In a perfect world, there would be a face cream that could instantly smooth wrinkles and lift your skin. Unfortunately, such a cream doesn’t exist—and no matter how many retinol serums, eye creams, or neck creams you use, there will never be a way to completely get rid of wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Some creams, however, do make a major difference. If you opt for a targeted wrinkle cream, you can expect to see results.
Karan Lal, MD, an Arizona-based double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist, says that a good wrinkle cream is definitely worth the investment. “The issue with wrinkle creams is that they take time [to work],” she says. “Do not expect immediate results.” In other words, don’t expect your skin to smooth out overnight—you’ll likely start to notice fewer and less pronounced fine lines and wrinkles after a month or two of consistent use. You’ll want to opt for a cream packed with ingredients like retinol, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid for the best results.
Keep reading for the 10 best wrinkle creams out there, according to experts, experienced beauty editors, and plenty of vetted customer reviews.
Best Overall
Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream
Pros
Hydrating - More gentle on skin than typical retinol creams
Cons
- Takes time to see results
Shave off a few years by using this potent cream, packed with retinol, ferulic acid, and bakuchiol to speed up cell turnover to reveal fresh, renewed skin that looks visibly younger and brighter. Skin type:
Size: 2 oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Do I have wrinkles? No, but I am doing everything possible to delay them while I’m still in my twenties. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not afraid of aging. However, if there are dozens of anti-aging products at my disposal, why not use them? I love pretty much every product in Dr. Dennis Gross’s Advanced Retinol + Ferulic line, especially this cream, because they make my skin feel smoother and look brighter and younger. A hairstylist told me I look like I’m 23 years old. She was a few years off, but that means I’m doing something right—right?”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Strong scent
Caudalie’s Premier Cru moisturizer is luxury you can feel. With a thick, nourishing formula—which uses hyaluronic acid to boost hydration—the cream firms the skin and improves elasticity, all the benefits guaranteed to make the bouncer do a double-take when you tell them your age.
Skin type: Normal, dry
Size: 1.6 oz
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Prevention is my skin care philosophy. I’m terrified of injections, so I’ll be using all the anti-aging creams possible to avoid injectables. A little goes a long way with the Premier Cru moisturizer, which seeps into the skin like butter and leaves your face smooth and soft.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
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Best for Very Dry Skin
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched
Pros
- Anti-aging
Cons
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
For a youthful glow and a plumped-up texture, this is the cream that will work wonders for your skin. In the short term, it adds a boost of hydration, while in the long term, this cream smooths out fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin type: Dry skin
Size: 2.5 oz
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “You can’t really un-wrinkle a wrinkle once it’s already formed, but this cream does a nice job of moisturizing and plumping the skin so that your little life lines are softened. I like that this works as a full-out day cream as well, with protection for your skin (via SPF23 —an exact amount) and antioxidants. I have yet to meet a Shiseido cream I don’t like, and this is no exception!”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
Best for Sagging Skin
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Pros
- Plumps and lifts
Cons
- Takes time to see results
If you’re looking for that lifted, contoured appearance, this cream was designed to sculpt and define your face. Plus, it also increases the skin’s bounce factor so that you can say goodbye to crepey, sagging skin.
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 1.7 oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “If my beauty bag ever got waylaid due to a plane, I would go to the drugstore and buy this cream. This is a cream that has all the buzzwords you’ve heard about in skin care, including niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and amino peptides. It’s a good overall cream, and the moisture and hydration benefits will make your skin look better overall.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
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Best for Mature Skin
La Mer The Rejuvenating Night Cream
Pros
- Nourishes and brightens
Cons
- An investment
Almost all of La Mer’s creams could be on this list, but their newest night cream is one of their most wrinkle-targeting products yet. This cream blends the brand’s trademark Miracle Broth—a fermented mix of sea kelp, vitamins, and nutrients—with a new marine-derived retinol alternative called MRA-3 for smoother, brighter skin overnight.
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 2 oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This night cream was a winner in our last Future of Beauty awards, and for good reason. It makes skin so soft and smooth overnight, and even though it has retinol, it’s still gentle (but extremely efficacious). I’ve been using this cream for the past few months and my skin has absolutely transformed—plus, a little goes a long way.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Best for Oily Skin
Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream
Pros
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Has a strong scent
Designed for both the face and the neck, this lightweight cream targets multiple signs of aging in one simple product. With vitamin A, natural extracts, and hyaluronic acid, this cream gives you an even skin tone while diminishing signs of aging.
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 2.5 oz
Nordstrom rating: 3.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I like that the name of this cream comes with a reminder not to forget to moisturize your neck. And your neck will be craving the moisture in this cream, too, formulated with fast-acting hyaluronic acid, chaga mushroom to help with uneven skin tone, and a very gentle retinol alternative.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
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Best for Deep Lines
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Now 37% Off
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Sarah Jessica Parker loves RoC, and it’s not hard to see why. This wrinkle cream from the brand not only treats fine lines, but also helps smooth deeper wrinkles. Thanks to its blend of retinol and anti-aging minerals, this formula is like Botox in a bottle.
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using ROC products since I turned 35, and I am now 80. My skin is better than any of my friends. Even ladies in their 50s can’t believe my age.”
Best for Dark Spots
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream
Pros
- Softens skin
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Luxury wrinkle creams often boast all the bells and whistles, but this one from the drugstore performs at a price point your wallet will appreciate. Moisturizing and anti-aging all at once, the cream contains retinol, which encourages skin cell turnover, reduces the appearance of lines, and fades dark spots.
Skin type: Normal skin
Size: 1.7 oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have always liked the Neutrogena brand. This face cream did not disappoint. It is rich and luxurious and is easy to smooth on the face. It is not greasy. By the end of the first week, it seemed like some small wrinkles weren’t as noticeable. I really like this stuff. I know that when I run out, I will be ordering more! It’s definitely worth it.”
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Best for Dull Skin
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer
Now 38% Off
Pros
- Brightens skin
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Three of the buzziest ingredients right now are brightening vitamin C, smoothing retinol, and plumping hyaluronic acid, and this cream from drugstore veteran Olay contains them all. The formula is designed to give you the softer, firmer skin you’ve been dreaming of.
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 1.7 oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this for over a decade. I know genetics plays a part, but I have to say it makes my skin feel better. And at my age, I basically don’t have wrinkles; either that’s genetics, or this product is helping. Going to keep using it because studies show retinol works!”
Best for Supple Skin
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
This cream contains botanical ingredients, like algae, to hydrate and smooth the skin, boost the skin’s firmness, and add a beautiful sheen. Over time, you’ll notice a plumpness that reduces the appearance of lines and crow’s feet.
Skin type: All skin types
Size: 1.6 oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I am 75 years old. I have tried many moisturizers in my day. This one was recommended to me by my son. I must have taught him well because this cream is the best ever. I keep it in the refrigerator and apply after using Elemis Toner. LOVE IT!!!”
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Meet the Experts
Dr. Karan Lal is a board-certified dermatologist.
Dr. Omar Ibrahimi is a board-certified dermatologist.
Do wrinkle creams actually work?
Wrinkle creams are effective when used consistently. However, finding a cream with ingredients that cater to your skin woes is key. “Most wrinkle creams have ingredients such as retinol or peptides, which help regenerate damaged collagen. Retinol also helps even out skin tone and pigmentation that occurs from photoaging,” Lal says.
While you can see results with wrinkle creams, they may not be as transformative as the results you’ll get from in-office treatments. “No anti-wrinkle cream is going to take a 65-year-old and reduce wrinkles enough to make them look 15 years younger,” adds Ibrahimi. “One will need lasers, fillers, and other procedures to achieve this. However, getting started early in your 20s will certainly delay the development of wrinkles and allow one to age more gracefully.”
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Are wrinkle creams better than in-office treatments?
It all depends on what your skin goals are. “I liken wrinkle creams to brushing your teeth twice daily vs. in-office treatments, which are like the deep cleaning of your teeth one gets ideally twice a year,” says Ibrahimi. “Just because you do the deep cleaning or in-office procedures doesn’t mean you can skip the daily brushing. Likewise, the daily brushing doesn’t obviate the need to do in-office procedures to obtain optimal skin health.”
Can you use wrinkle creams preventively?
Yes, these creams can absolutely be used preventatively to help stop wrinkles before they start. “These creams help stimulate collagen beneath the skin's surface, so using them preventatively will help maintain and reduce natural collagen breakdown,” says Lal.
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What are the best ingredients to look for in a wrinkle cream?
Look for ingredients that increase cell turnover and improve the appearance of the skin. “The best ingredients with the most evidence by far are retinoids and retinol molecules,” says Ibrahimi. “I also think growth factors and growth factor peptides are other important anti-wrinkle ingredients with solid evidence. Vitamin C and E, as well as molecules that may not help stimulate collagen production but draw in water and help plump the skin, such as hyaluronic acids, will also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.”
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, editors pored over dozens of customer reviews and consulted skin experts to find the best wrinkle creams for all ages and skin types.
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- The Best Retinol Eye Creams to Fight Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- The Best Eye Creams for Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Reviewed byMona A. Gohara, M.D.
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, and member of the ELLE Beauty Advisory Board. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group.
