Wrinkle Creams Make Big Claims: These 10 Had Measurable Effects in Our Lab Testing
These are the products that really work.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior ChemistReviewed by Sabina WizemannBeauty Lab Director
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When you get to be over 40 (like me!), you likely look in the mirror and start seeing some forehead lines, a few crow's feet, maybe even a deep wrinkle or two staring back at you. They're a totally normal part of aging caused by sun damage, repeated facial movement, and genetics, among other factors. While lines add unique character and beauty to your face, incorporating an effective wrinkle cream to your skincare routine can help your skin look fresh and smooth for the long haul.
"Seeing a reduction in wrinkles is the main benefit of anti-aging skincare products, but many also help hydrate, target dark spots, or address other concerns," says Kathleen S. Viscusi, M.D., dermatologist and co-founder of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia.
Our top picks:
✔️ Best Overall: No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
It reduced wrinkles by 13%, one of the highest levels in Beauty Lab testing history.
✔️ Best Value: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 30
Scored high for minimizing lines, plus diminished dark spots by 13.5% in Lab tests.
✔️ Best for Mature Skin: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Serious hydration and smoothing: This boosted skin hydration 47% in Lab tests, plus reduced wrinkle length and depth in a clinical study.
✔️ Best Day Cream: RoC Even Tone Dark Spot Moisturizer SPF 30
This daily moisturizer with SPF and vitamin C improved skin texture by 11% in Lab testing.
✔️ Best for Deep Wrinkles: Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream
A rich formula for etched creases, it visibly minimized lines in Lab imaging evaluations.
With endless products claiming to “erase” wrinkles, it can be tricky to know what actually works. Thankfully, our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists regularly test anti-wrinkle creams both in the Lab using instruments that calculate changes in wrinkles, skin texture, firmness, and hydration over time, and on consumer testers, who give feedback on their performance. Our pros analyze thousands of Lab measurements and tester responses to find the best wrinkle creams that deliver real results.
Best Deal
Pros
- Reduced wrinkles by 13% in Lab tests
- Increased skin firmness by 28% and hydration by 32%
- Appealing texture
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Didn't work as well at minimizing dark spots
Why it stands out
No7's night cream, power-packed with active ingredients, minimized lines on the face more than any other anti-aging cream in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent tests.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer device showed that it reduced wrinkles by 13% in four weeks, one of the best line reduction measurements in Lab testing history.
The formula also upped skin firmness by 28% over the same time period per the Cutometer machine, which measures skin laxity, and moisturization by 32% in six hours in Corneometer readings of skin hydration levels. (It didn't perform as well at diminishing dark spots, however).
What our testers said
Consumer testers ranked it highly for having a pleasant texture (not too thick, sticky, or greasy), soaking in fast, and not irritating skin. "It made my skin look younger and supple," one commented.
| Key ingredients | Retinol, peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid |
| Best for | All skin types, including dry and sensitive |
| How to use | Nightly as last step in skincare routine |
| Size | 1.6 oz. |
Pros
- Bargain price
- Reduced dark spots by 13.5% in Lab tests
- Minimizes lines, firms skin, and evens tone
Cons
- Some testers preferred a richer formula
Why it stands out
This top dermatologist's pick from Neutrogena, made with the gold standard anti-aging ingredient retinol, aced the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging day cream test.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Our Lab tests with the Visia Complexion Analyzer found that it reduced dark spots by 13.5%, and measurably firmed skin and evened tone over eight weeks of use. This drugstore GH Beauty Award winner also quenches dry skin and protects against the sun’s rays with broad-spectrum SPF 30.
What our testers said
The lotion was a tester favorite, earning high scores for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles and improving radiance. Our consumer testers liked that it absorbed quickly, didn’t irritate, and had minimal scent, though some wished the formula were richer. “Hands down, the best wrinkle cream I’ve tried!” a tester raved. Another reported: "My skin looks younger and firmer and has [fewer] visible wrinkles."
| Key Ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C |
| Best For | All skin types, but may not be nourishing enough for dry skin |
| Size | 1 oz. |
| How to use | Daily in the morning as last step in skincare routine |
Pros
- Boosted skin hydration by 47% in Lab tests
- Measurably reduces deep wrinkles
- Makes skin look firmer
Cons
- If you have an aversion to fragrance, opt for the fragrance-free version
Why it stands out
The iconic Olay red jar, a Good Housekeeping Seal star, gets a glow-up: The new formula tackles not only wrinkles, but also other mature skin concerns like loss of firmness and hydration thanks to ingredients like niacinamide and peptides.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
In the Beauty Lab's test using the Corneometer device to measure skin hydration, the formula increased moisture levels by an impressive 47% over six hours after application.
A clinical study on 30 women using digital imaging found that the cream reduced the length and depth of deep wrinkles in four weeks of use, Beauty Lab data analysis confirmed. In another study on 100 women, 85% agreed their skin looked firmer after four weeks.
What our experts said
Beauty Lab experts praised the "silky," "fast-absorbing" formula and appreciated that it comes it both fragranced and fragrance-free options.
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, peptides |
| Best for | Mature skin |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
| How to use | Daily morning and night after serum and before sunscreen |
Pros
- Faded dark spots by 4.5% in Lab tests
- Softens, firms, and smooths lines
- Contains SPF
- Improves skin texture
Cons
- A few of our consumer testers said it caused breakouts
Why it stands out
Great for everyday wear, RoC's moisturizer with SPF was a GH Beauty Lab anti-aging day cream test winner, absorbing quickly and not leaving a greasy feeling on skin.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
In Lab digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, the formula reduced visible dark spots by 4.5% and improved the skin's texture by 11% in four weeks of use. It also didn't irritate eyes despite containing sunscreen; however, a few testers reported breakouts.
What our testers said
Consumer testers gave it top marks for softening, firming, and reducing wrinkles. "It made my skin feel plump, smooth, and glowing," one commented. A second tester said they "noticed a difference in skin tone and texture and would continue using it."
RELATED: Best Moisturizers with SPF
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, sunscreen |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
| How to use | Daily in the morning as last step in skincare routine |
Pros
- Visibly smoothed face and neck lines in digital imaging
- Hydrates and softens skin
- Can be used morning and night
Cons
- Formula may be too heavy for some
Why it stands out
Soften creases on the face and neck with this double-duty Fresh formula; it excelled in our Lab's neck treatment test at minimizing stubborn lines and softening skin.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Lab before-and-after photo evaluations showed the cream visibly smoothed lines, plus testers rated it highly for leaving skin looking and feeling moisturized.
What our testers said
Most of our consumer testers praised the "really rich" texture, though one said it was "too thick." A fan called it great "for skin that needs extra moisturizing for lines and wrinkles."
| Key ingredients | Peptides, hyaluronic acid, plant extracts |
| Best for | Dry skin |
| Size | 1.6 oz. |
| How to use | Daily morning and/or night after serum and before sunscreen |
Pros
- Reduced eye area wrinkles by 12% in Lab tests
- Increased skin firmness by 28%
- Boosted moisturization by 30%
- Non-greasy texture
Cons
- One tester experienced irritation from use
Why it stands out
Crow's feet and eye area wrinkles don't stand a chance against this No7 formula, the best in the GH Beauty Lab's most recent eye cream test for smoothing lines.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
In Lab digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, it reduced eye area wrinkle size and severity by an impressive 13% over four weeks of use. The cream had other anti-aging effects, too, including raising skin's firmness by 28% in Lab Cutometer measurements and hydration by 30% in Corneometer calculations.
What our testers said
Our consumer testers gave it the highest scores for its non-greasy, "smooth" texture and lack of scent, though one did develop irritation during use. Overall, they raved about the wrinkle-smoothing effects, with three saying it "noticeably reduced" their eye lines.
RELATED: Best Eye Creams
| Key ingredients | Peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Size | 0.5 oz. |
| How to use | Daily morning and night after serum and before moisturizer |
Pros
- Raised skin firmness by 28% in Beauty Lab tests
- Smooths texture
- Evens skin tone
Cons
- Not as strong moisturizing effects
Why it stands out
This SkinBetter Science cream's gentle yet powerful formula makes it a dermatologist and beauty expert go-to and a strong performer in GH Beauty Lab testing.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
Our Lab assessments found that this cream boosted skin's firmness by 28% over four weeks per Cutometer measurements and scored high for improving skin texture and tone, winning it a GH Beauty Award. It didn't hydrate skin as well, though, so it may require following up with a richer night cream or moisturizer.
What our testers said
Consumer testers gave it top points for its texture that soaked in quickly and for not causing redness or irritation. "My skin felt firmer, and my fine lines were diminished," one of our consumer testers remarked.
RELATED: Best Retinol Creams
| Key ingredients | Retinol, glycolic acid, peptides |
| Best for | All skin types except dry |
| Size | 1 oz. |
| How to use | Nightly after cleansing and before moisturizer |
Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line-Correcting Overnight Face Cream
Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line-Correcting Overnight Face Cream
Pros
- Increased skin firmness by 29% and moisturization 32% in Lab tests
- Smooths skin texture
- Not irritating
Cons
- May not absorb quickly
Why it stands out
No pain, no gain isn't true when it comes to all anti-aging creams. Case in point: Philosophy's gentle formula, a GH Beauty Lab night cream test winner that delivered heavy-duty smoothing, moisturizing and firming effects sans irritation.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
In Lab calculations, it increased skin hydration by 32% in six hours and firmness by 29% in four weeks of use, yet 95% of testers agreed it didn't cause irritation or redness. It was also best in our assessment for improving skin texture.
What our testers said
Our consumer tester panel rated it top for its "soft" scent, however some said it took time to absorb. "It seems to help with some of my fine lines," one reported. Another noted, "I noticed my skin feels firmer in the morning."
RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C |
| Best for | All skin types, including sensitive |
| Size | 2 oz. |
| How to use | Nightly as last step in skincare routine |
Mary Kay TimeWise Antioxidant Moisturizer for Combination to Oily Skin
Mary Kay TimeWise Antioxidant Moisturizer for Combination to Oily Skin
Pros
- Oil-free and won't clog pores
- Improves lines, crow's feet wrinkles, and firmness
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
- May not be rich enough for other skin types
Why it stands out
Anti-aging creams don't have to be heavy to be effective: This Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay moisturizer is oil-free and non-comedogenic (not pore-clogging), created specially for oily and combination skin types.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
According to Beauty Lab data evaluation, the formula significantly improved skin firmness, lines, and crow's feet starting after two weeks of use.
What testers said
An impressive 95% of consumer testers agreed it absorbs quickly, and 79% agreed that it helps maintain skin's moisture balance.
RELATED: Best Face Moisturizers
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, peptides, antioxidants |
| Best for | Oily or combination skin |
| Size | 3 oz. |
| How to use | Daily morning and/or night after serum and before sunscreen |
Pros
- Reduced neck lines in Lab digital imaging tests
- Hydrates and softens skin
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Doesn't provide a lifting effect
Why it stands out
Smooth stubborn neck area lines with this amino acid-infused cream from dermatologist-recommended brand NeoStrata, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging neck treatment test.
How it did in GH Beauty Lab testing
It was best at minimizing the look of testers’ neck lines and wrinkles over 12 weeks in Lab standardized digital imaging.
What our testers said
The formula scored high among testers for making skin feel moisturized, but didn't rank as well for lifting. Many also commented that they liked the "light" texture. “I have very dry skin and felt it was hydrating," a consumer tester revealed. A second noted that her "neck and décolletage looked smoother."
RELATED: Best Neck Creams
| Key ingredients | Plant stem cells, amino acids, vitamin E |
| Best for | All skin types |
| Size | 2.8 oz. |
| How to use | Morning and/or evening after serum (if applicable) |
How we test wrinkle creams
The GH Beauty Lab has decades of history testing anti-aging skincare products, including the day creams, night creams (below), eye creams, and neck creams included in this story. Beauty Lab scientists first label-mask the products to eliminate brand bias, then distribute them to consumer testers around the country, who use them as part of their skincare routine for a set time period. The consumer testers report their feedback on product performance, effects on the look and feel of skin, and ease of use, including application, texture, scent, and irritation.
Anti-aging skincare products are also evaluated in the Lab using technical instruments, such as:
- Visia Complexion Analyzer (below), which tracks changes in skin including the quantity, size, and depth of wrinkles; skin texture; pigmentation; and pores over four or more weeks of use.
- Cutometer machine, which gauges changes in skin firmness over four or more weeks of use.
- Corneometer device (left), which measures skin moisture levels over six hours after application.
Thousands of data points from both the consumer and Lab tests are then quantified to determine the best wrinkle and anti-aging creams.
What to look for when shopping for wrinkle creams
GH Beauty Lab and dermatologist experts recommend seeking out the following key types of anti-aging skincare ingredients in wrinkle cream formulas for the face, eyes, and neck:
✔️ Retinol: "A derivative of vitamin A, it's proven to slow down and sometimes reverse age-related changes that occur over time within skin," says Libby Rhee, M.D., Founder of Liora Dermatology & Aesthetics in New York City. "It works by increasing skin cell turnover, thereby increasing collagen production, as well as reducing the breakdown of collagen." They improve skin texture, smooth wrinkles, firm, and even skin tone for a more radiant complexion.
✔️ Peptides: "A great anti-aging ingredient, they are small chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins such as collagen, which we lose as we age," Dr. Viscusi says. They help reduce lines and wrinkles and increase skin firmness over time.
✔️ Antioxidants: “Anti-aging creams are often made with antioxidants and brightening agents that help decrease skin inflammation," says Naana Boakye, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Bergen Dermatology in Hackensack, New Jersey. Antioxidants including vitamins C and E, resveratrol, and niacinamide (vitamin B3), these help prevent "oxidative stress from sources such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and poor nutrition that can play a major role in premature skin aging," Dr. Rhee explains. Vitamin C and niacinamide also help even skin tone and brighten, among other anti-aging benefits.
✔️ Moisturizers: "Moisturizing ingredients should be in everyone's toolkit," Dr. Boakye says. Actives like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin help replenish skin hydration that can decline with age, as well as temporarily plumping lines.
✔️ Sunscreen: "It’s estimated that 80% of the skin changes we attribute to chronological aging, like wrinkles and dark spots, are due to the cumulative effects of day-to-day sun exposure," Dr. Rhee says. "In that sense, they are largely preventable with the daily and consistent use of broad spectrum sunscreen." Apply a face sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, recommends GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek: "Sunscreen is the best anti-aging defense, no matter what other anti-aging products you apply."
Do wrinkle creams work like Botox?
While no topical skincare product can totally remove wrinkles or produce the results of a professional treatment like Botox, GH Beauty Lab testing has found that some anti-aging creams and products (like the top-tested formulas on our list) do work and provide visible effects. "In our tests, we are able to see measurable improvements in skin's firmness and hydration and a decrease [in] lines, wrinkles, and dark spots," Wnek says. But consistency is key: It takes at least four weeks of daily application to start seeing benefits from skincare treatments like creams and up to 12 for maximum results.
What's the best way to use a wrinkle cream?
First, GH Beauty Lab experts recommend closely following the directions on the product's packaging, as some formulas are created to be applied twice per day, while others are meant to be used once. For best results, "always apply products on a clean, dry face," Dr. Rhee advises. To avoid irritation, "start off slowly," Dr. Boakye says, applying a small amount of a treatment once per week and increasing the frequency two to three times per week.
Meet our experts
- Kathleen S. Viscusi, M.D., dermatologist and co-founder of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia
- Libby Rhee, M.D., Founder of Liora Dermatology & Aesthetics in New York City
- Naana Boakye, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Bergen Dermatology in Hackensack, New Jersey
- Danusia Wnek, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek develops and oversees the testing of skincare product categories including anti-aging moisturizers, night creams, eye creams, and more, utilizing both lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market.
GH Senior Beauty & Style Director April Franzino has over 15 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare-related content. She worked closely with the GH Beauty Lab scientists to report on the results of their wrinkle cream and anti-aging product tests, plus interviewed dermatologists for their insights into the category.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann oversees all of the Lab's product testing, including wrinkle creams and anti-aging products. She provided an expert review of this story.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 15 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and performance testing. The number one skincare rule she lives by: never go to bed with makeup on.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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