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In the quest to get rid of fine lines and plumping lax skin, going under the needle — whether for neuromodulator or filler — reigns supreme. That being said, if you wince at the thought of sharp objects (no shame) or don't have hundreds (or thousands!) to drop on in-office treatments, there are pain-free, subtle, and relatively inexpensive topical solutions that can certainly help stave off early signs of aging.
"The best line-fighting creams are those that help build our skin's own building blocks, namely collagen and elastin fibers," explains Deanne Robinson, a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist.
For instance, she recommends topical retinoids, peptides, and growth factors to help support skin cell turnover, increase collagen fibers, and hydrate the skin to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Luckily, there are myriad brands on the market that are using the aforementioned ingredients, as well as innovative technologies, to make their formulas ultra-effective.
Below, feast your eyes on 23 skin-care products — including moisturizers, serums, and treatments — all guaranteed to help iron out lines and fill in creases. No needles required, my friend.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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"Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum is a great treatment that contains the plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Robert Finney. "In a clinical trial, [it] reduced wrinkles as significantly as retinol, but is pregnancy safe and without the classic irritation that comes with retinol."
In addition to bakuchiol, this featherlight serum also contains vitamin C, a powerhouse antioxidant that helps to brighten and firm the skin. "I always tell patients a little goes a long way, so start off with a few drops on your entire face at night underneath your moisturizer," advises Finney.
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Peter Thomas Roth's Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum is like a multivitamin for aging skin. Infused with vitamins A, C, and E, it brightens and tightens, while hyaluronic acid and squalane plump skin for youthful dewiness. This formula also contains neuropeptides, which are thought to increase skin's collagen production.
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"Retinols, like Pond's Rejuveness Skin Tightening Serum with niacinamide, are excellent for beginners, or for those with dry and sensitive skin since it's a lower strength than prescription versions," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, who suggests this drugstore find. "It also contains glycerin to aid with hydration and glow while helping to minimize fine lines."
On top of glycerin, this gentle serum is also made with ceramides, which help to support and strengthen the skin barrier by preventing moisture loss. Marchbein has partnered with Pond's parent company, Unilever on various projects.
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Algenist's Power Advanced Wrinkle Fighter Moisturizer packs a mighty punch against deep wrinkles, thanks to Algenist's own alguronic acid spheres, which expand to fit — and temporarily fill — deep crevices. The result? A super-smooth canvas for makeup. You can say sayonara to foundation settling into lines.
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If instant gratification is your thing, look no further than No 7's Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler. The creamy formula works as a primer would (i.e. it blurs), but unlike a primer, this stuff is meant to be used after you've applied foundation. Simply pat over deep-set lines, et voila! Light-reflecting particles make wrinkles take a back seat to smooth skin.
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Skin care that works while you sleep is undeniably appealing, especially when it actually gets the job done. Laneige's Time Freeze Sleeping Mask is laced with collagen (i.e. the structural components skin loses with age) plus polymers designed specifically to tighten and plump skin. The result: a visible perk come morning.
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If you're looking for an eye cream that offers results comparable to Botox, Finney recommends SkinBetter's InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye. "It contains a peptide that mimics Botox to relax muscle contractions and smooth lines and wrinkles," he says. "On top of that, it also has caffeine to reduce puffiness and vitamin C to help brighten dark circles."
With consistent nightly use, you'll notice the eye area begin to look brighter, smoother, and firmer.
It's no secret that Shiseido knows a thing or two about skin care, and it really did its homework for its Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum. First, the brand identified an enzyme that triggers wrinkle production; next, it studied more than 20,000 ingredients to find the best ones to fight that enzyme. Chlorella and gambir extracts — which suppress wrinkle formation — both made the cut, as did hydrating hyaluronic acid.
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If your skin-care routine veers on the cleaner side, try Drunk Elephant's Lala Retro Whipped Cream, which uses green tea and plantain extract to snap tired skin back into shape. This cream pumps out with a yogurt-like consistency, but it absorbs almost instantly. We loved it so much, we went ahead and gave it an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2016.
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Alastin's Restorative Eye Treatment comes recommended by Marchbein, who advises paying special attention to the eye area as this is where the skin is the thinnest and thereby most susceptible to premature signs of aging.
"This cream can be used twice daily and contains lots of powerful ingredients, including peptides to boost collagen production and skin elasticity, [as well as] niacinamide, squalane, and plant extracts," she says. "It also contains darutoside, which is one of my favorite [ingredients] to help with puffiness, fine lines, and dark undereye circles."
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"This ultra-concentrated serum combines the two powerful ingredients of retinol and bakuchiol to smooth fine lines and wrinkles without irritation," says board-certified plastic surgeon Lara Devgan, of her namesake Retinol + Bakuchiol Serum. "Say goodbye to the redness and peeling associated with retinol, as bakuchiol, a red wine derivative, helps deliver anti-inflammatory effects and tempers the retinol."
It's also worth noting that this serum comes in three different concentrations — 2.5, 5, and 10 percent — allowing you to customize the strength based on your skin type and needs.
Raj Shah
This serum has many of the brightening, smoothing ingredients to look for, including vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, and retinol, plus clarifying witch hazel and hydrating vitamin E. This serum left no tingling or tightness—definitely a new serum for glass-skin goals.
We love it so much we added it to our 2021 Allure Beauty Box lineup as a new member exclusive. You can score the Allure Beauty Box here for access to even more editor favorites for — just $23.
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If the volatility of the last year etched a few furrow lines between your brows, chill 'em out with Dr. Brandt's Needles No More Wrinkle Smoothing Cream. The minty-smelling cream features a blend of top-secret wrinkle fighters, which literally relax the underlying muscle — similar to the way Botox would (albeit not as dramatically). The best part: This formula gets to work within a mere 30 minutes to reveal softer forehead lines and crow's feet.
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It's all about the peptides, people. Ling New York's Freeze & Uncrease Serum relies on 'em to fade current lines and protect against future etches. Plus, this serum-like cream is infused with ingredient-of-the-moment, Centella asiatica, which calms inflammation.
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Modeled after epigenetics (the study of altering gene expression), StriVectin's Wrinkle Recode Line Transforming Melting Serum taps into skin's natural wrinkle-fighting mechanisms to soften lines in one week. Plus, it's infused with the brand's hero NIA-114 complex, which has been proven to strengthen the skin barrier.
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"Adapalene is a prescription-strength retinoid but has been available over the counter for a few years now, making it accessible to the masses," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Angelo Landriscina, who highly recommends La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Adapalene Gel (a product he uses himself nightly). "Retinoids like this one can even out skin tone, increase collagen production, and even treat acne and acne scarring."
As with any retinoid, you won't notice any major changes in your skin overnight, but with continued use, you'll start to see fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration fade significantly. This non-greasy option is also a great one for folks with oily skin who dislike heavy night creams.
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If you're diligent with moisturizer but a 'lil forgetful about applying serums, consider Kate Somerville's 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum. Spiked with three different sizes of hydrating hyaluronic acid molecules to target different layers of the skin, this stuff works its plumping magic in a mere 30 minutes. The formula is in it for the long haul, too, thanks to collagen-triggering amino acids, which iron out lines over time.
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Estée Lauder's Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment boasts a blend of patented peptides formulated to boost collagen and elastin production. This formula absorbs faster than you can say adios to sagging skin, and goes to work almost as quickly. Within two weeks, prepare to notice skin that looks more lifted — particularly around the jawline and cheekbones. Plus, this product is spiked with AHA for gentle-yet-noticeable skin resurfacing. Sculpting and smoothing sans needles? We'll take it.
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There's a reason we consider Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream the Heathers of the beauty world — an instant classic. This smoothing, brightening, hydrating, and soothing cream contains amino acids, squalane, and hyaluronic acid (whew, what a list). One pump in the morning and another in the evening makes skin gleam without the white cast other heavy creams tend to leave behind, especially on deep skin tones.
We love it so much we added it to our 2021 Allure Beauty Box lineup. You can score the Allure Beauty Box here for access to even more editor favorites — for just $23.
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Another recommendation from Finney is Alastin's Restorative Skin Complex, which is a lightweight lotion-like serum packed with research-backed peptides that perform different functions for the skin.
"Instead of just making wild claims, [Alastin] backs its claims up with studies that include skin biopsies to show that they improve collagen to help plump up the skin, as well as elastin to help it have that youthful snapback," says Finney. "This product also contains a peptide to help keep our fat pads healthy to maintain and restore volume, as well as antioxidants to help reduce redness."
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Fillerina's Dermo-Cosmetic Filler Treatment may look scary, but rest assured — the syringe-esque tools are merely applicators for the topical formula (we repeat: no needles). That said, this stuff is made to mimic the effects of injectable hyaluronic acid fillers (albeit on a subtler scale). Though you're not literally injecting HA into your skin, the formula contains six different types of HA, shaped and sized specifically to penetrate the skin as deeply as possible without sticking a physical needle in your face.
Depending on which kit you snag (there are three, which vary by concern) the total treatment takes about a week, but the plumped-up results can last up to four months.
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Don't be fooled by the pearly pink bottle. Erasa's Xep 30 Extreme Line Lifting and Rejuvenation Concentrate is drill-sergeant-tough on fine lines and wrinkles. The proprietary hero ingredient, XEP 30, is a neuropeptide that — similar to Botox — actually communicates to tensed-up facial folds and tells 'em to relax. Another all-star ingredient, niacinamide, restores elasticity. Best of all, this stuff actually starts to work within two weeks. As Amy Forman Taub, a Chicago-area dermatologist previously told Allure, "I haven't seen anything else act this quickly."
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Aside from its sleek packaging, the first thing you'll notice about La Prairie's Rapid Response Booster is its delicate floral scent and rosy hue (both will make you feel as if you're frolicking in a flower garden). Aesthetics aside, this formula packs a powerful line-fighting punch, thanks to gentle skin resurfacers and a peptide delivery system that targets line-laden areas. With one use, skin actually looks smoother. After two weeks, skin becomes ever so slightly — yet noticeably — more taut.
KeywordsBotoxfine lineswrinklesface creamsmoisturizersserumscosmetic surgeryinjectablescrow's-feetsleeping maskretinolsretinol creamretinoidfillersserum antioxidantsvitamin cpeptidesshoppingshopping guide