Skip Your Filler Appointment And Opt For These Pain-Free Topical Solutions Instead

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If you're a person who's looked into anti-aging tips or wrinkle creams that reduce the appearance of fine lines on your face, there's a good chance you've been advised (by dermatologists, aestheticians, friends, etc.) that the most effective way to treat wrinkles is with injectable dermal filler. Unfortunately, though, if you're someone like me who has a modest budget and a fear of needles, filler—along with the potential risks and side effects associated with it—likely isn't an ideal choice.

In that case, the next best option is a topical wrinkle filling serum or cream, which can reduce signs of aging with help from "ingredients such as retinol and hyaluronic acid, which boost collagen, hydrate the skin, and smooth skin texture," says board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD.

Preview some of the best wrinkle fillers of 2024 ahead:

While they obviously can't "fill in" wrinkles in the exact way that an injectable product can, these products are having a major moment right now for being a pain-free, more affordable alternative to filler. Whether you're looking for something that'll give you instant results, or if you want a luxe serum that can blur the appearance of wrinkles under makeup, read ahead to check out some of the best wrinkle fillers, according to experts and reviews.

DermInfusions™ Fill + Repair Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Three all-star ingredients—hyaluronic acid, peptide proteins, and niacinamide—come together in this luxurious serum that was created as a way to mimic the way injectable filler fills lines and plumps areas of the face. The peptide proteins are used to make the skin appear more firm while the four weights of hyaluronic acid are meant to penetrate the skin at different levels.

Rave review: "I have only been using this 2 weeks and my forehead wrinkles and lines in between my eyebrows look a thousand times better! My skin is more plump and hydrated!"

HA (Hyaluronic Acid) IMMERSE Serum

This 2022 Women's Health Skincare Award winner is one of board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola's favorites. "This soft luxurious cream contains peptides with hyaluronic acid," she says. "Hexapeptide 38 specifically helps to preserve your skin's natural hyaluronic acid, which works double time to keep skin plumped and makes wrinkles look less apparent."

Rave review: "Amazing! It glides on my skin and feels so hydrating. I will not use any other. It has made such a big difference on my skin’s fine lines. Truly one of a kind!"

Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum

A recommendation from Dr. Shirazi, this drugstore serum is formulated with retinol (for increasing skin cell turnover) and three forms of hyaluronic acid that help to smooth and reduce wrinkles.

Rave review: "Love this product! I have deep wrinkles from smoking and always drinking out of a straw and this cream visibly reduces the appearance of them. Will definitely buy this again."

RevitaLift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother

This smoothing product can be applied after moisturizing to give the skin a velvety smooth (read: fine line and wrinkle-free) finish underneath makeup and complexion products.

Rave review: "I’ve been using this since 2013! It does exactly what it says it does! It truly is a miracle! The pores on my nose disappear and the lines on my forehead and around my eyes soften dramatically."

Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler

Need a product that reduces the appearance of wrinkles almost instantly? This one might be the one for you. It uses some impressive technology that scatters and bounces light away from the face to reduce shadow and give the illusion of wrinkle-free skin.

Rave review: "This wrinkle filler really works! I tried it on one side of my face and could see the difference immediately."

Bio Performance Skin Filler Serums Set

This is a two-step system that delivers shrunken hyaluronic acid molecules to deeper skin layers in the first step before expanding them back to their original size and increasing their efficacy in the second. Both products are meant to be used in the morning and at night, and the result should be skin that looks more hydrated and plump.

Rave review: "I first noticed that my skin felt more firm just after two days of use. I really like that this product not only has improved my skin’s appearance but it has also improved the way my skin feels to the touch."

Triple Repair Matrixyl 3000 + Argireline + Hyaluronic Acid + Organic Vitamin C

"This wonderful serum contains argireline, which is a peptide that many call 'botox in a bottle,'" says Coppola. "It's a peptide applied topically that, through nanosphere technology, helps to relax facial muscles, promoting a smoother, wrinkle-free appearance."

Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Plump Line Filling Bounce Serum

The star of this serum is a special peptide that improves the skin's production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. The result is smoother skin and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines.

Rave review: "I have deep forehead wrinkles and this seems to be working better than than any other I've bought. It also goes great under my makeup!!"

Hyalis+ Intensive Hydrating Serum

This luxury serum "has sodium polyglutamate in addition to hyaluronic acid which helps to book the skin's natural HA production," says Coppola. This produces a hydrating and smoothing effect, which in turn, reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

Rave review: "I love the way my skin feels after putting this on. Smooth, hydrated, and plump. It has been a game changer in my skin care routine."

Age Intervention Retinol Plus

Triple board-certified physician Gendai Echezona, MD, recommends the use of retinol when trying to reverse the effects of aging. "Retinol is a form of vitamin A that stimulates collagen production and accelerates skin renewal," she says. That's where this recommendation comes in. It uses a combination of retinol, peptides, green tea extract, and hyaluronic acid to improve skin texture and decrease sun damage.

Rave review: "My skin looks brighter and smoother after just a week of using this Jan Marini retinol product. I still have my well-earned wrinkles but now they have faded and given me a much younger appearance."

Lift + Renew Serum

"This boosts blood flow to the skin, stimulates and protects collagen & elastin, improving skin tone and texture," says Dr. Shirazi.

Rave review: "I love this product. I have been using it for a week and it seems my skin is brighter and my line between my eyebrows is not as deep."

How we chose the best wrinkle filling products

For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including beauty editor Danielle Jackson, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated wrinkle fillers. Our team consulted with board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola, dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, and physician Gendai Echezona, MD for this story.

Meet the experts

Vanessa Coppola is a board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Bare Aesthetic. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of AziMD Skincare. Gendai Echezona, MD, is a triple board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist.

What to look for in a wrinkle-filling product

• Retinol: Exfoliates skin and increases collagen production, while also "improving the overall quality of the skin by enhancing circulation, protecting vital skin structures like collagen, and renewing skin cells to help with skin texture and pores," says Dr. Shirazi.

• Hyaluronic acid: "Helps hydrate and plump the skin almost instantly to reduce wrinkles," Dr. Shirazi says. For best results, a hyaluronic acid product should be applied to wet skin.

• Peptides: Dr. Echezona recommends looking for products with peptides, which increase collagen production and improve the skin's elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles in the long run.

Can topical products really fill in wrinkles?

Not exactly, says Dr. Echezona. "Topical skincare products don’t actually 'fill' in wrinkles like an injectable product," she explains. "They work by increasing hydration of the skin, stimulating collagen production, and promoting skin cell turnover, which can improve the appearance of wrinkles over time."

If you want something super-effective that reduces the appearance of wrinkles, you'll likely see better results from injectable fillers—that said, filler is pretty expensive, so if you're a babe on a budget, a topical product might be just enough to get the job done.

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