3 Drugstore Wrinkle Creams that Really Work

Being a medical esthetician, I have an entire arsenal of skin care creams and concoctions. I could probably open a store and be fully stocked with all my products alone, lol. But skin care is my passion and I’m always in search of the next best cream that lives up to its claims, especially if it is affordable. There are many I have tried and liked, but I wanted to share what I thought were three of the best drugstore creams that I have used.

Working in the skincare industry I have to admit I prefer professional products because they usually contain more active and beneficial ingredients, but I can’t discount the good drugstore products. There are effective ones that contain awesome ingredients.

If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a one-hundred-dollar moisturizer, it’s ok – you have other options that will benefit your skin. I have used all three of the following creams and can honestly say they changed my skin for the better. I could see good results and fairly quickly, and that is why I chose them to share with you.

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#1 No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream SPF 30

No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream SPF 30 claims you will have younger looking skin in two weeks – that you will see visibly reduced wrinkles, more even skin tone, and firmer skin. It also contains a broad spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. This is a daytime moisturizer so apply in the morning after cleansing and over a serum if you use one.

I purchased this at my local Walgreens for $26.99, and they were having a sale – buy one get a second product half-off (cha-ching). So, I got one of the No7 eye creams, which I will talk about in another post.

• Skin Type

I feel like this cream is appropriate for any skin type, even sensitive, which I am. If you are dry it may not be hydrating enough, but you could always use this in the daytime and use a richer cream in the evening. A lot of people don’t like a heavy cream during the day especially under makeup, so this is a great option.

• Packaging

The product comes in a sleek but durable see-thru jar with a twist off lid. I personally prefer a pump for sanitary reasons, but this packaging is still nice. The jar contains 1.6 FL OZ. of product.

• Consistency/Application

This moisturizer is white in color and has a rich, thick consistency. But it goes on smooth and absorbs well into the skin.

• Scent

It has a clean scent, but you can definitely notice the chemical smell of the sunscreen. However, it is not overpowering and barely noticeable once it is absorbed into the skin.

• Appearance on the Skin

When you first apply this moisturizer, your skin will have a whitish tint to it, but like I said above, it soaks nicely into your skin. It doesn’t leave an oily residue like some creams that contain sunscreen.

• Ingredients

I always read the ingredients, and you want the more active or therapeutic ones to be at the top of or as close to the top of the list as possible. The closer they are to the top of the list the better the cream. While there weren’t any fantastic ingredients right at the top of the list, Ascorbyl Glucoside doesn’t fall too far down.

This is Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant on the skin. I love topical Vitamin C on the skin – I always recommend using it in the morning and a Retinol or Glycolic product at night for my clients.

Some other important ingredients found in the Lift & Luminate Day Cream include: Avobenzone, a sunscreen that protects against UVA rays; Vitamin E, which is a top ingredient in fighting free radical damage and aging of the skin; Vitamin A or Retinyl Palmitate, essential in boosting collagen and regenerating skin cells for firmness and smooth texture; Peptides for collagen building and wrinkle repair; Emblica for skin lightening; Hibiscus Extract which is another powerful antioxidant; and Ginseng Root Extract which is good for skin elasticity.

I have been using this product for several months now and even though I have oily/sensitive skin, I have had no adverse reaction or acne breakouts from using it.

What I don’t love:

• This cream has a fragrance, but it is very slight, and it wouldn’t keep me from repurchasing.

• I wish the sunscreen was a block instead of a chemical-based sunscreen. A sunscreen sinks into the skin and allows some UV rays to still be penetrated, unlike a sunblock that physically reflects the suns rays and sits on top of the skin. There is less chance of skin irritation with a block because it doesn’t sink into the skin and it better protects from all the sun’s harmful rays.

What I love:

• It works. It does what it says. I know it sounds unrealistic, but I feel like a see an improvement in my skin with one application. It isn’t a facelift in a bottle, but I feel my skin appears firmer and more lifted. It diminishes my fine lines. I feel like this cream brightens my skin as well. I would definitely repurchase this product again.

• Even though I prefer a sunblock I’m happy there is some sun protection in this cream, and it doesn’t make me break out.

• It’s a good price tag. I know it’s not super cheap but it’s a great price for the awesome quality of this product.

• You get a lot of product for the price.

• I like that it isn’t greasy and soaks into the skin nicely.

You can find this awesome day cream below:

#2 Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Cream

 

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Cream claims to: Improve the look of stubborn deep wrinkles including crow’s feet, forehead, & cheek wrinkles, brighten skin’s tone, and smooth fine lines & texture. It also claims it is so effective, 100% of women had noticeable results in just one week.

It is a nighttime moisturizer, and I recommend only using it at night because it contains retinol that can make you more susceptible to the sun’s UV rays.

I purchased this cream at my local Target for $16.99.

• Skin Type

This product is good for oily, normal, dry, and sensitive skin. If you are a dry skin type you may prefer a richer moisturizer, but I feel this would still adequately hydrate even the driest of skin. Or you could always use it as a serum and apply it under a heavier cream.

• Packaging

The cream comes in a sturdy, opaque bottle with a pump. The pump can be twisted to close. The bottle contains 1 FL OZ of product.

• Consistency/Application

It has a medium consistency and smooths nicely onto the skin. It doesn’t feel greasy or tacky and absorbs into the skin really well.

• Scent

The scent of this cream can be best described as having a clean and slightly sweet, florally smell to it. It disappears fairly shortly after it is absorbed into the skin.

• Appearance on the Skin

The moisturizer is white in color but turns clear as soon as it is rubbed into the skin. Absorbs well without leaving an oily look on the skin.

• Ingredients

Beneficial and active ingredients contained in the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer include: Retinol which accelerates new cell turnover making skin more radiant and wrinkles and lines diminished; Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage and produces collagen; a Glucose Complex that boosts the effectiveness of the retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid is another one of my favorite skin care ingredients, it draws water into the skin causing it to plump up giving it a youthful appearance. So, you get your antioxidant with the vitamin C and your exfoliation or new cell turnover with the retinol all in one product.

I have used this moisturizer for several months as well. Even though I have oily/sensitive skin, it has not caused any adverse reactions or acne breakouts for me.

What I don’t love:

• I wish it was fragrance-free – and that’s really the only thing I dislike. I have a sensitive nose, so I prefer a fragrance-free cream.

What I love:

• I love that the product is in a bottle with a pump. This is easy to use and more sanitary than using product in a jar. I feel like product that is packaged in a bottle lasts longer than that in a jar because it isn’t exposed to air like creams that are packaged in jars.

• It is a light moisturizer, but I feel like it hydrates my skin due to the hyaluronic acid it contains.

• I feel like my skin looks and feels very smooth even after one use.

• My fines lines appear diminished or completely gone after one use.

• It doesn’t dry me out like most retinol products. My sensitive skin tends to get flaky with most retinol products after a couple days, but with Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair, it does not.

I believe Neutrogena lives up to its claims with the Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Cream. Along with using it on my face, I have been using it on my neck and décolleté. Unfortunately, I have sun damage on those two areas, but the product is working great there as well – my skin is brighter, and the texture is improved. It works quickly, but you will see even better improvement in your skin with continued use. I would buy this moisturizer again for sure.

Buy this great night cream by clicking on the box below:

#3 Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

As you probably know Olay has been around for a long time – over 50 years to be exact. The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream says it will instantly diminish the look of wrinkles, it will hydrate to improve elasticity and firm skin for a lifted look and smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

You can use this moisturizer morning and night over cleansed skin and after your serum if you use one.

I purchased this cream at my local Walgreens for $25.99.

• Skin Type

I feel like this moisturizer would be best for normal to dry skin. It doesn’t contain harsh ingredients, so it is suitable for sensitive skin also.

• Packaging

This cream comes in a solid and sturdy, red jar with a twist off lid. You get 1.7 OZ of product.

• Consistency/Application

This moisturizer is a heavy white cream that goes on thick but absorbs quickly into your skin.

• Scent

This product is fragrance-free.

• Appearance on the Skin

Your skin should soak this white cream easily leaving a soft, non-greasy look on the skin. I feel like my skin looks hydrated and instantly plumper after application.

• Ingredients

This Olay product contains some great ingredients that are highly beneficial to your skin. And what is impressive is these active ingredients are high up on the list, making this a high-quality moisturizer. These beneficial, high-quality ingredients include: Vitamin E; Niacinamide which increases skin hydration, lightens pigment and redness, and smooths the texture of the skin; Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 which is a protein that stimulates the production of elastin and collagen in the skin; and Citric Acid which acts as an astringent and antioxidant.

I use the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Moisturizer at night since it is a heavier cream. And I’m very happy it hasn’t caused any breakouts or irritations for me.

What I don’t love:

• Honestly, nothing. I really like this moisturizer.

What I love:

• The thing I love the most about this product is my skin feels instantly tighter and appear literally lifted, especially in my jowl area and neck. But please have realistic expectations, it isn’t going to give you the appearance of a facelift. I absolutely love this on my neck because that is such a delicate area and is more prone to wrinkles and crepiness.

• I must stress the word “instant” for the above. Did I mention I’m impatient, lol? I love how quickly this product works.

• It is a thick moisturizer but doesn’t cause congestion under my skin like some heavier creams.

• It’s hard to find products that don’t have some sort of scent in them which can be irritating to the skin and the nose. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is fragrance- free!

I have been using this product for several weeks now. As soon as I apply it to my skin I can see and feel a difference. I use it at night, and when I wake up the following morning, I feel like my skin looks healthier.

And with continued use I could see even more improvement in skin texture, brightness, and firmness in my skin. I have used several Olay products over the years, but this one is my favorite because it really works, and I feel like it gives me a youthful appearance.

Click on the box below to purchase this powerful anti-aging cream:

 

I have tried a lot of drugstore creams but chose these three as the best. I like to see real results quickly and I feel like I do with one to two applications of these three products. But please remember every person’s skin is different – it may take several weeks for you to see results so please be patient. They contain a lot of proven and effective ingredients that improve the integrity, texture, brightness, and firmness of the skin. So, don’t get discouraged, use the product daily and you should see good results.