We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The best wrinkle fillers to temporarily smooth fine lines
Needle-free ways to blur wrinkles.
Tested by Chiara ButlerBeauty and Personal Care Lab Reviews Analyst
Every fine line and wrinkle has a story to tell. But when you’re not feeling so nostalgic, there are ways to smooth fine lines —without the need for injections. Enter the best wrinkle fillers and blurring products.
Wrinkle fillers are “products designed to fill in wrinkles, plumping the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She explains that they typically contain hyaluronic acid to help hydrate or peptides to help boost collagen production and smooth the appearance of wrinkles.
Blurring products, on the other hand, “are intended to provide more of a temporary effect by visibly improving the appearance of lines without addressing or treating the underlying cause,” Dr. Garshick explains. She says they work by filling in lines with silicone-based ingredients or polymers to smooth, or they use light-reflecting particles that diffuse light so it makes the lines appear less noticeable.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Which is right for you? “Blurring products may be better for superficial fine lines while wrinkle filling skincare products may also be considered for deeper lines and folds,” Dr. Garshick says.
Whichever approach you use, Good Housekeeping Institute analyst at our sister lab in the US, Chiara Butler, reminds us to have realistic expectations. “Some products do contain ingredients like retinoids and anti-ageing peptides that can improve the appearance of fine lines with consistent use,” she says. However, she adds: “From what I saw in my small test, the improvement in the appearance of fines lines and wrinkles is not dramatic. I felt that the blurring products gave results that were more visible in photos.”
Best Deal
RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum
RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum
Pros
- Works immediately and over time
- Hydrating
- Targeted applicator
Cons
- Contains retinol, which can be irritating
This impressed for smoothing lines on the forehead, between the brows and around the mouth instantly, and improving them over time too. The serum contains the anti-ageing dream team of hyaluronic acid and retinol.
However, retinol may be too tough on sensitive skin, so it's important to ease into use. Created in collaboration with dermatologists, the targeted treatment also has a noticeable plumping effect.
Testers' notes: According to the brand's clinical study, 97% of users showed significant improvement in the look of fine and deep face lines after four weeks.
Key ingredients
| Key ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
No7 Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler
Pros
- Smooths complexion
- Adds radiance
- Hydrating
Cons
- Less effective around the eye area
Don’t let the price fool you – this bargain beauty buy instantly gets to work to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The silky formula leaves skin looking younger and glowing, courtesy of its plumping ingredients and light-reflecting particles. As it’s made with silicones, it glides over skin, while glycerin helps with hydration.
Testers' notes: “I was impressed by how quickly it softened the appearance of the wrinkles on my forehead,” one tester said, and another added, “It went on soft. It didn’t have a strong smell, which is a plus, and it seemed like it would work under makeup.” However, one tester noted, “The product was less effective around the eye area, particularly on crow’s feet.”
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, dimethicone, light-reflecting particles |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
No7 before and after
StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer
Pros
- Lightweight texture
- Makeup primer that doubles as skincare
- Extends wear of makeup
Cons
- Results were short-lived for some
A primer is designed to set the stage for makeup application, helping it go on smoothly and prolonging its wear. This blurring formula does just that, as well as helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines. The skincare-forward formula contains glycerin for hydration and is light and breathable.
Testers' notes: “I like the texture of the product; it was smooth and didn't leave any residue on my skin. I also liked that it didn't leave me oily or dry; the product felt great on my skin,” one tester said. Another shared, “I really liked how lightweight this product was and how smooth it felt on my skin. It reminded me of a primer I used in the past from a very expensive skincare brand. It glided onto my skin so nicely, and my makeup went over it with absolute ease, with no pilling or splotchiness. It definitely gave the appearance of a more smooth forehead and seemed to fill in the little wrinkle lines.” But a third tester didn’t agree: “I didn't think there were major differences in the short-term. I didn't see a significant enough difference to continue using the product.”
| Key ingredients | Blurring microspheres, dimethicone, glycerin |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | No |
Strivectin before and after
Dior Capture Totale Hyalushot
Dior Capture Totale Hyalushot
Pros
- Nozzle makes it easier to apply for smaller areas
- Works instantly and over time
- Tightening effect
Cons
- Can feel heavy
Dior’s first intensive wrinkle solution can be applied anywhere you spot fine lines on the face, and its nozzle makes precise application much easier. As for the formulation, a patented hyaluronic acid duo works to plump, while peptides help to smooth. One tester even noticed a "tightness" around their eyes created by the film-forming ingredients of the product.
Testers' notes: “It was easy to apply – the tube is small and narrow and it was easy to dispense the product,” one tester shared. “It didn't irritate my sensitive skin or cause redness or itchiness. I also liked the clear colour, i.e. I could walk outside and no one would know I had applied wrinkle filler to my face.”
Another tester told us: “It did pretty well filling in the ‘11’ that rises between my eyes. I would continue using it for that.” But one felt it was too heavy: “Although the texture was thin, the product feels a bit heavy on my face. I prefer light and airy creams or serums to alleviate wrinkles.”
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, peptide |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | No |
Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
Pros
- Temporarily fills even deep lines
- Minimises moisture loss
- Helps prevent future wrinkles
Cons
- Some didn’t like tingling sensation
Even deep wrinkles should appear temporarily smoothed with this filler, because it instantly floods the skin with hydration. Hyaluronic acid plumps and smooths, while acetyl hexapeptide-8 improves elasticity, helping skin bounce back after facial expressions. There’s also plant-based squalane to minimise moisture loss, which helps prevent future fine lines.
Testers' notes: “I liked the applicator. The packaging makes it very easy to apply and size is great for on the go/travelling. I did feel a little firming sensation once applied/during the time in between before and after pictures,” one tester shared, while another said, “The product felt rich and was easy to apply.”
However, not everyone was a fan of the initial tightening feel. “When I first applied the product, there was a bit of a tingling sensation that I was worried would last for too long; it didn't but I wonder if there could be less sensation and still have a filler work,” said one tester.
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, acetyl hexapeptide-8 |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
Murad before and after
Clarins Instant Smooth-Perfecting Touch Face Primer
Clarins Instant Smooth-Perfecting Touch Face Primer
Pros
- Fills in fine lines and pores
- Hydrating
- Doubles as makeup primer
Cons
- Consistency is too thick for some
Perfect for makeup prep, this primer can also be applied solo to smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. According to Clarins, the formula is spiked with antioxidant vitamin E to nourish and hydrate, plus acacia micro-pearls to add radiance.
Testers' notes: “It blurred out the deep lines and made them less noticeable,” said one tester. Another told us: “It's moisturising but not greasy. I was impressed with how it diminished my forehead wrinkles. The ‘11s between the brows is a tough area, but I even noticed a slight improvement there.” But some wished the texture was lighter to make application easier. “If you use too much it can get a little messy, especially near the brows,” said one person. “I also wish it would have filled in the lines around my mouth more.”
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, acacia micro-pearls |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
How we test wrinkle fillers
Our GHI colleagues in the US first spoke to beauty editors and online retailers to put together a list of the most popular wrinkle-filling products. Three of the products on our list are skincare-focused and have both instant wrinkle plumping and long-term anti-ageing claims, and the other three are blurring products with only instant wrinkle filling claims.
All the products featured have passed rigorous testing in the our US beauty lab. They have also been checked by the Good Housekeeping Institute team in the UK, ensuring that the formulas are identical and equally popular here.
To find the best wrinkle fillers, we blinded the products and assigned them codes to prevent brand bias. We invited 18 testers who were aged 35 and older to try the products, asking them to share the areas of their face where they felt they had wrinkles: under the eyes, crow’s feet, around the mouth or the forehead.
We asked them to remove makeup from the areas where they would be applying the wrinkle filler product. We then took digital “before” photos of the testers’ faces zoomed in to 3X, followed by pictures in our specialist Visia Skin analysis system. Afterwards, we gave testers a mirror and allowed them to apply as much product as they wanted to the areas they indicated. We set a timer for 10 minutes to allow the product to set in.
After 10 minutes, we took “after” digital photos and used the Visia system. The testers then responded to a detailed survey about how they felt the product performed. A total of 54 Visia pictures were taken.
What to look for when shopping for a wrinkle filler
Keep these factors in mind when looking for a wrinkle filler.
- Product claims: “Look at the product's claims to see whether it promises just instant smoothing and hydrating, instant blurring or instant and long-term anti-ageing benefits,” Butler says. “Consider whether you want a moisturising/anti-ageing product that will moisturise in the short-term and provide anti-ageing benefits over time, or a blurring product with an immediate skin-perfecting effect that may not have skincare benefits.”
- Usage: Think about where you'll be using the product on your face, as this can help determine whether a blurring or filling product is better. “Since blurring products tend to be thicker on the skin, they can be trickier in high-movement areas like the crow’s feet where product can settle in the lines, so I think plumping products are better for the crow’s feet while blurring products are great for flatter areas like the forehead,” Butler advises.
- Ingredients: “When shopping for a wrinkle filling product, it's important to look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps to draw moisture in and works to plump the skin,” Dr. Garshick says. “Some products may contain different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which allows for different levels of penetration for best results.
"Additionally, other ingredients to consider include peptides, which help to boost collagen production and retinol, which helps to regulate skin cell turnover and also support collagen production, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In the case of neuropeptides, the peptides block the release of chemicals that are responsible for muscle movement that leads to fine lines and wrinkles.”
What is the best way to apply wrinkle fillers and blurring products?
Dr. Garshick says that wrinkle filling products should be used daily and consistently for maximum benefits. “The specific ingredients will determine if it’s better for morning or evening use,” she explains.
As for application, Butler says: “For plumping or tightening products, apply them to clean dry skin, then wait for them to set and dry. Follow the directions on your product for the best results.
“For blurring products, tap, don’t rub, into fine lines, and gently smooth out the product as needed. Some of these formulations can be used as makeup primers or even on top of makeup.”
How long do the effects of wrinkle fillers last?
“The effects of these fillers typically last only a few hours, or until you wash them off,” Butler says. However, for skincare products that can bring benefits with continued use over time, the perks last longer.
“With consistent use and depending on the specific ingredients, the effects may continue to improve over the course of three to six months,” Dr. Garshick adds.
How do wrinkle filling skincare and blurring products compare to in-salon treatments?
“In general, wrinkle filling skincare and blurring products are not going to yield the same results as in-office treatments and the results may be more temporary,” Dr. Garshick says. “That said, some of the at-home products can complement treatments as they can be used to help prolong the benefits of things like filler, neuromodulators and lasers.”
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty and Personal Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she’s been doing hands-on testing of beauty products since 2022. She also covers aesthetic treatments like injectables and lasers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims. When not at GH, you can find her wandering the beauty aisles of the drugstore.
