Thankfully, our scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab are constantly testing anti-aging products, including wrinkle creams for the full face (hello, deep wrinkles and forehead lines!), eyes and neck, from drugstore bargains to luxury splurges. So to help you do that, I chatted with several dermatologists and Women's Health's beauty director Brian Underwood to curate a list of wrinkle creams you'll love adding to your skincare routine. A great wrinkle cream helps hydrate and plump the skin, which ultimately makes fine lines and wrinkles less obvious, so you'll want to start in your twenties when collagen (that's the protein that plumps skin) production slows down. "However, wrinkle creams often contain active ingredients that stimulate collagen production and help slow the development of fine lines." Her top tip for choosing a cream to tackle any sign of aging? While no topical skincare product can totally remove wrinkles produce the results of a professional treatment like Botox, GH Beauty Lab testing has found that some anti-aging creams and products (like the top-tested formulas on our list) do work and provide visible effects. In addition to fighting fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots using retinol (found in many pricier alternatives), the cream is also formulated with hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin, which plumps it up and smoothes the look of lines.
How we test the best wrinkle creams
When should you start using an anti-aging cream? "Retinoids remain the gold standard because they firming peptide treatment boost collagen and increase cell turnover," says Dr. Collins. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Face Cream. Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tests the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tests the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Crea
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. Your results may depend on how often you use a product, the type and amount of active ingredient in it, and the type of wrinkles you want to treat. And cosmetic products don't get the tests for safety and effectiveness that prescription medicines applied to the skin do. Whatever products you choose, read the label instructions.
Best for Deep Wrinkles: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
"These can be introduced early on to build healthy habits and maintain long-term skin health and quality," she says. "Retinoids remain the gold standard because they boost collagen and increase cell turnover," says Dr. Collins. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Face Cream. Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tests the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.
Best Nighttime Wrinkle Cream: Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer
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. "It’s a favorite for those with dry skin, which is especially important as we go into the winter months," says Dr. Hovenic. It coddles my skin, comforting the extra-dry patches and leaving my complexion bouncy and bright." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor "Many moisturizers sting my dry, sensitive skin—but not the A.G.E. Interrupter Advance
BioSerum Firm
Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. According to Tanya Kormeili, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica, California, "Using a moisturizer that helps restore the barrier and keeps the skin protected is a very clever way to keep the skin healthy this winter. She adds that firming peptide treatment dermatologist-developed or clinically tested formulas are generally the most reliable and effective picks.
Common ingredients in anti-wrinkle creams
Look for products enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter. It’s about the active ingredients and how they are delivered to the skin. Quality ingredients ensure visible results and minimize the risk of skin irritation or other adverse effects. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. "Look for proven actives like retinol, peptides, antioxidants, and SPF—and avoid heavy fragrance or drying alcohols that can cause irritation," Dr. Collins say
How we test the best wrinkle creams
When should you start using an anti-aging cream? "Retinoids remain the gold standard because they firming peptide treatment boost collagen and increase cell turnover," says Dr. Collins. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Face Cream. Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tests the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tests the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Crea
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. Your results may depend on how often you use a product, the type and amount of active ingredient in it, and the type of wrinkles you want to treat. And cosmetic products don't get the tests for safety and effectiveness that prescription medicines applied to the skin do. Whatever products you choose, read the label instructions.
Best for Deep Wrinkles: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
"These can be introduced early on to build healthy habits and maintain long-term skin health and quality," she says. "Retinoids remain the gold standard because they boost collagen and increase cell turnover," says Dr. Collins. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream. Vogue's beauty shopping writer Concetta Ciarlo tests the Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Face Cream. Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tests the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.
Best Nighttime Wrinkle Cream: Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer
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. "It’s a favorite for those with dry skin, which is especially important as we go into the winter months," says Dr. Hovenic. It coddles my skin, comforting the extra-dry patches and leaving my complexion bouncy and bright." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor "Many moisturizers sting my dry, sensitive skin—but not the A.G.E. Interrupter Advance
BioSerum Firm
Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. According to Tanya Kormeili, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica, California, "Using a moisturizer that helps restore the barrier and keeps the skin protected is a very clever way to keep the skin healthy this winter. She adds that firming peptide treatment dermatologist-developed or clinically tested formulas are generally the most reliable and effective picks.
Common ingredients in anti-wrinkle creams
Look for products enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter. It’s about the active ingredients and how they are delivered to the skin. Quality ingredients ensure visible results and minimize the risk of skin irritation or other adverse effects. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. "Look for proven actives like retinol, peptides, antioxidants, and SPF—and avoid heavy fragrance or drying alcohols that can cause irritation," Dr. Collins say