15 Best Wrinkle Creams to Plump Fine Lines
While skin care isn't known for instant gratification, using the best wrinkle cream proves that early and consistent use is worth the effort. While no cream can reverse signs of aging altogether — and besides, we believe that aging is something to celebrate — you can certainly invest in a wrinkle-targeting cream to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Neocutis BioSerum Firm, $290
- Best for Forehead Lines: Irene Forte Prickly Pear Face Cream, $195
- Best for Lax Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer, $135
- Best for Expression Lines: Revision Skincare Revox 7, $150
- Best for Sun Damage: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex, $230
- Best for Daytime: Cosmedix Peptide-Rich Defense, $70
- Best for Nighttime: EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, $44
- Best Fragrance-Free: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, $184
These potent moisturizers are formulated with active ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol (a.k.a. vitamin A), and ceramides (to name a few) and designed to temporarily improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles — all while making up for lost moisture. We tapped dermatologists to learn which wrinkle serums and creams actually work — here are the best 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes skin aging?
- When will I start seeing results from wrinkle creams?
- What in-office treatments target wrinkles?
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Neocutis BioSerum Firm
Why We Love It: There's something oh-so-pleasant about not having to dip your fingers into a tub to get your product out, and while we (always) preach about having clean hands before touching your skin, the pump on the Neocutis BioSerum Firm is easier to work with (and more sanitary). The twice-a-day cream comes recommended by Dr. Curcio, who says the formula combines growth factors and peptides for less visible fine lines and wrinkles. FYI: The growth factors are derived from cultured cells — no actual human tissue is involved.
Editor Tip: If you prefer a richer formula or have really dry skin, consider Neocutis's BioCream Firme Riche. "The formulation has been shown to improve collagen and elastin production in as little as 14 days," says San Diego-based board-certified dermatologist Melanie Palm, MD.
Key Ingredients: Human growth factors, peptides, sodium hyaluronate | Who It's For: Everyone
Best for Forehead Lines: Irene Forte Prickly Pear Face Cream
Why We Love It: Myoxinol, a bio-peptide extracted from hibiscus seeds, is why the Italian-made Irene Forte Prickly Pear Face Cream works so well for wrinkles. The ingredient works similarly to injectables by targeting deep-set forehead wrinkles and expression lines that pop up as we age. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid, which Ontario-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Oyetakin, MD, says "temporarily fills in the spaces between collagen and elastin fibers, giving the appearance of smooth skin," and vitamin E for a stronger barrier, and subsequently, less moisture loss.
Editor Tip: In addition to inhibiting movement (albeit on a lesser level than injectables) the formula uses green pea-derived peptides to boost collagen and elastin production over time, too.
Key Ingredients: Hibiscus seed peptides, green pea polypeptides, vitamin E | Who It's For: People with expression lines
Best for Lax Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer
Why We Love It: Packed with wrinkle fighters like carnosine (a dipeptide naturally found in the body that declines with age) and niacinamide, Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, says the Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer also has hyaluronic acid, which binds water to the skin cells, maintains the structural integrity of the skin's tissues, and stimulates collagen production — all of which contributes to our skin’s thickness and firmness. When considering the "plumping" effect of hyaluronic acid in this nighttime moisturizer, Dr. Shamban says to think about the volume difference between a dry sponge and a wet sponge. "When wet, the sponge expands to occupy more space, giving a plumping effect," she says. "This metaphor also applies to skin."
Editor Tip: The brand is known for adding melatonin, which, in addition to helping you sleep, also serves as an antioxidant to offset the effects of free radicals throughout the day.
Key Ingredients: Melatonin, hyaluronic acid, carnosine | Who It's For: People seeking a plumping effect
Best for Expression Lines: Revision Skincare Revox 7
Why We Love It: Want your skin care to work smarter, not harder? Try Revision Skincare Revox 7, which Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology calls "a fantastic product to help with wrinkles because it goes straight to the source." The cocktail of seven peptides targets the wrinkle-making ability of the muscles to smooth out seven different expression lines, including laugh lines, frown lines, crow's feet, lip lines, and marionette lines. Plus, she says, "it can be applied with your own moisturizer or under makeup twice a day."
Editor Tip: For a targeted treatment, derms love the Revision Skincare Revox Line Relaxer, which is a mainstay for board-certified dermatologist Ope Ofodile, MD, who shared her skin-care routine with us.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, gamma-aminobutyric acid | Who It's For: People with deep lines and folds
Best for Sun Damage: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex
Why We Love It: Sun damage comes in all shapes and sizes, from dark spots to lax, crepey skin. Cue Alastin's Restorative Skin Complex, which Dr. Curcio says contains a combination of peptides along with botanicals like trimella to increase collagen production and gently hydrate the skin. This lightweight formula is especially great for those looking to target dullness and discoloration since it also includes brighteners like niacinamide and squalane.
Editor Tip: Dr. Palm also loves Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar. "While I typically recommend this product to patients for before and after cosmetic procedures to help regenerate the skin, I also like incorporating it into my daily skin-care routine since it's formulated to support collagen and elastin production," she says.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, L-ornithine, niacinamide | Who It's For: Those addressing signs of photodamage
Best for Daytime: Cosmedix Peptide-Rich Defense
Why We Love It: Given that UV damage is a major factor in skin aging, Dr. Oyetakin says that daily sunscreen use should be regarded as an anti-wrinkle treatment. You get the best of both worlds with the Cosmedix Peptide-Rich Defense, which has SPF 50 and is packed with peptides. Peptides, says Dr. Oyetakin, are "biologically active amino acid molecules that have been shown to stimulate cell turnover, collagen, and elastin to decrease fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture."
Editor Tip: The formula uses chemical sunscreen filters, which allows for a seamless, non-chalky finish and makes it a great option for those with deeper skin tones. However, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or generally have sensitive skin, dermatologists say to avoid chemical sunscreens and choose mineral sunscreens instead.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, squalane, trehalose | Who It's For: Those who want to streamline their routine
Best for Nighttime: EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer
Why We Love It: Your skin restores itself while you sleep and the EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, as recommended by Dr. Shamban, helps facilitate the repair process. This lightweight, silky lotion is formulated with antioxidant-rich linoleic and thioctic acids to stave off the day's free radicals as well as niacinamide to reduce redness and balance oil production. As for those wrinkles? Hydrolyzed rice protein stimulates cell growth and improves elasticity.
Editor Tip: Since it's non-comedogenic and contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, it's a good option for people prone to breakouts.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, linoleic acid, hydrolyzed rice protein | Who It's For: Everyone
Best Fragrance-Free: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
Why We Love It: Dr. Shamban says the SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator is a lightweight formula that works well for those with reactive, sensitive skin since it's fragrance-free. Aside from wrinkle-reducing peptides, the formula also uses five types of hyaluronic acid, including a time-released form to treat dry skin for up to eight hours — perfect for keeping your skin well-moisturized throughout the day or while you catch some zzz's.
Editor Tip: In addition to the hyaluronic acid, the formula has an exclusive complex that pairs antioxidants with peptides for an extra skin-firming boost.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, trehalose, grape flower cell extract | Who It's For: Anyone with dry or reactive skin
Best Preventative Treatment: Clarins Double Serum
Why We Love It: Dr. Nazarian loves Clarins Double Serum since it harnesses plant-based antioxidants "to minimize pores and reduce wrinkles," she says. "It even uses one of my favorite antioxidants, turmeric, to neutralize free-radical damage, and prevent premature skin aging." Plus, a little goes a long way. "Each drop is packed and potent, so a few drops daily is all you need," she adds.
Editor Tip: If you prefer a lightweight feel, the 2023 Best of Beauty Award-winning Clarins Double Serum Light delivers heavy-duty hydration alongside the potent antioxidants.
Key Ingredients: Turmeric, avocado oil, oat kernel extract | Who It's For: Everyone
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair
Why We Love It: Both Dr. Oyetakin and Dr. Shamban recommend the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair. Not only does it come with an accessible price point, but hyaluronic acid and glycerin balance out the drying side effects of retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) in the formula. It boasts a rich, creamy texture perfect for quenching your skin's thirst if you're prone to dryness.
Editor Tip: It doesn't use just any retinol. Its proprietary retinol SA works quickly to deliver results in as soon as a week, per the brand.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, glucose complex, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Retinol newbies
Best for All Skin Types: Dr. Brandt Wrinkle Smoothing Cream 2.0
Why We Love It: The Dr. Brandt Wrinkle Smoothing Cream 2.0 wins for best universal because it works for all skin types and seasons. It has a lightweight consistency that won't feel heavy or greasy on oilier skin (or during the spring and summer), yet it's spiked with mega-nourishing hyaluronic acid to keep dry skin happy (perfect for fall and winter). Wrinkles along the forehead, crow's feet, and smile lines get the boot thanks to Dr. Brandt's Filmatrix Technology, which creates a skin-like film that tightens the look of those lines.
Editor Tip: The eponymous Fredric Brandt, who formulated this product, was a pioneer of neuromodulators, earning the nickname "The Baron of Botox" — so who better to formulate a topical alternative?
Key Ingredients: Peptides, adenosine, magnesium | Who It's For: Everyone
Best for Dry Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Why We Love It: Dr. Oyetakin recommends looking for formulas containing both humectants and occlusive agents to maintain hydration and barrier function, and that's exactly why she recommends the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. It contains hyaluronic acid, a humectant that pulls water from the middle layer of skin to the outer, along with dimethicone, an occlusive substance that prevents water loss. "My new lines are less noticeable, and the deeper wrinkle I've had for years are looking a little better," says deputy beauty director Liz Siegel. "The redness I'm prone to on my cheeks, nose, and forehead is way (way, way) better, too."
Editor Tip: It's won three Reader's Choice Awards over the years — proof that it's a perennial fan-favorite.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: People with dry or dehydrated skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream
Why We Love It: Clinique always keeps sensitive skin in mind, so it's no surprise that Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream minimizes potential reactions with its oil-free, fragrance-free, and allergy-tested formula. It also contains a proprietary peptide blend that encourages skin cells to produce their own collagen, as well as two types of hyaluronic acid and soybean seed extract to amp up hydration. Together, they keep skin calm but also firm.
Editor Tip: You can (and should!) extend this down to your neck and chest to max out benefits.
Key Ingredients: Peptide complex, hyaluronic acid, soybean extract | Who It's For: Reactive skin types
Best for Traveling: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Why We Love It: Similar to its Best of Beauty-winning eye cream, RoC's Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is housed in a one-ounce tube, making it easy to tote around in a carry-on. Aside from convenience, Dr. Shamban says the cream contains retinol, which, if used daily, will deliver firm, glowing skin after several months. And, because over-the-counter retinoids are easier to tolerate than prescription formulas like Retin-A, you may not feel the need to gradually phase this retinol cream into your skin-care routine as you would a prescription one.
Editor Tip: This is a repeat Best of Beauty Award winner, taking home the prize in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 (whew!) and it's just as beloved now.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, zinc | Who It's For: Frequent fliers
Best for Oily Skin: Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer
Why We Love It: It can be challenging to balance oil production while maintaining skin hydration, but Youth To The People's Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer checks all the boxes. Antioxidant-rich green tea unclogs pores while kale (packed with vitamin C) leaves skin looking glowy, and never greasy. Plus, the gel consistency lends itself to lightweight hydration — no sticky residue here.
Editor Tip: Thanks to its texture, "it has a slightly cooling-on-contact, which makes it perfect for early-morning wake-up calls (or, you know, those days when you have to go to work)," says Allure associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen.
Key Ingredients: Kale, hyaluronic acid, green tea | Who It's For: People with oily or acne-prone skin
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes skin aging?
As we age, our skin experiences two forms of aging: extrinsic aging (which refers to external or environmental causes of aging like pollution, smoke, and, most commonly, sun exposure) and intrinsic aging (or chronological aging, a genetically determined process that leads to loss of collagen and elastin in the skin). "Both types of aging lead to wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of maturity," says Nashville-based board-certified dermatologist Natalie M. Curcio, MD. Your skin is also likely to become drier with aging, which is due to decreased sebum production and cumulative sun damage, says Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles.
When will I start seeing results from wrinkle creams?
You won't see results from most, if not all, skin-care products overnight, so your expectations have to be realistic. "If you are looking for benefits, including the improvement in skin tone, texture, redness, and reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, it usually takes 8 to 12 weeks of twice-daily application with a moisturizer to see results," says Dr. Curcio. In other words, patience is truly a virtue. Finally, the earlier you start using wrinkle cream, the better. "Used early and consistently, a wrinkle cream can reduce the appearance of many of the fine lines and wrinkles we see developing in our 30s that become more permanent in our 40s and 50s," says Dr. Shamban.
What in-office treatments target wrinkles?
If you're looking for a more intensive method of minimizing wrinkles, Ontario-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Oyetakin, MD, recommends combining your topical products with cosmetic procedures like Botox or laser resurfacing. You'll also come out ontop if you pair them with other good skin-care habits, like regular exfoliation.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best wrinkle creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists of various ages. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
For more nourishing skin care that addresses signs of aging, keep reading:
- 13 "Botox in a Bottle" Skin-Care Products That Target Wrinkles
- 17 Best Moisturizers for Mature Skin to Target Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- The Best Face Masks for Mature Skin for Intense, Comforting Hydration
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