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BEAUTY ELIXIR

Best anti wrinkle creams 2022: the best products to reduce fine lines and boost collagen

All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.

ANTI-WRINKLE creams are the superhero of skincare, designed to improve skin texture, ward off wrinkles or (for those of us that already have them) reduce pesky lines.

Although there is no magic way to regain a youthful glow, many anti-ageing creams work by using a combination of powerful ingredients to enhance the skin. However, knowing what to look for in a product can often prove confusing.

We suggest ensuring your product contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful ingredient that helps hydrate skin and stimulates collagen production. Also, look out for other things such as retinol, hydroxy acid, vitamin C, peptides, tea, and grape seed extract, all of which work to help combat ageing skin conditions.

And then there is perhaps the most important ingredient of all; look for anti-ageing creams that contain SPF and can be used during the day to help prevent sun damage.

Face cream is a product that can be used morning and night. Look for a light, gentle hyaluronic-based cream to put on in the morning, as it will help keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy. Let it sink into the skin for at least five minutes before applying makeup.

For nighttime wear, look for a cream packed with all the things your body naturally produces but could use more of, like hyaluronic acid, lipids, and proteins. Ingredients like retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so can be used better at night.

Read on for our tried-and-tested roundup of the best anti-wrinkle creams.

Best anti-wrinkle cream at a glance:

1. Dr Irena Eris Lumissima Brightening and Anti-Aging Day Cream

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  • Dr Irena Eris Lumissima Brightening and Anti-Aging Day Cream, £63 from Debenhams - buy here

Pros: Brightening formula, SPF protection, sits well under makeup

Cons: Takes about three months to see results

This brand, created by Polish pharmacist and businesswoman Dr Irena Eris, specialises in providing the ultimate care for ageing skin, so it's no surprise this day cream is a best seller.

Pigmentation is a huge factor when it comes to skin losing its glow, and it is something often overlooked. The condition, which shows itself as brown patches on the face, is particularly common for those who spend a lot of time in the sun.

The reason we love this cream so much is because it is one of few on the market formulated for skin with pigmentation. It contains a pigment-block complex that helps eliminate any existing pigmentation spots and gently lightens the skin. At the same time, it prevents new hyperpigmentation from forming.

The results take time, we estimate about three months, afterwhich we noticed our pigmentation had faded and we didn't have any new patches. Our skin also generally looked more refreshed and glowing.

The cream is a perfect makeup base. Featuring plenty of big hitting ingredients like niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 touted as the ‘must-have’ ingredient for uneven skin tone, wrinkles and fine lines, this is a dream cream.

Pot size: 50ml, SPF: 20, Key ingredient: Niacinimide.


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2. M&S Formula Sleep and Replenish Light Sleep Cream

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  • Formula Sleep and Replenish Light Sleep Cream, £22.50 from M&S - buy here

Pros: Budget-friendly, sinks in overnight

Cons: Not as impactful as some of the other creams on this list

In our experience, M&S never disappoints.

Whether it's fashion or food, the retailer is a winner in our eyes. When it comes to beauty, it has us fully covered on that front, too.

Marks & Spencer’s signature skincare range Formula is a safe, results-driven and budget-friendly collection that never fails to deliver. This cream is one of our favourites, as it really helps refresh lack-lustre skin, which is particularly beneficial if you are a bad sleeper like us.

The lightweight formula contains key ingredients of Olea Vitae, a cell-reviving plant-based oil, and Matrixyl 3000, a peptide blend that works to smooth wrinkles and improve tone and elasticity. As with the previous product, it also has the added bonus of the powerful antioxidant niacinamide which is known for its strong anti-ageing properties.

It has a nice smooth texture which is more on the heavy side than some other face creams, but does not leave any residue feeling or grease.

It absorbs easily and after the first use you can feel the properties working on dehydrated skin. Mine is often quite tight and straight away this made it feel more smooth, recharged and moisturised.
Perhaps not necessarily a hard hitter in reducing wrinkles and lines, but a deeply moisturising face cream that certainly gives a healthy glow.

Pot size: 50ml, SPF: None, Key ingredients: Olea Vitae, Matrixyl 3000, niacinamide.

3. Oskia Day Cream

  • Oskia Day Cream, £60 from Feel Unique - buy here

Pros: Leaves the skin with a distinct glow, antioxidant packed formula

Cons: Potentially too lightweight for extra dry skin 

British brand Oskia is the first premium skincare brand to utilise the magical properties of the healing mineral, MSM, which is traditionally used to repair damaged joint cartilage. Such is the popularity of the brand, the range can be found in many of the leading luxury hotels and spas, where an Oskia facial is the ultimate treat.

What we love about this day cream is that it is so lightweight, the formula absorbs into the skin immediately and leaves a shimmery glow to the skin. It gives intense moisture to the face so if you have any sore or cracked skin, acne or dry patches, you can feel the Oskia nutrients going to work as they soothe irritated areas. 

The powerful blend of milk peptides, omegas 3 and 6 and vitamins A and E offer enhanced hydration and restore elasticity to the skin. This means, if used regularly over time, it can have a serious lifting effect. 

To finish off, the cream is scented with Oskia’s signature rose lychee natural fragrance, making it perfect for summer.

Pot size: 40ml, SPF: None, Key ingredients: Shea butter, rosehip oil, vitamin E.

4. INIKA Organic Phytofuse Renew Day Cream

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  • Inika Organic Phytofuse Renew Maca Root Day Cream 50ml, £45 from Onlynaturals - buy here

Pros: Sustainable jar, soothing ingredients

Cons: Shorter shelf life than other day creams

First up, you may wonder what phytofuse actually means in the world of skincare. And once you do, you will realise why this cream features in our top buys. Far from another marketing gimmick, it's a potent antioxidant with clinically proven skin soothing, hydrating and anti-ageing properties.

By creating a highly effective shield to help protect against pollution and environmental stresses on skin, we feel like we're helping keep our skin clean during our smoggy daily commute.

The Australian brand creates 100 percent natural products that are completely free of synthetics.

Full of nourishing botanical ingredients, everything about this cream has a clean feeling to it. Peruvian Maca Root extract works its magic by helping nourish and firm the skin, helping to stimulate collagen production. Rose of Jericho extract helps improve skin hydration levels all day by reducing water loss. And keeping with its eco-friendly credentials, the cream is housed in a sustainable glass jar.

Pot size: 50ml, SPF: None, Key ingredient: Maca Root.

5. Comfort Zone Sublime Skin Cream

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  • Comfort Zone Sublime Skin Cream, £80 from Feelunique - buy here

Pros: Plumping formula, deeply hydrating

Cons: High price point

There is quite a lot to like about this product and first impressions have the wow factor. Even though the packaging is simple, it has a real retro look about it that ticks the aesthetically pleasing box.

Secondly, with the words Hyaluronic Acid Face Cream on the box, you know this cream contains the superhero ingredient that works brilliantly on ageing skin by hydrating and re-plumping tired-looking complexions.

With the addition of Peony and Palmytoil Glycine, the face cream melts effortlessly into skin, leaving it instantly feeling revitalised and revived.

Free from silicones, parabens, mineral oils, artificial colours and animal derivatives, this cream smells so divine – and left a very slight hint of peony smell on our hands from where we had rubbed it in which was lovely.

Pot size: 60ml, SPF: None, Key ingredients: Achillea Millefolium, shea butter, squalane.

6. Emma Hardie Midas Touch Revitalising Cream

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  • Emma Hardie Midas Touch Revitalising Cream, £44 from Boots - buy here

Pros: Deeply hydrating, antioxidant protection

Cons: Potentially harsh on sensitive skin

Considered a leading pioneer in skin rejuvenation, Emma Hardie is one of the most accomplished holistic facialists in the UK, so you know what you are putting on your face is total perfection.
A British skincare brand, this cream is vegan and uses powerful ingredients harvested from the natural world. Rich in Hyaluronic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres designed to soothe, hydrate and plump the skin, it works a treat.

When we first used it, we were conscious that the powerful blend of marine and botanical extracts may be too heavy for our sensitive skin. On the contrary, we found it extremely soothing. This is thanks to the combination of natural oils of Moringa, Evening Primrose and Rosehip which work together to nourish, moisturise and soothe the skin, whilst Vitamin E protects it from toxins and pollution.

Considering its mid-price range, the cream feels of luxury quality and as it says on the box, definitely has the midas touch.

Pot size: 50ml, SPF: None, Key ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, glycerin, avocado extract.

7. Elemental Herbology Facial Soufflé Ultra-Rich Cream

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  • Elemental Herbology Facial Soufflé Ultra-Rich Cream, £55 from Elemental Herbology - buy here

Pros: Deeply hydrating, reduces dullness

Cons: May be too thick for oily skin

Unlike the other products mentioned, this decadent cream actually has quite a thick texture and works like a skin drink in terms of the face literally laps it up. So although it's a heavier cream than the others we tested, it melts into the skin easily, without any oiliness.

As someone with very dry skin, we think this is best suited to when skin is sunburnt or suffering from dry patches. Other skin types may not benefit as much as we think the soufflé texture is so thick it really needs to be saved for when your face needs some TLC.

Although the natural skincare cream claims to reduce lines and wrinkles, we can’t vouch for seeing much notice our face. However, what it does do, and it does this well, is intensively moisturise the skin and therefore reduce any dullness. My complexion definitely appeared a lot brighter and plump after use.

And we love the smell it leaves on the skin. Nothing overpowering but a mixture of the Rose Damask and Argon Oil leaves a very faint fruity fragrance.

Pot size: 50ml, SPF: None, Key ingredients: Rose Damask, aquarich, argan oil.

8. Bioderma Photoderm SPOT-AGE SPF 50+ Antioxidant Sunscreen

  • Bioderma Photoderm SPOT-AGE SPF 50+ Antioxidant Sunscreen, £11.35 from Feelunique - buy here

Pros: Affordable, SPF protection, antioxidant protection, not sticky

Cons: Can't be worn at night as it contains SPF

This is a multi-tasking face cream that comes in at such an affordable price, it has to get a mention. As one of the leading dermatological brands, you know you are in very safe hands with Bioderma.

For this is not just a face cream, it is also a sun cream that is enriched with Vitamin C and E to brighten skin, while the high SPF50+ protection helps prevent the appearance of new dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Unlike the sticky feeling you often get when using sun cream, this leaves no residue on the skin and sinks in beautifully. Our face is the perfect base for this product as years of burning in the sun have left me with sun spots and dark patches. So this works well as it protects our skin from the UV rays at the same time as going to work on the damage already caused by sun exposure.

What’s more, it sits very lightly on the skin so can be used as a make-up base, without the need for primer.

Tube size: 40ml, SPF: 50, Key ingredients: Vitamin C and E.

9. La Prairie White Caviar Extraordinaire

  • La Prairie White Caviar Extraordinaire, £631 from Harrods - buy here

Pros: Immediate results, luminous glow, plumping

Cons: Very expensive

When it comes to luxury skincare, La Prairie is as lavish as it gets. Obviously, a prestige product may not be worth the money, which is why we were careful to add this one in as it is so pricey. However, if one product is worth its weight in gold, it's this one. 

It is like a pot of utter joy – from its packaging to the way it looks out on the beauty cabinet to the joy at using it and the way it makes your skin feel. 

La Prairie is a Swiss skincare brand that dates back to 1931, pairing science with luxury and creating products that work. As it indicates, the main ingredient of this cream is white caviar, which is as delicious to put on the face as it sounds.

You apply a tiny amount on twice a day and the minute it touches your skin it feels as though you are covering it in luxury. Skin immediately feels soft and luxurious, with any signs of dirt or grime on the face wiped away, leaving a luminous glow. 

I found this such a treat to use, we actually looked forward to my skincare routine, something we normally tend to rush through. The cream leaves no residue behind and leaves our skin feeling velvety-soft. As for targeting skin ageing issues, this is the face cream we would swear by for providing instant results. Within a few days of use, we noticed the dark spots on our cheeks had visibly decreased. They have not vanished, but do seem to have faded in colour slightly. 

It also made our skin feel supple and bouncy which made us think the plumping collagen must be working. The white caviar is meant to work by providing a luminous look to the skin and it does so, meaning dull areas have an instant pick-me-up. This really is a magic cream that goes skin deep on so many levels. 

Pot size: 60ml, SPF: None, Key ingredients: white caviar, salicylic acid, squalane. 

What is the best anti-wrinkle cream?

While we have an obvious soft spot for La Prairie, we think all the options on this list are worthy contenders for the best anti-wrinkle cream crown.

In order to figure out which anti-wrinkle cream will work the best for you, you need to figure out your skin type and make note of your concerns.

When you know this information, you'll be able to find a cream that's formula has been tailored to suit your needs, and will be able to works its magic for you.

Is anti-wrinkle cream bad for young skin?

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than the cure.

In most cases, it's fine to start using an anti-wrinkle cream when you're younger, and may even prevent lines forming in the first place.

An exception to this rule is with retinol-infused creams, as they can be a bit too strong and are often better suited to more mature skin types.

Do anti-wrinkle creams work?

Anti-wrinkle creams contain ingredients that are designed to combat some of the effects of ageing, such as a dull and dry complexion.

Different creams contain different active ingredients and in different proportions and concentrations, which can affect how effective they are.

Some creams can also be more effective for some skin types than others.

Plus, it might be months before you see any noticeable changes.

That said, your skin will definitely benefit from a good anti-wrinkle cream - but exactly how much can vary and that’s worth bearing in mind before you splash out on the most expensive one.

How do anti-wrinkle creams work?

Anti-wrinkle creams contain different active ingredients that are designed to improve the appearance of your skin.

Different creams have different formulas that are targeted at different skin types, which means how they work will vary slightly.

A key ingredient for most anti-wrinkle creams is retinol, which is made from vitamin A. It helps to boost collagen production in your skin, which can in turn help your skin regain some of its natural elasticity.

Some products also contain hyaluronic acid, which helps to improve the natural moisture retention of your skin, helping it to look dewier.

When should you start using anti-wrinkle cream?

The advice on this varies depending on which expert you consult - some recommend using products as early as your 20s but most agree that your 30s are a good time.

As anti-wrinkle creams can take a while to take effect, using products early can slow down the effects of ageing before it becomes visible.

But as you age, you’ll have to start using different products as the needs of your skin will change over time.

 

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