How to Prevent Wrinkles: 8 Habits That Help, Plus the Products Worth Using

If you're wondering how to prevent wrinkles, the honest answer is less exciting than a jar of cream: sun protection does most of the work. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says "the sun plays a major role in prematurely aging our skin." Your genes set the pace for the rest. The good news is that the part you control is simple, budget-friendly and works at any age.

Why wrinkles happen

The AAD describes two kinds of skin aging. Intrinsic aging is the natural kind: with time, skin gets "thinner and drier," we lose "youthful fullness," and "our genes largely control when these changes occur." You can't change that.

Extrinsic aging comes from your environment and habits, and that one you can slow. The AAD names the sun, tanning, smoking, alcohol and repeated facial expressions. The FDA puts it plainly too: "Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging."

How to prevent wrinkles: 8 habits that help

1. Wear sunscreen every single day

This is the big one. The AAD recommends a sunscreen that is "broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant," applied "every day to all skin that is not covered by clothing." That means cloudy days and errand days too, not just the beach.

Use enough. The AAD says your face needs "at least 1 teaspoon," about the length of your index and middle fingers. Put it on about 15 minutes before you go out, and reapply every two hours outdoors.

2. Cover up and find shade

Sunscreen isn't the whole plan. The AAD suggests "a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection," and clothing with a UPF label for more effective protection. A hat shades your forehead, which is where many people notice lines first.

3. Never tan, indoors or out

"Every time you get a tan, you prematurely age your skin," the AAD says, and that includes tanning beds. If you like a glow, it recommends self-tanner instead.

4. Add a retinol at night

Retinol is the over-the-counter ingredient with the most behind it for fine lines. The AAD says a retinoid product "is a good option for someone with mild acne, mild pigmentation irregularities, or mild fine lines and wrinkles."

Start low and slow. Dermatologist Dr. Tina Alster told the AAD she advises patients "to use the least-intense retinoid formula they can find, and use it every other night to start, slowly building up." Use it at night only, and wear sunscreen the next day, because retinoids "can make skin more sensitive to sun."

If retinol leaves your skin dry, a plain moisturizer on top helps. Our best moisturizer to use with retinol roundup has gentle options.

5. Moisturize morning and night

The AAD says "moisturizer traps water in our skin, giving it a more youthful appearance," and its wrinkle remedies page adds that it "can help reduce the appearance of some fine lines." A moisturizer plumps lines straight away. It doesn't stop new ones forming, so think of it as the step that makes everything else feel comfortable.

6. Be gentle with your skin

Scrubbing "can irritate your skin," the AAD says, and "irritating your skin accelerates skin aging." Wash twice a day and after heavy sweating, with your fingertips. Stop any product that stings or burns, unless a dermatologist prescribed it. And use one anti-aging product at a time: the AAD warns that using "more than one anti-aging product, tends to irritate the skin."

7. Watch the squint and the sleep position

Repeating the same expression for years can make "these lines become permanent," per the AAD, which suggests sunglasses to cut down on squinting.

Sleep matters too. A 2016 review in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal describes sleep wrinkles caused by "mechanical compression during sleep" when you lie on your side or stomach. They're different from expression lines in "location, and anatomical pattern." Sleeping on your back avoids that pressure. If you can't, a smooth silk pillowcase is a small thing to try. There's no strong research showing silk itself reduces wrinkles.

8. Don't smoke, and go easy on alcohol

"Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages," the AAD says, causing "wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion." Alcohol "dehydrates the skin, and in time, damages the skin." A diet with "plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables" and regular exercise may help too, though the AAD notes the evidence comes from "a few studies."

Sunscreen for neck wrinkles: don't stop at your jaw

The best sunscreen for neck wrinkles is the same broad-spectrum SPF 30+ you use on your face, carried down past your jawline. The AAD's sunscreen guide says to "remember your neck, face, ears." Your neck and chest get as much sun as your face but often none of the care.

Smooth whatever is left on your fingers down your neck after your face, then add more. If you use a retinol, you can bring it down to your neck too once your face tolerates it. Go slowly, because neck skin is thinner and can get irritated.

How do you get rid of wrinkles?

You can't make lines that are already there disappear with a cream, but you can make them look softer. The AAD says moisturizer "can immediately plump up fine lines," and a retinoid helps over time. Be patient: the AAD says "most products take at least six weeks to work. Sometimes it can take three months."

For deeper lines, a dermatologist can explain in-office options. The AAD notes newer treatments and "less-invasive procedures for smoothing wrinkles" are available.

How to get rid of wrinkles on face, in order

Morning: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, then broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher on face and neck. Not sure of the order? See moisturizer or sunscreen first.

Night: cleanser, retinol (every other night at first), then moisturizer. A richer cream helps on dry nights; our best night cream roundup has options for mature skin.

Picks that help

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70

Best for: an everyday face and neck sunscreen that doesn't feel greasy.

• Neutrogena's amazon.com listing describes a "broad spectrum SPF 70," "water-resistant for up to 80 minutes," in a "non-greasy lotion with a smooth, matte finish."
• It's listed as free of oil, oxybenzone and PABA, and non-comedogenic. It's also sold as SPF 55.
• Keep in mind: it's a chemical-filter sunscreen. If you have sensitive skin and use retinol, the AAD suggests looking for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead.

Check price on Amazon

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum

Best for: a first retinol serum, especially for mature or sensitive-leaning skin.

• La Roche-Posay's amazon.com listing calls it "ideal for sensitive skin & retinol beginners," with "pure & gradual release retinol," niacinamide (vitamin B3) and hyaluronic acid.
• TODAY's retinol roundup for your 50s lists it for "sensitive, mature" skin, likes that it "makes skin feel soft," and notes it "irritated some sensitive skin."
• Keep in mind: TODAY lists it as containing fragrance. It's for nighttime use only.

Check price on Amazon

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer, Fragrance-Free

Best for: a drugstore cream for face wrinkles that you can use morning and night.

• L'Oréal Paris says it "visibly reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines" with pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, and that it's "suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin."
• The brand recommends it as the final step "after cleansing and serum (or after retinol treatment)," on the face and neck, AM and PM.
• Keep in mind: it has no SPF, so you still need sunscreen in the morning. "Pro-retinol" is a retinoid, so check with your doctor first if you're pregnant.

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Fishers Finery 25mm Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Best for: side and stomach sleepers who wake up with creases.

• Fishers Finery's amazon.com listing says it's "100% Mulberry Silk, 25mm," with silk on both sides, and certified to the OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
• A smooth case is a low-effort extra if you can't train yourself to sleep on your back.
• Keep in mind: we haven't found good research that silk itself reduces wrinkles. Think of it as a comfort upgrade, not a skin-care step.

Check price on Amazon

Want more serum options, including peptides and vitamin C? See our best anti-aging serum for 50s. For crepey arms, legs and chest, try our best lotion for aging skin.

FAQs

How to avoid wrinkles in your 20s and 30s?

Start daily sunscreen now. The AAD says lifestyle changes help at any age, and sun protection, no tanning and no smoking are the habits that matter most early on. A retinol is optional in your 20s; daily SPF isn't.

What is the best cream for face wrinkles?

The best cream for face wrinkles is the one you'll use every day alongside sunscreen. A moisturizer with a retinoid, like L'Oréal Revitalift Triple Power, plumps lines straight away and works over weeks. The AAD notes that expensive isn't always better, and "there are some very effective, affordable products."

What is the best product for forehead wrinkles?

For most people it's sunscreen plus a retinol at night, because the forehead gets the most sun. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses help too, since squinting deepens forehead and eye lines. For the under-eye area specifically, see how to reduce under-eye puffiness. Deep frown lines usually need a dermatologist, not a cream.

Retinol before and after wrinkles: how long does it take?

Expect to wait at least six weeks, and up to three months, the AAD says. Start every other night and build up so irritation doesn't slow you down. Results are gradual, so take a photo in the same light at the start if you want to compare.

Do I need a separate sunscreen for my neck?

No. The same broad-spectrum SPF 30+ you use on your face works on your neck. The AAD's sunscreen guide specifically tells you to remember your neck and ears.

Can you get rid of wrinkles naturally?

You can help them look softer without products by protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, sleeping on your back, drinking less alcohol and eating well. A plain moisturizer also plumps fine lines. Lines that are already deep won't go away on their own.

Sunscreen every morning, retinol a few nights a week, and patience: that's the plan that helps the most.