC-based dermatologist Diane Madfes.
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First Aid Beauty
Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate
This serum contains a hardworking duo of retinol and peptides to treat fine lines and wrinkles, plus plump and smooth skin, says Sonia Batra, a board-certified dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors. Benefits all further boosted by additional ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, aloe, colloidal oatmeal, and ceramides.
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RoC
Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Facial Filler
Retinol, vitamins A, C, and E, and hyaluronic acid work together to combat fine lines and wrinkles, says Rita Linkner, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, who touts this drugstore product as an especially good option for anyone with oily skin.
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THE ORDINARY
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
When it comes to an effective retinol serum, you can't ask for much more than this formula by The Ordinary. Despite the price, it addresses a broad range of skin concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne and dark spots, says Shari Sperling, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey.