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Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond, committing to a consistent skincare routine that includes an effective anti-aging cream can help smooth wrinkles and tackle dehydration that can occur over time. "While seeing a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles is the main benefits of anti-aging topicals, many of these products are multi-purpose and also help to moisturize and hydrate skin, target dark spots or help with other concerns," explains Kathleen S. Viscusi, M.D., dermatologist and co-founder of Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia.
In addition, "anti-aging creams are usually packed with antioxidants and brightening agents that help decrease skin inflammation," says Naana Boakye, M.D., a dermatologist in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. With so many creams and moisturizers out there that overpromise and under deliver, it can be tricky to find effective skincare products. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, we cut through the clutter by rigorously testing the best anti-aging creams for minimizing fine lines and boosting elasticity.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
- Best Value: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Anti-Aging Day Cream with SPF 30
- Best for Deep Wrinkles: Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream
- Best for Sagging Skin: SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line Correcting Moisturizer Overnight Cream
Pros
- Highly moisturizing
- Smooths skin's texture
- Powerful anti-aging actives
- Great value
Cons
- Thicker formula may not work for oily skin types
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, our measurements with the Corneometer device found the formulation increased hydration by 50% on average over 24 hours and improved skin texture by 10% in four weeks. Note that it has a rich cream formula that could be too heavy for those with oily skin.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides | Best for: Dry, combination, sensitive skin | Size: 1.7 oz. | How to use: Daily morning and/or night after serum and before sunscreen
Pros
- Measurably minimizes dark spots
- Increases skin moisturization
- Fast-absorbing
- Affordably-priced
Cons
- Could irritate eyes
L’Oréal Paris's affordable drugstore lotion packed with age-fighting actives and SPF proved to be a "bright" idea for youthful skin: It was a star in our anti-aging day cream test, outperforming other formulas tested. The formula reduced UV spots by 11% over four weeks in measurements with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and improved skin hydration by 28% over six hours, per Corneometer calculations.
Testers also gave it the highest marks for its "citrusy" scent, texture and absorbing quickly. (Note that it didn't score as well for irritating eyes and a few testers reported breakouts.) "My skin appeared brighter and more radiant," a user commented. Two said that it left their skin "smooth and soft."
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol, SPF | Best for: All skin types except sensitive | Size: 1 oz. | How to use: Daily in the morning as last step in skincare routine
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Pros
- Noticeably smooths lines on face and neck
- Hydrates and softens skin
Cons
- Formula may be too heavy for some
Soften creases on the face and neck with this double-duty Fresh formula; it excelled in our Lab's neck treatment test at minimizing stubborn lines and softening skin. Lab before-and-after photo evaluations showed the cream visibly smoothed lines, plus testers rated it highly for leaving skin looking and feeling moisturized.
Most testers praised the "really rich" texture, though one said it was "too thick." A fan called it great "for skin that needs extra moisturizing for lines and wrinkles."
Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, plant extracts | Best for: Dry skin | Size: 1.6 oz. | How to use: Daily morning and/or night after serum and before sunscreen
Pros
- Measurably firms skin
- Smooths texture
- Evens tone
Cons
- Not as strong moisturizing effects
The gentle yet powerful formula (retinol, glycolic acid) of this SkinBetter Science cream makes it a dermatologist and beauty expert go-to and a strong performer in our testing. Accoridng to Lab Visia imaging, the GH Beauty Award winner boosted skin's firmness by 28% over four weeks and scored high for improving skin texture and tone.
Testers gave it top points for its texture that soaked in quickly and for not causing irritation or redness. It didn't hydrate skin as well, though, so may require following up with a richer night cream or moisturizer. "My skin felt firmer and my fine lines were diminished," a user remarked.
Key ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, peptides | Best for: All skin types except very dry | Size: 1 oz. | How to use: Nightly after cleansing and before night cream
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5
Best for Sensitive Skin
Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line Correcting Moisturizer Overnight Cream
Pros
- Increases skin firmness and moisturization
- Smooths texture
- Not irritating
Cons
- May not absorb quickly
No pain, no gain isn't true when it comes to all anti-aging creams. Case in point: Philosophy's gentle formula, a GH Beauty Lab night cream test winner that delivered heavy duty moisturizing and firming effects sans irritation. In Lab calculations, it upped skin hydration by 32% in six hours and firmness by 29% in four weeks of use, yet 95% of testers agreed it didn't cause irritation or redness.
It was also best in the Lab for improving skin texture and among testers for its "soft" scent, however some said it took time to absorb. "I noticed my skin feels firmer in the morning," one revealed.
Key ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Best for: Dry or sensitive skin | Size: 2 oz. | How to use: Nightly after last step in skincare routine
Pros
- Oil-free and won't clog pores
- Absorbs quickly
- Measurably firms skin
Cons
- May not be rich enough for other skin types
Anti-aging creams don't have to be heavy to be effective: This Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay moisturizer is oil-free and non-comedogenic (not pore-clogging), created specially for oily and combination skin types. According to our data evaluation, it significantly improved skin firmness, lines and crow's feet starting after two weeks of use, plus 95% of users agreed it absorbs quickly and 79% agreed that it helps maintain skin's moisture balance.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, antioxidants | Best for: Oily or combination skin | Size: 3 oz. | How to use: Daily morning and/or night after serum and before sunscreen
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Pros
- Bargain price
- Firms skin and reduces UV spots
- Evens skin tone and reduces lines
- Contains SPF
Cons
- Some testers said it wasn't moisturizing enough for their skin
This top dermatologist pick from Neutrogena, made with the gold standard anti-aging ingredient retinol, aced the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging day cream test. Lab tests with the Visia Complexion Analyzer found that it reduced UV spots by 13.5%, and it also measurably firmed skin and evened tone over eight weeks of use. The lotion was a tester favorite, earning high scores for improving radiance and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
The GH Beauty Award winner also quenches dry skin (although some users wished the formula was richer and more moisturizing) and protects against the sun’s rays with SPF 30. Consumers liked that this face cream absorbed quickly, didn’t irritate and had minimal scent. “Hands down, the best wrinkle cream I’ve tried!” a tester raved. Another reported: "My skin looks younger and firmer and has less visible wrinkles."
Key ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, sunscreen | Best for: All skin types except sensitive | Size: 1 oz. | How to use: Daily in the morning as last step in skincare routine
Pros
- Firms and softens skin
- Minimizes wrinkles
- Brightens skin's tone
Cons
- May not absorb quickly
A skin-smoothing retinol cream treatment and night moisturizer in one, Olay was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test thanks to its visible brightening, softening, firming and wrinkle-reducing effects at a bargain price. The formula raised skin’s firmness by 27% over four weeks of use per the Lab’s Cutometer machine, which measures skin laxity. It also scored at the top for reducing wrinkles via digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer.
An impressive 100% of testers agreed it made skin feel softer and they also ranked it best at brightening, though some noted that the cream took time to absorb. "I can see that fine lines are less noticeable," a user noted. Another said: "It seemed to work as well as my prescription retinoid."
Key ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, peptides | Best for: All skin types | Size: 1.7 oz. | How to use: Nightly as a last step in skincare routine
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Pros
- Fades dark spots
- Softens, firms and smooths lines
- Contains SPF
- Improves skin texture
Cons
- A few users said it caused breakouts
Great for everyday wear, Roc's moisturizer with SPF was a GH Beauty Lab anti-aging day cream test winner, absorbing quickly and not leaving a greasy feeling on skin. In Lab digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, the formula reduced visible dark spots by 4.5% and improved skin's texture by 11% in four weeks of use. It also didn't irritate eyes despite containing sunscreen, however a few testers reported breakouts.
Consumer testers gave it top marks for softening, firming and reducing wrinkles. "It made my skin feel plump, smooth and glowing," one commented. A second user said they "noticed a difference in skin tone and texture and would continue using it."
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, sunscreen | Best for: All skin types | Size: 1.7 oz. | How to use: Daily in the morning as last step in skincare routine
Pros
- Increases skin's firmness
- Very hydrating
- Smooths eye area wrinkles
Cons
- Not fast-absorbing
- Strong scent
A worth it splurge, Lancôme’s luxurious cream with rose extracts, plant oils and vitamins C, E and B5 won the top spot in our test of anti-aging eye treatments for firming and hydrating the eye area. The formula boosted skin firmness by 29% in four weeks and increased hydration by 41% in Lab measurements. Testers also gave it the highest marks for smoothing crow's feet and eye area wrinkles.
“I could see a real difference in my undereye area," a user remarked. "My eyes look brighter." Another said: "It was effective in making my skin softer and reducing crow's feet." Two drawbacks: The cream didn't absorb quickly and its scent was a bit strong for some.
Key ingredients: Vitamins C and E, botanical oils and extracts | Best for: All skin types | Size: 0.7 oz. | How to use: Daily in the morning after serum and before moisturizer
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Pros
- Measurably reduces wrinkles
- Increases skin's firmness
- Brightens skin
Cons
- May be irritating to some
A top performer in the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test, Exuviance’s light, gel-like lotion was top at reducing lines, thanks to a potent smoothing trio of glycolic acid, retinol and peptides. Lab digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer found that the formula minimized the look of wrinkles by an impressive 10%. In calculations with the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin laxity, it raised firmness 31% after four weeks.
A caveat: Some users commented that the product was a bit irritating. Multiple users marveled at the overnight results: “My face felt smoother and looked brighter in the morning after using it," one said. Another remarked that "it did seem to make a difference on my lines and wrinkles."
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, retinol, peptides | Best for: All skin types except sensitive | Size: 1.75 oz. | How to use: Nightly as the last step in skincare routine
Pros
- Reduces neck lines
- Hydrates and softens skin
Cons
- Doesn't provide a lifting effect
Smooth stubborn neck area lines with this amino acid-infused cream from dermatologist-recommended brand NeoStrata, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging neck treatments test. It was best at minimizing the look of testers’ neck lines and wrinkles over 12 weeks in standardized digital imaging.
The formula also scored high among testers for making skin feel hydrated, but didn't rank as well for lifting. “I have very dry skin and felt it was hydrating," a user revealed. "It made my neck feel smooth."
Key ingredients: Plant stem cells, amino acids, vitamin E | Best for: All skin types | Size: 2.8 oz. | How to use: Morning and/or evening after serum (if applicable)
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Pros
- Measurably firms and reduces eye lines
- Depuffs and brightens dark circles
- Great value
Cons
- Contains fragrance
RoC’s cream was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging eye treatments test for tackling multiple eye-area issues — at a price way below the average. Lab measurements found it increased firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reduced wrinkles by 10%, plus scored well with testers for brightening dark circles and depuffing undereye bags.
Note that the cream does contain fragrance, but it didn't bother testers. "Really seemed to firm up the area under my eyes and erased fine crow’s feet," one said. Another enthused: "I want a vat of this product — it corrected every undereye problem I have."
Key ingredients: Vitamins C and E, glycerin | Best for: All skin types | Size: 0.5 oz. | How to use: Daily morning and night after serum and before moisturizer
How we test the best anti-aging creams and products
The GH Beauty Lab has decades of history testing anti-aging skincare products, from face moisturizers to retinol eye creams and more. Beauty Lab scientists first label-mask the products, which are then distributed to testers around the country, who use them as part of their skincare routine for a set time period. The consumer testers report their feedback on product performance, benefits on the look and feel of skin, and ease of use, including application, texture, scent and irritation.
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Products are also evaluated in the Lab using instruments like the Corneometer device (left), which measures skin moisture levels over six hours after application, the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin firmness, and the Visia Complexion Analyzer, which tracks changes in skin including wrinkles, texture, pigmentation and pores over four or more weeks of use. The data from these tests are then methodically tallied to arrive at the winning best anti-aging skincare creams and formulas. The top picks meet the needs of various skin types, including sensitive and oily, and goals, such as reducing sagging and deep wrinkles.
What to look for when shopping for the best anti-aging creams
GH Beauty Lab and dermatologist experts recommend seeking out the following key types of anti-aging skincare ingredients in cream formulas for the face, eyes and neck:
✔️ Retinol: "A derivative of vitamin A, it's proven to slow down and sometimes reverse age-related changes that occur over time within skin," says Libby Rhee, M.D., Dermatology Advisor for Ro Derm and Founder of Liora Dermatology & Aesthetics in New York City. "It works by increasing skin cell turnover, thereby increasing collagen production, as well as reducing the breakdown of collagen." They improve skin texture, smooth wrinkles, firm and even skin tone for a more radiant complexion.
✔️ Peptides: "A great anti-aging ingredient, they are small chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins such as collagen, which we lose as we age," Dr. Viscusi says. They help reduce lines and wrinkles and increase skin firmness over time.
✔️ Antioxidants: Including vitamins C and E, resveratrol and niacinamide (vitamin B3), these help prevent "oxidative stress from sources such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution and poor nutrition that can play a major role in premature skin aging," Dr. Rhee explains. Vitamin C and niacinamide also help even skin tone and brighten, among other anti-aging benefits.
✔️ Moisturizers: "Moisturizing ingredients should be in everyone's toolkit," Dr. Boakye says. Actives like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin help replenish skin hydration that can decline with age.
✔️ Sunscreen: "It’s estimated that 80% of the skin changes we attribute to chronological aging, like wrinkles and dark spots, are due to the cumulative effects of day-to-day sun exposure," Dr. Rhee says. "In that sense, they are largely preventable with the daily and consistent use of broad spectrum sunscreen." Apply a face sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, recommends GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek: "Sunscreen is the best anti-aging defense, no matter what other anti-aging products you apply."
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Do anti-aging creams actually work?
GH Beauty Lab testing has found that some anti-aging creams and products (like the top-tested formulas on our list) do work and provide visible results. "In our tests, we are able to see measurable improvements in skin's firmness and hydration and a decrease [in] lines, wrinkles and dark spots," Wnek says. But consistency is key: It takes at least four weeks of daily application to start seeing benefits from skincare treatments like creams and up to twelve for maximum results.
What's the best way to use an anti-aging cream?
First, we recommend closely following the directions on the product's packaging, as some formulas are created to be applied twice per day, while others are meant to be used once. For best results, "always apply products on a clean, dry face," Dr. Rhee advises. And to avoid irritation, "start off slowly," Dr. Boakye says, applying a small amount of a treatment once per week and increasing the frequency two to three times per week.
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Shop more beauty products tested in our Lab
- Best skincare products
- Best anti-aging serums
- Night creams for all skin types
- Best eye creams
- Neck creams for firming skin
- Best face moisturizers
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the Good Housekeeping Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, develops and oversees the testing of skincare product categories including anti-aging moisturizers, night creams, eye creams and more, utilizing both lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market.
April Franzino, the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content, utilizing the expertise of the Institute's Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, night creams, sunscreens, exfoliators, masks, eye creams, professional treatments and more.
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Tested byDanusia Wnek
Senior Chemist
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Expert consulted:Sabina Wizemann
Beauty Lab Director
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.