The best antiaging creams are a reliable secret weapon (in tandem with sunscreen, of course) when it comes to minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “Anti-aging creams can improve texture, skin tone, and pigmentation, especially with consistent use of ingredients like retinoids and antioxidants,” says Claire Wolinsky MD, a board certified dermatologist in NYC. But when it comes to narrowing down the dozens of options on the market, the choices can be overwhelming.
That’s why after chatting with dermatologists and polling Glamour editors, we put nearly 20 of the best wrinkle creams to the test to help you decide what formula is best for your antiaging skin care routine. After testing moisturizers, gels, and creams, our top overall pick was the Medicube Triple Collagen Cream. This powerhouse Korean skin care product features a blend of hyaluronic acid, shea butter and collagen to plump and soften the skin. After using it for a little over two weeks, we very quickly observed a difference in forehead wrinkles and overall our skin looked plumper. We also found great solutions for dry, oily, and mature skin, plus options that you can pick up at your local drugstore.
The best antiaging creams, at a glance
How we tested
We tested antiaging creams by evaluating their ingredients, texture, and overall efficacy. Our testers ranged from 30 to 60 in age and had a variety of different skin types and skin concerns including acne, sensitive, and mature skin. The best ones had dermatologist-recommended ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, ceramides, and antioxidants to combat fine lines and wrinkles in addition to dark spots and dullness.
The ones we loved also had lightweight textures that our skin simply drank up, from gel-cream formulas to thick occlusive finishes that dried down quickly without leaving our skin feeling sticky. The ones that made the cut were efficacious and did a great job of minimizing fine lines around our eyes (11’s on forehead or crow’s feet) or wrinkles around our nose and mouth. Our skin was left looking plump, hydrated, and glowing after consistent use.
Best Overall: Medicube Triple Collagen Cream - Hydrating & Firming Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
.png)
Pros: Rivals expensive creams at a great price; effective after only 1–2 weeks of use
Cons: Not listed if this formula is noncomedogenic
Korean moisturizers are some of the most game-changing products we’ve ever incorporated into our routines, and it’s all to do with the potent ingredients found in these formulas, from hyaluronic acid to collagen, peptides, and more. This jar made it to the top of our antiaging cream list because it simply can’t be beat when it comes to efficacy and price. At $20, this cream feels a lot more like the luxury picks in our collection, and it’s packed with dermatologist-recommended active ingredients (like collagen and hyaluronic acid) to firm and plump the skin. Plus, testers saw a difference in the fine lines in their forehead and around their nose and mouth after just two weeks of using it.
Testing notes
“I fell in love with this moisturizer the minute I tried it. It has a bouncy, gel-like consistency that glides right onto the skin and quickly sinks in, leaving you looking and feeling radiant but not overly shiny. I definitely think it made a huge difference in the fine lines on my forehead and around my nose after consistent use—both areas feel more firm and plump,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, who has oily combination skin.
Best for Mature Skin: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Anti-Aging Cream with Peptides
.png)
Pros: Plumps skin; combats signs of aging
Cons: Expensive; formula takes a minute to dry down
If you have mature skin with lines, wrinkles, or sagginess, we love this wrinkle cream that’s packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and soybean seed extract to help nourish and strengthen. It’s lightweight to the touch, too, and fragrance-free, making it a great pick if you’re on the sensitive or reactive side.
Testing notes
“This thick and luscious cream made my skin undeniably pillowy soft after a week of daily use and produced such an unmistakable gleam on my cheeks that it was discernible even in my little square within the gallery of a Zoom meeting. At one point, after a few days of using this cream, I touched my face, and I was so surprised by how soft it was that I had to touch my skin again to be sure. And my wrinkles definitely looked less crepey and defined. But be forewarned, this is a cream that is on the thicker side, and sometimes it took a while to absorb, especially on one of my hot-flashy days. So if I were running out the door in the hot sun, I would reach for a moisturizer with a thinner consistency,” says Glamour copy manager Charlotte Twine.
Best for Dark Spots: YSE Beauty Xtremely Rich Brightening & Barrier-Supportive Moisturize
.png)
Pros: Feels luxurious; hydrates and soothes the skin; helps mitigate discoloration from sun damage
Cons: Pricey compared to other picks on this list; texture is a bit greasy
Dark spots can be tricky to deal with, and while a vitamin C serum can help lighten hyperpigmentation and discoloration, it doesn’t hurt to also use an antiaging brightening cream, like this gem. It has a super creamy texture that’s packed with squalane, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and licorice root to gently illuminate the skin.
Testing notes
“This antiaging cream is simply luxurious,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It’s silky to the touch and leaves your skin looking and feeling plump and supple. It also did a decent job of brightening areas of darkness I deal with, particularly under my eye area and around my nose. My skin looks fresh and more clarified after using it for about a week.”
Best for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242 Treatment
Pros: Rich, creamy texture; paraben-free; improves visible signs of aging over time
Cons: Expensive; light fragrance
Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Turner Dermatology in NYC and founder of TRNR Skin, is a big fan of this face cream for sensitive skin. “[It] features three different lipids (cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides) to fortify the skin barrier, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss and irritation from external factors, which makes it an ideal night cream,” he says. “It has a beautiful semisolid texture that melts into skin to create a comfortable, moisturizing shield.”
Testing notes
“Not too thick and not too light, this is the Goldilocks face moisturizer for me. I’ve been using it consistently for almost a month now and I’ve noticed that my face has a glow that wasn’t there before. My nighttime skin care routine feels off if I don’t use it,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle, who has oily combination skin.
Best for Dry Skin: Innbeauty Project Recharge Gel Cream Smoothing & Plumping Moisturizer
.png)
Pros: Texture is a dream; peptides plump and recharge skin
Cons: Pricey for the size; pump gets stuck
If you deal with dryness and flaky patches, this hydrating gel cream might just be the antiaging secret weapon you need. It has peptides, plant stem cells, and a proprietary mineral complex that helps give skin a major moisture boost and instantly plumps the surface.
Testing notes
“Out of all the moisturizers I’ve tried in my day, this is the one that gave me immediate effects nearly minutes after application. It has a creamy gel texture that absorbs into the skin quickly and is completely noncomedogenic, which makes it a great fit for those who have acne (cough, me). I used this right after getting back from a Euro trip when my skin was insanely dry from the plane. It nearly immediately plumped and softened my face and left me feeling silky smooth,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Oily Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Pros: Feels light on the skin; super affordable
Cons: Not suitable for drier skin types; skin can feel a little sticky after application
Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New Jersey, recommends this lightweight option for oily skin because it has a jelly-like formula that won’t leave behind residue and can help plump and tighten the skin. It has hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and glycerin to help lock in moisture, remove dry cracks, and calm rough texture.
Testing notes
“This is a drugstore fave that I can always count on. If I ever forget to bring a day moisturizer on a trip, I just pop into the nearest CVS and grab one. It’s extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly, and plays well with my makeup—no pilling or patching anywhere. I have oily combination skin so I need a hydrating moisturizer that won’t feel too heavy or make my complexion feel greasy. And this water-gel texture is so silky smooth that I apply it all over my neck and chest too. It also somehow always feels cool to the touch, which is a nice bonus,” says Glamour’s Calle.
Best Barrier Repairing: Farmacy Beauty Honey Cloud Lightweight Barrier Repair Moisturizer
.png)
Pros: Really lightweight and bouncy texture; doesn’t leave skin feeling oily; improves skin elasticity
Cons: Expensive for the size; formula is a little goopy and takes a minute to dry
If your skin feels particularly stripped or dry, we love this wrinkle cream that will breathe new life into your complexion. It’s packed with peptides, chamomile, and ectoin to deeply hydrate and replenish the skin’s barrier, not to mention, it’s bouncy and soothing to the touch.
Testing notes
“I’m pretty much obsessed with this moisturizer—the texture, the ingredients, the way my skin drinks it up—it’s a dream! It plays well with my combination skin, too, and doesn’t make me feel overly oily. Instead, it makes my skin look brighter, more youthful, and resilient. It’s so good, I have my boyfriend hooked on it too,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for your 50s: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream
.png)
- Pros: Available at your local drugstore; reduces wrinkles; firms up skin
- Cons: The texture is greasy, so it may be a little too heavy for oilier skin; the scent is also quite heavy compared to other formulas on this list
This moisturizer is ideal if you’re in your 50s and deal with dryness. It has a potent blend of vitamin E, antioxidants, and shea butter to plump skin. It’s silky to the touch and helps rejuvenate your skin overnight for a brighter, glowy look by morning.
Testing notes
“While this formula doesn’t ‘erase’ wrinkles, per se (at least not yet), I would say that even within a few days the lines in my face were plumper and less severe-looking. A couple of things to note: The scent is a strong one, and the thick cream took a little while to absorb. If I put on too much, my skin would remain a little tacky a few minutes later,” says Twine, who’s in her 50s.
Best Budget-Pick: RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer
- Pros: Affordable; a little goes a long way so the jar will last you quite some time; brightens and evens skin tone and texture
- Cons: Takes a few minutes to dry down; the fragranced version might cause irritation
This creamy face moisturizer is under $30 and is just as effective as some of the more expensive formulas on this list. It has a blend of hyaluronic acid, retinol, and glycerin to soften skin and smooth out the appearance of fine lines, creases, and deep indentations like acne scars and pock marks. We also like that this comes in a fragrance-free version that makes it great for sensitive skin types.
Testing notes
“I’ll tell you one thing, this moisturizer is one of the most luxurious in my collection, so I was shocked to find out that you can add to it to cart for under $30. It has a cloud-like, fluffy feel that glides onto the skin like butter and adds a nice sheen of moisture, particularly great on evenings after I’ve had a long day and my skin is feeling extra dry. I love that it has a blend of both retinol and hyaluronic acid to gently exfoliate but maintain moisture, and so far, it’s done a really great job at correcting dark spots and post-acne scars around my T-Zone and on my chin. This one is a little greasy at first, so less is more, but as someone with combination skin, it kept my complexion in check and didn’t break me out. A huge win,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Others we tested
- Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion: This drugstore pick is a favorite amongst dermatologists because it’s suitable for sensitive and dry skin types and is both hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic. It has a ton of antiaging skin care ingredients including glycerin, vitamin B5, and niacinamide to soften fine lines and wrinkles and protect the skin barrier. Glamour tester Sarah Cassuto, who has very sensitive skin, shared that it works best on her body and leaves behind a lightweight, nongreasy sheen.
- Kiehl’s Anti-Aging Super MultiCorrective Cream: “This anti-wrinkle cream works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, and improve overall texture,” says Marisa Garshick, MD and board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. It contains an ingredient called retinyl palmitate—sometimes known as pro retinol—which offers many of the same benefits of retinol but is gentler on various skin types (making it suitable for sensitive complexions). “It also contains hyaluronic acid and chaga mushroom to hydrate the skin and improve overall texture,” she says.
- No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream: This cream is specifically designed to help smooth out wrinkles while also delivering the nourishment that mature skin (which tends to be drier) needs. “It contains Matrixyl 3000+, a powerful antiaging 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 also a favorite of Hope Mitchell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology. “It’s one of those night creams that feels luxurious and comforting while it works to restore skin firmness and radiance overnight,” she notes.
Frequently asked questions
What do dermatologists recommend for antiaging?
First and foremost, all dermatologists recommend strict sunscreen and broad-spectrum SPF protection when it comes to antiaging. An antiaging serum like “a retinoid or retinol comes in second, and can promote collagen production and increase cell turnover,” says Claire Wolinsky, MD and board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. An antiaging moisturizer used in tandem with these products can help create more youthful-looking and plump skin.
What causes wrinkles?
“Fine lines and wrinkles are a natural part of aging and are due to the decrease in collagen levels in the skin,” says Anar Mikailov, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the cofounder of Skintensive, which makes skin care products. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that gives skin its structure, strength, and elasticity—the less of it you have, the more your skin starts to show signs of aging. “Not only does collagen degrade over time, especially under chronic UV exposure (a reminder to wear your sunscreen), our skin also produces less and less collagen as we age.” The amount of collagen and elastin your body produces starts to decline sometime around your late 20s, which means that as you get older, fine lines will eventually start to settle into deeper wrinkles.
By the time you hit your 40s, “there are noticeable signs of loss of collagen, the descent of facial fat pads, and deepening of wrinkles on the upper face, and uneven pigmentation appears due to broken blood vessels and sun spots,” Brian Hibler, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC previously told Glamour.
What is the most effective antiaging product?
There’s no one-size-fits-all in terms of the “best” antiaging skin care routine; it’s all about finding what works for you and fits with your preferences. That said, there are a few ingredients Dr. Mikailov recommends you look for in your formulations:
- Retinyl and retinol: Vitamin A derivative that promotes elastin and collagen production; reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores; improves signs of sun damage, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin texture
- Bakuchiol: Gentle retinol alternative that stimulates collagen
- Vitamin C: Potent antioxidant that protects against environmental stressors that cause visible signs of skin aging while also brightening skin and evening discoloration
- Peptides: Amino acids that stimulate collagen production
- Hyaluronic acid: A powerful humectant famous for its ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water
What ingredients should you look for in an antiaging cream?
The dermatologists we spoke with recommend opting for vitamin C to protect the skin against pollutants, free radicals, and oxidative stress, hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, and peptides that act as signals to support the skin barrier and collagen production. Dr Mitchell also recommends looking out for retinol, which helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production. “Using these ingredients regularly, along with daily sun protection, can make deep lines appear softer and less noticeable,” she says.
Do antiaging creams work?
In short: they can, but expectations matter. “Antiaging skin care can improve texture, tone, and pigmentation, especially with consistent use of ingredients like retinoids and antioxidants. However, they can’t replace in-office procedures like Botox,” says Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC.
Is hyaluronic acid good for wrinkles?
“Hyaluronic acid increases skin hydration, which softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles,” says Morayo Adisa, MD, medical director of dermatology at Dermatology Physicians Chicago. While it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of wrinkles, it will temporarily reduce their appearance.
Is retinol good for wrinkles?
Retinol helps address wrinkles at their root by increasing cellular turnover, which will in turn improve skin texture and discoloration over time, Dr. Adisa notes.
Are there ways to fill wrinkles without Botox?
Yes, there are several noninvasive ways to improve fine lines and wrinkles, according to the dermatologists we spoke with. “Regular use of topical retinol and peptide creams can help over time, and in-office treatments like microneedling or laser resurfacing can further boost collagen production,” says Dr. Mitchell. Even without procedures, she recommends daily sun protection and a strong skin care routine (featuring a good cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream, and SPF 30). “The combination can go a long way in maintaining smooth, youthful skin.”
Meet the experts
- Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New Jersey
- Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Turner Dermatology in NYC and founder of TRNR Skin
- Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
- Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, medical director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago/ Kenilworth Dermatology Physicians Chicago.
- Anar Mikailov, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the cofounder of Skintensive
- Brian Hibler, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC
- Hope Mitchell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
