It's inevitable: Fine lines and wrinkles come with age. It's not impossible to reduce or delay their appearance, though - and it's not just those who seem to have been born with the genes for beautiful skin who can put off signs of aging. Many fantastic beauty products on the market can help you achieve smoother skin and get closer to a wrinkle-free face. Here are some of our top picks:
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer
This night moisturizer contains moderate levels of retinol that facilitate the growth of new skin cells on the surface, helping to promote collagen growth. Note that it can cause irritation for new users. When first using the product, apply a thin layer at least twice a week to allow your skin to acclimate before applying more frequently.
L'Oreal Revitalift Cicacream
If you have highly sensitive skin (and a tight budget), this cream from L'Oréal may be the perfect fit. Key ingredients of the formulation are tiger grass (centella asiatica), which encourages skin repair, and pro retinol to promote the health of deeper skin layers.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
What's particularly good about Olay's cream is that it contains hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin so that it appears plump and smooth to the touch. It also has amino peptides - crucial for making the skin firmer and lessening the presence of wrinkles and fine lines.
NEOCUTIS Lumière Bio-restorative Eye Cream
When it comes to reducing fine lines near the eyes, this cream is a must-have. It reduces not only puffiness but also improves crow's feet, with growth factors to help smooth out the eye area and caffeine to remove dark circles and tame puffiness.
Naturopathica Argan & Retinol Wrinkle Repair Night Cream
Another go-to product for those with sensitive skin. The argan plant cells hydrate the skin and complement the retinol effects by reducing the risk of irritation.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
CeraVe's night cream contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides, both of which are great for hydrating the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15
This moisturizer is the total package. It's easy on the budget and packed with vitamin E and green tea extracts that are excellent for reducing the presence of free radicals, making it easy for the skin to regenerate skin cells. The formulation also comes with tons of benefits such as smoothing fine lines, reducing wrinkles, removing dark spots, and evening the skin tone.
Ole Henriksen Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème
Another cream for nighttime use - but this one comes with bakuchiol, a retinol derivative that provides the same benefits without the usual irritation. It also has high concentrations of edelweiss stem cells and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), excellent wrinkle and fine-line busters that enhance the skin's elasticity.
Caudalie PREMIER CRU The Rich Cream
This cream is a winner because it calms the skin and offers deep moisturizing to reduce the signs of aging. How? All thanks to healthy amounts of Vitamins E and C, niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.
SkinCeuticals C + AHA
With a formulation of Vitamin C and AHAs, SkinCeuticals is doing something right. This combination is crucial for lightening dark spots and smoothing the skin to reduce signs of aging. It also helps exfoliate the skin to lend it that energetic glow.
Maximizing the Effects of Anti-Aging Creams
Even the best creams and serums are not effective unless they're appropriately applied. Some tips to maximize their anti-aging effects:
Apply Following the Correct Sequence
Creams and serums should be applied in a way that ensures they complement each other. Check product labels, but as a general rule: Apply creams after serums, with the topmost layer as your sunscreen. When you apply cream before a serum, you're blocking the serum from properly penetrating your skin.
Check the Ingredients
In most cases it's fine to layer your face creams, but read up and make sure one set of ingredients isn't canceling out the positive effects of the other.
Match Your Skin Type and Sensitivity
Check your skin type and sensitivity to each of the ingredients to make sure you're not inadvertently causing further damage to your skin.
Beyond Beauty Products
Some fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable, but you can delay their onset and reduce their impact on your skin.
If creams and serums alone aren't resulting in noticeably younger skin, consider another alternative: One of the most effective and common choices is an injectable like Botox to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Botox and its competitor, Dysport, have been FDA-approved for years to reduce forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines. Creams, serums, injectables and other dynamic anti-aging solutions can be incorporated into your skin regimen for more beautiful, vibrant skin.
