How to Get Rid of Wrinkles Naturally, According to the Pros

“When patients ask me how to get rid of wrinkles naturally, my answer is always the same: protect your collagen before you try to repair it,” says Michelle McFarland, MSN, a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner and the founder of Bare Concierge. “While prescription tretinoin and in-office treatments remain the gold standards for treating wrinkles, many of the most effective ways to prevent wrinkles are surprisingly simple daily habits.” In short, McFarland says: “The choices you make every day matter more than the products you buy.”

So what does natural wrinkle reduction actually look like? The pros have weighed in. Ahead, skincare experts share their best tips for building a daily routine that supports collagen production and helps keep skin smooth and supple for longer.

“Wearing SPF 30 or higher daily is the single greatest thing you can do to prevent photoaging, which causes lines, texture, and pigment on the skin,” says Carey Campbell, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon partner at Stark MD in Philadelphia. “I recommend that patients don’t walk out of the house without it—rain or shine.” In general, Dr. Campbell guides her patients toward European and Korean sunscreens, “which have more advanced, patented filters, and are often lighter-feeling and longer-lasting than what is currently approved in the US,” she notes. However, from the US market, she likes Alastin Hydratint, an SPF 36 formula that doubles a daily tinted moisturizer.

But the most thorough sun protection goes beyond sunscreen. Marisa Ponzo, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist at North York Dermatology Clinic in Toronto, also advocates for sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and generally staying out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. It’s also a good idea to seek shade—and wear shades. “Squinting and frowning matter more than people realize,” says Kate Daniel, the skincare expert at Skintique, a UK-based retailer of medical-grade skincare. “Sunglasses aren’t just there to protect your eyes from UV; they also stop you repeatedly screwing your face up in bright light, which is a big contributor to early crow’s feet.”

A thoughtful at-home skin-care routine can go a long way, too. “Using a retinoid stimulates collagen and elastin production, improves skin texture, and softens fine lines over time,” says Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “It could be considered natural. After all, retinoids are vitamin A derivatives!” Medik8’s Crystal Retinal comes with different percentages of the active ingredient to suit different tolerance levels, while Isdin Isdiceuticals’ Melatonik harnesses bakuchiol, a gentler, plant-based alternative to retinol.

Retinoids are best used at night, but vitamins have their place in the daytime, too. “Antioxidants in the morning protect the skin from free-radical damage from ultraviolet light as well as from pollution,” says Dr. Karcher. “Another natural ingredient, vitamin C, is the best studied antioxidant, and both topical and oral versions help prevent wrinkles.” Widely considered the gold standard of vitamin C serums, SkinCeuticals’ CE Ferulic serum melds 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with ferulic acid for synergistic antioxidant support. Kat Burki’s Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream also contains 15 percent vitamin C, mixed with MSM, colloidal silver, and an ocean mineral complex to support absorption.

Pro tip: Fresh is best. “Go and look at your vitamin C,” says Basil Russo, founder of Bar Beauty Medical in Toronto. “Fresh L-ascorbic acid is pale and straw-colored. If the bottle has turned dark amber, the ingredient has oxidized, and you’re applying expensive water. Six months open is the realistic shelf life.”

It’s not just actives that count. “Many people focus on ‘anti-aging’ ingredients while overlooking the skin barrier,” says Funmilayo Adeola, a cosmetic chemist and the founder of SwanPro Cosmetics. “Well-hydrated skin naturally appears smoother, healthier, and more resilient,” Adeola recommends products that pair humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, with barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides. La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer—a dermatologist favorite—contains ceramides and glycerin, while K-beauty brand Aestura formulated its skin-barrier cream with patented cream-capsule technology that helps the skin maintain moisture. Other moisturizing, skin-barrier-supporting picks include The Outset’s Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer and Naturium’s Barrier Bounce Serum.

“Diet plays a role in fighting wrinkles too,” Daniel points out. “Antioxidant-rich foods with vitamin C, polyphenols, and healthy fats help fight the same kind of damage SPF is protecting against.” One of Vogue’s favorite vitamin C supplements, Thorne’s Vitamin C With Flavonoids supports skin health and the vascular system, while Cymbiotika’s Liposomal Vitamin C, which also supports collagen production, has a refreshing, citrus-vanilla flavor.

Dr. Karcher notes that collagen is made from amino acids—aka the building blocks of protein—so getting enough protein is essential for supporting natural collagen production. Vogue-approved collagen supplements include Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, which provides 20g of collagen peptides per serving, and Par Olive’s Pearl Marine Collagen Superpowder, dermatologist-developed to support skin, hair, and nails. Dr. Karcher recommends aiming for about 1 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day—and more for some adults—combined with regular exercise.

Speaking of exercise, resistance training can also support healthier-looking skin by supporting circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. “Resistance training improves circulation, muscle tone, and overall skin health,” Dr. Karcher says. To reap the head-to-toe benefits, stock your home gym with space-conscious tools that make it easy to weave strength work into your routine. Sleek wrist or ankle weights add subtle resistance to everyday movements, while Pvolve’s home workout kit uses resistance to activate the upper body, lower body, and core through targeted, functional movements. For a full-body burn, a weighted vest can increase intensity during walks, squats, and strength sessions. And, of course, a classic set of dumbbells is a timeless tool for building strength and improving muscle tone.

Don’t underestimate a good massage. “I wouldn’t call facial massage a wrinkle cure, but as a natural ritual that can make a difference, it’s worth practicing,” Daniel says. “It boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage, which reduces puffiness and creates a plumper, more awake look.” Effective tools range from the high-tech—think Solawave’s 4-in-1 Skincare Wand or Therabody’s TheraFace PRO—to the traditional, like Chinese gua sha stones or Ayurvedic Kansa wands.“In Ayurveda, a gentle three-to-five minute facial massage with a nourishing oil can boost circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage, relieve muscle tension, enhance radiance, calm the nervous system, and create a deeper connection between the mind and the body,” says Ayurvedic practitioner Mangala Rao. “The key is to use gentle pressure and use oil for slip slip so you don’t pull at the skin, but massage the muscles underneath.”

Beauty rest isn’t just a cute expression: “Sleep is very important for the skin because skin increases its repair processes while you’re asleep,” Karcher explains. “Therefore, chronic sleep deprivation is associated with slower skin-barrier recovery and accelerated visible aging.” To kickstart sweet, barrier-supporting dreams, try incorporating a magnesium supplement into your nightly routine, or use a topical form of the mineral, which is thought to promote more restful sleep.

But even after you drift off, there’s wrinkle-fighting work to be done. “People never think about how they sleep,” Daniel says. “Side and stomach sleepers get compression lines on their face from the pillow, and over years these can actually turn into permanent creases, because it’s the same fold happening in the same spot, night after night.” She suggests sleeping on your back, or switching to a silk pillowcase to reduce friction against the skin. In addition to silky-smooth pillowcases, some pillows—such as Nurse Jamie’s—are ergonomically designed to reduce facial pressure and minimize skin creasing while you catch your beauty rest.

When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue's vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry's standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.

As it relates to wrinkle smoothing, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here.