Getting older means getting wiser. It also means that our skin might be getting a little crepey — and not in the cool, Halloween-type way. Over the years, aging skin loses its laxity, causing not only wrinkles but sagging too. So, can using the best skin-tightening cream out there help address this totally normal yet kind of annoying issue? Well, yes and no. Truth is, you could swim in a giant vat containing all of the best anti-aging skin care products, but it’s not going to give you the same firming result as a facelift.
“It’s important to note that at-home tightening creams take time to work, and their effectiveness is minimal and not as prominent as in-office treatments,” explains Dr. Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. “There are a slew of minimally invasive treatments that utilize radio frequency and ultrasound, micro-needling, and laser treatments that work to stimulate collagen production. The changes are more noticeable [with those], especially after two to three months.”
Still, he says, at-home skin-tightening creams aren’t total BS. “As the skin ages, the scaffolding in the skin’s extracellular matrix that keeps the skin taut — namely, collagen and elastin — degrades due to time and cumulative UV damage,” says Ibrahim. “The skin also produces less and less collagen and at a slower rate, leading to saggy skin.” For the skin to truly tighten, Ibrahim says it’s necessary to help the skin repair that scaffolding — that’s why most of the tightening creams he recommends contain collagen-boosting ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol and some peptides.
With those ingredients in mind, Ibrahim recommends the following as the best skin-tightening creams to help with crepiness and sagginess. Note: These still won’t deliver, or even promise, “instant tightening” as other products (like the viral Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Eye) do. That’s because “instant” firming products don’t work the same way as, let’s say, a retinol cream. “[Instant tightening products] contain ingredients that form a film to pull the skin taut temporarily,” says Ibrahim. So while you may see a tiny immediate result, he admits, it will not last.
Table of contents
Best skin-tightening cream of 2024
Other dermatologist-recommended skin-tightening creams
Best skin-tightening cream of 2024
Skintensive
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, wrinkle-smoothing, collagen-boosting | Formulation: Cream | Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, retinol and sea buckthorn berry | Size: 1.6 oz. | Skin type: Mature, dry, sensitive, eczema-prone
According to Ibrahim, retinol and bakuchiol are two key ingredients for any firming product, so it makes sense that he recommends this face cream. Both help increase collagen production, though bakuchiol is often touted as a natural alternative to retinol, as it has fewer side effects and tends to be less irritating. So why would you need both ingredients in this cream, you ask? Turns out that bakuchiol and retinol can work together — really well. In fact, research shows that bakuchiol can actually enhance the effectiveness of retinol while helping to stabilize it.
Alongside that power duo, this cream also contains sea buckthorn berry, which reduces inflammation in the skin, is rich in antioxidants and hydrates the skin. Users describe having firmer-looking skin that’s also brighter and more moisturized and even-toned with fewer noticeable wrinkles.
- Formulated by Harvard-trained dermatologists
- Made entirely in the U.S. with straightforward ingredients
- Designed for eczema-prone and sensitive skin types
- Contains 3% bakuchiol and 0.25% retinol
- Made with antioxidant and collagen-stimulating ingredients
- Contains coconut oil, which is highly comedogenic
- Some users complain of a chemical-like scent
- Some say it feels greasy
Other dermatologist-recommended skin-tightening creams
RoC
Benefits: Wrinkle-smoothing, collagen-boosting | Formulation: Cream | Key ingredients: Retinol, mineral complex, squalane | Size: 1 oz. | Skin type: All
Retinoids, or products that contain topical vitamin A, are something that Ibrahim says to look for in skin-tightening creams. Makes sense — retinoids are extremely popular among skin care fans and one of the most studied compounds due to their numerous benefits for the skin. They stimulate the production of collagen, thicken the outer layer of the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles, allowing the skin to appear tightened.
This RoC night cream uses a stabilized proprietary retinol combined with a mineral complex, moisture-boosting glycerin and squalane for firmer skin and less visible wrinkles. On Amazon, it has received almost 15,000 five-star reviews that praise the product for making skin “firm, smooth, soft and wrinkle-free.” One over-60 reviewer called the change in her skin “dramatic,” saying that other people “really notice the difference in the firming effect.”
- Noncomedogenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- PETA-approved and cruelty-free
- Noticeable improvement in 12 weeks
- Some users complain about the fragrance
- Retinol percentage unclear
- May experience tingling or redness
Glytone
Benefits: Firming, wrinkle-smoothing, skin-plumping | Formulation: Cream | Key ingredients: Tetrapeptide complex, albizia extract, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid | Size: 1.7 oz. | Skin type: All
Peptides are another crucial skin-tightening ingredient, says Ibrahim, as they help build collagen, which in turn gives the skin a firmer appearance and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This night cream, which he recommends, contains an anti-aging tetrapeptide complex, which naturally activates the synthesis of collagen in the skin and stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes (which improves the skin’s elasticity). It also features hyaluronic acid to keep things plump and hydrated, and glycolic acid, which is great for sloughing away dead skin cells to make the complexion bright and glowy. Another interesting ingredient in the cream is albizia extract, which is high in antioxidants and meant to combat fatigued skin.
While this cream is suitable for most skin types, it is aimed at postmenopausal skin. If sagging or loose skin is a big issue, give this one a go. Multiple reviewers love how it “firms and tightens” the skin on their face and neck while also keeping it looking plump and moisturized.
- Suited for mature skin
- Works to even skin tone and texture
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
- Paraben-free
- No added fragrance, but some users complain about the smell
- Some users with sensitive skin experienced slight tingling
Skin-tightening cream FAQs
When should I start using a tightening cream?
Skin-tightening creams make sense for those of us who are over 40 and want to treat sagginess in the face or neck. However, there’s no hard-and-fast rule for the best age to start using them, according to Ibrahim. “Start tightening products around the time you feel like you are ready for Botox,” he states. “For some people, it can be as early as the mid-20s; for others, it may be the late 30s.” (Personally, I didn’t use them until my 40s.)
How often should I use a skin-tightening cream?
When it comes to frequency, there’s no real rule either. This depends on the formulation and each individual’s skin, says Ibrahim. “If it doesn’t irritate the skin, the product can be used daily,” he says. “For those with sensitive skin, use it two to three times a week.” If you’re using a new retinol-based firming product, like RoC Retinol Correxion, you’ll probably want to start off slow, even if you’re an experienced retinoid user. However, something like Glytone Peptide+ Overnight Restorative Cream might be OK to use daily unless you’re sensitive to glycolic acid.
How do you apply a skin-tightening cream?
Ibrahim says that people often neglect the neck, décolletage and hands when it comes to their skin care products. Don’t be one of them! “Make sure to extend your application below your jawline, all the way down to just above your rib cage. Use the same products on your hands,” he says. Another thing to keep in mind is the importance of sunscreen. “The best way to mitigate skin laxity is through prevention,” says Ibrahim. “Always wear SPF and apply liberally.”
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Olivia Martin celebrates the art of living well in her lifestyle articles. She explores topics ranging from travel and fashion to home decor and culinary delights, offering inspiration for readers seeking a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle.
