Anti-Aging Creams That Will Actually Smooth Out Wrinkles
These Anti-Aging Creams are Scientifically Proven to Work
We updated this article in May 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute, three new top tested products and expert commentary.
No matter how old you are, dermatologists agree that it's never too early (or too late) to start taking care of your skin, and this means incorporating anti-aging products into your skincare routine, whether you're in your 30s, 40s or 50s+.
But there are so many products out there (that promise so many things), it can be overwhelming. That’s why the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts are here to cut through the clutter. GH Beauty Lab scientists are constantly testing the latest anti-aging skincare products, including day creams, night creams, serums, eye creams and more to find the best on the market. They utilize both technical instruments that measure changes in wrinkles, dark spots, firmness and skin moisturization over time as well as consumer tester evaluations on factors like ease of use, cosmetic properties and look and feel of skin after a set time period. Lab pros then quantify both sets of data to identify the top performers. Here, read all about the GH Beauty Lab's best-tested anti-aging skincare products that really work.
Our top picks:
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1) Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Olay
amazon.com
$19.87
Get the ultimate moisture boost with Olay’s best-selling cream that outperformed 10 competitors — even a prestige $440 one! — in the GH Beauty Lab’s clinical studies. Packed with powerhouse anti-agers including niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, Lab measurements with the Corneometer device found the Good Housekeeping Seal star increased hydration by 50% on average over 24 hours and improved skin texture by 10% in four weeks.
? Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides
? Best For: Dry, combination, sensitive skin
? Size: 1.7 oz.
2) Rapid Wrinkle Repair Daily Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
Neutrogena
amazon.com
$16.50
This top dermatologist pick from Neutrogena aced the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging day cream test. Lab tests found that it firmed, moisturized, evened tone and smoothed fine lines over time. The GH Beauty Award winner also quenches dry skin and protects against the sun’s rays with SPF 30. Consumers liked that this face cream absorbed quickly, didn’t irritate (even with retinol) and had minimal scent. “Hands down, the best wrinkle cream I’ve tried!” a tester raved.
? Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, sunscreen
? Best For: All skin types except sensitive
? Size: 1 oz.
9) Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Cream
Olay
$28.99
A skin-smoothing retinol treatment and a night moisturizer in one, Olay was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test thanks to its noticeable brightening, softening, firming and wrinkle-reducing effects at a bargain price. The cream raised skin’s firmness by 27% over four weeks of use per the Lab’s Cutometer machine, which measures skin laxity. 100% of testers agreed it made skin feel softer and they also ranked it best at brightening. "Skin was firmer and smoother each morning," one noted.
6) Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum Ampoules
L'Oréal Paris
amazon.com
$14.59
A high-end skincare delivery system now available at the drugstore, these GH Beauty Award-winning L’Ore?al Paris ampoules house concentrated hyaluronic acid, the hydrating ingredient that can bind large amounts of water into skin. In GH Beauty Lab testing, users found that the gentle, fragrance-free serum was absorbed fast and their skin was immediately moisturized, softer and refreshed after one use. “My skin looked and felt plump," a tester remarked.
? Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides
? Best For: All skin types except oily
? Size: 0.27 oz.
Multi Correxion 5 In 1 Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
RoC
amazon.com
$25.99
Great for everyday wear, RoC’s moisturizer was a GH Beauty Lab anti-aging day cream test winner, absorbing quickly and not leaving a greasy feeling on skin. Even better? It has SPF 30 built in — the minimum amount our experts recommend using. In Lab evaluations, the formula reduced visible spots by 4.5% in just four weeks. Consumer testers gave it top marks for softening, firming, and reducing wrinkles.
6) No7 Restore & Renew Face And Neck Multi Action Serum 50 Milliliter
No 7
amazon.com
If you want a pick that can do double-duty, this fast-absorbing face and neck serum from No7, a GH Seal star, can’t be beat. The winner in the Beauty Lab’s neck treatment test, it was the best at tightening and lifting skin in Lab evaluations, while also reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
13) Laboratories Firming Booster Serum
No7
ulta.com
$25.19
Not your average serum, No7's GH Seal star formula ups the game by dispensing the product through a rollerball applicator to massage ingredients like peptides into skin. A clinical study showed visible improvement in firmness and lift of cheeks and jawline over eight weeks of use. Nearly 80% of users found that their skin felt firmer after only one week, according to GH Beauty Lab data analysis.
? Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid
? Best For: All skin types
? Size: 1 oz.
8) La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eyes Retinol Eye Cream, 0.5 Fl oz.
La Roche-Posay
amazon.com
In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, this La Roche-Posay eye cream absorbed quickly, reduced the appearance of fine lines, and diminished under-eye puffiness. It’s packed with powerful anti-aging retinol, so our pros recommend only using this at night before bed, then applying sunscreen every morning. Even with retinol, GH Lab testers didn’t report any irritation. One tester summed it up well, “I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one!”
Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Eye Cream
Roc
amazon.com
$18.97
RoC’s cream was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging eye treatments test for tackling every eye-area issue — at a price way below the average. Lab measurements found it increased firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reduced wrinkles by 10%, plus brightened dark circles and depuffed undereye bags
15) White Pine Meno-Reverse Deep Wrinkle, Plumping + Age Spot Concentrate
Korres
amazon.com
$65.00
Combining botanicals with science-backed skin benefits, like white pine, artichoke and black oat extracts, this creamy GH Beauty Award-winning Korres serum effectively smooths creases, firms, and minimizes pores. In clinical assessment after four weeks of use, 97% of women showed an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles and firmness, and 100% in the look of pores.
? Key Ingredients: Vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, plant extracts and oils
? Best For: All skin types except oily
? Size: 2.8 oz.
Psst: Our top picks are under $30!