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12 Anti-Aging Creams That Smooth Wrinkles and Give Plump and Radiant Skin

Shop luxury and drugstore options.

By Brigitt Earley and Genesis Rivas
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As we get older, signs of aging become inevitable. The natural decline of collagen and elastin production cause the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Dull skin and dark spots are also common signs of getting older. One of the best lines of defense for reducing the look of these skincare concerns is adding an anti-aging cream into your daily routine.

Our Top Picks:

  • 1
    Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer

    Best Drugstore Retinol

    Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer

    $17 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Brightening Moisturizer

    Best Brightening Cream

    Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Brightening Moisturizer

    Read more
  • 3
    Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

    Best for Dry Skin

    SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

    Read more
  • 4
    Restorative Skin Complex

    Best for Wrinkles

    Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

    Read more
  • 5
    Age Contour Face and Neck Cream Moisturizing and Firming Action

    Best for Face and Neck

    ISDIN Age Contour Face and Neck Cream Moisturizing and Firming Action

    Read more

Experts say the best formulations contain ingredients like retinol, peptides, and antioxidants. There are so many options available that range from drugstore to luxury prices. Ahead, shop the best anti-aging creams, according to dermatologists.

1
Best Drugstore Retinol

Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer

Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer
1
Best Drugstore Retinol

Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer

Now 42% Off
$17 at Amazon$22 at Walmart$33 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Some buyers report a strong smell

When in doubt, choose a product that contains retinol. "Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have to treat aging skin," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "It helps stimulate collagen production to strengthen the skin's foundation and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

2
Best Brightening Cream

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Brightening Moisturizer

Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Brightening Moisturizer
2
Best Brightening Cream

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Brightening Moisturizer

Pros
  • Brightening
Cons
  • Contains fragrance

"Uneven and dull skin tone can actually give a more aging impression than fine lines and wrinkles," says Shainhouse. Choose a moisturizer with brightening vitamin C to combat a lackluster complexion. It also contains squalane to hydrate.

3
Best for Dry Skin

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
3
Best for Dry Skin

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Pros
  • Moisturizing
  • Protects against environmental damage
Cons
  • It's a splurge

One of the best ways to combat fine lines and dull skin is by giving the skin the moisture it needs. This formula contains essential lipids to help hydrate the skin and improve firmness and elasticity. It also contains vitamin E, which is moisturizing and protects against environmental damage.

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4
Best for Wrinkles

Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

Restorative Skin Complex
4
Best for Wrinkles

Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

Pros
  • Reduces look of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Encourages collagen and elastin production
Cons
  • It's a splurge

This formula features an innovative TriHex technology, which supports healthy new collagen and elastin production, two proteins responsible for keeping skin smooth and plump. It also has niacinamide to reduce the look of discoloration and silver mushroom to hydrate.

5
Best for Face and Neck

ISDIN Age Contour Face and Neck Cream Moisturizing and Firming Action

Age Contour Face and Neck Cream Moisturizing and Firming Action
5
Best for Face and Neck

ISDIN Age Contour Face and Neck Cream Moisturizing and Firming Action

Pros
  • Tightening
Cons
  • It's pricey compared to other options

The skin below your chin should get the same TLC as your face if you're looking to ward off signs of aging. Add this moisturizing formula into your routine to experience its firming benefits. It contains a tripeptide complex and hyaluronic acid to help with the appearance of loose skin.

6
Best Lightweight

True Botanicals Chebula Extreme Cream at Nordstrom 1.7 Oz

Chebula Extreme Cream at Nordstrom 1.7 Oz
6
Best Lightweight

True Botanicals Chebula Extreme Cream at Nordstrom 1.7 Oz

Pros
  • Targets multiple signs of aging
Cons
  • It's pricey compared to other options

Chebula is a powerful antioxidant that helps address signs of aging, like dullness, dark spots, uneven tone, fine lines, and wrinkles. The texture is lightweight and breathable so you don't have to worry about clogged pores.

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7
Best Luxury

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Classic

Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Classic
7
Best Luxury

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream Classic

Pros
  • Reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
  • It's a splurge

A rich and luxurious daily cream fortified by ginseng peptides to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also protects skin from environmental aggressors and makes the skin look visibly plump and refreshed.

8
Best Drugstore Option

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
8
Best Drugstore Option

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Contains fragrance

If you're looking for a drugstore staple with the efficacy promised by expensive beauty products, look no further. "It contains both hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw moisture into the top skin layers," says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. It also has vitamin B3 to soothe irritation and diminish redness, dimethicone to lock in moisture, and peptides to promote collagen production.

9
Best for Dull Skin

HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
9
Best for Dull Skin

HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Moisturizes
  • Boosts radiance
Cons
  • It's a splurge

Expensive, no doubt—but this hardworking anti-aging cream receives high praise from anyone who uses it. "It's made of skin barrier lipids and proteins," says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. And thankfully, a small amount infuses life back into dull, dry, skin, so that pricey bottle will go the distance.

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10
Best for Fine Lines

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
10
Best for Fine Lines

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

Pros
  • Reduces the look of fine lines
  • Brightening
Cons
  • More like a serum than a cream

"The best anti-aging creams are those that prevent damage in the first place," says Jerome Potozkin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and author of Botox and Beyond. In addition to a concentrated dose of vitamin C, a powerful brightening ingredient, this product contains hyaluronic acid to restore moisture and reduce fine lines.

11
Best for Sensitive Skin

alpyn beauty Melt Moisturizer with Bakuchiol and Squalane

Melt Moisturizer with Bakuchiol and Squalane
11
Best for Sensitive Skin

alpyn beauty Melt Moisturizer with Bakuchiol and Squalane

Pros
  • Contains bakuchiol
Cons
  • Some buyers report a strong smell

"If you have sensitive skin, opt for an anti-aging cream formulated with bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient that's less irritating than retinol," says Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified based dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. It can help improve fine lines and wrinkles, while avoiding excess dryness or irritation.

12
Best Firming

Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer

Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer
12
Best Firming

Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Fragrance-free
Cons
  • Some buyers report a sticky feeling

A powerful combination of peptides, amino acids, antioxidants, and folic acid in this formula help firm, protect, plump, and moisturize skin.

Headshot of Brigitt Earley
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

Headshot of Genesis Rivas

Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok

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