12 Best Skin-Tightening Creams of 2024 for Smooth, Firm Skin, According to Dermatologists
But remember: You look cute with or without fine lines, bb.
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There are many times that I've looked into the mirror and noticed the beginning of a forehead line, stress wrinkle, or crease somewhere on my face, in total distraught. Then, ultimately, I find myself researching the best skin-tightening creams, convinced I need one ASAP. But first, I take a beat and realize a few important things: (1) skin laxity and wrinkles are 100 percent normal and, ultimately, unavoidable. Why? Because (2) Even the best skin-tightening cream can’t pause time—they can only subtly smooth our fine lines, plump our wrinkles, and brighten our skin.
As a refresher, most skin-tightening creams are filled with a mix of peptides, antioxidants, and retinoids, all of which work together to trigger new collagen and elastin production—two proteins responsible for keeping our skin firm and smooth but naturally decrease with age. So, in the spirit of tight and bright skin, I took it upon myself to incorporate each of these creams into my routine over the past year to really narrow down the ones that'll get the job done. As for the winners? Well, you'll have to keep reading about what makes each one of these worth your money and which ones are expert-backed.
Our top skin-tightening cream picks of 2024:
Board-certified dermatologists Kristina Collins, MD, and Karan Lal, MD, and other experts sound off on how to find the best skin-tightening creams of 2024. Answers to your biggest questions about skin-tightening creams, like, uh, if they actually work, and how to choose the best formula for your skin type, all await you, below.
Pros
- Encapsulated retinol is a great option for sensitive skin types as it's less likely to cause irritation
Cons
- Even though it's a gentle form of retinol, those with hyper-reactive skin may need to work it into their skincare routine slowly, over time
This super inexpensive retinol approved for sensitive skin is dermatologists' best-kept secret for smooth, firm skin. The MVP ingredient? Encapsulated retinol. It's one of those gold-standard ingredients that can do what most can't: "deeply penetrate your skin with a sustained release," board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung has told Cosmo. She explained that the active ingredient can work exactly where you want it to, deep within your skin, which is the caveat of a lot of skin-tightening creams—they can't penetrate deeply enough to cause significant change.
Will this retinol cream magically transform sagging skin? No, but will it increase cellular turnover resulting in collagen production and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles? Yes, and if smoother, plumper skin is a result of using this over-the-counter retinol, that's a few bucks I'm willing to dish out.
- Key ingredients: Retinol (smoothing and firming), niacinamide (smoothing), ceramides, and hyaluronic acid (hydrating and plumping)
- Skin type(s): Normal, oily, and combination
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Size: 1 oz
Glowing Customer Review: "CeraVe's Anti Aging Retinol Serum stands as a formidable addition to any skincare routine, harnessing the power of retinol to deliver transformative results. As an enthusiast of skincare products, I was eager to put this serum to the test, and it did not disappoint...This serum, enriched with encapsulated retinol and ceramides, presents a potent yet non-irritating formula suitable for sensitive skin—a rare gem in the world of retinol-based treatments."
Pros
- It’s been a brand best-seller for years
- Widely available at drugstores nationwide
Cons
- Contains fragrance
There's a reason or two why this cult-favorite skin-tightening cream has too many five-star reviews to count. The rich, non-greasy formula is filled with peptides and hyaluronic acid to help plump fine lines and wrinkles both immediately and over time. And thanks to its surprisingly gentle formula, I can use it in the morning and evening, which makes my skincare routine a lil bit simpler. Drugstore products FTW.
- Key ingredients: Peptides (firming), niacinamide (smoothing), and hyaluronic acid (hydrating and plumping)
- Skin type(s): Normal, oily, and combination
- Fragrance free? No
- Size: 1.7 oz
Glowing Customer Review: “I actually look forward to using it in the morning and night because it makes my skin feel so fresh and tight! I have noticed that my skin is smoother after using it for a month.”
Pros
- It’s the most affordable option on our list
- Doesn’t feel heavy or greasy
Cons
- Some testers found that it left their skin feeling sticky
There’s so much to love about this iconic skin-tightening gel cream, the most obvious being its $11 price tag (which is the most wallet-friendly option on our list, fyi), and the second most obvious being its key ingredient coenzyme Q10, a naturally-occurring antioxidant that helps boost skin repair and preserve cellular function. Though the ~cooling~ formula is technically designed for your thighs, butt, and stomach, you can use it anywhere on your body. This formula is actually my favorite body moisturizer—every night, when I hop out of the shower, I drench myself in it and wake up with baby-soft skin.
- Key ingredients: Coenzyme Q10 (antioxidant); L-carnitine and lotus extract (moisturizers)
- Skin type(s): Normal
- Fragrance free? No
- Size: 6.7 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “This stuff is amazing. I am often skeptical of any product that claims to do something like 'firm skin', but I'm so glad I was wrong! I haven't been using it twice a day - just covering myself head to toe after I shower - but the results are phenomenal so far!”
Pros
- Is filled with skin-soothers to offset irritation
Cons
- Specifically for night, so can be too heavy for morning use
This buttery night cream is basically a gentle hug for reactive, sensitive skin, thanks to its soothing colloidal oatmeal, feverfew, and green tea extracts—AKA, all ingredients that'll calm skin that reddens upon even the gentlest touch. And though it’s not packed with intense retinoids, it is filled with brightening and calming niacinamide (aka vitamin B3), which also helps improve your skin’s elasticity over time.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating), niacinamide (soothing and smoothing), and colloidal oatmeal (soothing)
- Skin type(s): All skin types (but may be too rich for super-oily and acne-prone)
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I'm amazed by the result. My skin was changing under my eyes when I used it for the first time—I didn't believe that it would be possible to have my skin look so healthy again!"
Pros
- Uses pure retinol to help smooth fine lines
Cons
- Some testers found it to be too drying
Ideally, you’d be using retinol all over your face rather than spot-treating it under your eyes (share the love, you know?). But if you’re happy with your routine and want to add some extra skin-firming TLC to your eye area, try this retinol eye cream from RoC. It’s silky (not sticky) and feels like nothing on your skin, so you can easily layer it under or over a thicker night cream or eye cream without sticking to your fancy silk pillowcase.
- Key ingredients: Retinol (smoothing and firming)
- Skin type(s): All non-sensitive skin types
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Size: 0.5 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “I've been using this for about 4 weeks now and I suddenly noticed my upper eyelids are smooth and firm. Areas that were wrinkly and crepey have literally disappeared.”
Pros
- Retinol is proven to increase elastin and collagen
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
Let's be real: Neck creams aren’t exactly the ~sexiest~ part of your skincare routine, but they’re 100 percent necessary if you’re not already slathering your neck in moisturizer every day (your neck = extremely thin skin). This formula from SkinCeuticals is loaded with gold-standard skin-firming ingredients, like .2 percent retinol, glycerin, and peptides. When I imagine myself in twenty years and I stuck to only treating my face, I'll wish I snagged this cream rn! (~Just beauty editor things~)
- Key ingredients: Retinol (smoothing and firming); glycerin (moisturizing)
- Skin type(s): Normal, dry, and combination
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This for me, this is the only neck product that I saw instant results. My neck was in bad shape. Wrinkles everywhere and it was like they disappeared in one application. I love this product."
Pros
- Packed with caffeine to temporarily “tighten” and brighten skin
Cons
- Some might find the tropical scent too strong
This best-selling body cream isn’t just a cute prop for social media—it’s also legitimately good. The cream is formulated with guarana, a plant native to the Amazon that’s hella-rich in caffeine (which, reminder, helps temporarily constrict and de-puff skin when used topically). Not to mention, the warm coconut scent has even earned itself a cult following for smelling that good.
- Key ingredients: Guaraná extract (temporarily tightening); cupuaçu butter and açaí oil (moisturizers)
- Skin type(s): All skin types
- Fragrance free? No
- Size: 2.5 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “I was very skeptical at first at what this cream could really do, but literally with one overnight use I saw improvement. It's now been a week and a half and I can definitely say that it's improved the tightness of my inner arms, has tightened the skin on my behind, and has even smoothed over the cellulite dimples in the back of my thighs.”
Pros
- Can also be used as a retinol face cream
Cons
- Some say it takes a while to fully absorb into skin
With nearly 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon (!), this tub of retinol-spiked body cream is clearly effective—or, at the very least, worth trying on yourself to see what all the hype is about. The formula is pretty simple: a mix of retinol to tighten, green tea and aloe vera to soothe, and a slew of hydrators to keep skin from feeling overly dry. Just note: It’s pretty strong, so I’d skip this one if you’re working with especially sensitive skin.
- Key ingredients: Retinol (smoothing and firming), glycerin (hydrating), and aloe vera (soothing)
- Skin type(s): All non-sensitive skin
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Size: 16 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “I have been using this stuff religiously for about a week now on my upper arms, legs, and stomach and I can already see a difference in the tightness of my skin. I will definitely be buying more when I run out as it works. I have used many other products before and nothing has worked like this.”
Pros
- Legit makes your skin look smoother immediately
Cons
- Can often pill under makeup
If you want to see immediate “results,” you need to try this formula from Peter Thomas Roth that went viral on TikTok for its before-and-after smoothing effects. It uses a proprietary mix of silicate minerals and seaweed extract that tighten on the surface of your skin to leave you looking temporarily firmer and smoother thanks to a "film-like" effect.
As an experiment, I recruited my mom and grandma, who, might I add, have great skin (years of diligent SPF application!), but both complain of hooded eyelids that, in their words, got worse with age. We applied a few dots, and waited for it to dry fully, and the results were...magical, to say the least. Now, the caveat: The dramatic effect is temporary until (a) you wash it off, or (b) it fades after a few hours. But for a special event or photo opp, this baby'll work wonders.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C (antioxidant and brightening), panthenol (hydrating), comfrey root extract (anti-inflammatory)
- Skin type(s): Normal, dry, combination, and oily
- Fragrance free? Yes
- Size: 3.4 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “This really is a miracle product. I’ve used it for several years and always happy with the tightness it gives my skin.”
Pros
- Absorbs really quickly, so no sticky pants
Cons
- Thick consistency, so might be too heavy for hot days
Housed inside this pretty gold packaging is a skin-tightening formula that was inspired by none other than Jennifer Lopez and her butt (yes, really). The moisturizing formula is filled with antioxidant-rich plant extracts, constricting caffeine, and plumping hyaluronic acid to help keep the surface of your skin looking softer and smoother each time you massage it on.
- Key ingredients: Heptapeptide-7 (firming); squalane and hyaluronic acid (moisturizers)
- Skin type(s): All skin types
- Fragrance free? No
- Size: 4.2 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “Great cream for a night out or beach trip if you want a quick fix. I immediately felt my skin tingling as it worked!”
Pros
- Animal-friendly formula is vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Isn’t moisturizing enough for super-dry skin
If your face is a mix of dry patches and fine lines, you need to try this shelfie-worthy skin-tightening cream. As promised in its name, the gel-cream hybrid works to encourage softer, firmer skin with the help of 12 (!) different peptides, along with plumping hyaluronic acid and squalane. Just note that its gel base makes it surprisingly lightweight, which is great for sweaty days or oily skin, but not the best for ultra-dry skin or winter months.
- Key ingredients: Peptides (firming); mushroom extract and hyaluronic acid (hydrating)
- Skin type(s): Oily, acne-prone, “normal”
- Fragrance free? Yes* (*contains some essential oils)
- Size: 1.69 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “This works! I’ve been using this moisturizer for two weeks and have definitely seen a difference in the lines on my forehead.”
Pros
- Testers say a little product goes a long way
Cons
- Some didn’t care for its natural rose scent
Okay, fine, this skin-tightening formula is technically a serum, not a cream, but that’s also why so many people love it: It’s easier to layer under your regular face cream without feeling heavy. The ultra-lightweight formula absorbs fast and is filled with brightening niacinamide, plumping hyaluronic acid, and reparative peptides.
- Key ingredients: Peptides (firming), niacinamide (smoothing), and hyaluronic acid (hydrating)
- Skin type(s): All skin types
- Fragrance free? No
- Size: 1 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “I'm on my third bottle and love it. It's a creamier serum than most, a small amount spreads nicely. I use it overnight and have seen improvement in firmness.”
What cream is best for skin-tightening?
Collagen and elastin production declines year after year, starting in our 20s. Less collagen means less firmness and, thus, less structure; that's why our skin gets saggier with age. That's also why the best skin-tightening creams include collagen and elastin-building ingredients, like peptides, ceramides, vitamin C, and retinoids.
What does retinol do for skin-tightening?
Behind SPF, retinol is the gold-standard skincare ingredient actually *proven* to work. Basically, the term retinoid is used to cover all vitamin A derivatives, and it works by triggering elastin and collagen production in your skin, resulting in smoother, less blotchy skin. Translation: It can smooth fine lines and wrinkles if used consistently over some time. Because of this, retinol is essentially a great "skin-tightening" ingredient, and we at Cosmo even refer to it sometimes as "Botox in a bottle."
Do skin-tightening creams actually work?
Yes and no. Dr. Collins and Dr. Lal agree that well-formulated skin-tightening creams can lead to subtle improvements in tackling fine lines, wrinkles, and loose skin. But they also agree that face lift-level improvement won’t come from a jar o’ cream, despite what the very-good brand marketing might say.
The tl;dr: If surgery or laser isn’t your cup of tea, a skin-tightening cream may be a good option if you’re cool with low-key results. Just pls don’t blow your life savings; drugstore formulas rival the pricey stuff.
Can you tighten loose skin with cream?
You can't completely tighten loose skin with cream, but you can achieve subtle improvements over time with a collagen and elastin-building formula. Unlike legit medical procedures like a facelift, neck lift, or fillers, you *probably* won't come out of it with drastic before-and-after photos.
If you do notice a significant change right away, that's likely because the ingredient list contains hydrating components like hyaluronic acid. To be clear: That's not a bad thing (we love hydration!), but "when you hydrate the skin, a lot of those fine lines of wrinkles appear filled in, even when they're not," says Dr. Lal. The more you know!
How to choose the best skin-tightening cream:
Consider where you use it
The first step to choosing the best skin-tightening cream is to decide whether you want one for your body or your face. You usually need to choose between one or the other because they utilize different ingredients. For example: "Body tightening creams tend to do the opposite of face tightening creams," says Dr. Collins.
Instead of hydrating the skin, the ingredient list usually contains dehydrating ingredients like caffeine which "provide a temporarily reduced appearance of creases on the skin," adds Dr. Collins.
Read the ingredients
Well-formulated skin-tightening creams “include ingredients that build collagen or prevent the breakdown of collagen and antioxidants to help with cell regeneration,” says Dr. Collins. What to look for? Vitamin A derivatives like retinoids, collagen-boosting peptides, antioxidants like niacinamide, coenzyme Q10, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and prevent collagen breakdown.
Dr. Collins warns that a sneaky ingredient in skin-tightening creams is sodium silicate, a constricting film that works like “saran wrap on your skin.” It causes a “very temporary” tightening effect that’ll give you instant benefits but not lasting ones. Unlike collagen-boosting retinoids or peptides, this ingredient won’t help your skin in the long term.
Manage your expectations
Not to sound like a broken record, but you can expect subtle results from a skin-tightening cream. And it likely won’t happen overnight (unless you’ve chosen a product that provides a temporary tightening effect). Dr. Lal says you likely won’t notice long-term results for at least 12 weeks and the maximum result you can expect is an itty-bitty one-millimeter reduction in skin looseness.
Oh, and plz take everyone’s reviews with a grain of salt because they’re nowhere near as reliable as a fancy clinical trial, and I wasn’t a fly on the wall to witness their before-and-afters—sadly.
Meet the experts:
- Kristina Collins, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, CEO, and founder of Austin Skin dermatology in Texas. Dr. Collins specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery and surgical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Karan Lal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, and treating skin of color.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty, with over four years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing makeup stories, like the top eyelash curlers and why hair gel on your eyebrows is the ultimate beauty hack. She consulted experts and dove into reviews and research on top-rated skin-tightening creams to recommend the best products.
Marisa Petrarca is a contributing beauty writer for Cosmopolitan with over five years of experience researching and writing about makeup, skin, and hair, ranging from how to clean your makeup brushes to face fillers.
Marisa Petrarca is a contributing beauty writer for Cosmopolitan.com. In the rare case that she’s not working on a story, you can find her testing new makeup, skin, or hair launches, binge-watching bad reality TV, or diligently working (but failing) to get her inbox to zero. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, POPSUGAR, and GRAZIA USA, among others. Follow her on Instagram for corgi photos and shameless self-promotion.
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