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Skin concern

Wrinkles and fine lines

Primary source

Wrinkles and fine lines: lines and creases that form in the skin as it ages — the visible outcome of both chronological ageing and cumulative sun exposure (photoageing). They appear most where the skin folds repeatedly, such as around the eyes and mouth, and deepen as the skin loses its supporting structure. The strongest evidence comes from a 2011 human trial of 76 women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles: Periocular wrinkle depth improved against vehicle with the 50 kDa and 130 kDa hyaluronic acid creams; after 60 days the 300, 800 and 2000 kDa creams matched vehicle on measured roughness. 5 ingredients have evidence for Wrinkles and fine lines: Hyaluronic acid, Retinol, Tranexamic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid).

The studies here measured changes in fine-wrinkle scoring or wrinkle depth, most over weeks on small groups. Photoageing is also a skin-cancer risk signal.

Where the definition comes from

Source wording

“Photoageing is the superposition of chronic ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage on intrinsic ageing and accounts for most age-associated changes in skin appearance.” — the opening sentence of Yaar and Gilchrest's 2007 British Journal of Dermatology review on photoageing.

Photoageing: mechanism, prevention and therapy British Journal of Dermatology (Yaar M, Gilchrest BA)

Ingredients at a glance

2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267

Ingredient Measured outcome Based on Certainty Year
Hyaluronic acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2011
Retinol Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2007
Retinol Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2009
Tranexamic acid Skin effect Human trial Moderate 2026
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid Skin effect Human trial Low 2014
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) Skin effect Review article Low 2023

Studies and results

  1. 1 Hyaluronic acid Skin effect
    Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment

    Periocular wrinkle depth improved against vehicle with the 50 kDa and 130 kDa hyaluronic acid creams; after 60 days the 300, 800 and 2000 kDa creams matched vehicle on measured roughness.

    Human trial · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · Replica-based roughness measurement (mean roughness Ra, maximum roughness Rz) of periocular wrinkles, with 0.1% creams applied twice daily for 60 days. · Wrinkle depth was an instrumental secondary measure on women who already had periocular lines. The trial stopped at 60 days. The five creams differed in molecular weight, shared a base formula.

    PMID 22052267

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment
  2. 2 Retinol Skin effect
    Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)

    A 0.4% retinol lotion applied to the arm up to three times a week for 24 weeks reduced fine wrinkling significantly more than its vehicle in elderly subjects: score change −1.64 (95% CI −2.06 to −1.22) against −0.08 (−0.17 to 0.01) on a 0–9 severity scale.

    Human trial · 2007 · 36 people · Elderly adults, mean age 87 · Elderly adults, arms. · Thirty-six participants in two senior-care facilities, average age 87, an unusual population for cosmetic use. The glycosaminoglycan and procollagen measurements that suggest a mechanism came from subgroups of six and four participants, far too small to stand on their own.

    PMID 17515510

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
  3. 3 Retinol Skin effect
    Improvement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study

    In a split-face comparison, 0.075% retinol cream used once nightly for 26 weeks improved fine wrinkling in 27 of 54 participants (50%) against 13 (24%) on the vehicle side, and deep wrinkling in 15 (28%) against 1 (2%).

    Human trial · 2009 · 57 people · Middle-aged Japanese women with mild photoaging · Middle-aged Japanese women with mild photoaging, 0.075% retinol cream once nightly on the face for 26 weeks. · Single centre, 57 enrolled and 54 evaluated, mild photoaging. The 0.04% arm ran for 13 weeks.

    PMID 20078381

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Improvement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study
  4. 4 Tranexamic acid Skin effect
    Tranexamic acid protects human dermal fibroblasts from D-galactose-induced senescence via the GPR30/MAPK pathway

    In a randomized study of 50 women with melasma, topical 3% tranexamic acid serum plus moisturizer reduced periorbital wrinkle grading significantly more than moisturizer alone at weeks 4, 8 and 12, with the benefit persisting after treatment stopped.

    Human trial · 2026 · 50 people · women with melasma · Women with melasma applying 3% topical tranexamic acid serum plus moisturizer (vs moisturizer alone) for 8 weeks, follow-up to week 12. · The population is melasma patients.

    PMID 42059427

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Tranexamic acid protects human dermal fibroblasts from D-galactose-induced senescence via the GPR30/MAPK pathway
  5. 5 Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid Skin effect
    Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans

    Eight weeks of a low-molecular-weight "nano" hyaluronic acid lotion, serum and cream reduced measured periorbital wrinkle depth by up to 40% and raised corneometer hydration by up to 96%.

    Human trial · 2014 · 33 people · Women with a mean age of 45.2 years · A three-step regimen (lotion, serum, cream) built on a low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, used for eight weeks on women with a mean age of 45.2. · The percentages are within-group changes. 33 participants in one centre, and the material is described as "nano" hyaluronic acid.

    PMID 24688623

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans
  6. 6 Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) Skin effect
    Efficacy of topical vitamin C in melasma and photoaging: A systematic review

    A 2023 systematic review of 7 randomized controlled trials (139 volunteers) found that topically applied vitamin C made uneven, wrinkled skin appear smoother and lightened pigmentation on objective assessments, though noticeable change may need long-term use.

    Review article · 2023 · Topical vitamin C formulations studied for melasma or photodamage. · The included trials were small; the review notes more studies are needed on the ideal concentration and long-term effect.

    PMID 37128827

    Read the full finding →
    Source:Efficacy of topical vitamin C in melasma and photoaging: A systematic review

Study limits

Study conditions and measured outcomes.

  • Hyaluronic acid Human trial · 2011

    Wrinkle depth was an instrumental secondary measure on women who already had periocular lines. The trial stopped at 60 days. The five creams differed in molecular weight, shared a base formula.

  • Retinol Human trial · 2007

    Thirty-six participants in two senior-care facilities, average age 87, an unusual population for cosmetic use. The glycosaminoglycan and procollagen measurements that suggest a mechanism came from subgroups of six and four participants, far too small to stand on their own.

  • Retinol Human trial · 2009

    Single centre, 57 enrolled and 54 evaluated, mild photoaging. The 0.04% arm ran for 13 weeks.

  • Tranexamic acid Human trial · 2026

    The population is melasma patients.

  • Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid Human trial · 2014

    The percentages are within-group changes. 33 participants in one centre, and the material is described as "nano" hyaluronic acid.

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) Review article · 2023

    The included trials were small; the review notes more studies are needed on the ideal concentration and long-term effect.

Products with a basis for this

22 products · Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum · Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream (Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid) · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267

Common questions

Which ingredients have been studied for Wrinkles and fine lines?
Ingredients with evidence for Wrinkles and fine lines: Hyaluronic acid, Retinol, Tranexamic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid).
How many people were studied?
6 findings · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267
What can I use for Wrinkles and fine lines?
Hyaluronic acid, Retinol, Tranexamic acid · 2011 · 76 people · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267
Can I use these every day for Wrinkles and fine lines?
Replica-based roughness measurement (mean roughness Ra, maximum roughness Rz) of periocular wrinkles, with 0.1% creams applied twice daily for 60 days（2011 · 76 participants · Women aged 30-60 with periocular wrinkles · PMID 22052267）
Can I use these alongside other products for Wrinkles and fine lines?
Women with melasma applying 3% topical tranexamic acid serum plus moisturizer (vs moisturizer alone) for 8 weeks, follow-up to week 12（2026 · 50 participants · 50 women with melasma · PMID 42059427）

Other concerns

Acne marks and scars Acne and breakouts Barrier damage Blackheads Bumps and rough texture Closed comedones Combination skin Dark circles Dark spots Skincare for deeper skin tones Dehydrated skin Dryness Dull skin Eczema and atopic dermatitis Hyperpigmentation Large pores Loss of firmness Melasma Skincare for men Oily skin Skincare while on acne medication Peeling and flaking Perioral dermatitis Skincare during pregnancy Psoriasis Facial redness Rosacea Sebaceous filaments Sensitive skin Sun damage Sun protection Teenage skin Uneven skin tone