While an in-office procedure is the only way to physically tighten your skin, the best skin-tightening creams provide a hardworking dose of sag-reducing active ingredients such as retinoids, peptides, and vitamin C. With all skin care, consistency is key to seeing the best results, like improving skin laxity. (Again, said results won’t reach those of surgical levels, but will still be noticeable!) Just ask Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami. “When it comes to topicals, we can see improvement in fine lines and textural changes with consistent use [of creams],” she notes.
Like Dr. Woolery-Lloyd’s professionally administered treatments, these creams also encourage collagen production to firm and smooth skin, lending it that “tighter” look over time. Sure, they take a little longer to deliver subtler results, but they’re a serious upgrade from your usual moisturizer if you’re dealing with crepey or sagging skin and act as a preventative measure for stalling said concerns from developing further. We tapped editors and board-certified dermatologists to break down how these creams work—and what makes their favorites stand out.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced, $185
- Best for Dry Skin: Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream, $98
- Best for Neck and Décolletage: Alastin Skincare Restorative Neck Complex, $158
- Best Night Cream: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night, $145
- Best for Body: SkinMedica Firm and Tone Lotion, $165
- Best for Early Signs of Sagging: Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream EX, $124
- Best for Dry Skin: Bioheal Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream, $40
- Best for Jawline: StriVectin Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream, $99
- Best for Advanced Retinol Users: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel, $40
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Neocutis Bio Serum Firm, $290
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced
Why it’s worth it: SkinCeuticals’ A.G.E. Interruptor Advanced is one of our favorite moisturizers for mature skin for its nourishing, balm-like feel that complements other active-packed serums. The key plumping ingredient is Proxylane, the brand’s proprietary post-biotic ferment extract. It boosts your skin’s natural levels of hydrating complex sugars, called glycan, for dewier, suppler skin. The formula also uses antioxidant-rich blueberry extract to offset the skin’s decline in collagen, which can occur from aging and sun exposure. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, calls this formula a “great, thicker cream that provides improvement for age-related changes, as well as hydration.” Because this moisturizes skin and doesn’t contain actives, you can pair it with retinoids at night for a cell-turnover, fine-line-smoothing boost. It can also extend the results of in-office tightening treatments, like radio-frequency and ultrasound.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“In the daytime, my combo skin and I adore a lightweight gel-cream, but come nighttime, I reach for a thicker cream that creates a strong seal for all of the essences and serums I slather on. SkinCeuticals’ A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced is one of the all-timers—it’s rich but not overly heavy, a.k.a. it melts into my skin quickly. I especially love that it’s targeted towards fine lines because, while I’m not considered mature yet, I’ve been seeing more faint forehead lines pop up and I want to do everything in my power (even though aging is a blessing!) to maintain elasticity and glow. A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced is the perfect nightcap, hard stop.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: Proxylane, blueberry extract, glycyrrhetinic acid
- Who it’s for: all skin types, including sensitive
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Why it’s worth it: It’s easy for firming creams to simply flood the skin with moisture to temporarily create a smoother look, but Medik8’s Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream gets to work underneath the surface, helping your skin rebuild itself rather than just masking fine lines. “This cream firms the skin by stimulating collagen and elastin over time, supporting skin recovery, and defending against collagen damage. The patented Growth Factor MiniProtein mimics your skin’s natural growth factors, and its ultra-small size allows it to penetrate more effectively,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. If you’re noticing more lines or that your skin isn’t quite as springy as it used to be, this cream delivers the kind of collagen-supporting power that, with consistent use, helps skin look bouncier and more resilient.
“I’ve been a dedicated user of Medik8’s Liquid Peptides Advanced serum for some time now, so I pounced on the Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream when the samples landed in our office. While I don’t have noticeable wrinkles—yet—to track progress against, I do notice an overall plumping effect to my skin when consistently using this moisturizer. The finish is really satin-y, absorbs quickly (a through line with Medik8, I’ll always award bonus points for speedy application), and I really feel like my skin texture and tone have never been better.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
- Key ingredients: carnosine, squalane, shea butter, ceramides, collagen amino acids
- Who it’s for: people with mature, sagging, or dull skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Neck and Décolletage: Alastin Skincare Restorative Neck Complex
Why it’s worth it: Smoothing and firming the delicate neck and chest areas isn’t something more topical creams can easily pull off, but Alastin Skincare Restorative Neck Complex Hydrating Lotion uses a patented peptide blend to get the job done. “It’s designed with TriHex Technology and antioxidants to firm, hydrate, improve elasticity, and reduce discoloration due to sun damage,” says Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago, Illinois. The fast-absorbing formula helps clear out damaged collagen and elastin, making room for healthier new fibers. And if you have uneven skin tone, you’re in luck: “The addition of phyto-antioxidants, along with the inclusion of niacinamide, allows this formula to improve hyperpigmentation,” adds Quynh-Giao Sartor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Houston, Texas. The lightweight texture feels more like a serum than a cream, making it easy to smooth one pump from jawline to décolleté.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“Do I always have time to use neck cream? Not really—but I do whenever I remember, since I don’t always bring my skin-care products down to my décolleté (as the experts recommend). I love Alastin across the board, and appreciate that this stuff, which absorbs quickly and feels nourishing, delivers those same benefits below the face. So far, it’s done the trick to fade dark spots, and I’m hoping the investment pays off on wrinkles and lines down the road.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: peptides, phytoene, flaxseed extract
- Who it’s for: people with sagging or crepey skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Night Cream: Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night
Why it’s worth it: The Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night Face Moisturizer may not lean on aggressive actives, but it still does an impressive job at boosting elasticity and delivering results similar to stronger formulas. This face cream swaps the harsher add-ins for hydrating hyaluronic acid and curry plant extract, which is rich in moisture-sealing antioxidants for all-around softer, bouncier skin by morning. Isdin’s night cream is also infused with carnosine, an anti-inflammatory amino acid that can help depuff swollen under-eyes. Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, says this combination of hydrating and firming ingredients increases the volume of your skin, making it appear fuller, and compares the effect to a sponge that goes from dry to damp. “When wet, the sponge expands to occupy more space, giving a plumping effect,” Dr. Shamban explains.
“The Isdin Isdinceutics Age Contour Night moisturizer is incredibly silky and glides on so smoothly. I’ve been using it mostly on my neck to help combat some serious tech neck, but I’ve also started slathering it over stretch marks on my inner thighs and the backs of my arms, as the hydration is next-level. It leaves my skin feeling plump and soft without any greasy residue. It’s too soon to notice any real tightening, but I love how it makes my skin feel plumper and firmer where I need it most.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, curry plant extract, carnosine
- Who it’s for: dry skin, sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Body: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion
SkinMedica
Firm & Tone Lotion for Body
Why it’s worth it: When 96% of your skin is on your body, it deserves just as much attention as your face—especially because body skin is thicker, less oily, and often slower to repair itself, making it more prone to laxity. SkinMedica’s Firm & Tone Lotion makes a compelling case for giving it extra TLC if you’re noticing sagginess from the neck down. “It includes green microalgae and shitake mushroom extracts to support collagen and elastin production, ginger root extract and grapefruit peel oil for antioxidant defense, and coffee arabica seed oil to help improve skin elasticity and firmness,” says Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who considers it a good body cream for anyone concerned about crepiness. It also contains caffeine (which offers a temporary tightening effect by constricting blood vessels) to help skin look noticeably more lifted.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
“I’ll admit I often fail at moisturizing my body, mostly because I hate the feel of sticky lotion against my clothes. This body lotion absorbs so quickly though that I have no more excuses. It’s more than just a nicely scented hydrating balm too (it reminds me a bit of lemon curd), because it also contains smoothing peptides and caffeine.” —Alessandra Foresto, Allure managing editor
- Key ingredients: green microalgae, shitake mushroom, coffea arabica seed oil, ginger extract, caffeine
- Who it’s for: people experiencing body sagginess or crepiness
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Early Signs of Sagging: Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream EX
Sulwhasoo
Essential Firming Cream EX
Why it’s worth it: K-beauty brands have long understood the assignment: If you want to stick to a routine, the product has to feel so good that you want to put it on. The smooth, almost whipped texture of Sulwhasoo’s Essential Firming Cream EX is exactly that—plush, comforting, and instantly rewarding. “As a Korean-American dermatologist and K-beauty lover, I cannot mention skin-tightening creams without mentioning this Sulwhasoo cream. The texture is luxurious and does double duty in hydrating while smoothing out saggy skin,” says Dr. Yoo, who adds that you can see noticeable improvements in skin texture and fine lines with continued use. With its proprietary blend of traditional Korean herb extracts (peony, lotus seed, white lily, rehmannia, and Solomon’s seal), plus adenosine and squalane to keep skin springy and improve elasticity, it’s a sensorial step that also delivers real firming perks.
- Key ingredients: Jisun Firming Complex (goji berry extract, arrowroot extract, hydrolyzed soybean, carnosine)
- Who it’s for: people concerned with firmness, wrinkles, or elasticity
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Barrier Repair: Bioheal Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream
Bioheal
Bioheal Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream
Why it’s worth it: “Slow aging” is one of K-beauty’s key principles: Instead of chasing dramatic quick fixes, you support your skin’s longevity through gentle actives, barrier care, and consistency. Bioheal’s Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream aligns with that philosophy through its probiotic-rich Probioderm complex—featuring lactobacillus ferment lysate and prebiotic sugars—which helps strengthen the skin barrier, in turn improving firmness and elasticity. “It also includes a deeply hydrating 17-peptide complex, which rejuvenates the skin and enhances elasticity,” says Dr. Yoo. With adenosine, beta-glucan, and meadowfoam seed oil in the mix, it’s a lifting cream that’s all about long-term skin health. “It has a non-greasy texture that easily absorbs on contact, not to mention a really delightful smell,” she says.
- Key ingredients: lactobacillus ferment lysate, peptides, adenosine, meadowfoam seed oil
- Who it’s for: people with dry skin in need of barrier repair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Jawline: StriVectin Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream
StriVectin
Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream
Why it’s worth it: Because we lose about 1% of collagen each year and elastin declines even faster, the jawline—which relies heavily on those structural proteins—naturally starts to soften. So, if your jaw and neck areas are looking a bit less defined than they used to, StriVectin’s Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream is one of the most targeted options out there. “If you have concerns about sagging skin around the jawline and downward cheek folds, the formula targets skin laxity specifically with a combination of elastin-targeting peptides, thyme extract liposomes, and glycolipids that work together to tighten and lift the skin,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, AL. And thanks to the fast-absorbing texture, it’s effortless to incorporate into your routine, he adds.
- Key ingredients: thyme extract liposomes, glycolipids, sodium hyaluronate
- Who it’s for: people who want more contour definition around the jawline
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Advanced Retinol Users: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Adapalene Gel
Why it’s worth it: People with oily skin will love the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel’s lightweight, fast-drying formula. This oil-free retinol gel is beloved for its formulation that targets multiple textural and tone concerns without the heavy, rich texture of other creams. The key retinoid in this formula is adapalene, a prescription-strength retinoid that’s more intensive than your usual retinol. “Retinoids like this one can even out skin tone, increase collagen production, and even treat acne and acne scarring,” says Angelo Landriscina, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Its mattifying finish minimizes oil and sebum production, leaving skin velvety-smooth without a greasy film.
- Key ingredients: adapelene (0.1%)
- Who it’s for: oily skin, acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Neocutis Bio Serum Firm
Why it’s worth it: Peptides serve as a gentler alternative to retinol, making Neocutis’s Bio Serum Firm a great choice for individuals seeking a gentle yet effective option for aging skin. Peptides function as a gentler alternative to retinol, making Neocutis’s Bio Serum Firm a great bet for people looking for an easygoing but still effective option. Neocutis Bio Serum Firm “contains a blend of proprietary peptides and human growth factors, as well as hyaluronic acid to restore skin hydration and boost collagen,” says Dr. Chang. It’s the growth factors that make this formula unique: They encourage cells to revive their skin cell functions, like cell turnover and collagen production, making this a great pick for anyone with irritated skin or a disrupted skin barrier.
If you have particularly dry skin, consider the brand’s Bio Serum Firm Riche, which is designed to be more moisturizing than its original iteration.
- Key ingredients: growth factors, peptides, argan oil
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive, loose skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cream that really tightens skin?
Again, a firming cream can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and improve elasticity—as in, giving skin some bounce and suppleness—but no topical formula can actually tighten skin, which requires collagen remodeling on a much deeper level.
Still, certain ingredients can help, with retinoids being among the best. These are “vitamin A derivatives that can increase skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen,” says Dr. Chang. “Retinoids have been shown to clinically reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin texture and complexion.” Sensitive skin types should keep in mind that retinoids can be irritating, so be wary and patch-test before applying. If you’re too reactive to retinoids pregnant and/or breastfeeding, or want another active to enhance your existing retinol, Dr. Chang also recommends peptides. These short chains of amino acids improve skin hydration and support collagen production, leaving skin feeling more firm and supple over time.
On the antioxidant side, vitamin C, and niacinamide also promote collagen production and reduce the oxidative damage that can break down the skin’s protein, leaving skin loose and crepey over time. Finally, “Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to plump and hydrate the skin to give a more youthful appearance,” adds Dr. Chang.
The best ingredients may ultimately depend on your skin type. For instance, if your skin is dehydrated, consider using formulas with glycerin, squalane, or hyaluronic acid, whereas people with sensitive skin might want to use peptides instead of retinol.
What do dermatologists recommend for tightening skin?
If you want truly unmissable skin-tightening results, visit a board-certified dermatologist. There are two routes of tightening skin in the office: ultrasound and radiofrequency. These “stimulate collagen on a deeper plane to tighten and lift saggy skin more effectively,” says Dr. Chang.
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is a fan of Ultherapy, which “uses high-frequency ultrasound to tighten skin,” she says. That ultrasound energy heats the very deep layers of skin, triggering the body’s wound response. Meanwhile, radiofrequency devices, such as Thermage, also reach the deeper layers of skin, heating it to trigger new collagen production.
Meet the experts
- Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Dermatology Physicians based in Chicago, Illinois
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic, based in New York City
- Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City
- Quynh-Giao Sartor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Houston, Texas
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, AL
- Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City
- Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best skin-tightening creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from two dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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