The 14 Best Wrinkle Creams of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

There's lots to celebrate about getting older, but there's no denying the enduring popularity of anti-aging products. Let’s be real—even the best wrinkle creams won't make you look years younger overnight. They work best when used consistently over time (typically several weeks or months) so it's important to be patient and realistic about your expectations. While wrinkle creams won't work miracles, some stand out for their effectiveness at fading fine lines and improving the overall appearance of your skin.

"Look for ingredients that stimulate collagen and elastin, like retinoids, glycolic acids, and peptides," says dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD. "And always remember to protect yourself from future sun damage with UV blockers and DNA repair enzymes."

We conducted hours of research on the best wrinkle creams, testing several products to evaluate active ingredients, targeted benefits, and results. We also considered a range of skin types and concerns because while wrinkle reduction is a primary focus, many creams address specific issues like dryness or sensitivity. After poring over the latest research and consulting with board-certified dermatologists Dr. Madfes and Kavita Mariwalla, MD, we curated this exclusive list of the very best wrinkle creams on the market.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream at Amazon
• Best Overall Runner-up: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream at Ulta
• Best Budget: RoC Retinol Deep Wrinkle Night Cream at Amazon
• Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Cream + Hyaluronic Acid at Amazon
• Best Overnight: SkinCeuticals Nighttime Face Moisturizer at Dermstore
• Best for Crow's Feet: The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream at Sephora
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Plantkos Phyto A Face Lotion at plantkosskincare
• Best for Dry Skin, Runner Up: ROSE Skin Calming Booster at Revolve
• Best Re-Texturizing: MGSkinLabs Infusion at michelegreenMD
• Best with AHA: SkinBetter Science Overnight Cream at skinbetter
  

Best Overall

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

$75 at Amazon $74 at Sephora $74 at Ulta

What We Like: Noticeable results, calms inflammation, air-tight pump, and fragrance-free.

What We Don't Like: Can cause dryness or irritation if you have sensitive skin.

Active Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, plant oils, ceramides, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If we could only pick one wrinkle cream to use until the end of time, we'd go with Drunk Elephant's A-Passioni. It checks two of Dr. Madfes's recommended boxes (retinol and peptides) to support collagen production, boost elasticity, firm sagging skin, and—more to the point—reduce the appearance of wrinkles as well as sun damage and dark spots. What's more, this all-star cream contains ceramides and nourishing fatty acids from plant oils to minimize irritation from the retinol and replenish the skin barrier. It also promises to deliver a plumping effect and an all-around supple, healthy-looking complexion. We love how the superfood-rich ingredients also target uneven skin tone, improving the look of dark spots over time.

When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night.

Best Overall Runner-up

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

$24 at Ulta $20 at Target $15 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5

What We Like: Absorbs well into the skin, leaves the skin visibly hydrated, and helps restore skin barrier.

What We Don't Like: Doesn't brighten skin.

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Scoring a very impressive five out of five during testing in our Lab, we had to award CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Night Cream as our overall runner-up. What we liked about this moisturizer was how much it improved our overall hydration levels and skin texture. CeraVe’s general USP is the way its formulas help to restore and strengthen the skin barrier, and this cream definitely delivers on that. This is down to a complex of biomimetic peptides, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides—in essence, ingredients that help to keep your skin really soft, plumped up, and supple.

As such, this is a good choice if your skin has been particularly irritated and unhappy, and you just want to take things back to basics. Apply this each evening to help restore your skin barrier and improve overall hydration levels.

When to apply: Apply to the face and neck each evening.

Best Budget

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

$18 at Amazon $30 at Ulta $22 at Target

Our Ratings

• Absorption
  4.5/5
• Consistency
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Overall Results
  4/5

What We Like: Affordable, resurfacing, and noticeable results.

What We Don't Like: You may need to use an additional moisturizer if you have dry skin, and scent may be to strong for some.

Active Ingredients: Retinol, squalane, glycolic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

On a budget? You can still get great results from an affordable formula. Case in point: RoC. Containing two of Dr. Madfes's recommended actives (retinol and glycolic acid), this night cream resurfaces dull, dry skin while smoothing fine lines and supporting collagen production.

"Overall, I was very happy with RoC's Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. On top of being affordable, it didn't irritate my skin, and I noticed a reduction in fine lines within a week," says product tester Leigh Weingus.

When to apply: Apply to clean, dry skin (face and neck, if you like) at night.

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream + Hyaluronic Acid

$25 at Amazon $38 at Ulta $28 at Target

What We Like: Affordable, hydrating, and plumping.

What We Don't Like: Contains fragrance.

Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

When it comes to over-the-counter retinol products, Neutrogena is a drugstore standby. The brand's Regenerating Cream (which can be used daily) combines the vitamin A derivative with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to deliver plumping hydration while smoothing wrinkles.

When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night. If used in the morning, apply prior to sunscreen and makeup.

Best Overnight

SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry Nighttime Face Moisturizer

$78 at Dermstore $76 at skinceuticals.com

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5

What We Like: Improves discoloration and targets aging signs, doesn’t pill when layered over serums, and exfoliating action helps improve blemishes.

What We Don't Like: Expensive (but worth the price), and only available at limited retailers.

Active Ingredients: 10% hydroxy acid blend | Skin Type: Dry, normal and mature| Size: 70ml | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

This overnight cream from SkinCeuticals has an exfoliating action on the skin thanks to its key active ingredient, 10% hydroxy acid blend. This makes it a great option if you want to brighten your skin while tackling concerns such as blemishes and discoloration. We tried it out over a couple of weeks and found that it left our skin noticeably brighter and more even-looking with fewer dry patches and blemishes. Overall, our complexion just looked healthier and more youthful after using it.

Other details to note? It doesn’t have any real fragrance which is a bonus for sensitive noses, and doesn’t leave an oily sheen behind when you lie on your pillow. There’s no getting away from its higher price point, however, but if you’re in the mood to splurge, this is definitely worth the investment.

When to apply: Apply a thin layer to the face and neck each evening.

Best for Crow's Feet

The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream

$14 at Sephora $15 at selfridges.com $14 at kohls.com

What We Like: Affordable, non-irritating, and boosts radiance.

What We Don't Like: You may need to use an additional moisturizer if you have dry skin.

Active Ingredients: Slow-release retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: Balanced, mature, combination | Size: 0.5 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking to target crow's feet, your best bet is a retinol eye cream, like this supremely affordable pick from The Inkey List. It hydrates and plumps with hyaluronic acid, boosts radiance with vitamin C, and, thanks to the slow-release formula, reduces the appearance of wrinkles without the irritating effects of retinol.

When to apply: Using your ring finger, apply a dot of the product to the area around your eyes. For best results, use daily prior to applying makeup.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Plantkos Phyto A Face Lotion

View on Plantkosskincare.com $67 at verishop.com View on Thirteenlune.com

What We Like: Less harsh than retinol-based products, supports collagen production, and calms inflammation.

What We Don't Like: Not moisturizing enough for very dry skin.

Active Ingredients: Bakuchiol, niacinamide, vitamin C, gotu kola, ​​Schisandra sphenanthera | Skin Type: Mature, sensitive, balanced, oily, combination, acne-prone | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your skin doesn't tolerate retinol well, Plantkos Phyto A is a prime choice. It contains bakuchiol, an up-and-coming plant-derived retinol alternative that offers similar effects without any redness, stinging, or irritation.

When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night. If used in the morning, apply prior to sunscreen and makeup.

Best for Dry Skin, Runner Up

ROSE Ingleton MD Skin Calming Booster

$70 at Sephora $70 at rosemdskin.com $70 at Revolve

What We Like: Contains hydrating ingredients, promotes skin barrier health, and calming formula.

What We Don't Like: Gel-based formulation has high cost-per-use.

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Developed by board-certified dermatologist Rose Ingelton, MD, this calming formula is ideal for those with dry skin looking to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. In addition to hyaluronic acid, this multi-tasking serum includes niacinamide to promote skin barrier health, while also reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It's a great retinol alternative for those with dry skin who might experience flaking or irritation from retinol products.

When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin, either morning or night. Sunscreen, moisturizer, and makeup can all be layered on top.

Best Re-Texturizing

MGSkinLabs Inc Essential Antioxidant Infusion

View on Michelegreenmd.com

What We Like: Dermatologist-developed, gently exfoliating, and non-irritating.

What We Don't Like: May cause "purging" breakouts.

Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamins A, C, E  | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Developed by board-certified dermatologist, Michele Green, MD, this retinol active infuses a blend of antioxidants to help deliver plump skin with diminished visible lines and wrinkles. A pure concentration of vitamins A, C, and E help cell turnover and exfoliate skin gently overnight. We love how the formula includes botanic actives like lavender, geranium, and bitter orange to help address elasticity and texture without causing irritation. Although the product is expensive, we think it's worth it, especially because the potent formula can be applied sparingly to achieve results.

We especially love the velvety texture of this cream that sinks into skin immediately. We also found that it helped to correct our discoloration as well as soften the appearance of lines, without irritating any areas of sensitive skin.

When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin at night.

Best with AHA

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

$135 at skinbetter.com View on Skinlabusa.com

Our Ratings

• Absorption
  5/5
• Consistency
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Overall Results
  4.5/5

What We Like: Combines AHA with retinol, retexturizes and smooths, and noticeable results.

What We Don't Like: May be too potent for daily use.

Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, retinol | Skin Type: Mature, dry, oily, combination | Size: 1 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dr. Madfes is a fan of wrinkle creams with alpha-hydroxy acids and retinoids, and this luxury formula from SkinBetter contains both. AHA is in the form of lactic acid and glycolic acid, which help retexturize your skin and address dark spots while the retinol gets to work on smoothing fine lines and creases. The price might be hard to justify, but if it's within your budget, you can count on noticeable results.

When to apply: Apply a thin layer once a day at night. Alternate days if your skin is sensitive.

Best for Oily Skin

Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream

$25 at Amazon $37 at Ulta $28 at Target

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5

What We Like: Rich but not oily, absorbs quickly into the skin, and doesn’t pill when layered with other products.

What We Don't Like: Older Byrdie testers didn't see noticeable results.

Active Ingredients: Glycerin and niacinamide | Skin Type: Oily, combination and mature | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

If you have oily skin, you’re probably a little weary of applying anything too rich at bedtime. This lightweight night recovery cream from Olay strikes the perfect balance with a formula that adequately hydrates the skin without leaving a greasy feeling behind. It also sinks in quickly so you won’t be left with any residue on your pillow.

We applied this in our Lab after a retinol treatment and found that it didn’t cause any pilling. We also really enjoyed how it felt to apply and our skin felt noticeably soft and smooth come the morning. This is a great everyday night cream that’s ideal for those looking for something a little lighter.

When to apply: Apply a thin layer once a day at night.

Best with Collagen

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream with Peptides and Niacinamide

$44 at Sephora $44 at Ulta $44 at Target

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.7/5

What We Like: Absorbs in seconds, suitable for sensitive skin, and made our skin feel noticeably more supple.

What We Don't Like: Texture is a little sticky, and can clog pores.

Active Ingredients: Collagen, peptides, and niacinamide | Skin Type: Dry, normal and combination| Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packed with collagen, peptides, and niacinamide, this sumptuous cream from First Aid Beauty is well-equipped to help your skin feel more supple and firm. We tested it out in our Manhattan Lab to see if it lived up to the hype and are happy to report that it did. After application, our skin felt immediately hydrated, smooth, and slightly dewy, and, over time, it also helped to smooth the appearance of fine lines while targeting a few stubborn dry patches on our cheeks and nose.

What’s more, it’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and causes no irritation at all. Our only real complaint is the jar which we found made the cream hard to get out. We’d prefer a tube.

When to apply: Apply a thin layer to the face and neck each morning and night.

Best Firming

L'Oréal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream

$13 at Amazon $21 at Ulta $16 at Target

What We Like: Contains powerful anti-aging ingredients, and leaves the skin noticeably softer and smoother.

What We Don't Like: Fragrance is a little over-powering, and has a slightly greasy feel on skin.

Active Ingredients: Centella Asiatica and Pro-Retinol | Skin Type: All skin types| Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’re looking for a cream with a hefty dose of anti-aging benefits, consider this great option from L'Oréal. Claiming to deliver smoother, firmer skin in just four weeks, we were excited to put it to the test. It has a thick and rich texture which takes a few moments to sink in but once it does, it feels pleasant and not greasy at all. The cream’s two main ingredients are Centella Asiatica and Pro-Retinol which are clinically proven to smooth the look of wrinkles and give the skin a more supple feel. As such, we found that it left our skin feeling much softer and firmer, so we started to need less hydration in our morning routine as a result. Overall, this is a great product to have in your anti-wrinkle arsenal.

When to apply: Apply a thin layer to the face and neck each evening.

Best Splurge

Macrene Actives High Performance Extra Rich Face Cream

View on Sephora View on Macreneactives.com

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5

What We Like: Leaves skin noticeably smoother and firmer, layers well over other products and doesn’t pill, and is ideal for use after skin procedures such as peels and laser,

What We Don't Like: High cost-per-use, and can clog pores.

Active Ingredients: Red algae, vitamins C and E, Copper Peptide, Resveratrol, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin Type: Dry and mature| Size: 1.0 oz | SPF: No

This cream promises to deliver the results of cosmeceutical brands with clean and green yet clinically proven ingredients and stays true to that promise with a formula comprising red algae, vitamins C and E, and coconut-based glycerides, which are all USDA Certified Organic. Added jojoba esters and coco glycerides give the cream the rich lipid texture that makes it incredibly hydrating, while copper peptide, resveratrol, and hyaluronic acid work on improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

We definitely felt an improvement after using it, especially regarding the tightness and texture of our skin. It also layers with other products, such as toners and serums, like a dream and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.

When to apply: Apply a pea-sized amount to slightly damp skin morning and evening.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a seasoned beauty writer and skincare devotee. She considered dozens of products for this roundup, researched peer-reviewed journals, and consulted our testing insights. Our product testers tried some of the top-rated products for weeks at a time, taking note of how well they delivered results as well as any extra product features. As a long-time retinol user, Theresa has tried a handful of items on this list, including Drunk Elephant, RoC, Neutrogena, Dr. Dennis Gross, Olay, Yeouth, CeraVe, and The Inkey List.

Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best drugstore makeup essentials.

Team Byrdie worked with experts to inform this article:

• Diane Madfes, MD, PC, is a board-certified dermatologist and attending physician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Her New York City practice, Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center, specializes in facial rejuvenation, fillers, chemical peels, and general skin care.
• Kavita Mariwalla, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon with over 18 years experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology.