These are the best early Prime Day deals on wrinkle creams that actually work

There’s a reason I named this Peter Thomas Roth formula the best retinol serum of the year: At 1.5% retinal concentration, it’s just potent enough to really work on reducing wrinkles and fine lines, while not so strong that your face will start molting within the first week of use. Plus, it contains 8-hour slow-release microencapsulated retinol, which tends to be less irritating, and is packed with brighteners like vitamin C and soothing emollients such as vitamin E and squalane to keep your face hydrated and reduce redness.

The texture here is particularly standout: It’s silky and smooth, as opposed to tacky and viscus. When I used this product last year for three months, I saw an almost immediate skin-tightening effect. Over the weeks there was more clarity in my skin tone and the lines in my forehead appeared less deep. 

It’s difficult to choose a retinol serum that will work “best” for all skin types, but with its high-quality ingredients and thoughtful formulation, this one comes closest to being a one-size-fits-most skin-care star — and right now, it’s at the lowest price I’ve seen in 2024.

If you’re new to the retinol game or have dry skin, CeraVe’s formula is an excellent place to start. It contains just a .3% concentration, which means it will be gentler and less drying than higher-potency products.

It’s also filled with skin-calming agents like niacinamide and moisturizing hyaluronic acid. Best of all, right now it’s a full 50% off, making it inexpensive enough to try without the guilt of a major skin-care investment.

While we’re talking retinol, this Sarah Jessica Parker-favorite brand is a drugstore skin-care legend for a reason: It’s proven. In a clinical study, 97% of those who tried RoC’s Retinol Correxion night serum reported smoother skin after just a single night. Users said their skin was 63% more hydrated after a week and visibly firmer after a month.

RoC’s retinol serum is also recommended and tested by dermatologists. And, it’s among Amazon’s highest-rated skin care products with more than 13,000 five-star reviews.

While not a wrinkle cream per se, this beloved snail mucin from CosRx is excellent for evening skin tone and making your face look softer and brighter overall. It’s also won multiple awards, has almost 70,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and has impressed most every beauty editor I know.

After using it the first time (here is my full review), my face was noticeably dewier and other users have boasted about its ability to soothe, hydrate, repair and improve dullness in the skin — all of which helps wrinkles look less deep and crepey.

When 86-year-old beauty Jane Fonda recommends a product, I pay attention: The actress recently revealed she uses this serum every night on a clean face: “It has a lot of antioxidants and good things to hydrate the skin.”

The rich formula is paraben- and mineral oil-free, dermatologist-tested and suitable for all skin types. Plus, right now, it’s a full 50% off.

We know retinol works reliably to reduce wrinkles but this Swedish brand’s Dark Spot Fix does double duty: It’s a skin-lightening treatment containing retinol 8, a stabilized vitamin A complex meant to be eight times more effective than conventional retinol but half as harsh. There’s no data to support the company’s claim here, but I can tell you this from experience: The formula is creamy, gentle and lightened a stubborn brown spot on my cheek I’d been annoyed by for years in just three weeks.

Though no results will be as effective as a visit to the dermatologist, if you’re dealing with mild hyperpigmentation, this is an at-home skin-care win — especially at this price (a full 50% off).

If you’re looking for a low-cost retinol eye cream to help with crow’s feet and dark circles, this is for you. The wrinkle-smoothing lotion also reduces puffiness while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Last, it’s among the most highly-rated eye creams, with more than 19,000 5-star Amazon reviews. It’s dermatologist recommended too. Right now it’s more than 30% off — an ideal time to give this effective cream a try.

My sincerest apologies for recommending a $100 product made by Gwyneth Paltrow, but this stuff WORKS. It’s formulated with glycolic acid to exfoliate and slough off dead skin cells, making your skin look glowy and refreshed and your fine lines appear less deep.

It’s got the world’s most amazing texture — seriously it feels like a delicious silky pudding, good enough to eat — and while the price is steep, it’s worth the splurge: A little goes a long way. I’ve had my tub for six months.