Getting older means getting wiser. It also means our skin might be getting a little wrinkly — and not in the cool Halloween way. Over the years, aging skin loses its sagging, causing not only wrinkles but also sagging. So, can using the best skin tightening cream help solve this totally normal but kind of annoying problem? Well, yes and no. The truth is, you could swim in a giant tank containing all the best anti-aging skincare products, but it won’t give you the same firming results as a facelift.
“It is important to note that homemade tightening creams take time to take effect and their effectiveness is minimal and not as prominent as in-office treatments,” he explains. Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAADboard-certified dermatologist Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology. “There are a series of minimally invasive treatments that use radiofrequency and ultrasound, microneedling and laser treatments that 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 bullshit. “As skin ages, the skin’s extracellular matrix structure that keeps it 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 sagging skin.” For skin to truly feel taut, Ibrahim says you need to help the skin repair that structure—which is why most of the tightening 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 to help with wrinkles and sagging. Note: They do not yet offer, or even promise, “instant tightening” like other products (like the viral Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx Eye) to do. That’s because “instant” firming products don’t work the same way as, say, a retinol cream. “[Instant tightening products] contain ingredients that form a film to temporarily tighten the skin,” says Ibrahim. So while you may see a small immediate result, he admits, it won’t last.
Index
Best skin tightening cream of 2024
Other skin tightening creams recommended by dermatologists
FAQs About Skin Tightening Creams
Best skin tightening cream of 2024
Intensive skin
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, wrinkle smoothing and collagen stimulator | Formulation: Cream | Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, retinol and hawthorn berries | Size: 1.6 oz. | Skin Type: Ripe, dry, sensitive, prone to eczema
According to Ibrahim, retinol and bakuchiol are two key ingredients for any firming product, so it makes sense that he would recommend this face cream. Both help increase collagen production, although 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? It turns out that bakuchiol and retinol can work together — really well. In fact, research show that bakuchiol can actually increase the effectiveness of retinol while also helping to stabilize it.
Alongside this powerful duo, this cream also contains hawthorn berries, which reduces skin inflammation, is rich in antioxidants and hydrates the skin. Users describe having firmer, brighter, more hydrated, even-toned skin with fewer visible wrinkles.
- Formulated by Harvard-trained dermatologists
- Made entirely in the USA with simple ingredients
- Designed for sensitive and eczema-prone 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 smell
- Some say it looks greasy
Other skin tightening creams recommended by dermatologists
RoC
Benefits: Smoothing wrinkles and increasing collagen | Formulation: Cream | Key ingredients: Retinol, mineral complex, squalane | Size: 1 oz. | Skin Type: All
Retinoids, or products that contain topical vitamin A, are something Ibrahim says look for in skin-tightening creams. It makes sense – retinoids are extremely popular among skincare fans and one of the most studied compounds due to their countless skin benefits. They stimulate collagen production, thicken the outer layer of the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles, allowing the skin to remain taut.
This RoC night cream uses a stabilized patented retinol combined with a moisture-boosting mineral complex, glycerin, and squalane for firmer skin and less visible wrinkles. On Amazon, it has received nearly 15,000 five-star reviews that praise the product for making skin “firm, smooth, supple and wrinkle-free.” One reviewer over 60 called the change in her skin “dramatic,” saying other people “really notice the difference in the firming effect.”
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologically tested
- PETA approved and cruelty-free
- Noticeable improvement in 12 weeks
- Some users complain about the fragrance
- Retinol percentage uncertain
- You may feel tingling or redness
Glitone
Benefits: Firming, wrinkle smoothing and 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 skin a firmer appearance and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This night cream, which he recommends, contains an anti-aging tetrapeptide complex, which naturally activates collagen synthesis in the skin and stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes (which improves skin elasticity). It also contains hyaluronic acid to keep things plump and hydrated, and glycolic acid, which is great for sloughing off dead skin cells and making your complexion bright and glowing. Another interesting ingredient in the cream is albizia extract, which is rich in antioxidants and designed to combat tired skin.
Although this cream is suitable for most skin types, it is intended for post-menopausal skin. If sagging or loose skin is a big problem, try this one. Several reviewers love how it “firms and tightens” the skin on their face and neck while keeping it looking plump and hydrated.
- Suitable for mature skin
- Works to even out 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 felt a slight tingling
FAQs About Skin Tightening Creams
When should I start using a tightening cream?
Skin tightening creams make sense for those over 40 who want to treat sagging face or neck. However, there is no hard and fast rule about the best age to start using them, according to Ibrahim. “Start squeezing products when you feel you’re ready for Botox,” he says. “For some people, it could be in their 20s; for others, it might be the late 1930s.” (Personally, I didn’t use them until I was 40.)
How often should I use a skin tightening cream?
When it comes to frequency, there is 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 two to three times a week.” If you are using a new retinol-based firming product, such as RoC Retinol Correction, you’ll probably want to start slowly, even if you’re an experienced retinoid user. However, something like Glytone Peptide+ restorative night cream may be suitable for daily use unless you are sensitive to glycolic acid.
How do you apply skin tightening cream?
Ibrahim says people often neglect their neck, décolleté and hands when it comes to skincare products. Don’t be one of them! “Make sure to extend the application from below the chin line to just above the 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 reduce sagging skin is through prevention,” says Ibrahim. “Always use SPF and apply generously.”
