Do anti-aging wrinkle creams work on men?

Yes, anti-aging wrinkle creams can work on men, especially if they’re used with consistency and regularity. Them working requires proper use, and also the creams must contain the right wrinkle-fighting ingredients. Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD , suggests to Byrdie that you focus on key ingredients such as retinoids, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and AHA/BHA. Each of these ingredients has a unique function, like hydrating and exfoliating, that will contribute to helping with the appearance of wrinkles.

What is the main cause of men’s wrinkles?

Men’s wrinkles have the same base causes as wrinkles in all people. For one thing, as we age our skin loses collagen and elastin, which causes sagging and the appearance of skin folds. Another factor is sun exposure, which leads to photoaging, and can be mitigated with sunscreen. Additionally, lifestyle habits, like smoking, can contribute to aging and increase the onset of wrinkles, especially at earlier ages. Gaining and losing weight, which causes your skin to stretch and then not have the flesh to fill the stretched-out skin, also increases wrinkles, especially if you have gained and lost weight numerous times over the years.

How can men stop wrinkles from forming?

While it’s impossible to prevent wrinkles from forming, there are steps you can take to ward them off as well as possible. Anti-wrinkle creams are a great place to start. You can also take control of wrinkles by shifting lifestyle habits that contribute to them, like wearing sunscreen daily and quitting smoking. You can boost your body’s collagen production by taking collagen powder internally or by eating foods high in vitamin C which helps your body produce collagen. Combined, all of these approaches can have a significant impact on slowing down the process of getting more wrinkles.

The 13 Best Wrinkle Creams for Men in 2023

Even if you don’t yet have wrinkles, you still need a wrinkle-fighting cream just as much as your furrowed friends. That’s because wrinkles and fine lines are easy to minimize if you take a proactive approach. They will show up eventually, but that ‘eventually’ can be a lot more gradual if you act now.

That’s frequent advice given by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Milton R. Moore of San Antonio, TX. “I tell my patients that it is more expensive to reverse the negative effects of skin damage than to prevent them,” he says.

But there’s good news for even the wrinkly among us: You can reduce these folds and firm the skin with a targeted approach—let’s say, with a retinol-powered night cream and a peptide-rich eye cream—to make up for the lost time.

What’s the secret to a good wrinkle cream? “All good anti-aging creams generally have a retinol and collagen-producing or enhancing ingredient,” Dr. Moore says. And the following are some of those key ingredients:

Collagen: “There is data to show that marine collagen can be used twice daily to increase skin elasticity after 30 days,” says Dr. Moore.

Algae extract: “Algae extracts improve collagen equilibrium (homeostasis) by blocking a protein which causes collagen degradation.”

Peptides: “Peptides are amino acids, which are the building blocks of the proteins used to make collagen. One good thing about peptides is that they are more tolerable to patients with sensitive skin than retinol, so these can be used in combination with other skincare products,” Dr. Moore says.

Hydroxy Acids: “Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are commonly used exfoliating agents, but the benefits are far greater. They also have been proven to increase collagen [synthesis] and improve the quality of elastic fibers in our skin.”

Retinol: “Cosmeceutical (OTC) retinol are effective and can be less irritating than prescription retinol,” notes Moore. Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that brightens skin, reverses and prevents wrinkles, and significantly reduces acne and oil production.

SPF: “SPF is imperative every day, even on cloudy days and especially when working from home,” Moore says. “UV rays have a cumulative detrimental effect on skin and can penetrate clouds and windows. I would suggest a minimum of SPF 40 applied throughout the day.” SPF is particularly imperative if you use retinol, which makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.

So, what are our favorite wrinkle creams for men? Read on and find out.

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Us

4.2

Courtesy of Amazon.

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Soothes dry, sensitive skin
Skin feels supple and plump after application
Light, fresh scent

What We Don't Like

Residue is heavy for daytime use

What do buyers say? 92% of 8,000+ Nordstrom reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

This is, quite literally, the crème de la crème. La Mer’s highly concentrated algae-infused cream has achieved cult status—and top-shelf placement—for its trademarked ‘Miracle Broth’ formula that plumps skin, prevents wrinkles, smoothes skin texture, promotes healing, and deflects skin-aging toxins. Yeah, it’s just as famous for costing a pretty penny, but that’s the cost of being pretty. And it is La Mer, after all. There’s no other placement on this list but at the top.

Price at time of publish: $212

Advanced Clinicals Collagen Skin Rescue Lotion

View On Walmart View On IHerb

What We Like

Calms and soothes sensitive skin
Helps firm skin
Large tub

What We Don't Like

Texture may not be for some

This lotion helps firm and tighten skin thanks to a high collagen dose. It’s also packed with green tea, aloe, and chamomile for a soothing, invigorating application that promotes circulation and rejuvenation. It doubles as body moisture, too, if you want to target any sagging or wrinkling skin elsewhere.

Price at time of publish: $6

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream + Hyaluronic Acid

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Available in both fragranced and unscented options
Effective, non-drying formula
Absorbs quickly

What We Don't Like

Contains BHT

Neutrogena employs two key ingredients in its anti-wrinkle cream: retinol to smooth wrinkles and reduce acne and hyaluronic acid to boost and preserve moisture levels. It’s also one that Dr. Moore frequently recommends to patients who don’t want to invest in the more costly options.

Price at time of publish: $25

Holly Hall Supply Co. Daily Repair Moisturizer

View On Hollyhallsupply.com

What We Like

Lightweight
Inexpensive
Clean scent

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for acne-prone skin

Holly Hall has created a lightweight day cream that could moonlight as an overnight recovery cream by combining wrinkle-reducing algae and skin-plumping collagen. It’s how I found Dr. Moore in the first place: He developed this excellent daily cream so that your war on wrinkles never sleeps.

Price at time of publish: $18

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

SPF 40
Lightweight
Not greasy

What We Don't Like

Could be more hydrating

It’s not exactly sunscreen, but this moisturizer does deliver a strong SPF 40 shield over the top of the skin. It simultaneously fuels cells with blue algae to improve texture and firmness and cerium to combat the skin-aging threat of blue light (from our devices).

Price at time of publish: $42

Origins Night-a-Mins Resurfacing Cream with AHAs

Courtesy of Sephora

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Smooths skin
Helps treat and prevent acne
Balanced formula

What We Don't Like

Strong scent

Citric and lactic acid are both found in Origins’ night cream. They dissolve dead skin cells and keep pores from clogging while also promoting smooth skin texture. This product is also terrific against acne and oily skin because of its oil-free recipe.

Price at time of publish: $42

Clark’s Botanicals Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream

View On Dermstore

What We Like

Helps fade dark spots
Contains multiple actives
A little goes a long way

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This night cream sends a double dose of retinol into the skin while you slumber: one is a high-potency form absorbed on contact, while the other releases over time. Along with complexion-brightening vitamin C, this retinol ensures you wake up routinely with firm, clear, and even-toned skin.

epi.logic Eye Contact 360 Night Repair Cream

View On Epilogicskincare.com

What We Like

Smooths skin
A little goes a long way
Rich, creamy texture

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Powered by collagen-boosting peptides and skin-smoothing vitamin A, this top-tier eye cream targets those fine lines and wrinkles that form around your eyes. It also utilizes moisture-boosting and preserving squalane and hyaluronic acid. Eye creams are far denser and concentrated than standard hydration, which is terrific, seeing how delicate and susceptible the skin is around the eyes.

4.9

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Dermstore

What We Like

Bouncy, cushiony texture
Softens skin
Absorbs quickly

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Elemis calls on algae to reduce wrinkles since the ingredient is a super smoother (in addition to boosting moisture levels in the skin). The fragrance-free formula is gentle on sensitive skin, while shea butter and jojoba nourish and soothe simultaneously.

Price at time of publish: $132

Beauty Stat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Ulta

What We Like

Available in multiple sizes
Ultra hydrating
Reasonably priced

What We Don't Like

Can irritate very sensitive skin

The ceramides and hyaluronic acid in BeautyStat’s cream ensure that you’ll never experience unnecessary moisture loss. The ceramides also combat any skin-aging toxins, which in turn fortifies the dermis. By prioritizing moisture retention and maximizing hydration levels, this one significantly slows down those visible signs of aging—chief among them, wrinkles and fine lines.

Price at time of publish: $70

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Oil-free
Lightweight
Absorbs quickly

What We Don't Like

No SPF

Combination skin can be tricky to balance since parts of your face are oily and other parts are dry. So, first, use a targeted treatment or toner on the oily parts, and then apply this clarifying, oil-free water gel to your mug for a balanced, unbothered complexion all around. It even combines salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid to help clear pores, smooth skin, and preserve high moisture levels all around the face—no matter its oil levels or lack thereof.

Price at time of publish: $48

Paula’s Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

Dermstore

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Dermstore

What We Like

Light, creamy texture
Helps fade dark spots
Helps firm skin

What We Don't Like

Can irritate sensitive skin

Retinol is both a wrinkle reducer and an acne mitigator, so using a potent OTC retinol cream could cover both bases. You could also talk to your board-certified dermatologist to find the best prescription retinol product. We love this clinical strength retinol cream from Paula’s Choice for its clinical-strength powers that border on the potency of a prescription and for utilizing Vitamin C to counter any hyperpigmentation caused by breakouts or the sun.

Price at time of publish: $62

View On Dermstore

What We Like

Helps firm skin
Softens skin
Light, fresh scent

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Enriched with plant stem cells, Naturpathica’s daily hydrator is armed with argan and peptides to soften skin while promoting firmness and collagen production. It wears light and carries a subtle but refreshing citrus scent, too.

Final Verdict

OK, so La Mer costs nearly $200 for the smaller bottle, but it makes for a terrific gift to self or for truly investing in your skin’s well-being. However, nothing on this list falls short of keeping your skin firm. Pick Neutrogena if you want a stellar entry-level wrinkle reducer, Paula’s Choice for a retinol-packed and acne-fighting punch, and epi.logic for a targeted fine-line treatment around the eyes. Still, if you want to spoil yourself at some point, everyone deserves at least one deep dive with La Mer; the hype around it is real.

What to Look For When Buying Wrinkle Cream

The Key Ingredients

A good night cream relies on a hero ingredient or two to smooth the skin. These range from wrinkle reducers like retinol, to collagen boosters and enablers like algae extract and peptides, or straight-up collagen itself.

Is It a Day Cream or a Night Cream?

Oftentimes, night creams are more highly concentrated, heavier, or have more active ingredients (like retinol) to sync up with your body’s regenerative cycle and boost efficacy. Many day creams wear lighter, use SPF, and lack ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol since they’re a little too aggressive to wear out while you accumulate sweat, sunshine, and grime. So, plan a 24-hour approach, but keep your day and night creams separate.

Let the Eyes Have It

You ought to keep a separate eye cream, too, due to their high concentration of ingredients (namely peptides when it comes to firming fine lines). Wear them day and night, too, to help wake up the eyes come morning, and to double down on the firming and smoothing while you get some shuteye.

FAQ

Do anti-aging wrinkle creams work on men?

Yes, anti-aging wrinkle creams can work on men, especially if they’re used with consistency and regularity. Them working requires proper use, and also the creams must contain the right wrinkle-fighting ingredients. Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, suggests to Byrdie that you focus on key ingredients such as retinoids, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and AHA/BHA. Each of these ingredients has a unique function, like hydrating and exfoliating, that will contribute to helping with the appearance of wrinkles.
What is the main cause of men’s wrinkles?

Men’s wrinkles have the same base causes as wrinkles in all people. For one thing, as we age our skin loses collagen and elastin, which causes sagging and the appearance of skin folds. Another factor is sun exposure, which leads to photoaging, and can be mitigated with sunscreen. Additionally, lifestyle habits, like smoking, can contribute to aging and increase the onset of wrinkles, especially at earlier ages. Gaining and losing weight, which causes your skin to stretch and then not have the flesh to fill the stretched-out skin, also increases wrinkles, especially if you have gained and lost weight numerous times over the years.
How can men stop wrinkles from forming?

While it’s impossible to prevent wrinkles from forming, there are steps you can take to ward them off as well as possible. Anti-wrinkle creams are a great place to start. You can also take control of wrinkles by shifting lifestyle habits that contribute to them, like wearing sunscreen daily and quitting smoking. You can boost your body’s collagen production by taking collagen powder internally or by eating foods high in vitamin C which helps your body produce collagen. Combined, all of these approaches can have a significant impact on slowing down the process of getting more wrinkles.

Why Trust Us?

Byrdie contributor Adam Hurly has been covering grooming for nearly 8 years. He began working for Birchbox in 2013, then became a freelance writer/editor in 2016. Since then, he has written for GQ, Men’s Journal, Men’s Health, Esquire, Gear Patrol, Bloomberg, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Forbes...and of course, Byrdie.

The 17 Best Wrinkle Creams of 2023