While we're all for embracing the natural signs of aging, it's completely natural to want to look for ways to minimize those fine lines and wrinkles that appear on your face.
Those searching for solutions have options. There are things like retinol and hyaluronic acid, which experts say can help with signs of aging. And then, of course, there are more invasive options, like Botox. But if you feel like you've tried every at-home treatment with little success and aren't quite ready for anything involving needles, we may have a solution for you: Wrinkle patches.
Wrinkle patches have been popping up all over our social media pages. Variations of the products have garnered millions of views on TikTok, with users posting impressive before-and-after results, demonstrating how the patches faded their fine lines and wrinkles with regular wear.
Since it almost sounds too good to be true, we tapped two top dermatologists to hear more about how the patches work — and if they really do. Plus, we rounded up some top options that you can shop, including editor favorites.
Best with retinol$undefined$29.99
What are wrinkle patches?
Wrinkle patches are patches (typically made of adhesive paper or silicone) that cover an area of the skin to decrease mobility and prevent or improve the appearance of wrinkles, explains Dr. Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology.
"The theory is that they prevent movement of the skin and therefore the creation of wrinkles," says Dr. Mary Stevenson, associate professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "Some also purport that they prevent moisture from leaving the skin, therefore plumping it as you retain moisture."
Do wrinkle patches actually work?
While people on social media have seen some promising results, the answer to the question of whether or not they will really have a positive effect on your skin isn't so straightforward. "They can, but it's important to understand that while they can have a positive effect, is it a long-term effect or a short-term effect? I think it's probably more of a short-term benefit," Shah says.
If you wear one of the patches overnight — which Shah says is the most typical way to wear it — it's going to prevent mobility of the skin throughout the night. So, when you wake up, you may not notice those "sleep wrinkles" that can sometimes form as you snooze.
"On top of that, the wrinkle patches are going to prevent water loss from the skin, so the skin will appear more hydrated and plump," she says.
The effects also depend on how often you wear them. "If you wear them for long periods of time regularly then, yes, theoretically they work," Stevenson says. It's another step that you can take, like sleeping on your back, that can help prevent lines from being formed.
Overall, you'll likely notice the effects start to wane throughout the day. "When you wake up and you take it off, that's going to be when it's at its most effective," Shah says. "But, as you go through the day, you make facial expressions, you move your face around, those lines are going to start to reform."
Best wrinkle patches, according to editors
TikTok famous:
Wrinkles Schminkles is one of the most popular options on TikTok. In fact, one video from the brand featuring the product racked up over 3.3 million likes. The reusable patches (which the brand says you can use up to 10 times) are designed to be applied to your forehead area to prevent wrinkles.
Jennifer Birkhofer, the vice president of commerce at NBC News, uses these patches (along with the brand’s patches for eyes and lips). She says, “I started using these patches recently. Over Christmas, I went to dinner with some girlfriends, and one of them, who looks incredibly youthful (and whose forehead has never shown a wrinkle), said she uses silicone patches every night.”
Birkhofer continues, “I was shocked and immediately bought some. I don’t sleep in these every night, but I try to a few times a week when I want my skin to look and feel smooth in the morning. They are surprisingly easy to sleep in and far cheaper than other wrinkle solutions I’ve heard of.”
For corner wrinkles:
Frownies are another popular option on social media and Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach is a fan. These patches are designed to target wrinkles around the corners of your eyes and mouth. To see results, the brand says that you should wear the patches for at least three hours at a time.
For small areas:
These smaller patches are great for targeting areas like your smile lines, the elevens between your brows or crow's feet. "I love these so far," says deals editor Rebecca Brown. "Unlike other patches, they’re so easy to apply (other options I’ve tried you have to cut and work hard to get them to lay flat). Also, other versions I’ve tried actually leave wrinkles on my skin! Not with these. Super easy to apply and peel off, limited discomfort if any when peeling. I’ve used them for almost two weeks so far and all good things."
Infused with ingredients:
These patches use microneedling technology and are infused with collagen, hyaluronic acid, caffeine and peptides to help plump and revive the skin, says the brand. You can wear them wherever you’re looking to target fine lines, including: under the eyes, around the mouth and on the forehead.
“I tend to hold stress in my face, leaving small wrinkles in between my eyebrows and around my mouth. These patches helped to not only hydrate but also erase those small fine lines. I use them about once a month on those wrinkled areas and they leave my skin rejuvenated,” says former Shop TODAY intern Domonique Tolliver.
Top wrinkle patches, according to shoppers
Viral brand:
This popular and editor-loved brand is known for its hydrocolloid acne patches, but the brand now offers microdart patches that target fine lines for crow’s feet, frown lines and more.
Reusable mask:
This reusable forehead mask is meant to be used with your favorite serums or after your skin care for up to 30 minutes. According to the brand, it’s made of 100% silicone and just needs to be washed with warm water after each use.
Microneedling patches:
You may know this brand for its hydrocolloid acne patches, but now Peace Out is getting into the wrinkle game with these microneedling patches. According to the brand, the patches contain retinol and have 450 hyaluronic micro-needles that dissolve into your skin to soften fine lines around your eyes, frown lines or any deep-set wrinkles.
Multiple patches included:
Containing retinol, peptides and hyaluronic acid, these wrinkle patches can be used anywhere you're looking to target facial lines, says the brand. The patches are made with 80 "micro-cones" that are meant to dissolve into your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines in just two hours.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team spoke with a board-certified dermatologist as well as a dermatologic surgeon about what wrinkle patches are (and how, exactly, they help reduce fine lines within aging skin). We then searched the internet for popular patches to include, keeping the experts' lessons in mind while choosing. We chose patches with an over 4-star average rating at multiple retailers. While most patches here are made purely with silicone, some include extra ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Sejal Shah, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology in New York City. She practices all aspects of dermatology, with expertise in cosmetic dermatology and lasers, hair loss and ethnic skin.
- Dr. Mary Stevenson, MD, is an associate professor at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. As a dermatologic surgeon, she specializes in Mohs surgery along with laser and cosmetic procedures.
