Best anti-ageing creams to help reduce wrinkles

While we are firm believers that the passage of time should be celebrated, we understand the desire to ensure it’s not reflected in your complexion.

Over the years, our skin becomes thinner, less elastic and drier and you will notice the prevalence of telltale fine lines and wrinkles. We also have dullness, dark spots, discoloration and age spots to contend with, so investing in an arsenal of hard-working creams is important to give the nourishment that we need.

Dr Dev Patel, aesthetic doctor and founder of CellDerma explains, “Anti-ageing creams are designed to target a multitude of ageing concerns such as wrinkles, age spots, dry/dehydrated skin, and skin laxity. Many creams also offer a double action formula to target uneven skin tone and texture. They achieve this by targeting two key elements of ageing: collagen depletion and pigmentation.”

He suggests that starting early is best practice, “Your twenties is the age where you start to lose the integrity of your skin. And even though you might look great now, it’s always better to prevent your skin from showing the signs of ageing by using a product that targets multiple issues. It is useful to note that even just well hydrated skin ensures cells communicate more effectively and can thus repair ongoing damage better.”

Growing old gracefully doesn’t mean you can’t invest in your skincare and with innovations in lotions and potions coming on leaps and bounds, there are formulations that include powerhouse ingredients to fill in crow’s feet, smooth out skin texture and boost elasticity. Plumping retinol, hydration hero Hyaluronic Acid and radiance-boosting Vitamin C should all play a part in your regime to leave you with a youthful complexion.

Dr Patel breaks it down further:

• Retinoids: Retinoids (when used topically) help repair sun-damaged skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. They are also clinically proven to increase cell turnover as well as collagen and elastin production within the skin.

• Vitamin C: A superb all-rounder, Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant that works by reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles and helping brighten the skin. Vitamin C can also reduce redness and protect against skin damage from UV light too. Vitamin C esters such as sodium ascorbyl phosphate tend to be much more stable and very well tolerated compared to L-ascorbic acid-based products.

• AHA’s: There are many different types of AHAs, including Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid, and they will have an exfoliating but also hydrating action on the skin.

• Bio-peptides: These small messenger proteins are fragments of key proteins such as collagen, and feedback to the skin cells to produce more structural proteins like elastin and collagen. Using a product with a high concentration is key to ensuring your skin responds as desired.

• Growth Factors: Growth Factors can help reverse the ageing process and repair existing damage. Potentiating ingredients such as vitamin B9 augment growth factor efficacy.

Shop the best anti-ageing creams below

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30

This beautifully-scented product from Elemis feels like a luxury pampering experience with every application. The texture - while lightweight - is packed with a cocktail of fine line busting ingredients including Padina Pavonica and Ginkgo Biloba that have quick and effective results. In just a couple of weeks, wrinkles appear minimised.

The product contains SPF30 so you have extra coverage against further ageing caused by UV rays, especially when layered under an additional sun cream, and it offers hydration too. This cream will leave your skin feeling silky soft with no white residue in sight.

Buy now £59.50, FeelUnique

Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

There is a reason why Augustinus Bader and in particular the collection of The Cream products are in A-listers beauty cabinets. The brand counts Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham among its fans who no doubt incorporate the science-backed formulation for its age-defying properties.

The eponymous biomedical scientist and physician created a trademarked complex known as TFC8 that encourages cell renewal with transformational results. The Rich Cream is the the more hard-working and heavier texture of the two options available (The Cream is likely best for younger skin) and it gets to work on fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

The product also fortifies the skin barrier to fight against the loss of elasticity and locks in hydration. You should notice a more even skin tone, firmer skin and an improvement in the appearance of lines.

Buy now £215.00, Augustinus Bader

RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream Nightly Retexturizer

For those well-versed in the intricacies of skincare ingredients, you will know that RéVive has some of the most innovative and ground-breaking components on the market. One such is the exclusive Epidermal Growth Factor that takes a key role in this product and is so effective in its results that it was awarded a Nobel Prize.

As the name suggests, this product is designed to be used at night so that you wake after an eight hour doze with a nourished complexion. It has an exfoliating and hydrating effect that revitalises the skin as you slumber, offering plumping and smoothing without irritation. You should notice immediate toning properties and a super soft skin feel each and every morning.

Buy now £140.00, Space NK

Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturiser

As far as powerhouse ingredients go, Kate Somerville has packed this product with two of the most sought-after. First and foremost, there’s the anti-ageing star that is retinol - a vitamin A derivative where the toning and fine line minimising effects have been very well documented. Then you have Ascorbic Acid, a pure form of vitamin C that offers a radiance boost like few others can compare.

Due to the active nature of the ingredients, you should see the effects straight away but to avoid irritation or overloading your skin, begin application every other night and work up.

Buy now £84.00, Kate Somerville

Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Moisturiser SPF 50

The lightweight formula of Paula’s Choice SPF moisturiser is just what you’ve been looking for to prevent suncare-related breakouts. It helps to reduce the appearance of your pores while shielding your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, it doesn’t feel greasy on application but instead has a mattifying effect. It is packed with plant extracts that are brimming with antioxidant benefits that will minimise the look of red marks, soothe irritation and fight against external aggressors.

Buy now £29.75, Paula's Choice

Clarins Extra-Firming Energy

Clarins boasts one of the most extensive ranges of anti-ageing creams with options for all skin types and concerns - but this is an all-rounder that is specifically targeted for mature skin. It has been created in order to counteract the visible signs of ageing like dullness and the loss of skin’s elasticity. For that reason, it contains a concoction of desert date to minimise the look of dark spots, leaf of life for added hydration, goji berry to revitalise the complexion, white horehound to shield against external aggressors and acerola fruit for oxygenation of the skin (which has plumping benefits). The light cream texture glides onto the skin without feeling greasy. It also has a lovely subtle scent.

Buy now £61.00, Clarins

Caudalie Resvératrol [lift] Firming Cashmere Cream

Caudalie worked closely with the Harvard Medical School to create a patented ingredient that has revolutionised the anti-ageing sphere. It is made up of Resveratrol, hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen that enhances the natural production of the latter for a firmed appearance. As you may also know from the inclusion of HA, it leaves the skin hugely hydrated with a butter-like texture but packs fine line busting effects too. Each time you apply this cream will feel like a true act of self-care with the addictive aromatic aroma that has been created with basil, lemongrass, chamomilla, thyme and orange blossom.

Buy now £39.60, FeelUnique

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream

This is truly a magic product. We’ll get onto the anti-ageing benefits in a moment, we first need to take a minute to tell you about its miraculous healing properties. We applied directly onto a scar and experienced the quickest healing of our lives. It has a thick, gel-like consistency so it won’t be for everyone, especially hot sleepers but it forms a protective veil over the skin that was the predecessor to the slugging trend (covering your skin in Vaseline).

The mix of winter Daphne stem cell extract, time-released retinol and red algae marigel have a strengthening and revitalising effect, and combined with olus oil and castor seed oil, it hydrates at the same time. Not content with just one anti-ageing powerhouse (retinol), there’s also BioNymph peptide complex that works on elasticity and wrinkles. One for dry skin.

Buy now £35.00, Space NK

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Dynamic Defense SPF 15 Moisturiser

The Skinesis product line-up were created in response to the demand from the salon treatments in founder Sarah Chapman’s Sloane Square clinic. For this reason, they were designed in order to bring the professional skincare treatment experience into the comfort of your home - and that includes this moisturiser. Many of the other products in this round-up are designed for nighttime but this brings the anti-ageing benefits into your daycare routine, while also shielding against UV, pollution and external aggressors that can excacerbate the visible signs of ageing.

It is made up of the label’s signature triple-effect brightening complex as well as Vitamin A and has SPF15 too. While protecting skin from further damage, it will also work hard to turn back the clock, bringing moisture and radiance into the equation. It will also even out skin pigmentation and can be layered under makeup with ease. Pair with the brand’s Overnight Facial and you’ll have a revitalised complexion in no time.

Buy now £58.00, Space NK

Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream

Dr Dennis Gross was founded by the dermatologist of the same name and offers potent skincare products that are the next best thing to a clinic appointment. This targeted wrinkle cream has a trademarked Phyto-Retinol Blend at its heart. This is made up of the likes of retinol, ferulic acid and bakuchiol to plump, lift and lead you to a more youthful complexion.

While this may sound irritating to the skin, by pairing it with antioxidant-rich ingredients like arnica and centella asiatica, it hydrates and protects at the same time. Apply at night and rise from your slumber with a refreshed and radiant complexion. There is also an eye-cream available in the same range.

Buy now £77.00, Space NK

Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream

To tackle the appearance of ageing from every angle, this cream from Kiehl’s has been created to take a multi-pronged approach. The daily moisturiser is gentle to the skin and yet contains thrice the nourishing power with the trio of PhytoMimetic Vitamin A, ProxylaneGX and Chaga Mushroom. These ingredients work to firm and smooth out the skin, especially where fine lines and wrinkles are concerned. At the same time, it is bringing a glow to your complexion, while also working to counteract uneven textures. The best of all? It can be used by all skin types, even those with sensitivites. Lather on to the face and neck.

Buy now £60.00, Kiehl’s

Estée Lauder Daywear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant 24H Moisturiser Crème SPF 15

Estée Lauder has some of the most sought-after anti-ageing care on the market. The Advanced Night Repair collection is a favourite among beauty editors around the world but we want to showcase another product that we think deserves your attention as it is designed for daily use and packs SPF15 within the formula.

This product harnesses the power of antioxidants to fight against external aggressors that may cause premature ageing. It tackles fine lines and dullness by refreshing the complexion and leaving a super soft skin-feel in its wake. The formula provides long-lasting hydration throughout the day and minimises the look of wrinkles.

Buy now £45.00, FeelUnique