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Skin-care products aren’t known for instant gratification, but using the best wrinkle cream proves the power of patience. While no cream can reverse signs of aging altogether, early and consistent use of these superhero formulas can soften fine lines, tighten and plump skin, and even tone over time. And while we think aging skin is something to celebrate, we get it if you’re not quite ready to embrace the changes.

These potent moisturizers are formulated with active ingredients—like peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and ceramides (to name a few)—designed to temporarily improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while making up for lost moisture. We tapped dermatologists to learn which wrinkle serums and creams actually work—here are the best 10.

Our Top Wrinkle Creams

• Best Wrinkle Cream Overall: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+, $258
• Best for Dry Skin: Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream, $150
• Best for Deep Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced, $185
• Best for Barrier Support: Ourself Daily Renewal Cream Rich, $85
• Best for Sensitive Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream, $35
• Best for Hyperpigmentation: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream, $145
• Best Firming: Neocutis BioSerum Firm, $290
• Best for Lax Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer, $145
• Best for Expression Lines: Revision Skincare Revox 7, $150
• Best Drugstore: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, $27

Frequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• What causes skin aging?
• When will I start seeing results from wrinkle creams?
• What in-office treatments target wrinkles?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Wrinkle Cream Overall: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Alastin

Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

$258

Alastin

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Christa Joanna Lee

Why we love it: Skin changes with time—that’s natural—but Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+ helps it stay resilient, supported, and visibly vibrant at every stage. TriHex+ is the brand’s patented blend of peptides designed to clear out old, damaged collagen and elastin while signaling the skin to produce fresh, healthy fibers in their place (in other words, think of it as a cleanup crew and a construction team in one). The recently updated formula steps things up with octapeptide-45 to further support collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, plus magnolol to calm inflammation and l-ornithine to help visibly firm and re-plump thinning areas. Whether you’re in between treatments or just want to keep skin looking supported and firm, this serum-like consistency sinks in quickly, making it easy to fit into any routine (and worthy of its luxury price point).

Lee before applying the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after applying the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

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“As someone with dry, sensitive skin and a few early signs of aging (read: the appearance of fine lines around my eyes), my first foray into Alastin skin care has been a pleasant surprise. The Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+ feels like the perfect mix of an ultra-light moisturizer and serum—it sinks in fast but leaves my skin hydrated and smooth all day. After a few weeks, my complexion looks a little plumper and my skin texture is more even—with hardly any effort at all.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: TriHex Technology (peptide blend), octapeptide-45, magnolol, l-ornithine
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream

Lancôme

Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream

$150

Amazon

$150

Nordstrom

$150

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: H.P.N. is an acronym for the three star ingredients doing the heavy lifting in this formula: hyaluronic acid, peptides (over 300 of them!), and niacinamide. Together, “Lancôme’s Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Anti-Aging Cream is a multi-tasking formula that helps firm, smooth, and brighten the skin,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada. The peptides help support collagen and elasticity, niacinamide improves tone and radiance, and hyaluronic acid pulls in deep moisture—making tight, dehydrated skin feel cushioned again. As Dr. Hovenic explains, “The texture feels rich but absorbs quickly, leaving skin hydrated, supple, and visibly more radiant with continued use.”

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Deep Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

SkinCeuticals

A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

$185

SkinCeuticals

$185

Dermstore

$185

Bluemercury

Why we love it: A.G.E. doesn’t actually stand for “age” (even though it’s fitting); it’s short for advanced glycation end-products, which are basically sticky sugar-protein bonds that gunk up your collagen over time and lead to deeper wrinkles, sagging, and that crepey look on the face, neck, and chest. SkinCeuticals’ A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced was made to slow that process down and help undo some of the visible effects. The featured ingredient is proprietary 18% Proxylane, a molecule that helps rebuild the skin’s “support beams,” making it look firmer and more cushioned. The formula also packs 4.25% blueberry and pomegranate flavonoids to help defend against sugar and environmental damage, plus 0.1% licorice-derived glycyrrhetinic acid to calm and brighten. It’s richer than a standard moisturizer, but that’s on purpose—it’s meant for skin dealing with deeper lines, loss of density, and dryness.

Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor

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“Many moisturizers sting my dry, sensitive skin—but not the A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced. It coddles my skin, comforting the extra-dry patches and leaving my complexion bouncy and bright.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Proxylane, blueberry extract, pomegranate extract, glycyrrhetinic acid
• Fragrance-free: no

Best for Barrier Support: Ourself Daily Renewal Cream Rich

Ourself

Daily Renewal Cream Rich

$85

Ourself

Why we love it: The “Rich” version of Ourself’s Daily Renewal Cream is made for the moments your skin needs extra support: after a peel, during freezing cold-weather months, or when your face just feels dry and overworked. “It’s a favorite for those with dry skin, which is especially important as we go into the winter months,” says Dr. Hovenic. The formula relies on the brand’s Intides (a.k.a. “intelligent peptides”), niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ginger root extract to hydrate, even tone, and calm irritation. Then shea butter and carob fruit extract step in to “provide deep nourishment and strengthen the skin’s barrier function,” says Dr. Hovenic. Thanks to its slow-release delivery tech, the comfort actually lasts—“skin feels nourished and protected all day long,” she adds.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Intides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter,
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream

RoC

Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream

$35 $28 (20% off)

Amazon

$38

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: You might be surprised that our pick for sensitive skin includes retinol, but hear us out. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Fragrance Free Cream pairs retinol (the gold-standard wrinkle fighter) with hyaluronic acid to cushion skin against the dryness and irritation retinol is known for. “This is a wrinkle-fighting cream for sensitive and dry skin, using both hyaluronic acid for short-term plumping and retinol for long-term results,” says Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. The formula also includes soothing hydrators such as glycerin, dimethicone, and glyceryl behenate, plus antioxidants (vitamin E and C derivatives) to help calm and protect the skin. “Since it’s fragrance-free, it minimizes irritation,” and is a gentle entry point for anyone who wants retinol results without the rough side effects, says Dr. Bittar.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: retinol (percentage not disclosed), hyaluronic acid, glycerin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream

Shiseido

Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream

$145

Amazon

$145

Nordstrom

Why we love it: If your main concerns are uneven tone and dark spots, along with loss of firmness, Shiseido’s Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream targets all three at once. The formula’s hero, SafflowerRED (grown exclusively in Japan), helps lift, firm, and visibly even the complexion, while ziziphus jujuba fruit extract zeroes in on hyperpigmentation and elasticity. Ginseng root extract supports natural collagen production for brighter, stronger skin, and caffeine adds a quick-hit brightening effect while helping soften the look of lines. Plus, a mix of gentle botanicals—like rosemary, green tea, and angelica root—helps calm, hydrate, and maintain the moisture barrier, which is key if you want that firm-yet-glowy finish instead of tight, dry skin.

Tester feedback from Lee

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“I’m a sucker for a good sensorial moment, and this texture is so pillowy and weightless it practically feels like you’re smoothing on a cloud. The subtle scent is luxe without being overpowering for daily use, and even with added fragrance, my sensitive, redness-prone skin isn’t bothered. After a few weeks, I’ve noticed my skin looks more even, and its non-greasy texture layers nicely under makeup.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: SafflowerRED, ginseng root extract, ziziphus jujuba fruit extract, caffeine
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Firming: Neocutis BioSerum Firm

Neocutis

BioSerum Firm

$290

Amazon

$290

Dermstore

Why we love it: Nashville-based board-certified dermatologist Natalie M. Curcio, MD, is a fan of the Neocutis BioSerum Firm, which works as both a daytime and nighttime moisturizer. The formula combines growth factors and peptides for softer-looking fine lines and wrinkles, she says. P.S.: The growth factors are derived from cultured cells—no actual human tissue is involved. The brand says you’ll start seeing a difference in six days to keep antsiness at a minimum. 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.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: human growth factors, peptides, sodium hyaluronate
• Who it’s for: everyone
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Lax Skin: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer

Isdin

Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer

$145

Amazon

$145

Dermstore

Why we love it: Packed with wrinkle smoothers like carnosine (a dipeptide naturally found in the body that declines with age) and niacinamide, the Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer has won over Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles. The formula also has hyaluronic acid, which binds water to the skin cells, maintains the structural integrity of the skin's tissues, and stimulates collagen production, boosting 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. The brand is known for adding melatonin to its products, which serves as an antioxidant to offset the effects of free radicals throughout the day.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: melatonin, hyaluronic acid, carnosine
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Expression Lines: Revision Skincare Revox 7

Revision Skincare

Revox 7

$150

Dermstore

Why we love it: Want your skin care to work smarter, not harder? Try Revision Skincare’s Revox 7, which Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City, calls "a fantastic product to help with wrinkles because it goes straight to the source." The cocktail of seven peptides targets the wrinkle-causing muscles to smooth out seven different expression lines.. Plus, she says, "It can be applied with your own moisturizer or under makeup twice a day."

For a targeted treatment, derms also love the Revision Skincare Revox Line Relaxer, which is a mainstay for board-certified dermatologist Ope Ofodile, MD, who previously shared her skin-care routine with Allure.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, gamma-aminobutyric acid
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Drugstore: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Olay

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

$27 $20 (26% off)

Amazon

$25

Walmart

Why we love it: Chances are you’ve seen—or maybe even finished—this iconic red jar; in that case, consider this your reminder to grab a refill. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream has earned a loyal following (plus three Allure Readers’ Choice Awards) for visibly firming, lifting, and smoothing skin without a luxury price tag. “It has a published peer-reviewed study that showed improvement in skin quality comparable to a retinoid,” Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, previously told Allure. A combo of amino-peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that plumps skin with moisture while helping soften the look of fine lines over time. It feels rich and cushiony going on, sinks in quickly for all skin types, and leaves your complexion bouncy and hydrated.

Tester feedback from former deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel

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“My new lines are less noticeable, and the deeper wrinkles I've had for years are looking a little better. The redness I'm prone to on my cheeks, nose, and forehead is way (way, way) better, too.” —Elizabeth Siegel, former deputy beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free: no

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 Dr. Curcio.

When will I start seeing results from wrinkle creams?

You won't see results from any skin product 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 eight to 12 weeks of twice-daily application with a moisturizer to see results," says Dr. Curcio. In other words, patience is a virtue. And, 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. Final PSA: Even the best wrinkle cream is only half the equation—you need a daily sunscreen with at least SPF 30 if you want those results to actually stick.

What in-office treatments target wrinkles?

If you're looking for a more intensive method of minimizing wrinkles, Patricia Oyetakin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Ontario, Canada recommends combining your topical products with cosmetic procedures like Botox or laser resurfacing. These can promote collagen production on a deeper level than the treatment alone.

Meet the experts

• Peter Bittar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute based in Miami
• Natalie M. Curcio, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Nashville
• Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
• Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology based in New York City
• Ope Ofodile, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta
• Patricia Oyetakin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Ontario, Canada
• Melanie Palm, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego
• Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles

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.