9 Best Wrinkle Fillers to Temporarily Smooth Fine Lines
Needle-free ways to blur wrinkles.
Tested by Chiara ButlerBeauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst
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Every fine line and wrinkle has a story to tell. But when you’re not feeling as nostalgic, there are ways to smooth fine lines —without the need for injections. Enter wrinkle fillers and blurring products.
Wrinkle fillers are “products designed to fill in wrinkles, plumping the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She explains that they typically contain hyaluronic acid to help hydrate or peptides to help boost collagen production and smooth the appearance of wrinkles.
Blurring products, on the other hand, “are intended to provide more of a temporary effect by visibly improving the appearance of lines without addressing or treating the underlying cause,” Dr. Garshick explains. She says they work by filling in lines with silicone-based ingredients or polymers to smooth, or they use light-reflecting particles that diffuse light so it makes the lines appear less noticeable.
Which is right for you? “Blurring products may be better for superficial fine lines while wrinkle filling skincare products may also be considered for deeper lines and folds,” Dr. Garshick says. Whichever approach you use, GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler reminds us to have realistic expectations. “Some products do contain ingredients like retinoids and anti-aging peptides that can improve the appearance of fine lines with consistent use,” she says. However, “From what I saw in my small test, the improvement in the appearance of fines lines and wrinkles is not dramatic. I felt that the blurring products gave results that were more visible in photos,” Butler adds.
Pros
- Works immediately and over time
- Hydrating
- Targeted applicator
Cons
- Contains retinol
This GH Beauty Award winner wowed for smoothing lines on the forehead, between the brows and around the mouth instantly, but improving them over time too. The serum contains the anti-aging dream team of hyaluronic acid and retinol. However, retinol may be too tough on sensitive skin, so some may want to ease into use. Created in collaboration with dermatologists, the targeted treatment had a noticeable plumping effect.
Testers' notes: According to the brand's clinical study, 97% of users showed significant improvement in the look of fine and deep face lines after four weeks.
Key ingredients
| Key ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
Pros
- Smooths complexion
- Adds radiance
- Hydrating
Cons
- Less effective around the eye area
Don’t let the price fool you — this bargain beauty buy instantly gets to work to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The silky formula leaves skin looking younger and glowing, courtesy of plumping ingredients and light-reflecting particles. Since it’s made with silicones, it glides over skin, plus glycerin helps with hydration.
Testers' notes: “I was impressed by how quickly it softened the appearance of the wrinkles on my forehead,” a tester said, and another added, “It went on soft. It didn’t have a strong smell, which is a plus, and it seemed like it would work fine under makeup.” However, one tester noted, “The product was less effective around the eye area, particularly on crow’s feet.”
| Key ingredients | Glycerin, dimethicone, light-reflecting particles |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer
Pros
- Lightweight texture
- Makeup primer that doubles as skincare
- Extends wear of makeup
Cons
- Results were short-lived for some
A primer is designed to set the stage for makeup application, helping it go on smoothly and prolonging its wear. This blurring primer does just that, and it helps smooth the appearance of fine lines. The skincare-forward formula contains glycerin for hydration and is light and breathable.
Testers' notes: “I like the texture of the product; it was smooth and didn't leave any residue on my skin. I also liked that it didn't leave me oily or dry; the product felt great on my skin,” one tester said. Another shared, “I really liked how lightweight this product was and how smooth it felt on my skin. It reminded me of a primer I used in the past from a very expensive skincare brand. It glided onto my skin so nicely, and my makeup went over it with absolute ease, and no pilling or splotchiness. It definitely gave the appearance of a more smooth forehead and seemed to fill in the little wrinkle lines.” But a third tester didn’t agree: “I didn't think there were major differences in the short-term. I didn't see a significant difference to continue using the product.”
| Key ingredients | Blurring microspheres, dimethicone, glycerin |
| Fragrance-free | No |
Dior Capture Totale Hyalushot
Pros
- Nozzle makes it easier to apply for smaller areas
- Works instantly and over time
- Tightening effect
Cons
- Can feel heavy
Dior’s first intensive wrinkle solution can be applied anywhere you spot fine lines on the face, and its nozzle makes precise application much easier. Its patented hyaluronic acid duo works to plump while a peptide smooths. One tester even noticed a "tightness" around their eyes created by the film-forming ingredients of the product.
Testers' notes: “The product was easy to apply — the tube is small and narrow and it was easy to dispense the product,” one tester shared. “It did not irritate my sensitive skin or cause redness or itchiness. I also liked the clear color, i.e. I could walk outside and no one would know I had applied wrinkle filler to my face.” Another was pleased with the results: “It did pretty well filling in the ‘11’ that rises between my eyes. I would continue using it for that.” But one felt it was too heavy: “Although the texture was thin, the product feels a bit heavy on my face. I prefer light and airy creams or serums to alleviate wrinkles.”
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, peptide |
| Fragrance-free | No |
Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
Pros
- Temporarily fills even deep lines
- Minimizes moisture loss
- Helps prevent future wrinkles
Cons
- Some didn’t like tingling sensation
Even deep wrinkles appear temporarily smoothed with this filler because it instantly floods the skin with hydration. Hyaluronic acid plumps and smooths, while acetyl hexapeptide-8 improves elasticity, helping skin bounce back after facial expressions. There’s also plant-based squalane to minimize moisture loss, which helps prevent future fine lines.
Testers' notes: “I liked the applicator of the product. The packaging makes it very easy to apply and size is great for on the go/traveling. I did feel a little firming sensation once applied/during the time in between before and after pictures,” a tester shared, while another said, “The product felt rich and was easy to apply.” However, not everyone was a fan of the initial tightening feel: “When I first applied the product, there was a bit of tingling sensation that I was worried would last for too long; it didn't but I wonder if there could be less sensation and still have a filler work.”
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, acetyl hexapeptide-8 |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
Pros
- Helps plump lines
- Precise application is easy
- Smooth texture
Cons
- Some didn’t like the tightening sensation
Whether crow’s feet, the forehead or lip lines are your concern, this can be applied anywhere to tighten and smooth their appearance in five minutes, according to the brand's claims. Over time, after four weeks, the long-term benefits kick in, leaving skin firmer and smoother thanks to the RF Firming complex with red microalgae, sea water and polysaccharides. There’s also sea chamomile to plump. Bonus: The packaging is refillable.
Testers' notes: “The gel texture feels nice during the application. I also liked that you can feel a change almost instantly, so you know it's doing something! The syringe-style applicator makes it really easy to use. I don't think it helped my under eyes, but the smile lines looked slightly more plump,” a tester said. But another shared, “While I do like that you can feel something happening right away, my skin felt super tight. It wasn't comfortable to move my mouth or eyes. After about 15 minutes, it started to turn white and flake on my skin, so I had to wash some of it off. It didn't look great when I added foundation on top.”
| Key ingredients | Microalgae, polysaccharides, sea chamomile |
| Fragrance-free | No |
Clarins Instant Smooth-Perfecting Touch Face Primer
Pros
- Fills in fine lines and pores
- Hydrating
- Doubles as makeup primer
Cons
- Consistency is too thick for some
Perfect for makeup prep, this primer can also be applied solo to smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. Per the brand, the formula is spiked with antioxidant vitamin E to nourish and hydrate, plus acacia micro-pearls to add radiance.
Testers' notes: “It blurred out the deep lines and made them less noticeable,” said one tester. Another shared, “It's moisturizing but not greasy. I was impressed with how it diminished my forehead wrinkles. The ‘11’s between the brows is a tough area, but I even noticed a slight improvement there.” But some wish the texture was lighter to make application easier: “If you use too much it can get a little messy, especially near the brows. I also wish it would have filled in the lines around my mouth more.”
| Key ingredients | Vitamin E, acacia micro-pearls |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
Pros
- Comes in 3 shades
- Works as a concealer
- Contains antioxidants
Cons
- Some felt it wasn’t hydrating enough
Not just for fine lines and wrinkles, this multitasking makeup/skincare hybrid gel also camouflages scars, dark circles, age spots, acne, sun damage, broken capillaries and rosacea with lightweight yet buildable coverage. Per the brand, it contains hyaluronic acid to plump fine lines and hydrate, caffeine to minimize dark circles and puffiness, lemon fruit extract to work as a natural astringent, alpha lipoic acid to protect skin from free radicals and vitamin C to brighten. It comes in three shades, including a “rich” shade for deep skin tones. But, one shopper thought it could be more hydrating.
Testers' notes: “I noticed in my testing that some blurring wrinkle fillers have a light pink hue that really doesn’t work for all skin tones, so I love that this product comes in multiple shades,” Butler says. “I have used the shade ‘Luminous.’ It has a buttery, blurring texture that’s great for filling lines and blurring imperfections.”
| Key ingredients | Alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, lemon fruit extract |
| Fragrance-free | Not specified |
Pros
- Smooths bags and depuffs
- Blurs lines
- Non-irritating for sensitive skin
Cons
- Small size
Eye bags can be notoriously tough to hide, but this eye cream does just that, plus helps to smooth and depuff undereye skin. The Good Housekeeping Seal star didn’t cause irritation and is fragrance-free, making it safe for sensitive skin. Our GH Beauty Lab confirmed that this cream is clinically proven to quickly decrease puffiness and crepiness as well as blur the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles under eyes. Before-and-after photos showed that results lasted up to six hours. Just keep in mind that the tube is on the smaller side for its price.
Testers' notes: According to the GH Beauty Lab, the eye cream forms an invisible film to smooth bags rapidly. In our testing, before-and-after imaging showed an instant 27% decrease in puffiness, Lab analysis confirmed.
| Key ingredients | Clay, mica |
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
How we test wrinkle fillers
To decide what to test, we tapped our beauty editor and searched online retailers to put together a list of 17 of the most popular wrinkle-filling products. We narrowed that list down to six products with a range of prices that we hadn’t evaluated in the Beauty Lab before.
Of the six wrinkle filler products chosen for in-person testing, three of the products were skincare-focused products that have both instant wrinkle plumping and long-term anti-aging claims, while the other three were blurring products with only instant wrinkle filling claims. The other three products included in the story were previously tested.
In the Beauty Lab, we blinded the products and assigned them codes to prevent brand bias. We invited 18 testers who are 35 and older to participate and indicate the areas of their face where they felt they had wrinkles: under the eyes, crow’s feet, around the mouth or the forehead.
We asked them to remove makeup from the areas where they would be applying the wrinkle filler product. We then took digital “before” photos of the testers’ faces zoomed in to 3X followed by pictures in the Visia Skin analysis system. Afterwards, we gave testers a mirror and allowed them to apply as much product as they wanted to the areas they indicated. We set a timer for 10 minutes to allow the product to set in.
After 10 minutes, we took “after” digital photos and used the Visia system. The testers then responded to a survey about how they felt the product performed. A total of 54 Visia pictures were taken.
What to look for when shopping for a wrinkle filler
Keep these factors in mind:
✔️ Product claims: “Look at the products claims to see whether it claims just instant smoothing and hydrating, instant blurring or instant and long-term anti-aging benefits,” Butler says. “Consider whether you want a moisturizing/anti-aging product that will moisturize in the short-term and provide anti-aging benefits over time, or a blurring product with an immediate skin-perfecting effect that may not have skincare benefits.”
✔️ Usage: Think about where you will be using the product on your face, which can help determine whether a blurring or filling product is better. “Since blurring products tend to be thicker on the skin, they can be trickier in high-movement areas like the crow’s feet where product can settle in the lines, so I think plumping products are better for the crow’s feet while blurring products are great for flatter areas like the forehead,” Butler advises.
✔️ Ingredients: “When looking for a wrinkle filling product, it is important to look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps to draw moisture in and work to plump the skin,” Dr. Garshick says. “Some products may contain different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which may allow for different levels of penetration for best results.
Additionally, other ingredients to consider include peptides, which help to boost collagen production and retinol which helps to regulate skin cell turnover and works to boost collagen production, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In the case of neuropeptides, the peptides block the release of chemicals that are responsible for muscle movement that leads to fine lines and wrinkles.”
What is the best way to apply wrinkle fillers and blurring products to maximize their effects?
Dr. Garshick says that wrinkle filling products should be used daily and consistently for maximum benefits. “The specific ingredients will determine if it’s better for morning or evening use,” she says.
As for application, Butler says: “For plumping or tightening products, apply them to clean dry skin, then wait for them to set and dry. Follow the directions on your product for the best results. For blurring products, tap, don’t rub, into fine lines, and gently smooth out the product as needed. Some of these products can be used as makeup primers or even on top of makeup.”
How long do the effects of wrinkle fillers last?
“The effects of these products typically last only a few hours, or until you wash them off,” Butler says. However, for skincare products that can bring benefits with continued use over time, the perks last longer.
“With consistent use and depending on the specific ingredients, the effects may continue to improve over the course of three to six months,” Dr. Garshick says.
How do wrinkle filling skincare and blurring products compare to in-office treatments?
“In general, wrinkle filling skincare and blurring products are not going to yield the same results as in-office treatments and the results may be more temporary,” Dr. Garshick says. “That said, some of the at-home products can complement in-office treatments with some products being used to help prolong the benefits of in-office treatments like filler, neuromodulators and lasers.
More specifically, in-office dermal fillers can be a good way to truly fill in wrinkles and are an injectable form of hyaluronic acid, the same ingredient that may be found in topical at-home wrinkle fillers as well.”
Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
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