The 11 Best Wrinkle Creams We Tested That Actually Minimized Fine Lines and Uneven Texture

Of the 21 formulas we tried, the L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream came out on top. After four weeks, our tester (age 25 to 34) noticed a visible reduction in some of her forehead wrinkles. “It’s cost-conscious and actually effective,” she said, adding that it instantly hydrated her skin and lasted, revealing a smoother, firmer, “glowy” complexion.

It’s advertised as a night cream since that’s when our skin works harder to regenerate, but it’s suitable for the morning, too. Our tester said its thick texture absorbed “fairly quickly” and combined nicely with her skincare and makeup without interference or piling.

It’s one of only a handful of drugstore brands under $40 on our list, and it scored the best. Our tester also shared that it outperformed the expensive wrinkle creams she has used. “I would recommend this to anyone looking for a wrinkle cream on a budget.”

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Patented antioxidant, vitamin E | Recommended Use: Twice daily

This clean-ingredient formula from Scarlett Johansson’s skincare brand is “the best eye cream I’ve ever used,” according to our tester, who noticed a difference “immediately” after application. She was “very pleased” and “surprised” by how effectively it plumped and hydrated her undereyes. It also firmed the lines between her brows and around her eyes, mouth, and along her forehead.

She also appreciated how gentle and non-irritating it was compared to other undereye products. Its slightly oily texture would clump up if layered with too many different products, so consider scaling back your routine with this. Also, results fade within two to three days, so continual use is key.

Size: 0.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluroset™ Complex, ascorbyl glucoside, Irish moss | Recommended Use: At least once daily

We were excited to try this Dr. Dennis Gross wrinkle cream after deeming its sister serum the best for uneven skin texture. Similarly, it improved our skin’s texture and brightened our complexion with its blend of retinol and “retinol-like” botanical actives. Our skin felt “fed” and hydrated by its citrus-scented, mouse-like texture, which absorbed quickly without any greasy residue. 

After eight weeks, we didn’t notice a dramatic change in our fine lines, but we think it may just take more time to work. This is a solid gateway into over-the-counter retinoids and a worthwhile investment for smoothing and waking up dull, uneven skin.

Size: 2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan, ferulic acid | Recommended Use: Twice daily

Skin-tightening creams won’t deliver the same lasting firmness as surgical or less invasive treatments, but some can provide short-term tautness, like this Mara wrinkle cream. Within a week, its water-hose hydration and plant-powered wizardry visibly quenched our tester’s dry skin and minimized fine lines, creating a more “lifted” and “toned” appearance.

The whipped, velvety texture effortlessly applied to her skin without feeling heavy, for what she describes as an “indulgent experience.”

Besides being our top skin-firming pick, it scored the highest out of any wrinkle cream we tested in all four categories. Along with SkinMedica and The Outset, it’s only one of three to receive a perfect score for effectiveness. Our tester (age 45 to 54) exclaimed she “needed a product like this” and “loves it!” 

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Bio-active plant peptides, sea moss, vegan stem cells | Recommended Use: Apply after serum in the morning or evening

“Peptides are amino-acid chains that stimulate collagen and elastin production,” says Dr. Penzi, and this Peter Thomas Roth cream is loaded with them. It visibly “filled in” our tester’s faint forehead lines, making them “undetectable” after a “refreshing” application. Her skin appeared healthier, plumper, and more glowy overall.

It delivers skin-smoothing and hydrating benefits similar to the Caudalie formula for $17 less, but our tester needed more of this to feel adequate. After using it twice daily for two months, she finished the entire jar, making her wish this creamy, lightweight consistency was a little thicker.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Peptides, gamma proteins, cactus flower, squalane, trehalose, hyaluronic acid | Recommended Use: Twice daily

Imagine wrapping a water balloon in a cashmere sweater. We don’t recommend it, but it’s a helpful visual for what this Caudalie formula does: It plumps, hydrates, and leaves skin touchably soft. Our tester (age 45 to 54) and her mom (age unknown) loved it and noticed their facial redness replaced with more firm, supple skin that lasted all day. 

Thankfully, you don’t need much for this thick, creamy goodness to work its magic. It absorbs and layers well under morning products. After eight weeks, our tester “noticed a drastic difference” in her skin, calling it “the best wrinkle cream I’ve used by far.”

Size: 1.6 ounces | Key Ingredients: Resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, collagen | Recommended Use: Morning

Think of The Inkey List’s ceramide cream as the front-door greeter to the anti-aging skincare world, ready to greet you with the basics: It’s gentle, lightweight, affordable, and hydrating. Our tester noticed her skin “felt softer, more hydrated, and appeared plumper” after use, giving an overall “healthier, more nourished look.”

Beyond that, it fell short of reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as claimed. This is best for those in their 20s who are sensitive to smells or need a budget-friendly daily moisturizer. The Caudalie wrinkle cream is more your speed to soften mature skin and target fine lines.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Bio-active ceramides, gransil blur, shea butter | Recommended Use: Twice daily

Consider this Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream if you have mature skin and are desperate for extra hydration. Our tester (age 45 to 54) felt it provided more moisture than others she’s tried, which lasted all day and helped make some fine lines less noticeable. 

Overall, she “really liked” the formula, especially its thick, easy-to-apply texture; her skin quickly drank it up each morning without interfering with makeup. She didn’t see much change in her skin’s firmness or the deeper “worry” lines between her brows but felt like “it acts as a great [hydrating] barrier against new wrinkles that may appear.”

It’s pricey, but we appreciate that it doubles as a morning moisturizer and daily SPF. It comes in a 0.5-ounce version, so you can try it before committing to the full-priced jar. 

Size: 1.7 ounces, 1 ounce, 0.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Padina pavonica, chlorella, ginkgo biloba | Recommended Use: Morning

Like collagen, hyaluronic acid naturally exists within our skin but decreases over time. Thankfully, this SkinMedica hyaluronic acid serum helps retain and restore moisture, which “really helped” quench our tester’s dry skin. 

Her skin looked plump, “silky smooth,” and more hydrated — especially first thing in the morning. It “drastically reduced” fine lines on her nose and chin and began minimizing deep-set forehead wrinkles after eight weeks. “I think the product will make a difference over time.” Unlike other serums, this has a thick, lotion-like texture that goes a long way, absorbs within seconds, and layers well under makeup. 

The price gave us sticker shock, but it works as claimed and is especially helpful for those with dehydrated skin and wrinkles.

Size: 2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Proprietary mix of hyaluronic acids, time-release sodium hyaluronate | Recommended Use: Twice daily

At $25, the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is a steal for anyone needing a lightweight, everyday anti-aging cream. Our tester (age 35 to 44) with combination skin didn’t have any drastic skin changes, but it slightly minimized her face and neck wrinkles after just a few uses.

She loved its light, creamy consistency, calling it “perfect.” It quickly absorbed and moisturized her skin without any oiliness, though she was unsure it would provide enough hydration for the colder months. At the end of testing, her skin felt “fresh, supple, and firm.”

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, amino peptides | Recommended Use: Morning or evening

Another lightweight, affordable wrinkle cream comes from Neutrogena. Our tester (age 60+) really liked how its rich, weightless texture had no scent and only required a small amount to spread evenly and absorb quickly. After nightly use, she woke up to “hydrated, smooth, and supple” skin, but it wasn’t moisturizing enough when reapplied in the morning beneath makeup.

She said it helped “reduce some fine lines and wrinkles,” but at times, there was a “slight burning effect” when applied, though it faded quickly and left no irritation. In the past, the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer gave her better hydration for nearly $10 less. 

Overall, this is a formula better suited for younger individuals who don’t need extra moisture or a heavy-duty anti-aging cream. Since this contains retinol, you should apply SPF after using it in the morning.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Recommended Use: Twice daily