“My friends thought I'd done something...”
By Martina Berger | Health & Beauty Editor | Updated: March 2026 · 8-week practical test · 5 products tested
5 wrinkle creams tested: only one did this (in 7 days, for under €29,95)
I’m 54 years old—and until a few months ago, I consistently avoided family photos.
Not because I’m shy, but because in every photo I saw the deep lines between my nose and mouth, which made my face look stern, exhausted, and somehow unfamiliar.
In the mirror, I saw a woman I barely recognized. Inside, I felt alive—but on the outside, my face told a different story.So I decided to take matters into my own hands—without sponsored recommendations, without advertising partners.
I bought the five best-selling anti-wrinkle creams in Ireland at my own expense and tested them daily on myself for eight weeks: Timeless, Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler, NIVEA Q10, L’Oréal Revitalift, and Vichy LiftActiv Supreme.
I photographed my face weekly under identical conditions and documented every change—or lack thereof.
The result surprised me—and, to be honest, it also made me angry.
Four out of five products had literally no effect on my nasolabial folds.
Only one visibly smoothed out my smile lines in 7 days—and it wasn’t the most expensive one.
Here’s my complete, unfiltered report.
What I Had to Learn About Smile Lines (Before I Stopped Wasting Money)
“Most anti-wrinkle creams fail to treat nasolabial folds because they only moisturize the surface.
Deep mouth wrinkles occur due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the middle layers of the skin—and pure hyaluronic acid or CoQ10 products simply can’t reach those layers structurally.
They feel good, but they don’t address the actual cause.” - Dr. Sandra Hoffmann
Dermatologist & anti-aging specialist, Dublin
The Problem No One Talks About
I used to think the same thing as most women: A good cream with hyaluronic acid will plump up the wrinkles.
It sounds logical—but unfortunately, it’s wrong.
Hyaluronic acid is an excellent moisture-retaining agent, but it doesn’t stimulate collagen production.
It sits on the surface, making the skin softer—and the nasolabial folds remain where they are.
The real problem lies deeper: Smile lines occur because, starting in your 30s, collagen production declines by about 1% per year, and even faster after menopause.
The skin’s structure loses its internal support—and no moisturizer in the world can repair that.
The Irish Consumer Council has confirmed exactly this in a controlled test:
- All nine standard anti-wrinkle creams tested received a rating of “unsatisfactory”—no measurable difference from a simple moisturizer.
I didn’t know this for years. I tried cream after cream—from pharmacies, from grocery stores, and expensive ones from the internet.
The same result every time: My skin felt softer, I felt briefly hopeful, and then I realized that the lines between my nose and mouth simply hadn’t changed.
I thought I was doing something wrong.
In reality, the products simply lacked what’s actually needed to combat deep nasolabial folds.
What’s needed: A substance that directly influences collagen metabolism and forces the fibroblasts to rebuild the supporting tissue from the inside out.
"Retinol is the most well-documented active ingredient in dermatology for treating deep wrinkles—this isn’t a marketing claim; it’s science.
It penetrates through the stratum corneum into the dermis, where it directly activates collagen synthesis.
Newer Dual-Retinol formulations combine two forms of retinol for even deeper penetration while offering better skin tolerance—that’s the crucial step that conventional creams never take.
After just 7 days, histological studies show measurable improvements in the extracellular matrix—that’s the difference between cosmetics and real results.”
Dr. Sandra Hoffmann - Dermatologist & anti-aging specialist, Dublin
My 3 Test Criteria for Nasolabial Folds
✔ Deep collagen stimulation
The product must penetrate the middle layers of the skin and actively stimulate collagen synthesis—not just moisturize the surface.
✔ Visible results in days, not months
When it comes to nasolabial folds, women don’t have the patience for 12-week promises—the effects must be visible quickly.
✔ Safe & gentle for mature skin
The product must work without causing harsh irritation—dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types.
So I bought the 5 best-selling products for mouth wrinkles in Ireland and tested them daily for 8 weeks under consistent conditions: same time of day, same lighting when taking photos, no other skincare products in the test area.
None of the products were sponsored—I bought and paid for them all myself. Here are my detailed experiences with each product:
🥇 1st Place — Test Winner. Timeless™ Dual-Retinol Serum for Smile Lines & Nasolabial Folds
Over 8,200 customers. 9.6 / 10 ★★★★★ Test winner ✔
When I held Timeless in my hands for the first time, my expectations were, honestly, close to zero.
In this test, I’d already tried Eucerin, Vichy, and L’Oréal—and each time, the same pattern: My skin felt softer after a week, I felt a brief glimmer of hope, and then I realized that the lines between my nose and mouth simply hadn’t changed.
Timeless was my last attempt.
Still, I applied it. In the morning, for one minute.
On the seventh day, I laid out my weekly photos side by side—and paused for a moment.
The nasolabial folds looked different. Less deep.
I told myself I was imagining it. But by week two, the doubt was gone:
The lines between my nose and mouth had noticeably smoothed out. For the first time in a long time, I recognized my own face in the mirror.
After eight weeks, a friend asked me over coffee if I’d had something done.
If I’d had B0tox. I had to laugh. I hadn’t had anything done.
I’d just applied Timeless™ every morning—once, for one minute, and that was it.
“I had been waiting so long for a change—and then suddenly it was there. My daughter looked at me and asked, ‘Mom, you look so rested. What are you doing differently?’ That was the moment I knew: Tidløs had really worked.”
Benefits
On day 7, I noticed the first difference—right on my smile lines
Finally, something that really works deep down—no more surface hydration
My face looks firmer—without a single needle
Absorbs in seconds—I almost forget I’ve applied it
Approved by over 230 dermatologists in Ireland—I feel safe
€29.95 with a 50% discount—less than what a single beautician session costs per month
No redness, no irritation—even after months
One minute in the morning. That’s all.
30-day money-back guarantee—I didn’t hesitate for a second
Officially certified—not an experiment, but genuine active-ingredient skincare.
Cons
Available only online—not in grocery stores
Occasionally sold out due to high demand
Apply daily in the morning for best results
2nd Place - Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day cream with hyaluronic acid, available at pharmacies.
6.2 / 10 ★★★☆☆
Eucerin is one of the best-known skincare brands in Ireland—and I was equally hopeful.
The cream absorbed comfortably, my skin felt softer after a week, and my trust in the brand is undoubtedly high.
The problem: After an 8-week test, there wasn’t a single measurable difference in my nasolabial folds.
This isn’t due to the quality of the brand—it’s because hyaluronic acid, as the main active ingredient, is structurally incapable of smoothing out deep mouth wrinkles.
Even Eucerin recommends professional treatments for pronounced nasolabial folds on its own website—a subtle hint that the cream alone isn’t enough.
Rated just 2.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Pros
Well-known, trustworthy skincare brand
Pleasant texture, suitable for sensitive skin
Wide range of products (day, night, eyes)
Cons
No deep-acting effect—hyaluronic acid does not stimulate collagen
Eucerin itself recommends professional treatments for deep mouth wrinkles
Trustpilot 2.1 / 5—lack of effectiveness, skin irritations
3rd Place - NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Power - Day cream with coenzyme Q10 from a grocery store
4.8 / 10★★☆☆☆
NIVEA Q10 is one of the best-selling anti-wrinkle products in Ireland—and that is precisely the problem.
Its mass popularity creates a sense of trust that the efficacy data does not justify.
In a double-blind test, the Consumer Council found that all nine anti-wrinkle creams tested—including NIVEA Q10—received a rating of “unsatisfactory.”
There was no measurable difference compared to a simple moisturizer.
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant—good for cell protection, but with no documented effect against deep facial wrinkles.
My own 8-week experience: pleasant scent, softer skin—nasolabial folds unchanged.
Pros
Very affordable and widely available
Pleasant texture, absorbs quickly
Cons
Consumer Council: “unsatisfactory”—no anti-wrinkle effect
Q10 = purely antioxidant, no collagen stimulator
“Smells good, but does nothing”—frequent feedback from users
Puffiness around the eyes documented in user reports
No collagen-stimulating active ingredient
4th Place - L’Oréal Revitalift Filler - Day Cream with Pro-Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid
4.2 / 10 ★★☆☆☆
L’Oréal Revitalift markets itself with “Pro-Retinol”—and that sounds promising.
The problem: Pro-Retinol (retinyl palmitate) is the weakest form of retinol on the market.
It must first undergo several enzymatic conversions in the body before it becomes active at all—and, according to cosmetic science, loses up to 95% of its potential potency in the process.
In plain language: Pro-Retinol has about 1/20th the effectiveness of real retinol. It may be sufficient for fine lines—but certainly not for deep smile lines.
The Consumer Council rates Revitalift as “unsatisfactory.”
After an 8-week test: My nasolabial folds remained unchanged.
Pros
Very well-known brand, high level of trust
Pleasant texture and scent
Cons
Pro-Retinol = only 1/20th the potency of real retinol
Consumer Council: “unsatisfactory”
Mild irritation possible—with no benefit
“No visible difference after 4 weeks”
No real collagen stimulator despite retinol branding
Contains a weak retinol derivative
5th Place - Vichy LiftActiv Supreme - Anti-aging day cream with ramnose and vitamin C from the pharmacy
Vichy Lift Activ Supreme costs up to €45,95—and that makes it even more disappointing when you see the Consumer Council’s rating: “unsatisfactory.”
The most expensive product in the test delivered the weakest results.
Rhamnose, the main active ingredient, is a plant sugar with no clinically documented effect on deep nasolabial folds. In addition, there’s user criticism about a strong scent that makes applying makeup difficult, as well as reports of half-full containers.
My conclusion after 8 weeks: I’ve spent over €249.95 per year on a product that doesn’t even come close to Timeless™—which costs only than €29.95.
Pros
Strong pharmacy brand with a dermatological focus
Cons
Consumer Council rating: “unsatisfactory”
€36,95– €59.95 per jar—over €249,95 €/year for zero results
Ramnose = plant sugar, no collagen stimulator
Strong scent—makes applying makeup afterward difficult
Reports of half-full containers
“Doesn’t penetrate deeply enough”
no true collagen stimulator
Practical Overview: Overall Results at a Glance
Timeless™ ★★★★★ 9.6 / 10
How it works: Dual-Retinol — Collagen stimulation in the dermis
Results: From day 7
Price: €29.95
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler ★★★☆☆ 6.2 / 10
How it works: Hyaluronic acid — surface-level, no collagen
Results: No deep-acting effect
Price: €34.95
NIVEA Q10 ★★☆☆☆ 4.8 / 10
How it works: Coenzyme Q10 — antioxidant
Results: “unsatisfactory”
Price: €19.95
L’Oréal Revitalift ★★☆☆☆ 4.2 / 10
How it works: Pro-Retinol (1/20 potency)
Result: “unsatisfactory”
Price: €39.99
Vichy LiftActiv Supreme ★★☆☆☆ 3.5 / 10
How it works: Rhamnose + Vitamin C
Result: Grade 5.0
Price: €38.00
The result was clear—only Timeless™ met all three criteria and was the only product to deliver visible improvements in deep nasolabial folds.
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🏆 Our Conclusion: Only One Product Really Worked
After 8 weeks and more than €149.95 spent on tested products, the conclusion is painfully clear:
Eucerin offers a good moisturizer, but it has no deep-acting effect on smile lines.
NIVEA Q10 and L’Oréal Revitalift received a “not satisfactory” rating from the Consumer Council—no measurable difference from a basic moisturizer.
Vichy LiftActiv Supreme is the most expensive product in the test and performed the worst—“not satisfactory” according to the Consumer Council, with a strong scent and ramnose lacking clinical documentation.
TImeless is the clear test winner—and that’s due to a single, decisive difference: the Dual-Retinol Complex.
This complex combines two forms of retinol that together penetrate deep into the dermis, activate the fibroblasts there, and directly stimulate collagen synthesis—clinically confirmed by over 230 dermatologists in Ireland.
The result: Visibly smoothed nasolabial folds starting on day 7, noticeably firmer skin after 4 weeks—and friends asking if you’ve had B0tox.
If you suffer from deep mouth wrinkles or nasolabial folds, have already tried everything, and don’t want B0tox—then Timeless is the only option in this test that I can recommend to you with a clear conscience.
With 50% off for €29,95 with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you literally risk nothing—and, in the best-case scenario, you’ll get your face back.
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