Posted: April 27, 2026
Deep wrinkles are a common concern in patients. It is important to understand that no topical product can completely erase a deep wrinkle; however, with the right ingredients, these wrinkles can significantly improve their appearance over time. When choosing the best skincare ingredients/products to reduce deep lines, it is important to focus on supporting collagen, skin renewal, and hydration. If we can focus on our goal and be consistent with products, then these deep wrinkles can be improved.
By: Kristin Gaskins, NP
___
Let’s now talk about why these deep wrinkles form and why ingredient choice matters more as we age. There is not one specific cause of these wrinkles. It is multifactorial and thus needs to be treated in the same way. Some of the big changes we see with age are: a natural decline in collagen and elastin starting in our 20s and 30s; slower cell turnover which results in skin appearing more thin and less resilient; a loss of moisture and decrease in barrier strength; as well as the more noticeable effects of years of sun damage. All of these changes result in wrinkle formation. Improving each issue requires multiple ingredients working together.
If you are concerned about deep wrinkles and not on a retinoid, that is one of the first changes you should make. Retinoids are the gold standard for anti-aging and wrinkle treatment. They have strong research supporting these claims as well. Retinoids work by stimulating collagen production, as well as by increasing skin cell turnover to help thicken the dermis over time. Because they thicken the dermis, they do improve true wrinkle depth rather than just smoothing the surface.
There are a variety of retinoid options on the market, and it is important to find one that you can consistently use. The purest form of a retinoid is called retinoic acid. This works as soon as it is applied. Other types of retinoids, including retinol, retinal, retinaldehyde, etc., must be converted to retinoic acid on the skin before working. This can result in varying degrees of efficacy and tolerability. At Atalo Aesthetics, the most popular retinoid is AlphaRet Overnight Cream from SkinBetter Science. This contains a retinoid that is paired with lactic acid + many other beneficial anti-aging ingredients. Once you find a product that works, it normally takes about 3-6 months of consistent use to see visible results. This is once again why consistency is key!
Another key component in wrinkle treatment is prevention. Vitamin C is an important part of the morning skincare routine to help with wrinkles. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against UV exposure and free radicals that are known to accelerate collagen breakdown. In addition to preventing collagen breakdown, it also helps support collagen synthesis. It can help brighten and even out skin tone. This can reduce shadowing that can make wrinkles appear deeper than they actually are. In the office, some of our most popular vitamin C options are: Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum by SkinBetter Science, Revision Skincare’s C+ Correcting Complex, as well as Epicutis Arctigenin Brightening Treatment. Pairing Vitamin C with sunscreen every morning provides a powerful anti-aging combination to help protect the skin.
Peptides are another key ingredient to look for in a routine to help with wrinkles. These ingredients act as “messenger molecules” that signal collagen production over time. This means they can help improve firmness and elasticity of the skin. It is best to combine peptide treatments with a retinoid and Vitamin C to see the best results. Interfuse Treatment Cream Face and Neck by SkinBetter Science is a great option to try. It is a peptide-rich moisturizer that visibly improves the appearance of skin firmness, smoothness, suppleness and crepiness on the face and neck.
Growth factors are another great skincare addition when looking to target deep wrinkles. Growth factors help signal repair and regeneration. This leads to improved skin thickness and resilience. At Atalo Aesthetics, the (plated)™ Skin Science line contains the most advanced growth factors on the market. (plated)™ Skin Science products utilize platelet-derived exosomes to combat visible signs of aging and damage to the skin. This is a great “at-home” treatment option, but it also pairs well with in-office treatments for faster recovery. These products have been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, as well as improve luminosity and glow.
Up until this point, we have discussed products and ingredients that help actually treat wrinkles, but how can we also improve their appearance? Moisturized skin will look smoother and more supple than dry dehydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that can help provide extra hydration. This is common in most medical-grade moisturizers, but can also be an additional step in a routine for those individuals looking for a little more hydration. Hyaluronic acid pulls water into the skin, which creates a plumping effect. This improves skin smoothness and elasticity. One of the nice things about hyaluronic acid is that it works immediately, but also has longer-term impacts on the skin with consistent use. Because hyaluronic acid does not rebuild collagen, it is best paired alongside collagen-stimulating ingredients, such as retinoids and Vitamin C.
One of the newest products from SkinBetter Science is Ampra Volumizing Macro HA Serum. This product utilizes new proprietary HYAsync technology which delivers hyaluronic acid conjugated with alpha-lipoic acid into the skin. This helps to restore the appearance of fullness, redefine contours, and improve skin texture and radiance.
Gentle exfoliation can also help improve the appearance of wrinkles. This helps increase cell turnover to improve texture. It can also improve penetration of active ingredients by removing the layer of dead skin cells on the surface. One key thing to remember is moderation! It is possible to over-exfoliate, which can compromise the skin barrier. Typically, it is recommended to keep the extra exfoliation to 2-3 times per week. Some of the popular exfoliating products at Atalo Aesthetics include: ZO Exfoliating Polish, AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads from SkinBetter Science, and the Epicutis Cleansing Essentials Set which includes their exfoliating powder.
An important last step that we cannot forget is sunscreen. This is an important step in prevention and should be used daily. Sunscreen helps protect against UV exposure which can cause an increase in collagen breakdown faster than natural aging alone. Daily sunscreen can prevent new wrinkles and protect against the progression of current wrinkles that may be present on the skin. This should be a non-negotiable step each morning no matter your age! It is never too young to start protecting the skin!
Remember that these deep wrinkles did not form overnight, and so they will take time to improve. Realistically, you should notice immediate improvement in hydration and plumping from adding hyaluronic acid and good moisturizing steps. Within 4-8 weeks, you should notice a smoother texture and more luminosity. Within 3-6 months, you will start to see visible softening of deeper lines. These will continue to improve with long-term, consistent use.
If you struggle with deep wrinkles, there are options out there to help. While there is no miracle ingredient, there are several proven ingredients that can help improve deep wrinkles. A combination approach works best and consistency is still key! Remember that healthy skin habits compound over time. Stick to the basics of retinoids, Vitamin C, SPF daily + more targeted steps such as growth factors, peptides or hyaluronic acid for the best results. If you have questions on a personalized routine, call the office to schedule a consultation with one of the providers.
shop