While the best wrinkle cream can’t freeze time (if only), it can slow down aging effects for a fresher skin look. “Wrinkle creams play an important role in maintaining skin health and longevity while delaying the onset of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City.

However, not all anti-aging products are created equal, and not all of them offer the same degree of anti-aging benefits. “The effectiveness of wrinkle creams largely depends on their active ingredients,” says Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist and founder of New York City’s Idriss Dermatology. “No cream is ever going to replace Botox and fillers, but wrinkle creams with the right active ingredients can help with the appearance of wrinkles over time.”

Which are the right active anti-aging ingredients, exactly? And which creams or lotions are akin to a fountain of youth for the skin cells? Ahead, dermatologists share the best wrinkle creams for keeping skin soft and smooth for—if not forever—at least a little longer.

Vogue’s Favorite Wrinkle Cream Picks:

In This Story:

Best for Deep Wrinkles: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

RoC

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

• Why We Love It: RoC’s Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is an editor favorite. The non-comedogenic cream features a blend of retinol, glycolic acid, squalane, and shea butter, making it a gentle option for those new to retinol. Vogue’s senior shopping beauty writer Kiana Murden calls the formula her favorite drugstore retinol, and she’s in good company. “The RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle cream, which can be purchased for about $30 at your local drugstore or Amazon, has been cited as an excellent option by nearly every dermatologist I trust,” she wrote. “With zero purging and its ease of use, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my trial—so much so that I’ve begun to recommend it to anyone new to retinol.”
• Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, squalane, shea butter
• Skin Benefits: Formulated to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles during beauty sleep, the Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is expected to promote a firm, smooth, luminous complexion.
• How to Apply: According to RoC, this is best applied to the face and neck at night. The brand recommends using every other night, then increasing frequency to every night once your skin is ready. Be sure to follow with sunscreen in the morning.
• Best For: Deep wrinkles, dry skin, combination skin, dull skin
• Size: 1.0 fl. oz.

Best Nighttime Wrinkle Cream: Olay Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer

Olay

Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer

• Why We Love It: “Olay Regenerist 24 Retinol Night Moisturizer is a fantastic drugstore brand retinol for many reasons,” says dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi. She highlights the drugstore cream’s ingredient composition and stellar results as reasons to add it to your nighttime regime. “It contains a blend of their proprietary retinoid complex along with niacinamide and amino peptides that help to revive and rejuvenate the skin,” says Penzi. Not to mention, the cream is fragrance-free.
• Key Ingredients: Retinoid complex, niacinamide, amino peptides, vitamin B3
• Skin Benefits: She continues, “It penetrates deep into the skin surface to address fine lines and wrinkles, as well as smoothness, brightness, firming, dark spots, and pores. It also hydrates the skin and help to maintain the natural skin barrier.”
• How to Apply: According to Olay, apply the cream to cleansed skin at night until fully absorbed. Follow with SPF in the morning.
• Best For: Drugstore, all skin types
• Size: 1.7 fl. oz.