First, let's be realistic: Even the best skin-tightening cream cannot, literally, tighten your skin. (The only thing that can tighten your skin is an in-office treatment, many of which involve creating controlled injuries within your skin that trigger collagen and elastin production—or a facelift.)

That said, "When it comes to topicals, we can see improvement in fine lines and textural changes with consistent use," says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami. Similar to the in-office procedures, these skin-care products deliver firmer, smoother skin by, again, encouraging the production of collagen, lending your complexion a "tighter" appearance over time. And while they may take longer to yield results, they're still an improvement if you're dealing with crepey or sagging skin texture.

Generally speaking, the desire to tighten skin stems from two things. First, there's sagging or loose skin on the face and body, which includes sagging of the jowls, sagging of the central face, and marionette lines. Only procedures can really tackle these, says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. But "Skin tightening can also refer to improvement in crepey skin and textural changes," she says. "This type of change in the skin can improve with topical agents."

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the best ingredients to do just that include retinoids, peptides, and vitamin C—in other words, ingredients you might recognize for their ability to spur collagen production. Here are what experts and editors consider the best skin-tightening cream to consider for your individual concerns and preferences.

Best Skin-Tightening Cream Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

Why It's Worth It: One of our favorite moisturizers for mature skin, SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interruptor Advanced has a nourishing, balm-like feel that complements other active-packed serums and treatments on this list. It uses antioxidant-rich blueberry extract to offset the decline in collagen, which occurs from age, sun exposure, and glycation—a process in which sugars in the skin attach to and destroy collagen fibers. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, is a fan of this formula he describes as a "great, thicker cream that provides improvement for age-related changes, as well as for hydration." It can also extend the results of in-office tightening treatments, like radio-frequency and ultrasound.

Editor Tip: Because this moisturizes skin and doesn't contain actives, you can pair it with retinoids at night for a cell-turnover, fine-line-smoothing boost.

Key Ingredients: Proxylane, blueberry extract, glycyrrhetinic acid | Who It's For: Those with dry skin or who are looking to skip or supplement retinol | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Plumping Serum: Dermalogica Pro Collagen Banking Serum

Why It's Worth It: As the name implies, Dermalogica Pro Collagen Banking Serum is designed to maximize the amount of collagen in your skin, preserving what you already have and supporting future production. It contains an antioxidant-powered complex to protect skin from free-radical damage, as well as peptides and polyglutamic acid—a cousin to hyaluronic acid that's said to be even more effective at hydrating skin.

Editor Tip: While the formulation boosts collagen everywhere on your face, it's especially powerful for firming the cheeks and jawline, a common area of skin laxity.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, polyglutamic acid, antioxidants, jojoba ester | Who It's For: Those with lax skin in the lower half of the face | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Luxury Cream: Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème Volume

Why It's Worth It: Intended to offset gravity—as much as possible with a moisturizer—Chanel Le Lift Pro Crème Volume leaves skin feeling silky, smooth, and impossibly soft. Meant to maintain results between in-office treatments, this luxurious formula took home a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for its ability to deliver results, courtesy of a blend of sodium hyaluronate (a stabilized form of hyaluronic acid) and glycerin. It's gentle enough for even sensitive skin types, too; while most luxury skin-care formulas come with a scent, this one has no fragrance.

Tester Feedback: Shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis considers wrinkles her biggest skin-care concern and loves using this cream as a preventative measure. She called out a special ingredient called melipona enzymatic honey (sourced from and harvested in Costa Rica) that does an incredible job of tightening and plumping skin, and boosting collagen.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, jojoba seed oil, honey | Who It's For: Those seeking plumping in addition to tightening | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Drugstore Cream: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

Why It's Worth It: A three-time Allure Readers' Choice Award winner, the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is proof that you don't have to empty your bank account to get serious results. "My new lines are less noticeable, and the deeper wrinkle I've had for years is looking a little better," said our tester, deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel. "The redness I'm prone to on my cheeks, nose, and forehead is way (way, way) better, too," Siegel adds. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is also a fan, noting that this particular formula "has a published peer-reviewed study that showed improvement in skin quality comparable to a retinoid," she says.

Editor Tip: If you don’t love scented products or have reactive skin, the skin-firming cream also comes in a fragrance-free version.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, panthenol | Who It's For: Everyone | Fragrance-free: No

Best Peptide Serum: Neocutis Bio Serum Firm

Why It's Worth It: Peptides are a gentler alternative to retinol, which is why Neocutis Bio Serum Firm relies on them in this serum—along with other powerful ingredients. It "contains a blend of proprietary peptides and human growth factors, as well as hyaluronic acid to restore skin hydration and boost collagen," says Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City. It's the growth factors that make this formula unique: These encourage cells to revive skin cell functions, like cell turnover and collagen production, making the serum worth the investment.

Editor Tip: Those with dry skin may want to consider the brand's Bio Serum Firm Riche, which is designed to be more moisturizing than the original iteration.

Key Ingredients: Growth factors, peptides, argan oil | Who It's For: People seeking a lifted effect | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Tightening Cream for Neck and Décolletage: Revision Skincare Nectifirm

Why It's Worth It: Crepey skin texture is common on the neck and chest, ostensibly because we often overlook sun protection in these areas (despite their constant exposure). One of our favorite neck creams, Revision Skincare Nectifirm aims to tighten skin in the area with a blend of peptides and antioxidants, which has yielded results good enough to make it stand out to Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. "Patients really like the results with this cream," she says.

Editor Tip: The original version is intended for people with mild to moderate laxity in their skin, but you can also opt for the Revision Skincare Nectifirm Advanced, which contains even more peptides to address more intense signs of aging.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, dihydromyricetin, vitamin C | Who It's For: Those with loose skin on the neck | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Tightening Eye Treatment: Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel

Why It's Worth It: The Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel does it all: It protects skin with antioxidants, contours and firms the eye area with peptides and algae extract, and even brightens dark circles. "I love that it's a gel texture instead of the usual, rich eye cream," says Allure contributor Deanna Pai. "It layers nicely beneath my moisturizer and has yet to cause any milia or clogged pores—and I've been using it for over a year." Not surprisingly, it won an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2019.

Editor Tip: While it's not a stand-in for sunscreen, the formula's unique brightening ingredient defends skin from damage caused by UV and blue light.

Key Ingredients: Algae extract, peptides, sodium hyaluronate | Who It's For: People with puffy undereyes | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Moisturizer with SPF: Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Day Cream SPF 30

Why It's Worth It: Streamline your morning routine with Shiseido's Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Day Cream SPF 30, which brings together reparative actives, nourishing moisture, and broad-spectrum sun protection in a single, velvety cream. It harnesses a combination of safflower extract and a proprietary antioxidant complex to firm, hydrate, and brighten skin, making it powerful enough to address multiple signs of aging.

Editor Tip: The formula uses chemical sun filters and contains fragrance, so it might not be a great fit if you have sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Safflower extract, green tea extract, hydrolyzed silk, avobenzone (2.5%), homosalate (5%), octinoxate (7.4%), octocrylene (3%) | Who It's For: Those who need a daytime option | Fragrance-free: No

Best Exfoliating Treatment: U Beauty Resurfacing Compound

Why It's Worth It: Designed more for uneven skin texture than laxity, the U Beauty Resurfacing Compound deploys a powerful combination of vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, and hyaluronic acid to simultaneously clear dead skin cells, enhance collagen production, and hydrate skin. "I topped it with a basic moisturizer, and am happy to report that after a few days, my complexion was looking all around brighter and my dark spots seemed to have faded a bit," said our tester.

Editor Tip: Every product from the brand uses its proprietary Siren technology, which delivers actives to where they're most needed.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Those with dark spots in addition to lax skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Jawline: Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream

Why It's Worth It: Lancôme's Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream is another rec of Dr. Chang's, who says it "combines a powerful combination of hyaluronic acid, over 300 different peptides, and niacinamide to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity." What sets this face cream apart is its ability to improve sagging in the lower half of the face—in addition to reducing the look of wrinkles and dark spots caused by sun damage.

Editor Tip: The glass jar can be refilled with separate tubs of product, saving you some bucks.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Who It's For: Those with sagging cheeks and jowls | Fragrance-free: No

Best for Body: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body

Why It's Worth It: Dr. Woolery-Lloyd points to the SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body to address lax or sagging skin and uneven skin texture below the neck, making it ideal for the décolletage, arms, and legs. Behind this product are "some studies that show improvement of crepey skin on the body," she says. The combination of antioxidant-rich botanical ingredients works alongside time-tested ingredients, such as peptides, caffeine, and coffee seed oil, to boost elasticity and target stretch marks and the look of cellulite.

Editor Tip: The firming lotion isn't particularly moisturizing, so if you have dry skin, consider slathering a dedicated body cream over it.

Key Ingredients: Lemon balm, shiitake mushroom extract, caffeine | Who It's For: People addressing loose skin on the body | Fragrance-free: Yes

Best Retinol Cream: Iope Retinol Expert 0.1%

Why It's Worth It: For retinol newbies, Iope Retinol Expert 0.1% is a safe bet—and a favorite of Dr. Chang's. "It's formulated with a patented retinol that has been proven to improve skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles," she says. "In addition, it contains hydrating and soothing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and panthenol." Its low concentration of retinol makes it suitable for more sensitive skin types, and the formula is housed in a unique, three-stage barrier system that minimizes oxidation to maximize freshness (and efficacy). By the way, the retinol in question is what the brand calls its "10th generation" retinol, meaning it's been tweaked 10 times since 1997 to make it even more stable and effective—a true testament to South Korea's dedication to product innovation.

Tester Feedback: Commerce editor Sarah Han counts this gentle retinol as one of her favorites and loves that the formula includes moisturizing heavy hitters such as shea butter and tocopheryl acetate (a common form of vitamin E). She experienced no irritation, even with the first few applications, and has since upgraded to Iope Retinol Expert 0.3%. (Han notes that she doesn't have particularly sensitive skin but has reacted poorly to some retinols.)

Key Ingredients: Retinol, panthenol, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Retinol beginners | Fragrance-free: No

Best Tightening Night Cream: SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Why It's Worth It: SkinBetter's AlphaRet Overnight Cream is a staple in dermatologists' own skin-care routines, and for good reason: "Its unique combination of retinoid and alpha-hydroxy acid can help stimulate collagen and improve skin tone while remaining gentle on the skin," says Dr. Chang. This plush night cream pairs peptides and a retinoid with lactic and glycolic acids—but if that sounds intense, know that the blend of ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide supports the skin barrier and offsets the potential for dryness and irritation.

Editor Tip: Not only does this night cream help improve fine lines and even skin tone and texture, but being a retinoid, it can also target other concerns, like breakouts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. "I used this immediately after I had my baby, and it worked wonders on fading the dark spots from my pregnancy acne," attests Pai.

Key Ingredients: Retinoid, lactic acid, glycolic acid | Who It's For: People who can tolerate retinol | Fragrance-free: Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cream that really tightens skin?

Again, a firming cream can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and improve elasticity—as in, giving skin some bounce and suppleness—but no topical formula can actually tighten skin, which requires collagen remodeling on a much deeper level.

Still, certain ingredients can help, with retinoids being among the best. These are "vitamin A derivatives that can increase skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen," says Dr. Chang. "Retinoids have been shown to clinically reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin texture and complexion." She also points to peptides, short chains of amino acids, to help improve skin hydration and support collagen production.

On the antioxidant side, vitamin C and niacinamide also promote collagen production and reduce the oxidative damage that can break down the protein, leaving skin loose and crepey over time. And finally, "Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to plump and hydrate the skin to give a more youthful appearance," she says.

The best ingredients may ultimately depend on your skin type. For instance, if your skin is dehydrated, hyaluronic acid may be worth looking for, whereas people with sensitive skin might need to consider using peptides instead of retinol.

What do dermatologists recommend for tightening skin?

There are two routes of tightening skin in the office: ultrasound and radiofrequency. These "stimulate collagen on a deeper plane to tighten and lift saggy skin more effectively," says Dr. Chang.

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is a fan of Ultherapy, which "uses high-frequency ultrasound to tighten skin," she says. That ultrasound energy heats the very deep layers of skin, thus triggering the body's wound response. Meanwhile, radiofrequency devices, such as Thermage, also reach the deeper layers of skin, heating it to trigger new collagen production.

Meet the experts

• Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
• Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City

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