Treating fine lines and wrinkles doesn’t necessarily require a trip to the cosmetic surgeon. In fact, the best anti-aging creams, such as night creams, eye creams, and serums, can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels—and there are many excellent ones out there that don’t require a prescription (or cost a fortune).
When it comes to anti-aging creams, there are generally two categories of products out there: “ones that actually treat and prevent wrinkles, and others that just minimize their appearance,” says Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist Erum Ilyas, M.D. The first category of products contains medical-grade anti-aging ingredients (think: retinol). The second involves ingredients that excessively hydrate or temporarily swell the skin to make wrinkles seem less noticeable—but once you stop using them, your skin goes back to its regularly scheduled programming.
Meet the experts
To help you find the best anti-aging creams for your skin, we’ve rounded up all the best picks that are recommended by top dermatologists and highly rated by reviewers. These top-rated creams not only help target fine lines and wrinkles but also moisturize and hydrate skin, brighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and address many more skincare concerns.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging creams experts recommend most, plus how to choose and use the right one for you.
Best Overall: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
This cream contains hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, amino peptides to firm the skin, as well as niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3), a potent antioxidant that helps improve the appearance of enlarged pores and dullness, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. It also doesn’t hurt that the brand is trusted by celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Drew Barrymore, and Quinta Brunson. We also love that it’s at a great price point, unscented, and free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes.
Best Value Anti-Aging Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
This product “has the needed retinol to treat and prevent wrinkles, along with effective hydrating ingredients to minimize the irritation that most will experience with retinol-containing products,” says Dr. Ilyas. Made with pure RoC retinol, it’s quite potent. It’s also oil-free, non-comedogenic, and under $20. Plus: It’s Prevention’s pick for the overall best retinol cream and it boasts tens of thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon.
Best Firming Anti-Aging Cream: Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream
Specifically formulated to address signs of aging, this rich, quick-absorbing cream from Shiseido firms skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Raspberry extract and rose apple leaf extract help to maintain visible tightness in the skin and protect it from external stressors. Plus, super bio-hyaluronic acid delivers intense, long-lasting moisture for a soft and dewy, youthful-looking complexion.
Best Hydrating Anti-Aging Cream: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
This popular Tatcha cream deeply moisturizes and plumps skin while smoothing out the appearance of fine lines with a hydrating hyaluronic acid and algae blend and squalane, which helps improve the skin’s moisture barrier. Plus, antioxidant-rich Japanese purple rice protects skin from free radicals.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Sensitive Skin: L’Oréal Revitalift Cicacream
If your skin tends to be sensitive (and you want something affordable), this cream “contains tiger grass to help calm and repair the skin barrier, along with pro retinol to strengthen the deeper skin layers,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. It works to fight wrinkles, resist signs of aging, firm skin, and hydrate—all without fragrance, parabens, and common allergens.
Best Award-Winning Anti-Aging Cream: PCA Skin Intensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5% Pure Retinol
“When it comes to retinol, I don’t compromise,” says Mona Gohara, M.D., vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. “I like to have the science (knowing it’s been tested to build collagen), the right percentage (at least 0.5%), and the ability to use it regularly without irritation. When I find a product that has all those things, I stick with it.” That’s why she backed this pick for our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards. This treatment has retinol to target wrinkles and vitamin E to block free-radical damage. All you need is a pea-sized amount nightly to see results over time.
Best Nighttime Anti-Aging Cream: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
“The ingredients in this moisturizer can achieve results of some much more expensive products,” says Dr. Jaliman. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, making it an excellent hydrator that helps to reduce the skin’s crepey appearance, while niacinamide helps even out skin tone. It’s a light formulation that won’t clog pores (and is super-easy on the wallet).
Strongest Anti-Aging Cream: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer
This is a retinol product that helps bring new skin cells to the surface while encouraging new collagen growth over time, says Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. It is strong enough to be irritating to some, though, so start by applying a thin layer two nights a week and increase slowly as tolerated.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Scars: Murad Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum
Dealing with acne scars or sun spots? This serum will help brighten your complexion as it prevents future pigment formation, says Emmanuel Loucas, M.D., a Manhattan-based board-certified dermatologist. Chalk it up to its blend of antioxidant-rich vitamin C, exfoliating glycolic acid, and skin-lightening hydroquinone. Plus, it works well for all skin types and tones.
Best Prescription-Strength Anti-Aging Cream: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
This derm favorite is the only prescription-strength retinoid (adapalene) available OTC and it treats everything from acne to discolorations to wrinkles. Apply a gentle moisturizer on top, since it acts like more of a treatment. If you experience irritation, apply your moisturizer underneath to provide a bit of a barrier.
Most Versatile Anti-Aging Cream: Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream
“With this cream, you don’t need to worry about whether or not it’s only going to help with puffiness or just improve crow’s feet because it really does do it all,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. Its formula utilizes powerful growth factors to smooth and firm the eye area, while caffeine improves the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Tightening Skin: NeoStrata Triple Firming Anti-Aging Neck Cream
Your neck is one of the first parts of your body to show signs of aging. This cream firms the area with unique ingredients for a trifecta of results. It helps tighten skin by boosting collagen production, exfoliates to fade dark spots, and hydrates with vitamin E and shea butter.
Best Retinol Anti-Aging Cream for Sensitive Skin: Naturopathica Argan & Retinol Wrinkle Repair Night Cream
“This is a nice product to use if you have sensitive skin and are looking for a retinol,” says Dr. Ilyas. While more studies are needed to test argan’s benefits, the results have been promising. “At the very least, it hydrates the skin effectively to boost the benefits of retinol and reduce the potential irritation from its use,” she says. We love that it’s also sustainably sourced, cruelty-free, and made with alternative ingredients.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Quick Results: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
Hyaluronic acid, a peptide complex, and vitamin E “draw in moisture from the air and deliver it to your skin for up to eight hours after application,” Ramya Kollipara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Texas told us previously. “It’s great for fine lines and works almost immediately.” This product uses five forms of hydrators to improve the appearance of the skin and provide extra moisture.
Best Anti-Aging Product for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
“Phloretin is my favorite vitamin C antioxidant serum to help protect against and repair free radical damage, which is a key step in a daily skincare routine,” says Shari Marchbein, M.D., board-certified dermatologist. “It can help reduce brown spots, even skin tone, and protects from further sun damage.” She notes it’s great for all skin types, but especially those who skew oily or acne-prone.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Dry Skin: Cosmedix Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer
To hydrate dry skin and protect the skin barrier from environmental stressors, turn to Cosmedix’s Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer. Its formula contains a blend of fruit and plant extracts that protect and soothe all skin types. It also includes a probiotic called Lactococcus Ferment Lysate that supports the skin’s microbiome, strengthening its natural defenses.
Best Clinical Strength Anti-Aging Cream: Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream
With hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and vitamin E, this anti-aging cream from Kate Somerville moisturizes and plumps skin. Though it’a clinic-grade formula, it’s safe to apply morning and night.
How to choose the best anti-aging wrinkle cream or serum
- ✔️ Scan the label: The dermatologists recommend products that contain retinoids, peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other hydrators.
- ✔️ Know your skin type: Choose a cream that suits your skin type, whether it’s oily, dry, or sensitive.
- ✔️ Factor in sensitivities: Look for creams with bakuchiol instead of retinol if you have sensitive skin. Avoid irritants like fragrances, artificial dyes, and certain oils.
- ✔️ Look for prime packaging: Products with air-tight pumps and opaque tubes protect ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and peptides from degradation.
Benefits of using anti-aging creams
“The right anti-aging cream can help with an array of aging concerns like reducing wrinkles, replenishing hydration, and boosting skin’s radiance,” says Jeannette Graf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. “Anti-aging creams are formulated to target skin concerns that come with age.”
Specific ingredients in anti-aging creams each have their own benefits. Antioxidants help prevent free radical damage and even out skin tone and fine lines. Retinols and retinoids build collagen and prevent its breakdown, reducing wrinkles and signs of aging. Ingredients like vitamin C, hydroxy acids, and niacinamide brighten and even skin tone. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other hydrators boost and lock in moisture to restore hydration to the skin.
When should you start using anti-aging cream?
Dermatologists actually recommend starting an anti-aging skincare regime as soon as possible. “It’s always best to tackle the signs of aging before they occur because it’s harder to undo what’s already been done. That’s why I recommend starting an anti-aging skincare regime as soon as possible,” says Dr. Graf. “People in their 20s can benefit from the ingredients that help with anti-aging and also prevent it.”
Our team consulted user reviews and the expertise of top dermatologists to choose the best anti-aging creams available today. We considered ingredients, skin type suitability, and expert recommendations to compile this list.
You deserve the best for your skin. Invest in an anti-aging cream that suits your needs, and take care of your skin for a youthful and radiant complexion.