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As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and firmness, which often leads to more prominent fine lines and wrinkles. While no topical product will banish wrinkles for good, the right formula can help plump the skin and soften lines for a glowy, more youthful complexion.
For those looking to smooth wrinkles, we highly recommend wrinkle creams. They’re made with anti-aging ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, peptides and bakuchiol, which work to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for younger-looking skin. If you want to take your anti-aging routine to the next level, we’re breaking down 23 of the best wrinkle creams currently available on the market.
The Best Wrinkle Creams in 2024
We’ve included wrinkle creams for the face, as well as formulas targeted toward the neck and eyes. No matter your specific concerns or budget, you’re sure to find the perfect product for your needs in the list below.
First up is this vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer from skin-care brand Blu Atlas, which is known for creating clean, premium formulas packed with natural ingredients. The super-hydrating cream is crafted with proven ingredients that nourish and plump the skin while brightening the complexion and reducing signs of aging.
One of the star ingredients is ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C that stimulates collagen production to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also targets discoloration to promote a more even skin tone, and works as an antioxidant to defend the skin against the negative effects of free radicals, which can contribute to signs of aging.
This nature-powered formula features vitamin-rich mango seed butter, which plumps and strengthens the skin, as well as soothing and conditioning moringa seed oil. As these ingredients soften the skin, seaweed extract boosts radiance and hydrates while providing an extra antioxidant boost.
Retinol is an incredibly effective vitamin A derivative that softens lines, improves skin tone, tackles blemishes and enhances elasticity. One of our favorite over-the-counter retinol-powered wrinkle creams comes from clean skin-care brand Drunk Elephant. The vegan and cruelty-free A-Passioni Retinol Cream is made with a 1% concentration of retinol. The potent concentration allows you to get the best possible results from this powerful anti-aging ingredient.
This cream is also infused with a triple peptide blend that counteracts sagging, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and strengthens the skin. Additionally, the formula contains linolenic and linoleic acids, two fatty acids that tackle uneven texture and plump the skin while minimizing signs of sensitivity. As these ingredients get to work, winter cherry juice provides antioxidant benefits, while ingredients like virgin marula oil, kale leaf extract, jojoba oil, passionfruit oil and ceramides nourish, hydrate and soften the complexion.
If you’re willing to splurge on a luxury wrinkle cream, we recommend the Creme MSR-H from Biologique Recherche. This decadent cream is designed for dry complexions, and is particularly suitable for those who have noticed changes in their complexion due to menopause. It is packed with nourishing ingredients that deeply moisturize while firming, plumping and enhancing elasticity.
This moisturizer is made with soy extracts, which target changes in the skin caused by a decrease in estrogen levels. They improve texture and tone while helping to thicken the skin and boost elasticity. These extracts are joined by yam extract, which moisturizes and plumps the skin while softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
In addition to these ingredients, this formula is infused with shea butter and beeswax, both of which seal moisture into the skin to maintain a supple complexion. Vitamin E also works as an antioxidant, protecting the skin against damaging free radicals.
Dr. Barbara Sturm products never disappoint, and this moisturizer is one of the brand’s finest creations. The Super Anti-Aging Face Cream is designed to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging, while nourishing and protecting the skin.
This face cream is made with marine plankton extract, which is loaded with antioxidants and minerals. The extract softens the look of lines while tightening the skin for a more youthful appearance. It also fortifies the skin and defends against free radical damage. This extract is joined by purslane extract, another antioxidant-rich ingredient that maintains skin health while calming and nourishing.
Additionally, the formula features meadow knotweed extract, which enhances radiance for a glowing complexion. A range of additional ingredients moisturize, condition and improve skin barrier health. They include squalane, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter and avocado oil.
One of the best wrinkle creams powered by retinol is the Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream from Murad. It is formulated with a retinol tri-active technology that works to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while improving overall skin tone and texture. This technology contains a fast-acting retinoid that instantly works on the skin once applied, as well as a time-release retinol. Additionally, the technology features a booster to enhance the results of the retinol.
As the retinol technology gets to work, picolinamide and niacinamide work together to improve barrier health and calm the skin, helping to reduce any negative side effects from the retinol. The niacinamide works to improve the appearance of discoloration for a more even skin tone. The formula also features glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, two humectants that draw moisture to the skin and lock it in for long-term hydration.
This Philosophy cream is a miracle worker for those looking to tackle lines and other signs of aging. The formula is made to dramatically improve moisture levels as it softens fine lines and wrinkles, plumps, improves skin tone and boosts overall glow.
The Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line-Correcting Overnight Cream is powered by peptides, which firm and plump the skin while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The peptides are joined by vitamin C, which brightens the complexion and provides antioxidant protection to slow the formation of signs of aging. The vitamin also boosts collagen production for a more youthful appearance.
As these key ingredients get to work, hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the skin and seals it in for a smooth and supple look and feel. It works alongside Indian gentian extract, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that soothes the skin for a more comfortable complexion.
We’re huge fans of anti-aging formulas powered by peptides, as these ingredients are highly effective when it comes to promoting a more youthful complexion. One of the best peptide moisturizers on the market comes from Drmtlgy. The fragrance-free and paraben-free Peptide Night Cream is crafted with five different peptides that soften fine lines and wrinkles as they firm the skin and improve texture.
While the peptides are the stars of this night cream, the formula also contains ingredients that enhance the look and feel of the complexion. Three ceramides work to boost moisture levels while improving barrier health. Shea butter nourishes and seals in moisture, while vitamin E adds antioxidant power to the formula.
This is one of our favorite wrinkle creams for those looking for a gentle yet highly effective option. The Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Cream is designed to improve barrier health and dramatically boost moisture levels in the skin. The complexion is left looking and feeling softer and smoother, and fine lines and wrinkles will be less prominent. The clean, vegan and cruelty-free formula has been shown to reduce the appearance of lines in just seven days.
This moisturizer is powered by a multi-ceramide complex that restores barrier health to reduce moisture loss and improve the skin’s resilience. This complex also seals moisture into the skin. It works alongside n-acetyl glucosamine, a moisturizing ingredient that softens the skin, as well as a protective antioxidant complex that features a peptide and extracts of dragon fruit and saskatoon berry.
This wrinkle-fighting moisturizer from M-61 is made with some of the best ingredients for achieving and maintaining a youthful, glowing complexion. The lightweight gel-cream moisturizer absorbs quickly into the skin, where it renews, plumps and fights signs of aging.
The clean, vegan and cruelty-free Hydraboost Collagen+Peptide Water Cream is made with a plant-based collagen and a bio-peptide that work together to promote cell renewal and collagen production to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles and improve elasticity, texture and tone. These ingredients are joined by Japanese lemon balm and Kakadu plum extracts, both of which are packed with antioxidants that shield the skin against the harmful effects of free radicals. The formula also features vitamin B5 (also known as panthenol) and shea butter, both of which moisturize to boost suppleness and support the skin’s barrier.
The Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment from Paula’s Choice is one of our favorite retinol-powered wrinkle creams. As the name indicates, it’s made with a 1% concentration of retinol, which works to improve elasticity, firmness and uneven skin tone while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It uses a controlled-release technology to minimize the risk of negative side effects.
In addition to the retinol, this vegan and cruelty-free treatment cream contains vitamin C, which provides anti-aging benefits, brightens the complexion and defends against free radicals. The formula is infused with powerful soothing and moisturizing ingredients that support skin comfort and counteract the potential negative side effects of retinol. Some of the key players include oat extract, ceramides, sodium hyaluronate and licorice root extract.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient that is often considered to be a great gentle alternative to retinol, as it offers similar results with a lower risk of irritation. If you’re interested in using bakuchiol in your anti-aging routine, we recommend trying Alpyn Beauty’s PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer. This clean, vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer has a rich, cream-based texture that is designed to deeply moisturize as it firms the complexion and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
As the bakuchiol gets to work, aloe vera and Centella asiatica soothe to promote skin comfort. This makes this formula a particularly great option for those with sensitive skin. These ingredients are joined by hyaluronic acid, squalane and ceramides, all of which improve barrier health and boost moisture levels for a more supple complexion.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly wrinkle cream that you can find at your local drugstore, there’s no better option than the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream. The moisturizer has a fairly simple formula, but it packs a powerful punch. It is made with retinol, and is designed to fight fine lines and wrinkles while fading the look of discoloration for a youthful complexion with a more even skin tone.
As the retinol targets signs of aging, hyaluronic acid and glycerin work in tandem to plump the skin with moisture. These humectants not only soften the skin; they also lessen the appearance of lines to promote younger-looking skin.
This clinically proven anti-aging cream from Kiehl’s delivers impressive results. In a 12-week consumer study, 93% of participants agreed that their wrinkles were reduced and that their skin felt and appeared smoother. Ninety-four percent also noted that the cream reduced the appearance of their neck lines.
The Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Cream is powered by naturally derived vitamin A, which works to diminish fine lines and wrinkles as it improves the skin’s texture. It is joined by chaga mushroom, a natural ingredient that tackles discoloration and dullness for a radiant and more even skin tone. As these ingredients get to work, hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin for a softer and smoother texture.
One of the best wrinkle creams for those with sensitive skin is the dermatologist-tested Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream from First Aid Beauty. It is designed to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and enhance firmness and elasticity, and is specifically made to be non-irritating for easily aggravated skin.
This clean, vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer is powered in part by peptides that work together to soften lines and plump the skin. These peptides work alongside glutaline-in-tense, which helps firm the complexion to counteract sagging. As these ingredients get to work, Acacia decurrens flower wax softens the skin, while colloidal oatmeal soothes the skin and reduces irritation to promote a more comfortable complexion. The formula is also infused with sodium hyaluronate, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin.
Next up on our list is the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream. This powerful, deeply hydrating anti-aging cream lifts and firms the complexion while targeting lines to help you achieve a more youthful complexion.
The vegan and cruelty-free formula is powered by retinol and bakuchiol, which work together to treat and prevent signs of aging. These ingredients work alongside ferulic acid, which helps reduce the potentially irritating effects of retinol. The formula also targets discoloration for a more even skin tone.
Additionally, this cream is made with rambutan, which provides antioxidant benefits and supports collagen production. Centella asiatica and arnica calm the complexion, while ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, evening primrose oil, ceramides and sweet almond oil moisturize, soften and nourish.
Clinique’s Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream has an advanced formula that is designed to fortify and moisturize the skin as it targets multiple signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. The result is smoother, softer and younger-looking skin.
This anti-aging cream is made with the company’s proprietary peptide complex. This complex combines peptides with ingredients like whey protein, algae extract and caffeine, and is designed to soften the look of lines while supporting the natural collagen-production process and soothing the skin to improve comfort.
As this complex treats the skin, hyaluronic acid draws moisture to the complexion to improve suppleness and softness. It works alongside soybean seed extract, which nourishes and strengthens the skin.
One of our top recommendations for anyone looking for a bakuchiol-powered wrinkle cream comes from clean skin-care brand Herbivore. This vegan and cruelty-free moisturizing cream uses the power of bakuchiol to not only diminish lines, but also to firm the skin and improve elasticity for a more youthful appearance.
In addition to the bakuchiol, the Moon Fruit Retinol Alternative Sleep Mask is made with an antioxidant-rich superfruit blend, which contains dragon fruit and Kakadu plum. This blend works to block the negative effects of free radicals while fortifying the skin and improving barrier health. The formula also features sodium hyaluronate, which plumps the skin with hydration.
This Skin Renewing Night Cream from popular drugstore brand CeraVe is an affordable wrinkle cream that we can’t get enough of. The cream is designed to restore the skin as you sleep, working to strengthen the barrier while plumping the skin with hydration to improve texture and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The gentle, fragrance-free formula was developed with dermatologists, and is a suitable option for all skin types.
This night cream is powered by biomimetic peptides that improve the look of dull, stressed-out skin while firming and boosting suppleness. These peptides work alongside ceramides, which enhance barrier function, as well as hyaluronic acid, a potent moisturizer.
The formula also features niacinamide, a soothing vitamin that works to improve barrier health, fade discoloration and refine the appearance of pores. CeraVe has made this cream with a patented delivery system that works to continually deliver the moisturizing ingredients to the skin throughout the night.
If you are specifically concerned about lines around the neck, we highly recommend trying the Ageless Phyto-Retinol Neck Cream from bareMinerals. The clean, vegan and cruelty-free cream has been clinically shown to visibly improve wrinkles and crepiness for smoother, younger-looking skin.
This bareMinerals neck cream is made with a natural retinol alternative that is derived from the picão preto plant. Much like bakuchiol, this natural ingredient offers anti-aging benefits similar to those you can expect from retinol, but has a lower risk of causing dryness or irritation.
This formula also features peptides that promote collagen production to promote firmer and smoother skin. Shea butter seals in moisture and nourishes, while hyaluronic acid works to hydrate to soften lines and improve skin texture.
StriVectin’s TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus has a powerful formula that is designed to tackle fine lines, wrinkles and crepiness on the neck. At the same time, it deeply moisturizes the skin and improves uneven skin tone to enhance the overall look of the neck area.
This formula is made with StriVectin’s lifting complex. This complex tackles sagging and a loss of elasticity, working to tighten and lift the skin while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. It works alongside a patented technology that bolsters the effects of the active ingredients in this complex while improving barrier health.
Additionally, this formula features a brightening complex made with natural ingredients that fade discoloration to improve skin tone. Hyaluronic acid plumps the skin with hydration to further soften lines and smooth the skin, while ceramides seal in moisture and support overall barrier health.
The skin around the eyes is one of the first areas to show fine lines and wrinkles. Thankfully, a well-formulated eye cream – such as this one from Clarins – can restore the skin and plump lines to promote a younger look. The Total Eye Lift Firming & Smoothing Anti-Aging Eye Cream is able to create a visible lift around the eyes in as little as one minute after application. At the same time, it works to reverse signs of aging and brighten the skin to reduce dark circles.
This eye cream is made with a natural, gentler alternative to retinol called harungana extract, which works to firm and increase elasticity in the skin while smoothing lines. This formula also contains cassie flower wax, a natural ingredient that diminishes lines while tightening the skin to counteract sagging.
This cream features shea butter, olive fruit extract, panthenol and other ingredients that moisturize and soften the skin. Additionally, it contains caffeine, escin and albizia extract, which work in tandem to reduce the appearance of dark circles.
We’re always impressed by popular skin-care brand SkinCeuticals, and this eye cream is one of the company’s finest products. The A.G.E. Eye Complex Wrinkle Eye Cream instantly melts into the skin, where it softens lines as it reduces puffiness and dark circles. It also deeply moisturizes to keep the skin soft, smooth and supple.
The eye cream is powered by proxylane, which restores fullness to the eye area while firming and brightening the skin for an energized, more youthful look. It is joined by a peptide and flavonoid complex that lightens dark circles, calms the skin and offers antioxidant benefits.
This formula features antioxidant-rich blueberry extract to keep the skin protected against free-radical damage. It’s also infused with optical diffusers that immediately lighten the appearance of dark circles for brighter eyes.
Our final recommendation comes from luxury brand La Mer. While it is pricey, The Eye Concentrate is expertly formulated with some of the most effective ingredients for fighting signs of aging and renewing the eye area. The company is so confident in the formula that it states it can improve the look of the eye area after just 21 days of regular use.
The rich eye cream is formulated with the company’s Miracle Broth. This complex features a variety of fermented ingredients, including citrus, sea kelp and eucalyptus, as well as vitamins and minerals. The complex rejuvenates skin cells and smooths lines as it brightens, calms and hydrates to achieve a more youthful appearance.
Additionally, the formula features lime tea concentrate, an antioxidant-packed ingredient that protects against free radicals to slow down the formation of signs of aging. The final key component is the company’s Clarity Ferment, which is expertly made to energize tired eyes and diminish the look of dark circles.
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