17 Anti-Aging Moisturizers So Good Bartenders Will Ask to See Your ID

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One of the best feelings in the world is seeing a stranger shriek when you mention your age, or a club bouncer doing a double-take when you hand over your ID. Sure, genetics and lifestyle contribute to the equation, and sunscreen plays a major role, but so does investing in the best anti-aging moisturizer.

A good face cream (whether or not you like the term “anti-aging”) can make all the difference regarding smooth, glowing skin. “Moisturizing mature skin leads to better skin tone and firmness. It also appears less wrinkly,” says dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal. Plus, you need to have the right actives for your skin; powerhouses like hyaluronic acid or retinol are essential in your routine, or if you’re feeling dull, niacinamide or vitamin C can help.

At ELLE, we favor formulas with clean ingredients, nourishing properties, and the promise of refreshed, radiant skin. So, we made a list of 13 of the best ones on the market and read customer reviews to find clean beauty options and fragrance-free formulas to keep your skin looking fresh and glowy.

The Moisturizing Cream

Spotting a La Mer cream on someone’s vanity means more than just a status symbol—it’s a clear indicator that a person takes pride in curating a diligent, effective routine to ward off premature signs of aging. Creme de La Mer is a rich, reparative formula comprised of La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth to arm the skin with nutrients and moisture for a plumper, brighter appearance.

Size: 3.4 fl oz

Key ingredients: Miracle Broth

Who’s it for: Dry skin

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This cream is a cult classic amongst beauty lovers because of its highly secret, proprietary miracle broth, which contains fermented ingredients from the sea. Yes, it’s $380, but it contains sea kelp that is sung to as it’s sustainably harvested (apparently for better results), and you can even get your jar engraved.”—Danielle James, ELLE.com digital beauty director

Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream

Think of this cream as a thick, fluffy blanket for dehydrated, dull skin. Calendula and borage seed oil nourish the skin, while aloe and rose damescena oil soothe any irritation.

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Key ingredients: Aloe, calendula, borage seed oil

Who’s it for: Dry skin

Dermstore rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I froze my eggs, and during the process, I got horrible hormonal acne. I’m not acne-prone, but I wanted something to help soothe my skin as it purges. This hydrating cream nourished my skin all day, thanks to calendula, which is anti-inflammatory. This cream really helped with the redness and irritation. I highly recommend it for acneic skin.”—Danielle James

Revitalizing Supreme+ Moisturizer

A common sign of aging skin is loss of elasticity. The more nourishment and hydration your skin receives now, the better it’ll look long-term. This cream is a kickstarter for more youthful-looking skin, courtesy of hyaluronic acid, moringa extract, cactus stem extract, and more.

Size: 2.5 fl oz

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid,

Who’s it for: All skin types

Estée Lauder rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This hydrating cream keeps my skin plump and hydrated. I recently created a ‘skin care travel bag’ so I don’t have to pack my skin care whenever I hop on a plane. This moisturizer is in it. Add your favorite sunscreen afterward for appropriate protection from the sun.”—Danielle James

72-Hour Hydrating Water Cream

This cream is packed with a host of powerhouse ingredients—niacinamide, fruit extracts, and olives, to name a few—to flood your skin with hydration while also working to improve the look of pores, texture, and overall glow.

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Key ingredients: Astragalus root, upcycled olives, niacinamide, noni fruit stem cells

Who’s it for: All skin types

Amazon rating: 1.7 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “Who said clean can’t be effective? This Gwyneth Paltrow-approved moisturizer is light, airy, and perfect for prepping your skin for makeup application. My makeup always looks fabulous when I use this formula, and my skin looks visibly brighter and glowy on no-makeup days.”—Danielle James

Triple Prep Weightless Multitasking Moisturizer SPF 40

Whether you see the sun shining or not, you should never leave the house without sunscreen. To help you remember the golden rule of skin care, Supergoop launched a moisturizer that offers sun protection, barrier support, and major hydration in one jar.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Red algae, hyaluronic acid, glycerin

Who’s it for: Normal, combination, oily

Sephora rating: 4.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My sunscreen collection is chock full of Supergoop formulas, from the Unseen Sunscreen to Play! Everyday Lotion. Once this moisturizer-SPF hybrid entered my collection, it immediately soared to the number one spot on my skin care lineup. With a weightless, slightly luminous finish and a fast-absorbing formula, this cream deeply moisturizes my parched winter skin without making me feel like I dipped my face in a bowl of grease—you know the feeling.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Signature Moisturizer

Board-certified dermatologist Rosemarie Ingleton was inspired by the natural wonders of her homeland, Jamaica, when she formulated this silky face cream. It’s made with a Jamaican superfruit blend (bilberry, orange, sugar cane, lemon, sugar maple, and hyaluronic acid) to brighten, hydrate, and smooth skin at once.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides

Who’s it for: All skin types

Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “As an island girl, I was instantly attracted to this line and, specifically, this product. The formula is thick but not overly heavy on the face, leaving my skin hydrated. After two months of use, I noticed a real difference in my skin. If you were to look in my medicine cabinet in my bathroom, you’re guaranteed to see a jar.””Danielle James

Magic Cream Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid

Dubbing a cream “magic” is quite a bold claim. Luckily, Charlotte Tilbury’s bestseller lets the formula do the talking. The key player in this jar is hyaluronic acid, a humectant that plumps and revives skin, giving it a youthful glow; vitamins E and C work to brighten dull-looking skin. Light to the touch, the Magic Cream absorbs quickly into the skin, perfect for layering under makeup or in tandem with SPF.

Size: 0.5 oz

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

Who’s it for: All skin types

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE Editor says: “The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream is a mainstay in my post-flight skin care recovery plan. Any dullness is wiped away once I slather my face in its lightweight formula, and it doesn’t leave behind a film or pill under makeup. The price is steep, but the promise of youthful-looking skin when I wake up is worth it.”— Nerisha Penrose

The Cream

Scientist Augustinus Bader developed this cult-loved moisturizer after he worked with adolescent burn victims. This moisturizer, which also comes in a Rich version, is infused with the same TFC8 molecule Bader used to help heal the skin of burn victims. With consistent use, skin appears brighter and rejuvenated, with signs of aging diminishing, thanks to a blend of vitamins A, B, C, and E and antioxidants.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: Vitamin A, B, C and E

Who’s it for: All skin types

Nordstrom rating: 4/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer said: I’m a skin care junkie and this product is the best! My skin is pretty sensitive and this product really delivers. Rich enough but not toooo thick …. Effective but not harsh … beautifully packaged too!: “I’m a skin care junkie and this product is the best! My skin is pretty sensitive and this product really delivers. Rich enough but not toooo thick …. Effective but not harsh … beautifully packaged too!”

N°1 De Chanel Revitalizing Cream

Chanel researched the red camellia flower for a decade, discovering that combined oil and extract can smooth, plump, and leave skin glowing. The cream also works to minimize the appearance of wrinkles to delay any signs of aging.

Size: 1.76 oz

Key ingredients: Red camellia oil

Who’s it for: All skin types

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “Love how it makes my skin look and feel. It’s hydrating, brightening, and the scent is beautiful, IMO. Will buy again when I can!”

A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

This super-thick cream has an 18 percent concentration of proxylane, a sugar molecule that keeps skin plump and hydrated. There are also ingredients packed in the formula to repair the skin’s barrier, including antioxidants that fight existing signs of aging and prevent future wrinkles.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Blueberry and pomegranate extract

Who’s it for: Dry, normal, combination, sensitive

Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer said: “I am so glad to find this cream. Works great. I’ve noticed a difference after just a few weeks of use, and it is the perfect cream for evening.”

Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer

The airless pump keeps this thick cream potent until you smooth it across your skin. With gold-star anti-aging ingredients like growth factors, amino acids, and peptides, the Protini cream restores moisture and imparts a youthful glow and bounce.

Size: 1.69 oz.

Key ingredients: Peptides

Who’s it for: Normal, dry, combination, and oily

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “My skin craves Protini! I use this moisturizer religiously. I also love the packaging—the pump dispenses just the right amount. This is definitely my holy grail; I’m never without it. Genuinely never—I have multiple backups.”

Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Crème

Two anti-aging favorites—retinol and hyaluronic acid—come together in this nighttime treatment. As the name suggests, Retinol Correxion attacks fine lines and wrinkles to reveal smoother texture; hyaluronic acid swoops in to hydrate the skin. Hydration lasts 48 hours and is gentle enough for sensitive skin to try.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, retinol

Who’s it for: Combination, dry, normal

Target rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Target reviewer said: “I was struggling to find a facial moisturizer that worked and was nourishing enough but did not make my face oily or break out. My skin has not looked better. It has a healthy glow, diminished wrinkles, and plumped skin. Highly recommend!”

RevitaLift Triple Power Deep-Acting Moisturizer

Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and pro-retinol (a very stable form of retinol that won’t irritate your skin) combine into a thick cream that works overnight to fight signs of aging. After a few uses, skin appears more hydrated and plump, and it won’t irritate sensitive skin.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid

Who’s it for: All skin types

Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I have been using this product for years, and I absolutely love the way my skin feels and looks.”

Skin Renewing Night Cream

Known for its super-gentle products, CeraVe’s nighttime moisturizer uses hydration to plump skin and make it look more youthful. Formulated with niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, this night cream uses patented technology to keep skin hydrated all day.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Ceramides

Who’s it for: All skin types

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I believe the fine lines around my eyes have softened. It feels very thick and nice to put on. I slather it on at night on my face and neck.”

ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream

If you want a lightweight yet powerful moisturizer, this is it. Ceramides, vitamin F, which strengthens the moisture barrier, coconut, red algae extract, and pomegranate sterols combine into a cooling cream that feels heavenly on the skin. It works to soothe super dry or post-laser-treated skin.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Ceramides

Who’s it for: All skin types

Dermstore rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer said: “This is a huge help in the winter; it keeps my skin hydrated without getting greasy or oily.”

Squalane + Omega Repair Moisturizer

Lipids from the acai berry and plant-based squalane make this moisturizer super hydrating and nourishing. Squalane serves as the MVP of this formula and repairs dry, dull skin; hyaluronic acid offers a burst of hydration to plump the skin and reduce flakes.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Squalane

Who’s it for: All skin types

Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I have oily/combo skin and I really loved how lightweight this moisturizer is and that it wore well under foundation. I used this as my daytime moisturizer for the past month and I’m really loving it so far.”

Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Cream

This super thick cream uses hyaluronic acid, soybeans, and yeast to plump and moisturize; the white gel cream instantly tightens with sweet almond and whey protein. Layer together for the ultimate treatment.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

Who’s it for: All skin types

Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer said: “Recently, I bought this cream to add anti-aging products to my skincare routine. It’s super soft and moistures the skin deeply. I highly recommend this product.”

Meet the Expert

Dr. Karan Lal is an Arizona-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology.

Why should people with mature skin prioritize hydration?

“As we mature, we lose the ability to produce the factors in our skin that keep our skin hydrated. Our skin also thins as we mature, contributing to less hydrated skin. Less hydrated skin appears crepy, wrinkly, and loose,” says Dr. Lal. “Moisturizing mature skin leads to better skin tone, and firmness. It also appears less wrinkly.”

What ingredients in a moisturizer make the biggest difference for signs of aging?

“The best ingredient is hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Lal. “It attracts so much water it can truly plump your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Ceramides are also great ingredients that help restore and replenish your skin barrier.”

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with skin experts about the absolute best retinol-based eye creams to delay signs of aging. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.

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