The 13 Best Tightening Creams for Firmer-Looking Skin

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Aging is a gradual process. Loss of collagen and elastin typically happens slowly and steadily until one day you notice that your skin isn’t as taut before—that's when using one of the best skin tightening creams is key. These staples make targeting fine lines and crepey skin a no-brainer, and are as easy to use as your regular body lotion or face cream.

Cosmetic and medical dermatologist Hadley King tells Bazaar, that one plus of using these creams is that they're great for regular skin maintenance, and especially ideal when an in-office procedure isn't in the cards. However, don’t expect an overnight difference, as results will take longer to see. She suggests looking for options with retinoids (or alternatives like bakuchiol) and collagen stimulating peptides, niacinamide to improve skin texture, humectants and emollients to hydrate and support the skin barrier support, as well as occlusives to plump skin and lock in moisture.

But when it comes to key ingredients, experts note that collagen is a non-negotiable. Its one of the main components of youthful looking skin, as it provides volume that gives it its structure. According to King, as collagen production decreases, our skin loses its firmness. And along with getting older, another major culprit for collagen loss is sun exposure. “Overall loss of collagen in the skin is due to two factors: increased breakdown of collagen and inhibition of collagen production,” she notes. “Both are stimulated by UV exposure.”

To help your skin look its best, we’ve rounded up 13 of the best skin tightening creams from Olay, StriVectin, and more that professionals and beauty enthusiasts swear by. These top picks provide firming results for just about every area of the body.

Get a Lift Firming Facial Cream Moisturizer

King often recommends this glycerin and alfalfa extract-based moisturizer to clients, since it not only protects the skin's barrier, but also fights free radical damage. "Emollients like ceramides and fatty acids [in this moisturizer] support the skin barrier, helping to make the skin more smooth and plump," she says. "Antioxidants like alfalfa extract help to protect the skin from free radical damage caused by pollution and UV rays that can accelerate collagen degradation."

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Natural cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids in this treatment help to restore skin's elasticity while boosting hydration. Plus, it contains vitamin E to help fight environmental damage.

One satisfied customer writes:

"Bought the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 cream for my mom who is 81. She loves it! Her skin looks and feels wonderful." —Cassandra P.

The Body Lotion

This popular body lotion uses niacinamide, marula, cacay, and meadowfoam oils to improve the look and feel of skin over time while increasing firmness. It's also rich in vitamins C and E, as well as Omegas 6 and 9, to help replenish skin.

One satisfied customer writes:

"This is a fantastic lotion! I have very dry skin in general and also live in a very dry climate. This lotion is not greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin. You can apply it and put your clothes on right after. For me, the true test is if it keeps the ashy dry skin away all day without reapplying, and this lotion does it well. I’ll put it on after my morning shower and by night time my skin is still soft and hydrated." —Nikoru

Illuminate & Lift Neck and Decollete Treatment

"Cosmedix's Illuminate and Lift Neck and Decollete Treatment contains tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a potent form of vitamin C that has antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from damage from free radicals from pollution and UV rays that can accelerate collagen degradation," King adds. "It also contains edelweiss stem cell extract, another potent antioxidant, and anti-aging peptides that help to lift and smooth the skin."

Supérieur Body Renewal Firming Cream

This luxe body cream from RéVive uses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to soften and plump your skin, while its proprietary Bio-Renewal and Bio-Firming proteins tighten and even its tone.

One satisfied customer writes: "I just recently received and I am on my third day of use. I can not believe how beautiful this cream is. It is amazing in it’s subtle fragrance but what a difference it makes on winter legs! I just love it!" —Barbara K.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

This cult-favorite cream is known for its tropical scent and skin-smoothing abilities. The thick, smoothing formula is great for those with drier skin, and it contains guaraná, a Brazilian plant known for its caffeine-rich properties, to keep it stimulated and taut.

One satisfied customer writes:

"I honestly never leave reviews on items but this has got to be hands down the best body cream/lotion I have ever bought! I hate creams/lotions because of the texture, however this absorbs in your skin so quickly and smoothly. And the smell lasts forever without bothering you if you have sensitive skin, which I do. I just want to make note it is small size but I plan on buying a bigger one once it’s finished!!! LOVE IT! BUY IT! Don’t hesitate." —Sarah S.

Rejuveness Advanced Hydrating Night Cream

"Pond's Rejuveness Advanced Hydrating Night Cream, which moisturizes while also delivering anti-aging benefits, contains niacinamide to improve skin texture and retinol to stimulate collagen production," King says. "It also hydrates with glycerin and supports the skin barrier with pro-ceramides."

Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Pond's daily Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream aims to minimize the appearance of fine lines in as little as two weeks, using a blend of alpha hydroxy acids and collagen. Over 9,000 Amazon customers consider it one of their anti-aging go-tos.

One satisfied customer writes: "A friend of mine with beautiful skin, recommended this product, and I bought it immediately. After several weeks, I noticed an improvement. Now, people are shocked when I tell them my age and ask me what my skin routine is! It’s truly a miracle of a product." —Stephanie W.

Regenerist Cream

This hydrating cream is a drugstore staple, and packed with ingredients like vitamin B3, amino-peptides, and hyaluronic acid to plump skin and smooth fine lines.

One satisfied customer writes:

"I have been purchasing Regenerist for years. I love that it goes on smoothly without a greasy feel. I don’t wear makeup, I feel that this product has helped me control the finer lines, and gives my complexion a brighter look." —Jbug

Advanced Body Repair Treatment

King notes that a decrease in collagen and elastin is one of the major reasons why body skin can lose firmness. This fragrance-free, salicylic acid- and grapeseed oil-based cream not only treat dry skin, but also helps support its natural elastin production.

One satisfied customer writes:

"This stuff is amazing. I have been using it for a couple of years now and I love it. I recommend it to all my friends. My dermatologist commented on how "well hydrated" my skin is. I am 65 years old. It has especially helped my neck décolletage. Wrinkles are greatly reduced. I use it everyday (after my shower) on my neck, chest and arms." —Linda

Tighten & Lift Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream

Powered by tri-peptides and lactic acid, this popular body cream—which over 1,200 Amazon customers are raving about—improves skin elasticity and reduces crepiness. Plus, it contains hydrating murumuru seed butter nicely revitalizes dry, rough skin.

One satisfied customer writes:

"This product is reasonably priced and actually works to tighten crepe skin. Have used it for several months and can see a visible difference." —Anonymous

The Body Cream

Augustinus Bader is a cult favorite for a reason. This body cream helps jump-start the skin's natural repairing process and also features a combo of amino acids and vitamins to firm skin, fight sun damage, and even fade stretch marks.

One satisfied customer writes:

"The best body cream I have ever used—skin is smoother and tighter. I don’t have many problems with stretch marks, but my cellulite is less visible." —Ilijana R.

Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25

One of the ways King says people can decrease their chances of experiencing degradation of their body's collagen and elastin is by practicing, "Sun-smart behavior, including sun protection, on an everyday basis." This coveted cream for the neck and chest, includes broad spectrum SPF 25, which is a great start.

One satisfied customer writes:

"I love Perricone Plasma Plus Neck Chest SPF +25 and swear by it. It has made a huge difference in the appearance of signs of aging, the wrinkles and loose skin under my jawline. This alone when treated with Perricone Plasma Plus Neck/Chest moisturizer will take years of your appearance, at least it has mine." —Christine

B-Flat Belly Firming Cream

If loose stomach skin is an issue for you, this pick is a definite add to cart. Ingredients like Pink Pepperslim, a plant extract, smooth skin, while avocado extract improves the look of stretch marks and shea butter and hyaluronic acid keep skin hydrated and moisturized.

One satisfied customer writes:

"If you can get through the warm sensation with a little itching feeling, this stuff works wonders! The warm sensation only lasts about 10 to 15 minutes then goes away completely. I see a difference in my stomach's appearance and the texture. Highly recommend this product." —Tara A.

Do skin-tightening creams really work?

Yes, but there's a caveat. "They need to be used regularly. Prevention and maintenance are key," King notes. And again, don't expect results overnight.

What are some other options available to make your skin tighter?

"Sun-smart behavior, including sun protection, on an everyday basis, in-office treatments that stimulate collagen, and topical products that stimulate collagen and/or decrease loss of collagen," King says. "I also recommend an anti-inflammatory diet. This means a diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy grains, and low in sugar and other refined carbohydrates and processed foods."

Why? It all comes down to sugar. "Excess sugar molecules bond to collagen and elastin through a process named glycation, which ultimately causes the collagen and elastin fibers to lose their strength and flexibility," the dermatologist says.

How long does it take to notice results from creams?

Prepare to wait at least a month to see noticeable skin firming results, but with frequent use you can see changes overtime.

How long do tightening results typically last?

Topical products must be used continuously for best results, otherwise the effects will be short-lived. Experts recommend using these creams on a daily or weekly basis for longer-term and more visible skin firming.

Meet the Experts

• Hadley King M.D., F.A.A.D, is a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist based in New York City.

Why trust Harper's Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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