The best anti-aging creams: what are their benefits? Quite loads, as it turns out. While you should be wearing one of the best SPF moisturizers (on the streets) and one of the best night creams (in the sheets), which contains an anti-aging (also spelled out as “firming,” “correcting,” and “rejuvenating”) cream in your routine. When used with discipline, it will change the appearance of your skin.
But sorting them out is not easy; This category contains a veritable medicine cabinet full of products, ingredients, and market names, all of which mean—and do—different things. Fortunately, the basics are not difficult to understand.
Key Question: What are the ingredients? In reality Anti-aging? Here’s a quick summary: Squalane and/or hyaluronic acid (HA) plumps as well as hydrates, vitamin C protects from environmental stressors, peptides tighten, and retinol (also found in alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid) reduces the appearance of fine lines. On the latter, Harley Street faces off against an expert Dr. Yannis Alexandrides “Topical retinol leads to a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles…and is invaluable when it comes to improving your overall skin texture as you age,” he told us. Did you understand it? good. Below, our personal care expert and product tester Adrian ClarkeRecommendations.
The best anti-aging creams, at a glance
Best Anti-Aging Cream Overall: Horace Face Firming Gel
Composed of 95.2% natural ingredients, Horace Refreshing & Firming Facial Gel helps strengthen skin and reduce the appearance of sagging through peptides. A botanical formula with a distinctive woody and amber scent, it uses two forms of hyaluronic acid that hydrate to help improve skin tone and wrinkles, while protecting your skin from environmental aggressors with antioxidants.
Best Anti-Aging Cream on a Budget: Q+A Ceramide Face Cream
Aggressive exfoliation, UV exposure, pollution, and harsh, stress-causing ingredients all negatively impact the skin’s barriers, which in turn contribute to the aging process. However, repairing the skin barrier and protecting it for the future does not need to be complicated or expensive. This daily moisturizer strengthens and supports compromised skin’s barrier (even sensitive skin) with its fragrance-free formula made with 97.9% naturally derived ingredients. Due to its whipped, soufflé-like texture, I found myself spreading it morning and night. I found that it helped reduce dryness (something I constantly have issues with) and it also helped reduce redness and protect my breakout- and rash-prone skin.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Cream: Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum
Eve Lom’s Radiance Repair features a comprehensive anti-aging formula that brightens, hydrates, firms and smoothes skin. A botanical solution used morning and evening, it moisturizes the skin for up to 72 hours after use. Dermatologically tested, this serum is infused with a blend of powerful, advanced actives, including liposomal-encapsulated retinol, a more stable, gentle, non-irritating form of the active ingredient that stimulates collagen production.
Best anti-aging cream for dry skin: ESPA Men Age-Rebel Moisturizer
Age-Rebel is your first line of defense in the early stages of the aging process, such as dryness or fine lines. The product is especially beneficial for dehydrated skin, as one swipe deeply nourishes, revitalizes and revitalizes the skin. Formulated with a blend of acai, velvet pod and black oat for superior moisture; Golden seaweed and sea fennel to awaken tired skin; and beta-glucan and chitin to soothe discomfort or irritation. An effective guarantee to help prevent signs of premature aging.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Fine Lines: Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
Dr. Howard Murad’s clinically proven wrinkle cream helps smooth deep, fine lines with a powerful peptide blend with hyaluronic acid and squalane treatment (use sparingly because a little goes a long way). The triple-action formula targets problem areas where needed, such as smoothing forehead wrinkles, fine lines around the mouth and crow’s feet, helping skin recover from lines caused by repetitive facial expressions, and boosting skin’s hydration levels to prevent future wrinkles.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Sensitive Skin: Advanced Fresh Black Tea Rejuvenating Cream
Fresh’s first blend of naturally derived ingredients with scientifically proven retinol-like performance, Black Tea Age Rejuvenating Cream supports skin structure lost due to the natural decline in collagen. Gentle enough to use twice a day without the discomfort known as many retinol alternatives, this lightweight, dermatologist-tested treatment is packed with advanced active ingredients. Suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin, it is a highly effective moisturizer that visibly reduces wrinkles and helps skin regain its elasticity and firmness.
Best Multi-Purpose Anti-Aging Cream: Kiehl’s Moisturizing Cream
This dual-action daily moisturizer visibly lifts and firms skin while reducing the appearance of stubborn lines and wrinkles. Specially formulated to meet the needs of men’s skin – which tends to be thicker – it effectively helps strengthen and improve elasticity and texture. At first glance, I thought the rich, buttery texture of this face cream would be too heavy for my sensitive skin, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue. Although it was a strong remedy, it did not bother me in any way; Instead, it left my skin feeling refreshed and looking healthier.
Best anti-aging serum for combination skin: Clarins Double Serum
Having won 450 global awards, Clarins Double Serum doesn’t need much introduction. Now in its ninth generation, Dual System’s most powerful serum formula to date is the first to target aging caused by epigenetic changes caused by unbalanced lifestyle choices. I’m a huge advocate of the previous generation but I found this one much more satisfying. It still targets chronological aging, but also helps combat self-induced damage from exercise, diet, stress, as well as the environment. I also found that it kept my skin hydrated longer than before.
Best Anti-Aging Serum: Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Dual Anti-Aging Serum
This dual-phase serum features Dr. Sturm’s superior anti-aging hyaluronic acid-based serum along with a powerful ceramide peptide complex that replenishes the skin barrier and boosts the skin’s natural collagen and elastin reserves. When applied to my skin, I noticed that the two blended seamlessly, visibly reducing fine lines and even some hard-to-fix wrinkles. It’s a shortcut to visibly reversing aging, and I’ve found it particularly suitable for dry, dehydrated and dull skin.
Best Anti-Aging Plumping Cream: Origins Youthtopia Peptide Plumping Apple Cream
Scientists at Origins Biotech Labs have taken the humble apple and unleashed its remarkable anti-aging power. A new era in skincare innovation, the Youthtopia collection harnesses the genius of science and nature. At the heart of the range is our premium Peptide Plumping Apple Cream, designed to help you maintain more youthful-looking skin. Best suited for those experiencing early signs of aging, it acts as a deterrent to help protect your skin in the future, more than just repairing existing damage. The first thing I noticed when taking this moisturizer for a spin was its noticeable, almost immediate plumping effect and refreshing boost of hydration.
Best anti-aging cream with sun protection factor (SPF): Nivea Men Anti-Age Power Moisturizer SPF 30
One of the first brands to introduce male care products specifically designed to address hyperpigmentation, this gem from the Nivea Men anti-aging range helps prevent the appearance and development of dark spots, uneven skin tone and sun-induced skin aging. Ultra-light, fast-absorbing and non-sticky, it uses a blend of powerful and exclusive ingredients that provide skin with an instantly refreshed appearance and a visibly youthful and smoother appearance. It also features SPF 30 to help protect against any additional UV damage that causes dark spots.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Skin Smoothing: Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intensive Anti-Aging Cream
Neal’s Yard Remedies has been at the forefront of wellness products for over 40 years and is one of the leaders in natural and organic skincare. Recognizing advances in green technology and organic active ingredients, the new and improved Frankincense Intense line features products specifically designed to lift or provide a multifaceted anti-aging defense. I’ve been trying the anti-aging cream (which is now also vegan) for several weeks and found that it effectively smoothes my skin’s texture and helps fill in fine lines and wrinkles. I also found the distinct frankincense fragrance to be very soothing.
Best Anti-Aging Cream with Peptides: Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer
This universal daily face cream strengthens the fragile skin barrier meant to keep the good stuff (moisture, electrolytes) in and the bad stuff (pollution, free radicals, UV rays) in. Like a personal trainer for your face, it’s infused with a powerful array of ingredients formulated at highly concentrated levels and helps recover skin that’s looking a little dull and showing the beginnings of fine lines. More of a preventative than a cure, I found it intensely hydrating, improving my skin’s ability to retain moisture throughout the day, which is a problem I have as my skin is often dry and dehydrated.
Best anti-aging serum for skin volumizing: RéVive Intensité Volumizing Serum
As early as your mid-20s, collagen production begins to slow, promoting the appearance of fine lines and folds. Now for some good news: This powerful, targeted skin filler plumps and tightens from within, providing a needle-less alternative to injectable facial fillers. Powered by RéVive’s signature bio-replenishing peptide, a bio-volumizing peptide, and painless plumping agents (to help restore the appearance of facial volume), it supports the skin’s production of natural collagen and elastin. The high-density formula promotes a healthier, softer, smoother appearance in just four weeks, and is especially good at transforming furrow lines, crow’s feet and nasolabial folds, and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t prevent or prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Pores. Apply morning and evening, then use your usual moisturizer to contour, lift and restore volume with fast, transformative results.
Best Anti-Aging Cream Containing Retinol: Indeed Labs Retinol Skin Revive Intensive Wrinkle Repair Serum
Specializing in skin care solutions based on real science, real claims, and real results, Indeed Labs delivers budget-friendly, high-performance skin care solutions. This rejuvenating three-in-one retinol targets the signs of aging while you sleep. Encourages the shedding of dead skin to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation, while helping to rebuild lost collagen. Using a unique blend of two different types of retinol – a slow-release formula that gently resurfaces skin and a multifaceted, anti-aging “retinol-like” peptide that accelerates cell turnover – the formula is made even more effective. Faster and gentler on the skin. The addition of bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol, helps relieve rough texture and dryness. Use this serum only at night, and follow with a sun protection factor (SPF) the next morning.
Best drugstore anti-aging cream: RoC Derm Correxionfill + Treat Serum
Developed in partnership with a team of expert dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this innovative, non-surgical wrinkle filler targets the appearance of stubborn lines immediately and over time, without the need for injections. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this targeted treatment to see if its bold claims lived up, and not only did I find that it visibly filled in the fine lines on my face within minutes of the first application, but I also noticed an improvement in hard-to-treat wrinkles after a few weeks of use. Continuous use morning and evening.
Best Anti-Aging Firming Cream: Caudalie Resveratrol Firming Cashmere Cream
Our natural collagen production decreases over time (by up to 30% as you approach age 50!) resulting in a loss of skin elasticity and firmness. With this in mind, Caudalie has created and redesigned its popular anti-aging line with a new generation of collagen stimulators (the actual collagen molecule is too large to penetrate the skin) which uses revolutionary green technology that is sustainable and vegan. Of the many products I’ve tried and tested that claim to lift skin, this day cream (with regular use over three weeks) achieved some of the most transformative re-sculpting results. The first time Caudalie takes inspiration from the latest technologies from the world of medicine and uses botanical ingredients, it delivers exceptional anti-aging benefits.
Best Anti-Aging Cream from Derm-Office: PCA Skin Pro-Max Age Renewal Serum
Clinically proven to visibly lift and firm the appearance of skin by 60%, this next-level age-rejuvenating serum makes some pretty bold claims – claims I can prove. After just two weeks of using it, my best friend asked me if I had indulged in any cosmetic injections; Something he had never asked me before. By supporting collagen production, it dramatically reduced the appearance of sagging, loss of volume, lack of firmness, and hard-to-change wrinkles: in short, it worked wonders. Using patent-pending Microgrowth Factor (MGF) technology that penetrates deeper into the skin, it creates multiple modes of action to help support the anti-inflammatory response. Suitable for all skin types, it can also be used as a supplement to cosmetic injections, which, by the way, I have not yet had.
Best Anti-Aging Night Cream: Bynacht Nocturnal Signature Anti-Aging Night Cream
Scientific research and studies have shown us that skin renewal and cell regeneration occurs almost exclusively at night. To make full use of this downtime, Benacht has created a range of ultra-effective nighttime skincare formulas complemented by sleep-promoting balms and aromatherapy oils that help you effortlessly drift off to the land of nod. I found that Nocturnal Signature Anti-Age Cream achieved transformative results in helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, after using it for just four weeks. I also woke up feeling refreshed, with my skin hydrated and ready to take on the day.
What are the best anti-aging ingredients?
In terms of key ingredients, you’ll want to look for the top three. Moisturizers containing ceramides, squalane, and/or hyaluronic acid are designed to keep skin looking plump and hydrated. Next, antioxidants like Vitamin C help protect against environmental damage, which is a major concern for the skin.
The resurfacing ingredients are slightly different and are the solution to fading dark spots and fine lines while stimulating cell renewal. Ingredients with these properties include AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) such as glycolic acid and lactic acid. They also include the permanent grooming buzzword retinol. Ultimately, the best defense against premature aging is to take care of your skin, using a proper moisturizing routine, using sunscreen when going out in the scorching summer heat, and taking full advantage of our selection of the best anti-aging creams to make your skin look younger. Skin looks and feels younger and stronger.
What about retinol?
A powerful anti-aging agent that encourages cell production, retinol is a craze in personal care circles right now, but it’s been around since the 1970s. “Part of the vitamin A family, retinol works by increasing cell turnover to reduce the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone,” explains Dr. Alexandrides.
“Topical retinol leads to a decreased appearance of wrinkles and increased production of glycosaminoglycans and collagen,” says Dr. Alexandrides. “It’s also invaluable when it comes to minimizing the appearance of pores and improving your overall skin texture as you age.”
Should older men use face cream?
These are rarely a “should” situation, but if you care about what your face will look like in another five, ten or even 20 years, you can definitely consider an anti-aging cream – whatever your age. At a minimum, you should be using a daily sunscreen with SPF, but you can incorporate one of the creams or serums mentioned above to hydrate and plump skin, reduce fine lines, and improve the overall texture of your skin.
How we test anti-aging creams
Here in Feverqueenwe’re all for staving off the ravages of Father Time. Not with the hopes and prayers and weird tricks we learned from TikTok, but with cold, hard science. So, out of our own self-interest as much as anything else, we’ve tested plenty of anti-aging creams and serums over the years so that we can remain our most handsome selves for as long as humanly possible. Who did we hire to complete the task of undoing the years? Adrian Clarkehe has tried and tested all the best skin care products British Feverqueen and other publications for more than two decades, honing his craft as an expert in youth preservation and health maintenance. Every product on this list has been tested and evaluated by him over a period of at least two weeks.
This piece originally appeared on Feverqueen UK.
