10 best collagen creams to plump and moisturize your complexion
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As we age, our collagen production levels slow down, and so does our skin’s ability to stay plump and supple. So, how do we retain a youthful look? While taking supplements and adjusting your diet may help, you may also want to add a collagen cream to your skincare regimen.
【】What Is Collagen?
Like many skincare ingredients, there’s no guarantee that collagen will turn back the clock, but we talked to the experts about why you still might want to consider including it in your lineup.
“Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and it’s the major component of connective tissue in the skin,” says Dr.【】Lesley Rabach, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and cofounder of LM Medical NYC. “It’s very important because it gives your skin structure and strength.”
【】What Does Collagen Do For Skin?
Dr.【】Dennis Gross, board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, adds that as we age, our skin goes through daily wear and tear, and our natural collagen production slows down — leading to issues like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. “A number of factors that slow collagen production include genetics, sun exposure, and aging itself,” he says. “The only way to get more collagen into the skin is to apply topical ingredients that stimulate your own production of collagen.”
According to Gross, these ingredients include collagen, vitamin C, peptides, and chemical exfoliators. He also suggests using LED light devices, which also have been proven to stimulate collagen production.
【】How To Find The Best Collagen Cream For Your Skin Type
When shopping for collagen creams, your skin type is the most important thing to consider.
【】Dry and Mature Skin
Your will appreciate the ultra hydrating feel of thicker face creams, like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Deep Cream and Algenist GENIUS Sleeping Collagen. These denser collagen creams have a smooth, creamy texture that gives your skin a much-needed hydration boost throughout the day.
【】Acne-Prone, Combination, and Oily Skin
On the other hand, if you have acne-prone, combination, or oily skin, you’ll want to stick to lightweight hybrid gel cream moisturizers, including DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel and Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer. You’ll still reap the same anti-aging, skin-plumping effects of a collagen cream, but you won’t have to worry about looking greasy or dealing with zits.
【】Normal Skin
Lucky you! You can use any collagen cream on this list, but we suggest opting for a lightweight moisturizer in the warmer months, and a thicker one in the fall and winter.
While it may or may not be a miracle worker, a skincare product that contains collagen — especially a moisturizer that provides additional benefits like hydration — can only help. If you’re ready to give it a try, browse our list of the best collagen creams that are packed with this essential protein.
【】1
【】Best Overall
【】DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3iaoOqS
【】Pros:
- Tones, hydrates, and brightens dull skin
- Fragrance and colorant-free
- Safe for sensitive skin
【】Cons:
- Some reviewers say it takes a while to soak into the skin
【】DHC’s collagen cream is pure magic in a bottle. This fast-absorbing gel cream, derived from freshwater green algae, helps visibly transform skin and then improves texture and tone over time.
link:https://amzn.to/3iaoOqS
It’s formulated with collagen and elastin to firm the skin, while hyaluronic acid helps your complexion stay hydrated.
This collagen cream transforms your skin so well that one Amazon reviewer applies it to their face, neck, eyes, and over-washed hands. “It makes my skin feel silky and smooth, but never heavy and greasy. When it’s on my face, my skin plumps up, and somehow seems firmer,” says their 5-star review. They add that it even makes their “eleven” lines — the two vertical lines between the brows — less noticeable.
【】2
【】Clinically Proven Results
【】Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3GNOu6X
【】Pros:
- Adds radiance to skin
- Award winner
【】Cons:
- Pricey
Clinically proven to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, we can attest that the【】Elemis Pro-Collagen Cream is worth its price. Apply over the course of 15 days, and this fast-acting, anti-aging formula will have your skin tightened and toned.
link:https://amzn.to/3GNOu6X
One 67-year-old Amazon reviewer has used this collagen cream for six months and calls it the “best face cream for your money.”
Another 69-year-old Amazon reviewer adds that people assume she’s in her 50s because Pro-Collagen effectively keeps her skin youthful. Plus, the clean fragrance doesn’t irritate her otherwise sensitive skin.
【】3
【】Mario Badescu Smoothing Night Cream
【】Elasto-Collagen Night Cream
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link:https://amzn.to/3ALXG7T
【】Pros:
- Skin feels velvety-smooth
- Reviewers with rosacea love it
【】Cons:
- Too rich for oily skin
Add this night cream to your routine after cleansing and toning to help you achieve plumper, smoother skin. It’s made with a blend of collagen, elastin, and antioxidant oils that hydrate and improve skin’s firmness.
【】Elasto-Collagen earned hundreds of glowing online reviews, from people in their 30s and up. “The scent is light, the cream is thick but goes on effortlessly, and my skin couldn’t be happier,” says one 5-star Amazon review. “The cream doesn’t soak in 100%, but there are no complaints on this. I’m already on my second pot of this since quarantine started, and I will never be switching to anything else.”
link:https://amzn.to/3ALXG7T
【】4
【】Cheap And Effective
【】L’Oreal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Facial Day-Night Cream
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3XsLD9v
【】Pros:
- Fast-absorbing
- Non-greasy feel for AM and PM
【】Cons:
- Some reviewers love the scent, while other say it’s artificial — our tip: go fragrance-free if you have a sensitive nose
We can’t lead you to the fountain of youth, but this plumping pot from L’Oréal comes in at a close second. The brand claims that within weeks, this collagen cream will fill, plump, and reduce wrinkles to help the skin look and feel more youthful.
This collagen cream is so major, that plenty of Amazon reviewers say it visibly smooths forehead lines, smile lines, and crow’s-feet. One reviewer uses this face cream on their neck, and was shocked by the impressive results.
“I used to have very apparent lines on my neck before using this collagen I just can’t believe the results. They are gone! I didn’t see this kind of dramatic change on my face with any product, retinol, etc,” says their 5-star review.
【】5
【】Best for Combination Skin
【】PCA SKIN Moisturizing Collagen Night Cream
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3EBZwJP
【】Pros:
- Light, slightly fluffy texture feels great on skin
- Excellent for prepping skin before makeup
- Adds a glazed donut finish to the skin
【】Cons:
- Too hydrating for oily skin
PCA is one of the most underrated skincare brands of all time — seriously. The brand is adored by skin experts and our beauty editor, who has used this collagen cream for over a year.
“During the chilly fall and winter seasons in New York, my typically very oily skin becomes dehydrated. This【】PCA collagen cream is my go-to night moisturizer because it instantly transforms my dull, dry skin into a soft, plump, and luminous complexion,” says Saunders.
link:https://amzn.to/3EBZwJP
She’s not the only fan. Amazon reviewers can’t get enough of this unscented face cream. One 52-year-old Amazon reviewer declared it the “best skincare line out there.” Others love that it hydrates without looking greasy. “This is a wonderful face moisturizer. I had some breakouts from other face moisturizers; this one has a wonderful consistency and moisturizes but does not make you break out. I love it,” adds one 5-star review.
【】6
【】Enhanced with Vitamin C
【】Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3U9G115
This rich, fast-absorbing cream combines the power of collagen with the antioxidant benefits of vitamin C to minimize and prevent hyperpigmentation and signs of aging. It’s also formulated with a concentration of niacinamide, a gentle, skin brightener with antioxidant properties, and squalane, a plant-derived emollient that smoothes and moisturizes the skin.
Plus, Sephora reviewers consider this orange-tinted product the gold standard of collagen creams. They use words like “a must buy” and “hydrating and creamy” to describe this doctor-created product. To quote one satisfied 5-star review: “I LOVE this product. I have been using it at night and wake up with my skin glowing! I can definitely tell a difference in hydration and overall texture.”
【】7
【】Plant-Based
【】Algenist GENIUS Sleeping Collagen
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3i7HDe9
【】Pros:
- Buttery texture
- Intense nourishment
【】Cons:
- Too rich for combo and oily skin
【】This buttery night cream offers up a heaping dose of collagen, helping your skin look plumper than before. It provides serious hydration thanks to its formula, which is made up of plant-based collagen, along with alguronic acid and ceramides.
link:https://amzn.to/3i7HDe9
You can expect a dewy, cushiony glow after just one use, and a more visible anti-wrinkle effect after a month of regular use. Need further proof? One 50-something Sephora reviewer says this collagen cream does a fantastic job at hydrating mature skin.
While another reviewer says they wake up with a luminous complexion whenever they use this collagen cream. “An added bonus I’ve noticed is that even though I did not apply it to my lips. My lips were plump and soft in the morning,” says their 5-star review.
【】8
【】Best Drugstore
【】Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3V7ewGp
【】Pros:
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Removes dead skin cells, revealing fresh, healthy skin
【】Cons:
- Some reviewers with oily skin say it’s too heavy
More than 50 million red jars of【】Olay’s classic collagen cream have been sold, and TBH it’s easy to understand why. The affordable product combines collagen peptides with hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin, all while plumping pores for a youthful glow. This fragrance-free moisturizer also contains niacinamide, which helps moisturize and brighten your skin for a plump, glowing complexion.
link:https://amzn.to/3V7ewGp
Given Regenerist’s iconic status, this collagen cream earned its fair share of enthusiastic 5-star online reviews. A common theme among Amazon reviewers is that their complexion looks fresh, firm, and young, while their skin feels soft and supple. Its even capable of improving facial sagging. “I used this cream and, after 2 weeks, noticed a visible difference in the sagging around my jaw line. I then purchased jars for all of my 5 sisters, and now we all use it faithfully,” says one 5-star review.
【】9
【】For The Eyes
【】Estée Lauder Resilience Multi-Effect Tri-Peptide Eye Creme
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3GLcckc
【】Pros:
- Firms lines, smooths skin, and depuffs
- Ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested
Your eyes deserve an extra boost of TLC. So, get one step closer to banishing crow’s-feet and under-eye bags with this fan-favorite eye cream.
It contains a tri-peptide collagen complex to wake up tired eyes and give the surrounding skin a smoother, more youthful appearance. Plus, it also targets dark circles and puffiness, ensuring you always look well-rested.
Amazon reviewers swear by this 5-star collagen cream. In fact, one reviewer says they’ve been using it for 10 years, so you know it’s epic. Other reviewers may be newer to this collagen cream, but they love it, too. “This is the only product I’ve found to decrease puffiness and smooth the eye area. I’ve tried several different products from various product lines, and I always come back to this eye cream,” says one reviewer.
And you know the painful sting of accidentally getting eye cream into your eye? The worst! But, one reviewer says this cream doesn’t hurt or burn if mistakes are made. They add the TSA-friendly beauty product will last an entire year, to boot!
【】10
【】For The All-Natural Fanatic
【】Derma E Advanced Peptides & Collagen Moisturizer
【】BUY NOW
link:https://amzn.to/3OGOMyy
【】Pros:
- Created by a dermatologist
- Visibly improves uneven skin tone and texture
【】Cons:
- Too hydrating for oily skin
So, you like your beauty routine to stay au naturale, huh? The good news is that all-natural, vegan collagen creams are easy to find.
This one from Derma E is one of the best because it contains a blend of polypeptides and antioxidants to give your skin exactly what it needs: soften and smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
And don’t worry: Amazon reviewers say it lives up to its claims. One reviewer has been using this Derma E collagen cream for years, and says whenever they try something else for fun, they always come back because “nothing can beat it.”
Need more reassurance that this collagen cream is truly on point? Beyond earning nearly 1,300 5-star Amazon reviews, Derma-E was created by one of our most trusted skin experts, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Audrey Kunin, M.D.