There are wonderful things about aging, whether it's feeling more comfortable and confident or knowing your personal style inside and out.
But if you're noticing extra creping around your eyes, feeling robbed of moisture or if you'd like to battle a few smile lines, a fabulous wrinkle cream can be key to taking control and keeping your skin hydrated. Contrary to popular belief, you don't always have to spend a fortune to keep your skin wrinkle-free! In fact, some of the best wrinkle creams can be found over in the drugstore beauty aisle.
Don't just take our word for it. Shop TODAY consulted several skin care experts to learn which products are actually worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for.
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What key ingredients are recommended for wrinkle creams?
Ingredients play an important role when deciding which skin care products are best to treat wrinkles.
"The most helpful wrinkle creams include a combination of ingredients that help repair DNA damage from oxidative stress (especially environmental stressors like UV exposure and air pollution), help increase skin cell turnover, increase collagen production, improve skin tone, texture and increase hydration," suggests psychodermatologist and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Keira Barr, MD.
Barr recommends wrinkle creams that are formulated with ingredients such as vitamin C, retinoids, bakuchiol, peptides, hyaluronic acid and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Best drugstore wrinkle creams, approved by experts and moms
Great for sensitive skin:
“[Eucerin’s wrinkle cream is] fragrance-free and alcohol-free, so it’s really nourishing for those with sensitive skin. It’s rich and feels luxurious! [This is] a great drugstore option that feels high-end,” says Lydia Sellers, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
Budget-friendly find:
“Often with age, the top layer of your skin becomes dull and dehydrated causing fine lines and wrinkles to be more visible," celebrity esthetician Cinthia Lomeli says.
"All these ingredients work together to help soften fine lines and wrinkles and allow the skin to radiate naturally."
Mom-approved:
“This facial moisturizer is one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets,” says Heather Rohrer, PA-C, the owner of Center for Aesthetic Medicine and Human Performance in Las Vegas. “The sheen and radiance it leaves is pretty remarkable.”
She also adds, “I can put this on in the morning and by the end of the day, my skin still feels soft and hydrated. It smooths out any patches of dry skin you may have seamlessly. It’s non-greasy, loaded with a cocktail of peptides, including lipoamino acid and vitamin C, plus it’s not tested on animals.”
Dayna Delman, who is senior photo editor Becca Delman’s mother, is a big fan of this drugstore product. “No7 is smooth and creamy and made my skin feel hydrated. The price was great for drugstore options. I really loved it,” shares Delman.
Help say goodbye to wrinkles:
“When it comes to combating wrinkles, I always recommend incorporating retinol into your skin care routine,” says celebrity makeup artist Erin Guth. “This is an excellent way to add an effective ingredient to your daily regimen without breaking the bank. The silky formula is proven to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles and it is even suitable to use under makeup.”
Not greasy:
“This wrinkle cream has retinol, which is a precursor to prescription RetinA, the most powerful anti-aging ingredient we know to date. It’s converted on the patient’s skin to RetinA via an enzymatic process, so the actual derived amount is much smaller. But better than no RetinA!” says Anna Guanche, a dermatologist at Bella Skin Institute in Calabasas, California.
What fine lines?
“This has super effective concentrations of retinol, while actively hydrating your skin for 24 hours? Yes, please!” says makeup artist Mary Irwin. Other key ingredients in this top-rated moisturizer include glycerin and hyaluronic acid. According to a clinical study conducted by the brand, 100% of participants noticed a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles after eight weeks.
Before you say goodnight:
“This is the most hydrating and potent wrinkle cream that is an absolute must-do with your nightly anti-aging regimen,” says Karuna Chani, a New York-based makeup artist.
“It’s incredibly effective because it’s scientifically formulated with an amino-peptide complex that promotes cell turnover, skin elasticity and healing,” she explains. “After 15 years of working with all skin types, I can’t stress enough the importance of a good moisturizer to help keep the skin youthful and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Splurge option:
"This cream contains a small amount of retinol for slight exfoliation and cell turnover, which is great for anti-aging, and vitamin A to stimulate collagen," explains Sellers. "It not only combats wrinkles but also targets dark spots and pigmentation. I love this formula because it's hypoallergenic, without fragrance or parabens and won’t clog your pores!”
Frequently asked questions
"I’m always a big fan of keeping a skin care routine simple with the fewest products possible to increase the chances of using them and keeping costs down," says Barr.
"Protecting, repairing and preparing our skin to perform its job as our ultimate boundary from the outside world and as a source of the greatest sensations we can experience is a top priority. Taking care of our skin in this way helps our skin radiate and glow," says Barr.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best drugstore creams based on recommendations by celebrity makeup artists, estheticians and top dermatologists. These skin care experts shared insights into what makes a great wrinkle cream, focusing primarily on their active ingredients and overall benefits for your skin. We also enlisted the help of our editors' moms to help us test out a few wrinkle creams as well.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Keira Barr, MD is a board-certified dermatologist, mind-body medicine specialist and breathwork facilitator. She’s also the Psychodermatologist in Residence on selfmade‘s Scientific Research Board.
- Cinthia Lomeli is a celebrity esthetician.
- Lydia Sellers is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.
- Erin Guth is a California-based celebrity makeup artist.
- Dr. Anna Guanche, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Bella Skin Institute in Calabasas, California.
- Mary Irwin is a New York-based makeup artist.
- Karuna Chani is a New York-based makeup artist.
- Heather Rohrer, PA-C is the owner of Center for Aesthetic Medicine and Human Performance in Las Vegas.
