Even though aging is a normal part of life, accepting the changes that come with it is often difficult. And like many others, you likely began looking for the best wrinkle filler after seeing the gradual spread of lines and creases.
But, is there really hope in the fight against time? Well, there is—as long as you understand the problem at hand and which products to choose, looking younger shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve.
We’re confident to say that our picks do target the problems that worsen with aging, namely thinness, dryness, and brittleness;as well as provide other perks that anyone will surely appreciate.
So, why do we get wrinkles in the first place? The answer lies in the dermis, the skin’s thick middle layer where collagen and elastin are ideally found in abundance.
Collagen is essentially what gives skin structure. Elastin, on the other hand, is responsible for the springiness that’s most often associated with healthy, youthful skin.
As we grow older, the amount of collagen that our body produces gradually declines. In fact, upon reaching 20 years of age, a person begins to suffer from a yearly one-percent drop in skin collagen per unit area.
Elastin degradation is arguably a bigger problem. After all, it’s a protein that no longer gets made by the body once puberty ends—and so far, there’s no proven way to restart elastin synthesis.
The effects of those become more and more noticeable as time goes by. Women in their mid- to late-20s start to find a few barely visible lines across their forehead—nothing to be worried about, of course.
Those in their 30s, however, face reality in the form of crow’s feet and frown lines. Things only get worse for anyone already in their 40s and 50s, where deep ridges become visible even around the mouth.
All these unsightly changes stem from the skin losing collagen and elastin, up until a point where it’s no longer capable of sufficiently repairing itself. Being thin, dry, and brittle, the skin gets damaged more easily as well.
What’s more, the problem doesn’t only progress from within. External factors (e.g. sun exposure, pollution) and your own habits (e.g. smoking, drinking) all cause additional skin damage.
The Six Best Wrinkle Fillers
Now that you understand the problem, you likely have an idea of what makes a great filler. Well, for us, it needs to work on the problems that worsen with aging, namely thinness, dryness, and brittleness.
We’re confident to say that our picks do target those, as well as provide other perks that anyone will surely appreciate. So, without further ado, here are what we believe to be the six best wrinkle fillers on the market today:
1. L’Oreal Collagen Moisture Filler
Despite not being as expensive as most other anti-aging creams, L’Oreal’s Collagen Moisture Filler produces noticeable results—and many have seen firsthand just how effective it is.
That isn’t surprising at all though, given the cream’s impressive list of ingredients. Aside from having soluble collagen (which serves as the main filler), it has glycerin and shea butter.
Glycerin is known to be quite effective in keeping skin hydrated, mainly by drawing moisture into the skin itself. Shea butter, on the other hand, excels in fighting inflammation and free radicals.
Unfortunately, like most other creams, it isn’t really suited for oily skin. It isn’t necessarily greasy, but it doesn’t feel that pleasant when used during warm days or when sebum production goes into overdrive.
Things We Liked:
- Good mix of ingredients
- Mild but pleasant scent
- Quite affordable
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Not rated for sun protection
- Not ideal for oily skin
2. No7 Instant Illusions Wrinkle Filler
Intended as a short-term solution, Instant Illusions works in two ways: it covers gaps and grooves with silicone, and diffuses light to make wrinkles harder to see.
While relatively new compared to most other ingredients in cosmetics, silicone already has various medical applications. It’s known to be safe, but there are concerns about its potential harm to the environment.
The light-diffusing component, however, isn’t explicitly listed. But, it’s likely that the product makes use of silica, which has the right optical properties and is commonly used in light-reflecting makeup.
What’s the catch? Although No7’s offering gives immediate improvements even for deep wrinkles, it doesn’t offer any real benefit to the skin—in other words, its results are purely cosmetic.
- Instantly hides deep wrinkles
- Easy to apply even with makeup
- Dries clear with a matte finish
- Lasts only a few hours
- No real benefits to skin health
3. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Filler
At almost double the price of the other products we’ve listed so far, this wrinkle filler needs to be really good to be considered a worthwhile investment.
Well, we’re quite impressed with what we’ve seen. Not only has it garnered glowing reviews, it also contains two important ingredients: hyaluronic acid and retinol.
Hyaluronic acid, a substance produced naturally by the body, is what enables the skin to retain moisture. Applying additional amounts of it is a proven way of not just hydrating the skin, but also reducing wrinkles.
Retinol is another excellent ingredient. It adds to the skin’s hydration while at the same time boosting collagen production, meaning it lessens the visibility of existing imperfections while preventing new ones from forming.
- Great results if used regularly
- Works even on vertical lip lines
- Supports collagen synthesis
- Not a cruelty-free brand
- Not for sensitive skin
4. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair
This one’s similar to RoC’s Retinol Correxion Wrinkle Filler in that it has both hyaluronic acid and retinol among its key components. What sets it apart is that it has glucose complex and a dozen other ingredients.
There’s not much information about Neutrogena’s glucose complex, but the skincare company claims it enhances retinol’s effects—possibly further hastening collagen production.
The cream’s other ingredients include dimethicone (a silicone) and glycerin. Dimethicone mainly works as a spreadable filler, while glycerin improves hydration by keeping moisture within the skin’s cells.
While a long list of ingredients may seem impressive, seeing additives like disodium EDTA and sodium hydroxide makes us question the purity of this cream. Of course, there’s the issue of safety as well.
- Not the cheapest but still affordable
- Has hyaluronic acid and retinol
- Fragrance-free variant is available
- Additives may be harmful
- Glucose complex is mostly unknown
5. Olay Regenerist Wrinkle and Pore Vanisher
Another instant fix, this cream covers creases while locking moisture within the skin. Like our previous entry, it makes use of dimethicone—though it also has another silicone component, namely cyclopentasiloxane.
As for locking in moisture, it has glycerin and vitamin E, with the latter working as an antioxidant as well. That means it gives additional protection from the damage caused by sunlight and pollution.
Despite being a cream, Regenerist is noticeably light, so it’s good even if you have oily skin. In addition to that, the tube’s design makes it easy to avoid putting too much on one area.
While we’re definitely impressed, we can’t deny the fact that it has its fair share of downsides, such as not blending well with other cosmetics and failing to dry evenly.
- Smart tipped-tube design
- Works within minutes
- Gives a matte finish
- Gets wiped away by other cosmetics
- May leave a powder-like residue
6. ERASA XEP 30 Rejuvenation Serum
At around 100 USD per ounce, this is the most expensive product on this list. The price isn’t surprising though, once you realize that what you’re getting is essentially a filler combined with Botox.
XEP 30 is a molecule that works like the neurotoxic peptides found in cone snail venom. That means it has a muscle-relaxing effect that should help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
What makes XEP 30 arguably better than Botox, however, is that it won’t cause permanent harm. As you probably know, getting injected with Botox multiple times could eventually lead to partial facial paralysis.
Although not as potent as its injectable counterpart in relaxing muscles, ERASA’s Rejuvenation Serum is loaded with natural ingredients that may help fight aging and reduce inflammation (e.g. magnolia, birch).
- Highly concentrated formula
- Can be used on top of other cosmetics
- Reduces pore size and shine
- Expensive for daily use
- Consistency is a bit too thick
Skincare products that contain phytoestrogens might have a better shot at reversing the effects of time. You could try phytoestrogen serums, like those from Mirifica Science, and see for yourself.
Towards a Deeper Solution
It’s true that fillers effectively hide the unsightly signs of aging. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with being satisfied with their results, especially if you need something that works fast.
Still, do keep in mind that you don’t always have to focus on the surface of the issue. Filling in fine lines, trapping in moisture, as well as nourishing the skin can only do so much.
What are we trying to say exactly?
It’s possible to work on the very root of the issue: estrogen. The gradual decline of this hormone as you age triggers a cascade of physiological events that ultimately lead to the key signs of aging.
With that said, skincare products that contain phytoestrogens might have a better shot at reversing the effects of time. You could try phytoestrogen serums, like those from Mirifica Science, and see for yourself.
Well, whether you choose to invest in the best wrinkle filler or you end up going the phytoestrogen route, we hope that we somehow helped you in your fight against aging.