Getting older means getting wiser. It also means your skin will get a few wrinkles. But not the cool ones for Halloween. As the years go by, aging skin loses its slack and not only wrinkles but also sagging. So, can the best skin tightening creams on the market solve this very common yet annoying problem? The answer is yes and no. In truth, you can swim in a giant tub full of the best anti-aging skin care products, but they won’t give you the tightening effect of a facelift.
“It’s important to note that at-home firming creams take time to work, and the effects are minimal and not as noticeable as in-clinic treatments,” explains Omar Ibrahim, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery Dermatology. “There are many less-invasive treatments available that stimulate collagen production, such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, microneedling, and laser treatments, and the changes are more noticeable.” [with those]Especially in the next two to three months.”
Still, at-home skin-tightening creams aren’t all nonsense, says Ibrahim. “As skin ages, the scaffolding of the dermal extracellular matrix that keeps it taut — collagen and elastin — deteriorates over time and with accumulated UV damage,” says Ibrahim. “And your skin produces less and less collagen, and at a slower rate, which causes sagging.” To truly tighten your skin, Ibrahim says you need to help your skin repair that scaffolding, which is why most of the firming creams he recommends contain collagen-boosting ingredients, like retinol, bakuchiol, and some peptides.
With these ingredients in mind, Ibrahim recommends the following as the best skin-tightening creams for reducing wrinkles and sagging skin: Note: These creams don’t deliver or promise “instant results” like other products (like the much-talked-about Instant Firmx Eye from Peter Thomas Roth) because “instant” tightening products don’t work in the same way as, say, a retinol cream.[Instant tightening products] “They contain ingredients that create a temporary film that tightens the skin,” says Ibrahim, so while they may offer slight, immediate results, they won’t last, he acknowledges.
table of contents
Best Skin Tightening Creams of 2024
Other Dermatologist Recommended Skin Firming Creams
Frequently asked questions about skin tightening creams
Meet our experts
Best Skin Tightening Creams of 2024
Skating Intensive
advantage: Anti-inflammatory, wrinkle improvement, collagen boosting | Formulation: cream | Main ingredients: Bakuchiol, Retinol, Sea Buckthorn Berry | Size: 1.6 oz. | Skin Type: Mature, dry, sensitive, prone to eczema
According to Ibrahim, retinol and bakuchiol are two essential ingredients in firming products, so it’s no surprise that he recommends this face cream. While both stimulate collagen production, bakuchiol is often touted as a natural alternative to retinol because it has fewer side effects and is less irritating. So why do we need both ingredients in this cream? Bakuchiol and retinol can be used together and have been found to be very effective. In fact, studies have shown that bakuchiol enhances the effects of retinol and helps stabilize it.
In addition to these two powerful ingredients, the cream also contains antioxidant-rich, hydrating sea buckthorn berry, which reduces skin inflammation. Users report that their skin looks firmer, brighter, more hydrated, with fewer wrinkles and a more even complexion.
- Formulated by Harvard-Trained Dermatologists
- Made in the USA with simple ingredients
- Designed for eczema-prone and sensitive skin
- Contains 3% bactiol and 0.25% retinol
- Formulated with Antioxidants and Collagen Stimulating Ingredients
- Contains highly comedogenic coconut oil
- Some users complain of a chemical-like smell
- Some people find it greasy
$38 at Walmart
Other Dermatologist Recommended Skin Firming Creams
Russian Federation
advantage: Smoothes wrinkles and boosts collagen | Formulation: cream | Main ingredients: Retinol, Mineral Complex, Squalane | Size: 1 ounce. | Skin Type: all
According to Ibrahim, a must-have skin-firming cream is a product that contains a retinoid, or topical vitamin A. This makes sense, as retinoids are hugely popular among skincare enthusiasts and are one of the most researched compounds for their many skin benefits: They stimulate collagen production, thickening the outer layer of skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and firming the skin.
This RoC night cream uses a proprietary stabilized retinol combined with a mineral complex, hydrating glycerin, and squalane for skin-tightening and wrinkle-fighting benefits. On Amazon, the product has nearly 15,000 five-star reviews praising how it “firms, smooths, softens, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.” One reviewer, who is over 60, called the change to her skin “dramatic,” while others said they “really notice a difference in the tightening effect.”
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist Tested
- PETA Approved and Cruelty Free
- Noticeable improvement after 12 weeks
- Some users have complained about the scent
- Retinol percentage unknown
- You may experience a tingling sensation or redness
$18 on Amazon
Greton
advantage: Tightening, wrinkle removal, plumping of skin | Formulation: cream | Main ingredients: Tetrapeptide Complex, Albizia Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid | Size: 1.7 oz. | Skin Type: all
According to Ibrahim, peptides are one of the key ingredients in firming skin, helping with collagen production, firming the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The night cream he recommends contains an anti-aging tetrapeptide complex that naturally activates collagen synthesis in the skin, as well as hyaluronic acid, which stimulates keratinocyte proliferation (improving skin elasticity) to keep skin plump and hydrated, and glycolic acid, which sloughs off dead skin cells for a brighter, more radiant complexion. Another interesting ingredient in the cream is Albizia extract, which is high in antioxidants and fights tired skin.
This cream is suitable for most skin types, but it’s targeted at post-menopausal skin. If sagging, loose skin is a big issue for you, give this a try. Many reviewers love how it “firms and tightens” the skin on their face and neck, while leaving it plump and hydrated.
- Suitable for mature skin
- Evens Skin Tone and Texture
- Reduce the appearance of wrinkles
- Paraben Free
- Although there are no added fragrances, some users have complained about the smell.
- Some users with sensitive skin experienced a mild stinging sensation.
$86 on Amazon
Frequently asked questions about skin tightening creams
When should I start using a firming cream?
If you’re over 40 and looking to reduce loose skin around the face and neck, skin-tightening creams can help. But according to Ibrahim, there’s no hard and fast rule about the best age to start using them. “Start using skin-tightening products when you feel ready for Botox,” he says. “For some people, that might be in their mid-20s, and for others, in their late 30s.” (Personally, I didn’t start using skin-tightening creams until I was in my 40s.)
How often should I use skin tightening cream?
There’s also no set rule when it comes to frequency of use. This depends on the formulation and each individual’s skin, says Ibrahim. “You can use it every day if it’s not irritating to your skin,” he says. “People with sensitive skin should 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 slow, even if you’re an experienced retinoid user. However, something like Glytone Peptide + Overnight Restorative Cream might be fine for daily use unless you’re sensitive to glycolic acid.
How should I apply skin tightening cream?
When it comes to skincare products, Ibrahim says many people neglect their necks, décolletés, and hands. Don’t be one of them! “Make sure to apply it from under your chin to just above your rib cage. Use the same product on your hands,” says Ibrahim. Another thing to remember is the importance of sunscreen. “The best way to combat sagging skin is prevention,” says Ibrahim. “Always apply SPF, and apply it generously.”
