Of the many posts I’ve written on this and other blogs, I’ve always hated those in which I try to select the “best” of something. Trying to find the best wrinkle cream is no different. The problem is that the term is often subjective, open to interpretation, and I’m a firm believer in the simple fact that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to most things in life. So before we even begin to discuss what may or may not be the best wrinkle cream (or the best anti wrinkle cream, more specifically) out there, it would probably be wise to describe why that’s so difficult to quantify.

Different areas may require different solutions. I could spend the next hour writing about the best anti wrinkle creams for crow’s feet only to leave those of you looking for a solution to wrinkles around the mouth completely unsatisfied.

Additionally, everybody (and every body) is different. What works for you may not work for others or, if it does work, may not work as well. Anything from the depth of wrinkles to your skin’s sensitivity may make a great product less than ideal for your situation.

There’s also an issue of price. There are some amazing products that are simply out of reach for a large percentage of the population. At the very least, they are expensive enough to make regular or long-term use highly undesirable for some. The best solution in the world is hardly the “best” and is almost completely pointless if you can’t afford it.

Another consideration is what you expect. Do you want a solution that actually fixes the problem or one that covers it up? Would you be content to hide the lines around your eyes for that blind date you have tomorrow night or are you willing to commit to a daily treatment that will “fix” the source of the problem rather than hide it? They are two very different objectives requiring two very different solutions.

Finally, there’s convenience. While a quick jaunt to your local Target will supply you with many mainstream products, some higher end items may require a visit to a store specializing in cosmetics, to a boutique or even, believe it or not, to your doctor. We’ll actually discuss some products available through prescription today. If you aren’t the kind who likes to go out of her way, your options will be a bit limited. In many (but not all) cases, the internet is your best friend. Many hard-to-come-by items are easy to find if you shop for skincare products online.

Ok, so with all that to consider, how does one find the best wrinkle cream? By weighing your needs against your wallet and your tolerance for inconvenience. The simple truth is that the best wrinkle creams available (in terms of results vs. illusion) are those that actually have an elevated level of FDA involvement. Simply put, most wrinkle creams get little in the way of FDA scrutiny unless they make medical claims. Those that do get scrutinized generally claim some kind of medical results or contain prescription levels of ingredients that over-the-counter products simply can’t carry.

A great example of this is the active ingredient, Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A compound. More relevant to you, if you’ve read some of my other posts, is that it is an antioxidant and antioxidants are a miracle discovery in all kinds of health-related matters (including those specific to your skin). Antioxidants are also found in foods that are good for your skin. You’ll find plenty anti wrinkle products sold over-the-counter containing Retinol. What you won’t find in the cosmetic aisle is anything containing tretinoin, which is an FDA approved topical treatment for treating wrinkles. It is only available by prescription.

What that last paragraph should tell you is that the products you get from a cosmetics store may or may not work. Those that claim to cover up or hide wrinkles probably do so. But for lasting results that actually attempt to correct the problem the safer bet (as far as results are concerned) are most likely those for which you’ll need to see your doctor.

Of course, as already stated, there are a lot of variables in choosing the best wrinkle fighting cream so I’m not just going to leave you with the suggestion that you go visit your doctor. Instead, I’m going to offer several suggestions you might want to try. With a little luck and a little patience, you may find that one of these (each a fantastic, respected and proven product with high user review ratings) is the right product for you.

Also, please note that there’s a lot of content already in this post so I’m not going to invest too much time talking about each of these products here. Just the highlights, gang, because if you haven’t guessed already, my real recommendation is that you try the product that sounds best for your need and hopefully you’ll find the one that actually is the best wrinkle cream specifically for YOU. I (or my wife) will come back to each of these products in future posts and will provide a more extensive write up to fill in the gaps (get it?) so check back later for that. For now, here is what we recommend you try.

Obagi ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream

One product that fits the prescription bill and may well be one of the best eye wrinkle creams out there is Obagi’s ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream. Elastin is a protein in the skin that keeps it firmly in place. The degeneration or loss of elastin due to aging, health, diet and pollutants (such as from smoking) is why you have wrinkles. What makes Obagi’s ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream so special as an effective eye wrinkle cream is that it is the first skincare product clinically proven to replenish elastin and collagen production.

It’s bit difficult to visualize, but imagine placing a plastic sandwich bag over your hand with your fingers loosely curled. Now imagine flexing your fingers and spreading them out as much as you can. The bag stretches out and wrinkles disappear. While hardly a scientific example, that should help you envision how elastin and collagen work to firm your skin. Their function is crucial to keeping skin young and firm.

Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Cream lists for around $95.00 but you can often get discounted prices. I’ve seen it move for as low as $76.00. Check with your doctor. My wife’s doctor receives discounts for the sale of this product and passes those savings on to her patients.

MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream

MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream is another product your doctor may recommend. The product description claims smoothing and toning of the skin around the eye area while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend this and the prior products because both are often suggested by cosmetic surgeons in cases where injections or surgery are considered too extreme for the case. However, some individuals with sensitive skin have complained of irritation when using MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream. Others, however, have given this product rave reviews, noting signs of improvement in as little as 5 minutes with progressively younger-looking skin with continued use.

MD Forte Skin Rejuvenation Eye Cream will set you back anywhere from $55-$65.00 USD for a 3 ounce bottle. The product does not provide any moisturizing benefits, though. The manufacturer recommends using a moisturizer after application. You may want to consider Replenish Hydrating Cream.

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate

While not actually a cream, I’ve decided to include this product under the category of “fillers and hiders.” What differentiates it from the above products is that it doesn’t actually “fix” problems with wrinkles. Rather, it masks or hides wrinkles. Also, the previous two products were specific for eye wrinkles. Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate is designed for deep facial lines and wrinkles.

Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate fills in lines and wrinkles and makes them less apparent. While that’s only a temporary solution, the big bonus with this product is that it does contain many ingredients that are good for your skin too such as several antioxidants.

If you’re looking for a solution that gives the “look” without requiring months of use, this is definitely one you should consider trying. It will set you back about $42 for a pen of Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate. You might also want to add Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum and Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Crème with SPF.

A Wrap Up on Wrinkles

Though I’ve listed several products here, I want to close with an important consideration about wrinkle creams and anti wrinkle products in general. Learn a bit about marketing. I am, first and foremost, an internet marketer. While I don’t sell any products on this site directly, I do host advertisers here who sell makeup products. I tell you this not to entice you to click but because I want you to accept that I understand a bit about marketing. The problem for you is that the people selling miracle cures for wrinkles understand their fair share, too.

When you examine a product (over-the-counter products in particular) don’t let yourself be baited in by the advertising jargon. Products that claim to “reverse the look of aging” are telling you exactly what they do… they hide or mask the LOOK. They are selling an illusion. The bottom line is that if a product could deliver on the same promise as a medical procedure, it would probably be sold as drug rather than a cosmetic. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but know what you’re getting.

Masking a few years before a date or an important meeting is perfectly fine. If you want to actually undo the damage of sun, age and pollution, you will always be better served by medically prescribed products, healthy eating, hydration and UV protection rather than relying on purely cosmetic products. Though you might find over-the-counter solutions that offer some improvement, you’ll likely never find a face-lift in a bottle unless it comes from your doctor. Even then, topical solutions will only do so much. So if you really want to find the best wrinkle cream out there, your doctor is the place to start.