If it's smooth, bright, glowing skin you covet—and, let's be honest, who doesn't?—there are plenty of at-home and in-office treatments you can try. From procedures like microdermabrasion to dermaplaning and specialty serums like hyaluronic acid and retinol, they'll all provide some level of anti-aging benefits.
But what if you don't have the time for a multistep routine or the budget for one of the more expensive approaches? It doesn't matter where the lines are—around your eyes, adjacent to your mouth, or even down your neck—a simple wrinkle cream can help, says Debra Jaliman, MD, also a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
To ensure the cream or serum you're selecting is most effective, look for retinol, peptides, and niacinamide, she suggests. And make sure these ingredients show up in the beginning of the ingredient list, which indicates they appear in the product in a higher concentration than other ingredients lower down on the list.
And try to exercise patience if you don't see improvements—particularly if your wrinkles are deep and dark. "The results of wrinkle creams can take weeks to months for results to show," says Green. "For example, when it comes to retinoids, it typically takes three to six months of regular use before improvements are apparent with the best results occurring after six to 12 months," she explains. Other factors that can contribute to the effectiveness of wrinkles creams include your lifestyle and diet. "If you regularly smoke or drink alcohol, you are less likely to see results from the wrinkle creams," says Green.
Hoping to see those results sooner rather than later? Peep this list of hardworking wrinkle creams, all dermatologist approved.
Good skin care cream...My skin gets breakouts, spots, wrinkles, creases and needs extra care. I tried the Shiseido Wrinkle smoothing cream and noticed that it significantly improved my skin tone....I love using this wrinkle cream. It helps my skin hold moisture, keeps my wrinkles softened and my skin looks brighter.
What it is: A daily cream that intensely hydrates and visibly addresses wrinkles in just two weeks*.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dryness, and Loss of Firmness and Elasticity
Formulation: Cream
Highlighted Ingredients:
- KOMBU-Bounce Complex (Green, Brown, Red Algae plus Chlorella Extract): Fortifies skin's barrier to help prevent and minimize the look of wrinkles.
- Turmeric Extract: Helps minimize the look of wrinkles and tighten the look of skin.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, and triclosan.