Garnier Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer

Bottom line

Garnier Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer aims to combine the benefits of a moisturizer with those of a serum into one single-step formula. It contains a small amount of retinol and vitamin E, but reviewers say there isn't enough of either ingredient to make much of a difference. If you're looking for a decent moisturizer but don't care much about the anti-aging benefits, this may be a suitable option. Otherwise, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream -- Night (*Est. $13 for 1.4 oz.) is likely to produce more noticeable results.

Performance

Minute amount of good-for-skin ingredients: Health and Self magazines praise Garnier Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer for containing anti-aging ingredients -- namely retinol -- that help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Paula Begoun, skin care expert and author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," says the wrinkle cream isn't likely to be very effective because it contains very little retinol and other state-of-the-art ingredients are in short supply, as well. She notes that the 2-in-1 moisturizer contains vitamin E, but not enough to be of much benefit.

Reviewers at Amazon.com, where the formula earns an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, have mixed opinions. Some saw noticeable results; many didn't. One user says, "I didn't notice any major differences in my skin/fine lines after using an entire bottle, though, so I doubt it's any kind of miracle product. But it seemed to moisturize just fine."

Feel and smell

Great texture: Reviewers say Garnier 2-in-1 has a nice texture that feels good on the skin, but it's a bit on the thick side. Begoun explains that the formula "contains a standard roster of slip agents and thickeners to create a cushiony feel" and notes that it feels more like a lotion than a serum on the skin. Some users don't like the smell of the wrinkle cream, but most don't mention it at all. Several also complain the formula balls up under makeup.