Dermatologists Say These Anti-Aging Creams Actually Help Minimize Wrinkles (2024)

Fighting fine lines and wrinkles starts at home. Night creams, eye creams, and serums can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels. If you want a more youthful-looking complexion, the best anti-aging cream can help address wrinkles and fine lines.

According to Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist Erum Ilyas, M.D., there are generally two categories of wrinkle creams: “Ones that actually treat and prevent wrinkles, and others that just minimize their appearance.” The first category of products contains anti-aging ingredients (think: retinol). The second involves ingredients that hydrate or temporarily plump the skin to make wrinkles seem less noticeable—but once you stop using them, your skin goes back to its regularly scheduled programming.

Meet the experts: Erum Ilyas, M.D., a Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist; Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City; Debra Jaliman, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and author of Skin Rules; and others.

That’s not to say you should avoid the latter category. “These products serve the purpose of giving the appearance of ‘faster’ results, which is perfectly okay when you just want something that will make you look better for an event,” explains Dr. Ilyas.

We’ve rounded up the best anti-aging wrinkle creams, recommended by dermatologists and rated favorably by reviewers. These top-rated creams not only help target fine lines and wrinkles, but they also moisturize, brighten dark spots, and help with hyperpigmentation.

Best Overall: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

This cream contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, amino peptides to firm, as well as niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3), a potent antioxidant that helps improve the appearance of enlarged pores and dullness, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. It also doesn’t hurt that the brand is trusted by celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Drew Barrymore, and Quinta Brunson.

I have been using the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream for four years now. My mother, who’s in her late 60s, has used it for longer. I appreciate the thick consistency that locks in moisture; more importantly, I love that it doesn’t irritate my sensitive, acne-prone skin. We also love that it’s at a great price point, unscented, and free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes.

What the reviews say: One reviewer joked they looked “20 years younger” after using the product. “My skin looks great and well nourished. It is thick and creamy and absorbs well,” they wrote.

How to apply: Use daily, morning and night. After cleansing your skin, apply the desired amount and gently massage into the skin until fully absorbed. When applying in the morning, make sure to follow up with an SPF.

Best Value Anti-Aging Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

This product “has the needed retinol to treat and prevent wrinkles, along with effective hydrating ingredients to minimize the irritation that most will experience with retinol-containing products,” says Dr. Ilyas. Made with pure RoC retinol, it’s quite potent. It’s also oil-free, non-comedogenic, and under $20. Plus: It’s Prevention’s pick for the overall best retinol cream, and it boasts tens of thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon.

The RoC is another household favorite that gets rotated into my skincare regimen regularly. The tube packaging makes it easier to place the cream exactly where you want it, plus it’s mess free. It’s also ultra moisturizing, thanks to ingredients like glycerin, shea butter and squalane.

What the reviews say: “I’ve been using retinol for a while. So far, this is my favorite,” one reviewer noted. “It does not dry my skin. It feels great, and I see a difference in my fine lines.”

How to apply: Apply to face and neck at night. The brand recommends first applying this product every other night to evaluate your skin’s response to the formula and then gradually increasing frequency to every night.

Best Firming Anti-Aging Cream: Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream

Specifically formulated to address signs of aging, this rich, quick-absorbing cream from Shiseido firms skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Raspberry extract and rose apple leaf extract help to maintain visible tightness in the skin and protect it from external stressors. Plus, super bio-hyaluronic acid delivers intense, long-lasting moisture for a soft and dewy, youthful-looking complexion.

What the reviews say: “My skin was almost instantly firmer, lifted, with fewer fine lines, smoother with a glow,” one Sephora customer wrote. “Even to the touch it feels like silk has been applied to your face.”

How to apply: Apply daily, morning and night. Shiseido recommends using the provided spatula to scoop two pearl-sized amounts, then dotting the cream on five points of your face: forehead, nose, chin, and both cheeks. Then, gently smooth the cream outward over your face before applying an additional pearl-sized amount for your neck, sweeping the cream upward from your neck to jawline.

Best Anti-Aging Cream for Sensitive Skin: L’Oréal Revitalift Cicacream

If your skin tends to be sensitive (and you want something affordable), this cream “contains tiger grass to help calm and repair the skin barrier, along with pro retinol to strengthen the deeper skin layers,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. It works to fight wrinkles, resist signs of aging, firm skin, and hydrate—all without fragrance, parabens, and common allergens.

What the reviews say: “This wonderful cream was light yet very moisturizing,” one reviewer raved. “Even though I have just been using it for about a week, it seems to be helping with the dryness I’ve been experiencing this season. It absorbs very quickly, without looking greasy at all. A great addition to my daily beauty routine!”

How to apply: Use daily, morning and night. Smooth over the face until thoroughly absorbed. For best results, the brand recommends using in conjunction with other Revitalift products.

Best Award-Winning Anti-Aging Cream: PCA Skin Intensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5% Pure Retinol

“When it comes to retinol, I don’t compromise,” says Mona Gohara, M.D., vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. “I like to have the science (knowing it’s been tested to build collagen), the right percentage (at least 0.5%), and the ability to use it regularly without irritation. When I find a product that has all those things, I stick with it.” That’s why she backed this pick for our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards. This treatment has retinol to target wrinkles and vitamin E to block free-radical damage. All you need is a pea-sized amount nightly to see results over time.

What the reviews say: “This PCA retinol is a great product. I use every other day and my skin is brighter and firmer,” said one shopper. “Yes this product is expensive but a little goes a long way. It’s worth the investment.” Another reviewer noted that though the product may sting a bit, it is “fantastic” and “the results are incredible.”

How to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount in the evening after cleansing and toning. PCA recommends first starting to use twice a week, then gradually increasing application frequency to every other night, before finally applying every evening or as tolerated. Follow up with a moisturizer.

Best Nighttime Anti-Aging Cream: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

“The ingredients in this moisturizer can achieve results of some much more expensive products,” says Dr. Jaliman. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, making it an excellent hydrator that helps to reduce the skin’s crepey appearance, while niacinamide helps even out skin tone. It’s a light formulation that won’t clog pores (and is super-easy on the wallet).

What the reviews say: One reviewer who uses it in conjunction with retinoids wrote, “I love this product by CeraVe. It’s another win for my beauty routine at a reasonable price point.”

How to apply: Use nightly before bedtime. CeraVe recommends applying in small dots where needed around your face, then gently smoothing the cream onto your skin until it’s thoroughly absorbed.

Strongest Anti-Aging Cream: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer

This is a retinol product that helps bring new skin cells to the surface while encouraging new collagen growth over time, says Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. It is strong enough to be irritating to some, though, so start by applying a thin layer two nights a week and increase slowly as tolerated.

What the reviews say: “I have frown wrinkles on my forehead, and I can visibly see those wrinkles looking softer than before,” one shopper explained. “Not to mention this product gives so much hydration at night. It’s a bit on the oily side, but I think that’s the point to give that night-long hydration. I love this night cream, and it has become part of my routine.”

How to apply: Use daily on cleansed face and neck, applying a pearl-sized amount evenly in gentle massaging strokes until fully absorbed. Neutrogena recommends gradually phasing it into your skincare routine, working up to twice daily as tolerated. When using in the daytime, always follow up with an SPF.

Best Anti-Aging Cream for Scars: Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum

Dealing with acne scars or sun spots? This serum will help brighten your complexion as it prevents future pigment formation, says Emmanuel Loucas, M.D., a Manhattan-based board-certified dermatologist. Chalk it up to its blend of antioxidant-rich vitamin C, exfoliating glycolic acid, and skin-lightening hydroquinone. Plus, it works well for all skin types and tones.

What the reviews say: “Noticing dark acne scars starting to lighten,” wrote one reviewer. “I haven’t had any cystic acne since I started this new skincare journey,” another said. “My skin looks almost normal again. The spots of hyperpigmentation are definitely fading. My skin texture is improving.”

How to apply: Use daily, morning and night, after cleansing. Massage evenly over face, neck and chest. Follow up with a moisturizer, and make sure to use with an SPF sunscreen during the day.

Best Prescription-Strength Anti-Aging Cream: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

This derm favorite is the only prescription-strength retinoid (adapalene) available OTC, and it treats everything from acne to discolorations to wrinkles. Apply a gentle moisturizer on top, since it acts like more of a treatment. If you experience irritation, apply your moisturizer underneath to provide a bit of a barrier.

What the reviews say: One reviewer over 60 said that, with some patience, her skin eventually cleared up after a few months of using the product. “I am now flabbergasted! My skin hardly breaks out now!” she wrote. “I have had acne for as long as I can remember. Thanks to this fabulous product, I have much better skin now. Hardly any acne! It seems to have purged my skin to a clearer state.”

How to apply: Use once every day. After cleansing, apply a thin layer all over your face. Follow up with an SPF moisturizer in the daytime, and a non-SPF moisturizer at night.

Most Versatile Anti-Aging Cream: Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream

“With this cream, you don’t need to worry about whether or not it’s only going to help with puffiness or just improve crow’s feet because it really does do it all,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. Its formula utilizes powerful growth factors to smooth and firm the eye area, while caffeine improves the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.

What the reviews say: “This is by far the best eye cream I’ve tried, and I’ve tried quite a few,” said a 51-year-old reviewer who has been using the products for two years.

How to apply: Use once or twice daily, morning and night. After cleansing, apply to the skin area surround the eye, using a dabbing or patting motion, but avoid rubbing the delicate eye area. Follow up with a facial moisturizer.

Best Anti-Aging Cream for Tightening Skin: NeoStrata Triple Firming Anti-Aging Neck Cream

Your neck is one of the first parts of your body to show signs of aging. This cream firms the area with unique ingredients for a trifecta of results. It helps tighten skin by boosting collagen production, exfoliates to fade dark spots, and hydrates with vitamin E and shea butter.

What the reviews say: “It works,” one customer said. “Being on Zoom calls all day long and having to see myself on camera made me notice my saggy neck. I started using this at the beginning of the year and I love it. It actually works! My neck looks drastically different.”

How to apply: Apply twice daily, gently smoothing over neck and décolletage. NeoStrata recommends applying it in an upwards motion from the bottom of the neck all the way up to the jawline. Follow up with moisturizer and SPF.

Best Retinol Anti-Aging Cream for Sensitive Skin: Naturopathica Argan & Retinol Wrinkle Repair Night Cream

“This is a nice product to use if you have sensitive skin and are looking for a retinol,” says Dr. Ilyas. While more studies are needed to test argan’s benefits, the results have been promising. “At the very least, it hydrates the skin effectively to boost the benefits of retinol and reduce the potential irritation from its use,” she says. We love that it’s also sustainably sourced, cruelty-free, and made with alternative ingredients.

What the reviews say: One 72-year-old reviewer raved, “I like the Naturopathic produce line and have more recently been using argan and peptide water cream in place of serums. I very much like the result!”

How to apply: Use nightly, after cleansing. The brand recommends warming a nickel-sized amount between the fingers, before massaging onto skin in upward and outward motions and ending with short, upward strokes on the neck and décolleté.

Best Anti-Aging Cream for Quick Results: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

Hyaluronic acid, a peptide complex, and vitamin E “draw in moisture from the air and deliver it to your skin for up to eight hours after application,” Ramya Kollipara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Texas told us previously. “It’s great for fine lines and works almost immediately.” This product uses five forms of hydrators to improve the appearance of the skin and provide extra moisture.

What the reviews say: “This feels like silk on my skin. No irritation and no breakout. I definitely see a difference in my skin. Less red and less irritated. I am thrilled by this.”

How to apply: Use twice daily, in the morning and night, after cleansing, toning, and treating your skin and before you apply moisturizer and SPF. Apply to your face, neck, and décolleté. Pro tip: The brand advises first wetting your fingertips prior to applying HA5 to your skin, since HA5 is a “water-loving” substance.

Best Anti-Aging Cream for an Unbalanced Complexion: Cosmedix Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer

To hydrate dry skin and protect the skin barrier from environmental stressors, turn to Cosmedix’s Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer. Its formula contains a blend of fruit and plant extracts that protects and soothes all skin types. It also includes a probiotic called Lactococcus Ferment Lysate that supports the skin’s microbiome, strengthening its natural defenses.

What the reviews say: “This is the *only* moisturizer that delivers the moisture I need without being too emollient or contributing to breakouts,” said a reviewer. “My skin has rebalanced and my texture has greatly improved. And the bonus is that it smells terrific.”

How to apply: Apply morning and night, to freshly cleansed and toned skin.

Best Clinical Strength Anti-Aging Cream: Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream

With hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and vitamin E, this anti-aging cream from Kate Somerville moisturizes and plumps skin. Though it’s a clinic-grade formula, it’s safe to apply morning and night.

What the reviews say: “Since I’ve been using this product my skin has been smooth and fine wrinkles noticeably softer,” wrote a reviewer. “The cream smells nice and glides on without feeling tacky. I would absolutely recommend!” Prevention’s own senior commerce editor is also a fan of the moisturizer. “It instantly plumped my skin. I recently ran out of a sample and can’t wait to restock.”

How to apply: Use morning and night, applying a thin, even layer to face and neck. The brand notes that you can use alone, or layer over a treatment or serum.

How to choose the best anti-aging wrinkle cream or serum

✔️ Scan the label: The dermatologists we talked to recommend products that contain the following ingredients: Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) promote cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and help to even out skin tone. Peptides are another important anti-aging staple that help to repair skin damage. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E help in the fight against free radicals (unstable molecules that can do major damage to your cells). Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, and other hydrators can boost and lock in moisture, which will help reduce the irritating effects of anti-aging ingredients.

✔️ Know your skin type: “For those who have oily skin or live in humid climates, a lightweight cream with mattifying properties will prevent skin from becoming weighed down and shiny,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “On the other hand, if someone has dehydrated skin or lives in a dry, cold area, a rich cream is more appropriate for their regimen.”

✔️ Factor in sensitivities: If your skin is easily irritated, consider looking for anti-aging creams that contain bakuchiol instead of retinol. “It actually has the same effect as retinol topically, but it’s less irritating because it’s also an anti-inflammatory agent,” says Dr. Ilyas. Other potential irritants to avoid include fragrances, artificial dyes, and even coconut oil or cocoa butter, which can clog pores and cause breakouts.

✔️ Look for prime packaging: Ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and peptides can become unstable and degrade when exposed to air or light, so any products that contain them should be packaged in dark opaque tubes, preferably with air-tight pumps, says Lela Lankerani, D.O., board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.

Benefits of using anti-aging creams

“The right anti-aging cream can help with an array of aging concerns like reducing wrinkles, replenishing hydration, and boosting skin’s radiance,” says Jeannette Graf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “Anti-aging creams are formulated to target skin concerns that come with age.”

Specific ingredients in anti-aging creams each have their own benefits. Antioxidants help to prevent free radical damage from UV light and pollution to even out skin tone and fine lines, explains Dr. Gohara, such as retinols and retinoids which work to build collagen and prevent its breakdown, helping to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging. Many anti-aging creams also include ingredients like vitamin C, hydroxy acids, and niacinamide, all of which help to brighten and even skin tone, adds Dr. Graf.

Another telltale sign of aging specifically targeted by anti-aging products? A loss of moisture in the skin. “Anti-aging creams can help restore some of that moisture with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin which are humectants and draw moisture into the skin, and ceramides which help to seal the skin barrier shut to keep hydration in,” says Dr. Graf.

When should you start using anti-aging cream?

You may think that you should start using anti-aging products only when you see signs of aging, but dermatologists actually recommend them at any age. “It’s always best to tackle the signs of aging before they occur because it’s harder to undo what’s already been done. That’s why I recommend starting an anti-aging skincare regime as soon as possible,” says Dr. Graf. “People in their 20s can benefit from the ingredients that help with anti-aging and also prevent it.”

How we chose the best anti-aging creams

Our staff tested the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream and RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. Additionally, our team consulted user reviews and took editor’s experience with brands and specific products into consideration to choose the best anti-aging creams available today. We also sought out the expertise of the following experts to learn what to look for in an anti-aging cream and get product recommendations straight from the sources.

• Erum Ilyas, M.D., a Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist
• Joshua Zeichner, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City
• Debra Jaliman, M.D., New York City-based dermatologist and author of Skin Rules
• Joel Schlessinger, M.D., Omaha-based board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon
• Mona Gohara, M.D., vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society and member of the Prevention medical review board
• Emmanuel Loucas, M.D., Manhattan-based board-certified dermatologist
• Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., board-certified dermatologist
• Lela Lankerani, D.O., board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas
• Hadley King, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Jeannette Graf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.