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Beauty Editors and Dermatologists Share the Best Wrinkle Serums and Creams to Smooth Fine Lines
They're legit like Botox in a bottle.
Personally, I'm a big fan of Botox (or Jeuveau, Daxxify, or Xeomin—any neuromodulator will do it for me). I have lots of friends and family who are apprehensive about the whole needle-in-your-face-and-close-to-your-eyes situation, though. Understandable! But they still want the super-smoothing glass skin benefits of Botox that make their skin look like it has a filter on it IRL, so they've found themselves in a bit of a pickle. Or so they thought. They just hadn't yet experienced the magic of wrinkle serums and creams that actually work. Don't worry—I put them on to some of my favorites, but since I don't gatekeep, I'm obvi gonna share them with you too.
But before we get into all that, how can skincare actually help reduce wrinkles? First, they must have ingredients that "are clinically proven to stimulate collagen production and improve skin turnover," says dermatologist Mona Foad, MD. And what exactly might those ingredients be, you ask? Dr. Foad says to look for retinoids, vitamin C, peptides, growth factors, and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid (we'll get more into all this later, too). Now that you know how the products you're about to put on your face actually work, as promised, here's a preview of the best wrinkle creams and serums:
Our top picks for the best wrinkle serums and creams:
Of course, "topical products can never compete with a neuromodulator like Botox," says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, “because they’re not injected directly into the muscle to decrease movement like neuromodulators are.” But topical products can be incredible at increasing collagen production and smoothing skin, which can soften fine lines and wrinkles over time, explains dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. So don't let your expectations get too wild, but also remember that with consistent application and patience, these really will smooth over those lines. With that, let's into it: Here are all the best wrinkle serums and creams to try, and then keep scrolling bc we're gonna answer all your burning questions too.
Pros
- Treats multiple signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging
- Can be used preventatively before fine lines even show up
Cons
- Definitely a pricey pick, but comes highly recommended by experts and is clinically-backed
Why we love it: Okay, so when a product is loved by editors and derms alike, you gotta pay attention. Dr. Foad calls this her "favorite anti-aging serum," so that's some high praise. Why, though, is it so good? It's "clinically proven to decrease aging cells in the skin, improving the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines, skin tone, and texture," she says. It even contains growth factors to basically jump-start your skin’s renewal process and promote elastin production and tightening to help prevent fine lines. Are you sold? I am.
One Cosmo editor says: ""I've been consistently slathering my face with this stuff for three years, and I genuinely can't imagine ever ditching it from my routine. The texture feels so good—nourishing, but not greasy—and my skin is noticeably more plump and even. It also helps with sin healing too, so I even love it when my face is irritated from other actives."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Growth factors, peptides, marine extract, green microalgae |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Supports collagen and elastin in skin
- Absorbs nicely into skin thanks to a lightweight gel texture
Cons
- Another expensive option
Why we love it: Sometimes, a serum can feel too lightweight but a moisturizer can feel too heavy. Here's where Biologique Recherche's gel cream comes in. It's effective but also absorbs into the skin quickly, and the brand's special extra cellular matrix (where the initials M.E.C. come from) works OT to boost firmness, suppleness, hydration, and more.
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins |
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
One Cosmo editor says: “So many wrinkle creams are thick and heavy, but this gel-like option from Biologique helps firm and smooth my skin without suffocating my face. It uses a cocktail of botanicals to support collagen and elastin and give my face this incredible bouncy effect.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Pros
- Hydrating cream comes in a pump bottle to protect the integrity of the formula
- Stronger than retinol but doesn't cause irritation
Cons
- Smells a little stinky right out of the bottle, but it goes away
Why we love it: Anti-aging products tend to be inherently pricier than a lot of other skincare products (don't get me started), so even though this cream from French pharmacy brand Avène is less costly than some of the others here that'll run you upwards of 200 bucks, this is still nowhere near cheap. But here's why it's worth it: "It is formulated with 0.1 percent retinaldehyde, which is three times more powerful than retinol, but with less irritation," says Dr. Foad. It also comes with a pump top, so you don't have to worry about sticking dirty fingers into a tub of moisturizer or any retinol degradation.
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
One Cosmo editor says: "For years, I used prescription retinoids like tretinoin and Epiduo Forte. I'm thrilled that this OTC bottle gets the job done for my skin too. I apply a couple pumps all over my face every other night, and I immediately see way smoother, radiant, and tighter skin (I especially notice it on my forehead). It's never once caused any irritation, either." —CATHARINE MALZAHN, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
Pros
- Priced under $10 (!)
- TikTok-viral "Botox in a bottle" product
- Active ingredient works similarly to neuromodulators
Cons
- Consistency is a little too watery for some
Why we love it: This tiny-but-mighty serum is proof that you can get stellar results from a wrinkle fighter that doesn't require you to lay all your $$$ on the line. This lil guy went viral on TikTok as soon as creators called it “Botox in a bottle.” That's cuz it's made of argireline, “a synthetic peptide that can potentially help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by disrupting the signal between your nerves and muscles,” says Dr. Hartman, “which can slowly—and on a much smaller scale—reduce muscle movement, similar to a neuromodulator.”
One shopper says: "This is affordable and effective. I have the laugh lines and wrinkles both at mouth and eyes. This helps to smooth these out and I can tell it helps. I don’t get any irritation, no scent, just sinks in and not sticky and no white residue left. This helps me quite a lot!"
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Argireline |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Contains line-smoothing peptides
- Works well on its own or to boost the effects of injectables
Cons
- Needs to be used both morning and night for best results, so remember to apply twice a day
Why we love it: Peptides are one of the most talked-about skincare ingredients rn, and for good reason. They signal your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, which is what makes your face look firm and plump to soften fine lines and wrinkles (and help prevent them from forming in the first place). There are tons of 'em, and when formulated correctly to your targeted skincare concern, they can truly transform skin. This peptide-based concentrate is designed to complement neuromodulators and fillers to help keep things extra smooth.
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
One Cosmo editor says: "I am on a peptide kick these days and am currently getting my fix with this serum from ZO. It smooths, hydrates, and seriously plumps—I swear the lines around my eyes and mouth look less noticeable now that I’ve been using this every day for a few weeks." —LB
Pros
- Made with just a few powerful ingredients
- Super gentle on skin
Cons
- Very small bottle
Why we love it: Everyone's talking about growth factors lately: They do all kinds of good work, including signaling skin cells to repair damage, produce collagen and elastin, and increase turnover (all essential in a good wrinkle-fighting product). I love that this particular growth factor serum is made with just seven ingredients.
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Epidermal growth factor, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, Icelandic water |
| Size | 0.5 fl. oz. |
One Cosmo editor says: "I was first introduced to this serum by my esthetician, who I pretty much trust with my life, so I was pumped when she gave me some to take home. I looked up how much it costs, and was scared to get hooked on it, but alas. As someone with chronically dry skin to the point of flaking, I used this as an overnight mask while traveling, and my skin looked glass-like once I woke up. If you have super dehydrated skin and are willing to splurge on a serum for the dry winter months, let it be this one."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Clinically studied to treat multiple signs of aging skin
- Smooths nasolabial folds and crows feet, among other types of fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- Some users feel like it clogs their pores
Why we love it: Smoothing over fine lines and wrinkles like spackle doesn't just happen overnight, so sometimes, the best plan of attack is to get a multitasking product like this one right here. It's a satin-finish moisturizer that treats wrinkles, firmness, dullness, dryness, and much more in one fell swoop. It's even designed to smooth five wrinkle types, including forehead wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and more.
One Cosmo editor says: "I sat in on a meeting during which the Skinceuticals team explained all the science behind this product, and I immediately was sold. In short, simple terms, it helps stop the premature aging of your skin due to high blood sugar levels, which is something most of us experience occasionally if you, idk, eat French fries and drink wine. Beyond the science, I love how rich and nourishing this cream feels on my skin to help cocoon it in moisture."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Concentrated Proxylanetm, glycyrrhetinic acid, niacinamide, wild fruit flavinoids |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Lifts, contours, and firms skin
- Plant-based retinol doesn't give all the bad side effects of a traditional retinol
- Cosmo 2025 Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
Cons
- Some wish it were more hydrating
Why we love it: Beauty editors everywhere are obsessed with this Innbeauty Project cream, which not only firms and smooths, but also lifts sagging skin (seriously, it works). It's a pretty luxurious-feeling moisturizer, so it nourishes the skin barrier too, on top of everything else. She's also clinically-backed, made with a plant-based retinol, and refillable. All in a day's work, right?
One Cosmo editor says: “I’m convinced that with this in tow, I’ll never get wrinkles. Why? Because it’s got peptides, retinol, and ceramides to do some major line-smoothing and collagen-boosting.” —BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides, bio-retinol, ceramides |
| Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
- Can be worn under makeup
- Clinically proven to improve fine lines and wrinkles of crow's feet
Cons
- Some users wish it didn't have a dropper applicator
Why we love it: Renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond created this growth factor-based wrinkle serum inspired by his famed Diamond InstaFacial. I'll cut to the chase: This serum works. In clinical testing, after eight weeks, 94 percent of testers had an improvement in the fine lines at their crow's feet. Nuff said. But also, it layers well under makeup, plays well with other skincare, and provides many, many more benefits.
One Cosmo editor says: "I'm a huge fan of growth factors and see such a major benefit in my skin when I use them in my routine. This serum is the most advanced of it all, replicating the actual growth factors you'd get from drawing your own plasma. I never want to run out of this, so it keep it to my forehead and around my eyes to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Growth factors, peptides, sodium hyaluronate |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Has no scent, which is a big plus if you're sensitive to fragrance
- Lightweight and doesn't feel sticky on skin
Cons
- Some users would like to see more dramatic results
Why we love it: First of all, thanks to being a fragrance-free formula, this Paula's Choice serum is great for sensitive skin, but it's much more than just that. It actually can reverse signs of aging that are already there, including bringing back firmness, smoothness, and radiance to the skin—all things we like to hear. The slightly watery, creamy texture absorbs super quickly into skin, so it's lightweight and doesn't leave your face feeling sticky.
One Cosmo editor says: "I'm only 29, so while I don't require the most advanced aging protocol yet, I'm all about introducing products in my routine that help keep my skin healthy in the long-term. This soothing serum helps hydrate, smooth, and firm up skin over time, flooding it with peptides and exosomes."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptide, taurine, sunflower sprout extract, goji phyto-exosomes |
| Size | 1 fl. oz. |
Pros
- Uses retinol to help smooth under-eye wrinkles over time
- Widely available at most all drugstores
Cons
- Some users wish the tube were bigger
Why we love it: A favorite of Dr. Garshick, this eye cream is perfect for treating lines and wrinkles if you don't wanna inject Botox around your eyes (I wouldn't blame ya!). Gently dab this around your eyes instead to help boost collagen and trigger cellular turnover for brigther, smoother undereyes. It's “specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes with hydrating panthenol and glycerin,” says Dr. Garshick, so expect this bb to hydrate AND fight those pesky wrinkles.
One shopper says: "Lightweight, non-greasy, and effective. Over time, it noticeably improves the appearance of fine lines and tired eyes. Absorbs quickly and works well under moisturizer or sunscreen. A solid skincare product backed by real results."
| Key ingredients | Retinol, panthenol, glycerin |
| Size | 0.5 oz. |
Do wrinkle serums and creams actually work?
You betcha they do! They work to help soften fine lines and wrinkles over time, but they don’t have the same powerful and long-lasting smoothing effect as a neuromodulator, says Dr. Hartman. “Patients can see changes in a matter of a few days to a week with a neuromodulator, and those changes continue to improve in the weeks following the procedure,” he says.
These at-home products are gonna test your patience though, ngl. It “can take weeks to months to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Garshick. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth it. “In general, these products tend to help reduce the appearance of static wrinkles by helping to boost collagen production,” says Dr. Garshick, "while in-office Botox injections help to rapidly address dynamic wrinkles,” (i.e., wrinkles you only see when you make specific facial movements, like squinting or scrunching).
Also, even if it feels like you're using these for a days on end with no visible results yet, stick with it for at least a few weeks or months. "The most important factor is consistency," says Dr. Foad. "These ingredients need to be used regularly to produce visible improvement."
How to choose the best wrinkle serums and creams:
Here's the TL;DR: Look for active ingredients and manage your expectations.
The first one to look out for is retinoids. They "remain the gold standard because they prevent the breakdown of collagen, help to increase collagen, and smooth fine lines over time," says Dr. Foad.
Next, think about a good vitamin C product. It's key because it "protects against free radical damage from the sun and pollution, brightens skin, and supports collagen formation," she adds.
Peptides and growth factors are pretty much the talk of the town lately, and these will help too, of course. They "can help your skin act younger while supporting your skin’s collagen and elastin growth," Dr. Foad says.
Hyaluronic acid-spiked products are also gonna be your BFF, not because they're like taking an eraser to wrinkles, but because they they help plump and hydrate the skin. "Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid don’t erase wrinkles, but they do temporarily plump the skin, making lines appear softer," says Dr. Foad. "Hyaluronic acid is an important building block in your skin and adding this to your routine helps to build hydration."
Also, managing your expectations (aka, not expecting your wrinkle product to work after one use) is a must-do.
Meet the experts:
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. He is currently on the board of directors of the Skin of Color Society.
- Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MCDS Dermatology in New York, NY. She is also a clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Mona Foad, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology, dedicated to providing innovative, patient-centered care. As the president of the Cincinnati Dermatological Society, she is a leader in advancing dermatologic education and collaboration.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching and writing skincare and anti-aging stories.
Additional reporting for this story was done by Cosmopolitan beauty director Lauren Balsamo and beauty editor Beth Gillette.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.
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