14 Best Wrinkle Creams That Work for Antiaging, Reviewed by Dermatologists & Us

If you’re looking for an anti-wrinkle cream that does more than just fight wrinkles, Kiehl’s MultiCorrective Cream deserves a spot in your skin care routine.

“It works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, and improve overall texture,” says Dr. Garshick. It contains an ingredient called retinyl palmitate—sometimes known as pro retinol—which offers many of the same benefits of retinol but is gentler and more stable. “It also contains hyaluronic acid and chaga mushroom to hydrate the skin and improve overall texture,” she says.

This is definitely a rich-lady face cream, but it sinks into skin surprisingly fast given how thick it is. Also surprising is the luminous finish it leaves behind, which you don’t typically get from a moisturizer with this sort of heft.

• Key ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid, chaga mushroom
• Use if: You want to address multiple signs of skin aging at once.
• What to note: The texture is really thick and can feel a bit goopy (especially in the summer).

Neutrogena’s HydroBoost is a favorite for, you guessed it, hydrating skin. What’s nice about this cream is that it’s lightweight and suitable for all skin types, from dry to sensitive. It can also come in handy if you’re using retinoids, as they can be extremely drying and irritating, says Tracy Evans, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology. “I always tell my patients to premoisturize their skin with a hyaluronic-acid-based moisturizer like this one so that they can still absorb the retinol without blocking it—and they can tolerate it better,” she says.

“My skin can be very temperamental in that it will respond well to a product one day and then cause a breakout the next,” says reviewer Felicia W. “I’ve used this cream for over a year, and it has become one of my favorite and most reliable moisturizers. It provides hydration without feeling greasy.”

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, lipids
• Use if: You are looking for something hydrating and lightweight.
• What to note: It doesn’t have any of the heavy-hitting antiaging ingredients.

Any dermatologist will tell you that retinol is the best over-the-counter antiaging ingredient money can buy. It works to stimulate cellular turnover, which boosts collagen production and brings fresh, healthy cells to the surface of your skin to replace old, dead ones. These biological processes result in a whole host of benefits, including smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles (plus diminishing acne and fading discoloration).

All of that, however, comes with a fairly high risk of irritation—so you’ll need to proceed with caution when adding retinol to your routine. Fig.1 makes the process as easy as possible with this nighttime lotion. It employs encapsulation technology that releases retinol into the skin slowly over time (versus all at once) and comes in three different strengths so that you can start at a lower concentration and work your way up as your skin adjusts to the intensity.

“The Level 1 cream is a great starter retinol with a concentration of 0.15%, which allows the skin to acclimate to the ingredient while also nourishing the skin with ceramides, squalene, and hyaluronic acid so you’re getting hydration at the same time,” says Neill Scibelli, a celebrity makeup artist who uses this gentle retinol-based moisturizer himself as well as on its clients.

• Key ingredients: Retinol
• Use if: You’re looking to add a retinoid into your routine.
• What to note: Retinol isn’t safe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You might know the power of retinols: “They trigger cell turnover and collagen production, combat oxidative stress, and contribute to a strong skin barrier,” explains Dr. Engelman. That said, they might be too harsh for those with sensitive skin to use daily. This cream addresses that concern with a formula that’s gentle—so gentle, in fact, that it’s suitable to wear during the day. Just be sure to layer your sunscreen on top. “In studies, this deeply hydrating cream visibly reduced wrinkles and pores in as little as one week,” says Dr. Engelman. “The combination of quick-absorbing retinol and sustained release HPR, or high-performance retinol, is extremely effective at addressing signs of aging without being too harsh on skin.”

“I always want to use a topical retinoid to help boost collagen and smooth wrinkles, but my skin often gets dry and irritated. So I was happy to learn that this cream is designed to be less irritating but still effective,” says reviewer and tester Krista Bennett DeMaio, founder of beauty referrals site Pretty Local. “In just a few uses, my skin looked more plump and radiant.”

• Key ingredients: Retinol and High Performance Retinol (HPR), phytoceramides, hyaluronic acid, peptides
• Use if: You have sensitive skin and want to use retinol
• What to note: It has a floral scent that can be a bit much for someone who doesn’t like a lot of fragrance in their face cream (or has sensitive skin).

If you’d prefer to steer clear of retinol (which you should do if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or if your skin is too sensitive to tolerate it), bakuchiol is a great alternative. The ingredient delivers the same skin-smoothing effects but doesn’t come with quite the same risk of irritation. “This cream contains bakuchiol to help address fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation without irritating the skin,” says Dr. Garshick.

In addition to bakuchiol, the moisturizing cream contains lingonberry stem cells, “which protect from oxidative stress and blue light, which can worsen hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s a great multitasker, and a great option for those with sensitive skin.”

• Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, aloe, snow algae
• Use if: You want retinol-esque results without using actual retinol.
• What to note: Consistency is a bit on the thicker side.

Crinkles—the shallow lines that aren’t permanently etched into your face, but rather come and go as they please—are a whole lot more prominent when your skin is dry.

“Fine lines and wrinkles are more pronounced in skin that is dry and dehydrated,” explains Dr. Mikailov. “Hydration helps to plump the skin, which helps camouflage fine lines and wrinkles.” The best way to treat these types of dehydration wrinkles, then, is to flood them with hydration. And Dr. Zeichner recommends this night cream from Eucerin to get the job done.

The formula is chock-full of humectants, which draw moisture into the skin to leave it feeling hydrated and plump. “I look at this product as the foundation for your skin care, as it provides both moisturizing and anti-wrinkle benefits,” says Dr. Zeichner. He adds that the formula contains two types of hyaluronic acid. “The macro-molecular-weight HA sits on the surface of the skin for superficial plumping, while the micro-molecular-weight HA penetrates into the skin for deep hydration,” he says. It’s also got provitamin B₅, another humectant that offers skin-softening and barrier strengthening benefits.

The cream is surprisingly lightweight, and honestly feels more like a body lotion for aging skin. Plus—unlike nearly all of the other moisturizers on this list—is dispensed via a pump so that you don’t have to stick your fingers into a jar and dig around for it. This also allows for a bit more control over how much product you’re getting, which is helpful considering how thick the texture is (a little bit goes a long way here).

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5
• Use if: You’re dealing with dehydration wrinkles that appear every once in a while
• What to note: This formula works best for instantly—but temporarily—smoothing lines; it doesn’t have the same long-term anti-wrinkle effects as other products on this list

This cloudlike moisturizer is as gentle as it is lightweight. In lieu of aggressive actives, like retinol, the formula employs “super peptides” and a marine-derived sugar to stimulate collagen production. “It helps with both wrinkles and firming,” says Dr. Garshick. “It also contains antioxidants and is especially great for those with dry or sensitive skin.”

The instant effects of the formula, though, are arguably the best thing about it. It makes skin look plump, glowy, and quenched, and creates a gorgeous canvas to apply makeup on top of (though you may find you don’t need any).

• Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid
• Use if: You prefer a gentler formula that still works.
• What to note: Because this formula doesn’t contain harsh actives, it may take slightly longer to see results

This cream is specifically designed to help smooth out more advanced etches while also delivering the nourishment that mature skin (which tends to be drier) needs. “It contains Matrixyl 3000+, a powerful anti-aging peptide that promotes collagen production for firmer, smoother skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “The formula is also enriched with shea butter and glycerin to hydrate and nourish, making it a good choice for those with dry or combination skin looking to target visible signs of aging.”

It’s got a thick, balmy texture but melts easily into the skin easily and without irritation. The finish is slightly shiny—but in a way that feels radiant, not greasy—and it won’t transfer onto your pillow while you sleep.

• Key ingredients: Peptides, shea butter, glycerin
• Use if: You’ve got mature skin that needs smoothing, softening, and hydration.
• What to note: Product may be too greasy for some.

Leave it to famed makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury (whose expert hands have graced nearly every A-list complexion you can think of, including Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, and Amal Clooney) to create an effective antiaging moisturizer that also plays well under makeup.

“This face moisturizer incorporates hyaluronic acid and a peptide complex, so it works to hydrate while also improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as it plumps the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. This helps to create a soft, smooth canvas to apply foundation, which is why so many MUAs consider this stuff a staple in their kits.

But! The Magic Cream’s makeup friendliness isn’t the only thing that makes it great for daytime use. Dermatologists love it because it contains antioxidants, which help to protect against environmental stressors (like pollution and UV) that lead to signs of skin aging. “Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamen E help to brighten the skin and improve overall skin tone, making it a great option for those who can’t tolerate a retinol or those who are looking for a non-retinol-containing moisturizing cream,” says Dr. Garshick. “It also incorporates aloe vera and shea butter, which help soften and nourish the skin.”

Glamour’s culture director, Mattie Kahn, is also a fan of the product. “I’ve been using it for weeks, and the results are subtle but undeniable,” she previously reported. “Not only has it totally smoothed out this one random patch of scaly skin near my eyebrow, but it’s also restored a measure of moisture and general dewiness to my face.”

• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, peptides
• Use if: You’re in the market for a moisturizer that lies well under makeup.
• What to note: The original Magic Cream contains fragrance and may irritate sensitive skin; for an alternative fragrance-free option, try the brand’s Magic Water Cream.

Board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a fan of this drugstore diamond, which pairs its wrinkle-reducing active ingredients with calming and hydrating ones so that all skin types can benefit from it. “It contains rice peptides that have hydrating effects, and delivers a blend of vitamin E and pro-retinol to calm and strengthen the skin,” he says.

What’s really cool about this formula, though, is that women of all ages seem to swear by it. A 60-year-old reviewer says she noticed an improvement in her overall facial skin, while someone in their mid-30s notes that the lines in her forehead are “definitely less noticeable” and her skin is softer after a month of use.

• Key ingredients: Vitamin E, rice peptides, pro-retinol
• Use if: You want an affordable option that will leave skin extra soft and smooth.
• What to note: Some users complain that this moisturizer leaves skin sticky.

Facts: Hyaluronic acid is a star ingredient for hydration in many cream and serum formulations, as it binds water to skin. What makes this one different? It has four different types of hyaluronic acid to ensure maximum moisture. “Its velvety feel goes onto the skin smoothly, and I find both my male and female patients love the texture of this,” says Nicole Ruth, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, who says it’s a good option for everyday use. “It gives immediate hydration—it’s like a moisture surge for skin.” The cream also has ingredients to soften fine lines and pores, plus boost firmness and elasticity.

“It doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on the skin at all, even with four forms of hyaluronic acid. It absorbs quickly and creates a velvety finish that layers well under makeup,” says De Maio. “It instantly smooths pores and fine lines, too, so it could double as a makeup primer.”

• Key ingredients: Four forms of hyaluronic acid, peptides, lavender extract, ceramides.
• Use if: Your skin needs a hydrating boost pronto.
• What to note: As a night cream, it may not be enough for someone with dry skin.

This super-luxurious cream has patented grape-centric active ingredients—GSM10 and ProGR3, derived from Grenache and Syrah seeds plus grapevine tendrils—that go to work on softening wrinkles and protecting skin from environmental damage. “People ask for a natural product with both antioxidant and antiaging properties, and this cream’s ingredients are just that,” says Dr. Ruth. “It’s best for my patients needing hydration and wanting something that’s luxurious but effective.” She also notes that her patients love how easy it is to apply makeup directly on top.

“I used this cream day and night, and noticed that my skin started to feel smoother after just a few days. Since I like to apply two serums before my moisturizing cream, I really appreciate that this formula is super lightweight and absorbs well into my skin,” says Glamour contributor Holly Carter.

• Key ingredients: Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache seeds, resveratrol, green tea extract
• Use if: You want moisturization and a glow without any greasiness.
• What to note: It’s a splurge; some users have issues with the scent.