These Wrinkle Creams Are Better Than Botox

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Pro tip: be very wary of any skin care product that makes the bold promise of youthful skin, especially wrinkle creams. How can a cream reduce the appearance of lines in a matter of weeks or months? Wrinkle creams cannot completely erase deep-set wrinkles or immediately turn back the hands of time to give you your teenage skin again.

While there are so many incredible anti-aging skincare products on the market these days, from youth-boosting retinol to night creams that plump and smooth the skin, sometimes it can feel like you're slathering on a whole lot of nothing. According to Dr. Karan Lal, an Arizona-based, double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist, a wrinkle cream is only as good as its ingredients.

“Yes, wrinkle creams are 100 percent worth the investment,” says Lal. “They often also contain hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin and softens fine lines. The issue with wrinkle creams is that they take time. Do not expect immediate results.” Is there a magic cream that will make you look like a newborn again? Nope. But using a wrinkle cream consistently can absolutely reduce lines and other signs of aging like hyperpigmentation, dullness, and loss of elasticity.

Here, we’ve assembled a team of wrinkle creams that don't just talk the talk but actually reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We combed through dozens of customer reviews to find the 12 best wrinkle creams to keep you looking your best.

Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 2 oz

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.

Nordstrom rating: 5/5 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, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Premier Cru Anti Aging Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

Skin type: Normal, dry

Size: 1.6 oz

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.

Sephora rating: 4.4/5 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

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 1 oz

Treating fine lines is one thing, but this product works miracles on deeps wrinkles. With a combination of retinol and anti-aging minerals, this product is practically botox in cream form. With results like this, it’s no surprise the RoC brand is a favorite of Sarah Jessica Parker.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

An Amazon reviewer said: “I was a little skeptical at first, but this stuff really works. Helps repair my skin after being outside in brutally cold weather.”

Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched

Skin type: Dry skin

Size: 2.5 oz

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.

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, ELLE print beauty director

Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Anti-Aging Face Cream

Skin type: Normal skin

Size: 1.7 oz

A tried and true option among anti-aging creams, this retinol-infused moisturizer from Neutrogena is a powerful yet gentle product. It works quickly to fade the look of fine lines and reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “This product makes my skin moisturized and look younger. I’ve tried more expensive brands and didn’t get the same results.”

Regenerist Cream

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 1.7 oz

If you’re looking for that lifted, contoured appearance, this cream was designed to sculpt and define your face. It also increases the skin’s bounce factor so that you can say goodbye to crepey, sagging skin.

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 skincare, 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

Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Creme SPF 15

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 2.5 oz

This moisturizer is a great investment when you want a day cream that packs in SPF along with nourishing anti-aging ingredients. Not only will it gradually fade fine lines, but it also helps reduce dullness that can sometimes accompany aging skin.

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “Sometimes you reach a fun age where you can worry about wrinkles and acne at the same time! For that, there’s this. This is an oil-free moisturizer with SPF15 that contains vitamin C—a great daytime solution for people who don’t want something that feels too rich.”—Kathleen Hou

Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream

Skin type: Normal, dry, and combination

Size: 1.7 oz

An everyday moisturizer that plumps, firms, and hydrates? Yes, please. This cream is beloved for its dual anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Collagen helps plump the skin, working to both fade fine lines and prevent them from appearing in the future.

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “This is a great moisturizer. I have tried several. It truly keeps my skin hydrated and soft. It combines well with my serums and sunscreens. It also wears well at night with my retinol. I highly recommend it!”

Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 1 oz

This serum uses three powerful ingredients to target the most common signs of aging: peptides plump the skin, retinol reduces fine lines and hyperpigmentation, and hyaluronic acid smooths the skin.

Nordstrom rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “The results of this product blew me away. It softens wrinkles and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. The price is a steal for the quick results you see with this formula. I highly recommend it!”—Danielle James, ELLE.com digital beauty director

Skincare Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 1.7 oz

With retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer brightens and invigorates the skin. On the hunt for smooth, glowing features? Look no further.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Feels good on the skin. Quick to dry and leaves skin feeling smooth. I have experienced only good things from this product; my skin appearance looks brighter, tighter, and smoother. Just what my skin has needed.”

Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Face & Neck Cream

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 2.5 oz

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.

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

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

Skin type: All skin types

Size: 1.7 oz

Thiss cream uskin’stanical ingredients like algae to hydrate and smooth the ski to boost the skin's firmness and add a beautiful sheenn. Over time, you’ll notice a plumpness that reduces the appearance oyou’ll lines and crow’s feet.

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Nordstrom crow’ser said: “I am 75 years old. I have tried many moisturizers in m“ 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!!!”

Meet the Experts

Dr. Karan Lal, dermatologist

Dr. Omar Ibrahimi, dermatologist

Do wrinkle creams actually work?

Wrinkle creams are effective when used consistently. However, finding a cream with ingredients catering 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.”

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 being 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?

“Absolutely!” says Lal. “These creams help stimulate collagen beneath the skin's surface, so using them preventatively will help maintain and reduce natural collagen breakdown.”

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 ingredient with the most evidence by far are retinoids and retinol molecules,” says Ibrahimi. “I also think growth factors and growth factor peptides are another important anti-wrinkle ingredient 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, Tatjana Freund and Nerisha Penrose 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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