Dermatologist-Approved Skincare to Smooth and Prevent Forehead Wrinkles

Best Skincare for Forehead Wrinkles: Dermatologist-Approved Tips That Work

Forehead wrinkles are among the earliest signs of aging that people notice. These horizontal lines or furrows can appear from repeated facial expressions, sun damage, and collagen loss.

But with the right skincare, they can be minimized—or even prevented.

As a dermatologist with 25 years of experience treating patients in Miami, I treat forehead wrinkles daily. I also treat my own forehead lines and know what works—and what doesn’t.

Let’s dive into how skincare and Botox can help erase forehead wrinkles.

Why Forehead Wrinkles Form

Forehead wrinkles form for several reasons. The main causes include repeated muscle movement, sun exposure, dehydration, and natural aging. Over time, these factors damage collagen and elastin.

Young patients in their 20s are often surprised when forehead lines appear. If you raise your eyebrows and see lines forming, this means your skin is starting to lose elasticity.

The earlier you address them, the better your results will be.

Can Skincare Help Forehead Wrinkles?

Yes, skincare absolutely helps. It may not replace Botox, but it enhances and prolongs Botox results. And if you prefer to avoid injections, skincare can still make a big difference.

Think of your skincare like daily exercise. Just as regular movement shapes your body, a daily skincare routine shapes your skin’s future.

Even the best cosmetic treatments won’t last without consistent home care.

Botox: The Fastest Way to Smooth Forehead Lines

If you want quick results, nothing works faster than botulinum toxin injections like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, or Daxxify.

These relax the muscles that cause forehead movement, preventing wrinkles from deepening.

However, Botox isn’t the only option. Whether you’re needle-shy, not ready for injections, or just want a natural approach—skincare can still help you tackle forehead wrinkles effectively.

Get a Personalized Skincare Routine

Everyone’s skin is different. That’s why it’s important to choose products based on your Baumann Skin Type®.

Taking a skin type quiz helps match you with products that work best for your specific skin concerns, including wrinkles.

Once you know your skin type, you’ll get a dermatologist-curated product list with recommendations for cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens that fit your skin and lifestyle.

Top Skincare Categories for Forehead Wrinkles

1. Anti-Aging Serums

Serums are lightweight, potent products that deliver active ingredients deep into the skin. For forehead wrinkles, choose serums with ingredients that stimulate collagen and repair damage.

Look for:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – boosts collagen and brightens skin

Retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde) – improves skin texture and reduces fine lines

Growth factors – promote skin regeneration

Hydroxy acids – exfoliate gently and stimulate collagen

2. Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating molecule that pulls water into the skin. It plumps up fine lines and instantly improves the appearance of forehead wrinkles.

It doesn’t fix the root cause, but it offers visible short-term benefits.

Try HA serums with different molecular weights for better absorption. Heparan sulfate analogues (like those found in Senté Skincare) work similarly and provide more advanced hydration benefits.

Pro tip: Always apply HA serums before heavier moisturizers to help lock in hydration.

3. Retinoids for Long-Term Results

Retinoids are the gold standard in anti-aging. They increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen, helping to smooth forehead lines over time. Start with gentle formulas and build up as your skin tolerates it.

For beginners, try:

Retinol (low concentration, like 0.25%)

Retinaldehyde (a gentle, effective option)

Bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative if you’re sensitive)

Apply retinoids at night and always wear sunscreen during the day to prevent sun sensitivity.

4. Daily Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable

Sun damage is one of the main causes of forehead wrinkles. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily protects your collagen and slows skin aging. Make SPF your top skincare priority—even on cloudy days.

Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are less irritating for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Apply daily and reapply every 2 hours if you’re outdoors.

5. Moisturizers That Support the Skin Barrier

Moisturizers don’t just hydrate—they also improve the skin barrier and enhance the absorption of active ingredients. A well-moisturized forehead looks smoother and healthier.

Look for moisturizers with:

Ceramides to restore skin

Niacinamide to calm and strengthen

Peptides to improve elasticity

Glycerin or squalane for lasting hydration

Use a moisturizer after your serums and before sunscreen during the day, or after retinoids at night.

Causes of Forehead Wrinkles (Science-Backed)

Studies show that forehead lines form due to changes in skin structure:

The epidermis becomes thinner

There’s less collagen and elastin

Muscle movement causes repeated stress

UV exposure causes DNA damage and breakdown of skin fibers

Oxidative stress and inflammation accelerate skin aging

Botulinum toxin stops muscle movement, but skincare targets the damage and helps skin rebuild.

Preventing Forehead Wrinkles: What Really Works

Preventing forehead wrinkles starts with protecting your skin from damage. Here’s what to focus on:

Daily SPF – Block UVA and UVB rays

Antioxidants – Neutralize free radicals

Moisturization – Prevent dryness and maintain elasticity

Gentle cleansing – Avoid harsh scrubs or stripping ingredients

Healthy habits – Sleep, hydration, and avoiding smoking help

Starting anti-aging skincare in your 20s can significantly delay visible signs of aging.

Skincare Routine for Forehead Wrinkles: Step-by-Step

A complete anti-aging routine targets multiple causes of forehead lines. Use your Baumann Skin Type® results to tailor the routine below.

Morning Routine:

Gentle Cleanser

Vitamin C Serum or Antioxidant Serum

Moisturizer with Peptides or Niacinamide

Sunscreen with SPF 30+

Evening Routine:

Cleanser

Retinoid or Peptide Serum

Hyaluronic Acid Serum (optional)

Barrier-repair Moisturizer

Consistency is the most important factor in results. It may take 6–12 weeks to see visible improvement, but the skin changes happening beneath the surface begin right away.

Forehead Wrinkles in Men: Different Needs, Same Strategy

Men get forehead wrinkles just like women. Men often have thicker skin, larger pores, and more oil production, but the causes of wrinkles are the same.

Men should follow the same steps, choosing products suited for thicker or oilier skin types. Many brands now offer fragrance-free or neutral packaging options suitable for men.

Menopause and Forehead Wrinkles

Estrogen plays a big role in skin health. After menopause, collagen production declines, and skin becomes drier and thinner. This makes forehead wrinkles more prominent.

Women in perimenopause or menopause should focus on products with:

Growth factors

Retinoids

Peptides

Rich moisturizers

Your dermatologist can help guide hormone-friendly skincare options if needed.

njections or Skincare? Why Not Both?

Botox and skincare work better together. Botox smooths wrinkles from movement, while skincare improves skin quality, tone, and elasticity. Together, they help you look younger, longer.

Think of Botox as maintenance and skincare as the foundation. Skincare enhances Botox results and makes your investment last longer.

Final Thoughts: Get Personalized Help

Forehead wrinkles are one of the most visible signs of aging—but also one of the most treatable. Whether you choose Botox, skincare, or both, starting early gives you the best chance at smooth, youthful skin.

Take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to discover your skin type and get a dermatologist-designed routine tailored to your needs.

You’ll get matched with anti-aging products that actually work for your skin, saving you time and money.

Need Help Choosing Products?

Ask our skincare concierge or browse by your skin type. Follow us on social media for expert tips, real dermatology advice, and new product updates.

With the right products and consistency, your forehead lines can be reduced—and your confidence boosted.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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