Unveiling the Best Anti-Ageing Creams: A Guide to More Youthful-Looking Skin
As we mature, our skin naturally undergoes changes, becoming thinner, drier, less elastic, and more susceptible to fine lines and discolouration. While no single pot of cream can guarantee eternal youth, the finest anti-ageing creams are formulated to help slow these effects, using targeted ingredients to enhance the appearance and comfort of maturing skin.
We’ve rigorously tested a multitude of day and night creams to identify the formulas that truly deliver. Regardless of your skin type, an effective face cream enriched with anti-ageing ingredients can help plump and renew skin cells, thereby reducing the visibility of fine lines. It should also soften and firm the skin, while boosting the body’s natural healing processes to leave your skin looking and feeling its absolute best.
Below, you’ll find quick links to our top anti-ageing cream recommendations, accompanied by mini-reviews of our favourite tried-and-tested formulas. For more in-depth advice on choosing the perfect cream for your needs, be sure to consult our comprehensive buying guide.
Did You Know?
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Best Anti-Ageing Cream: At a Glance
- Best for most people: Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream (~£52) – Check price at Amazon
- Best budget cream: L’Oreal Revitalift Brightening Moisturizer SPF 30 (~£19) – Check price at Amazon
- Best for sensitive skin: Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction (~£64) – Check price at LookFantastic
- Best for mature skin: L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream (~£82) – Check price at John Lewis
Our Testing Process for Anti-Ageing Creams
We firmly believe that hands-on testing provides the most accurate and comprehensive information about a product. Every anti-ageing cream featured in our roundup below has been personally tested, adhering strictly to the directions provided on its packaging.
We apply the creams as instructed over a period of weeks, meticulously observing any impact they have on fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and firmness. It’s equally important to consider the product’s feel and scent during use. We note how the skin feels immediately after application – or the following morning for overnight products – and document the cumulative effects with repeated usage. If a product is fragranced, we ensure the scent isn’t overpowering, and for fragrance-free options, we pay close attention to any subtle “twang” that can sometimes be present.
Any undesirable characteristics such as heaviness, greasiness, or residue are carefully considered, as these can significantly impact how makeup layers on the skin, as well as the skin’s overall appearance throughout the day. Our expert testers also meticulously review the ingredient lists of every anti-ageing cream, noting any potential irritants to avoid.
The Best Anti-Ageing Creams You Can Buy in 2024, According to Our Tests
1. Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream: Best Anti-Ageing Cream Overall
Price when reviewed: £52 | Check price at Amazon
Great for… fine lines and dehydration
Keep in mind… lightly scented
Clarins’ delightfully hydrating Multi-Active Night Cream features organic sea holly extract, which Clarins states revitalises skin overnight. This is complemented by niacinamide and poppy extract, which work to enhance the skin’s resilience against environmental stressors, while soothing redness and imparting an overnight lift to tired-looking skin.
During our testing, we found the cream to have a lovely feel on the skin – light and non-greasy, yet instantly hydrating – absorbing beautifully. It also boasted a delightful scent, with floral notes of jasmine, heliotrope, and freesia.
Suitable for all skin types, including dry and combination skin, Clarins Multi-Active Nuit is an excellent starting point for those beginning to notice signs of dehydration and fine lines. It delivers a firmer, plumper appearance. It’s also available as a day cream, offering continuous anti-ageing benefits throughout the day.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Night; Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, organic sea holly extract; Vegan: No; Cruelty-free: No
2. L’Oreal Revitalift Brightening Moisturiser SPF30: Best Budget Anti-Ageing Cream
Price when reviewed: £19 | Check price at Amazon
Great for… SPF protection, brightening
Keep in mind… retinol and Vitamin C can be irritating
L’Oreal’s brightening moisturiser combines retinol, a potent ingredient known to soften skin and promote healing, with SPF 30 for sun protection and vitamin C to target dark spots and discolouration.
During our testing, with daily use, we observed smoother, brighter, and more even-toned skin. This pleasant-smelling moisturiser applied smoothly and absorbed quickly. Based on our experience, consistent twice-daily use after cleansing should yield noticeable results within a few weeks.
For a cream that costs significantly less than many other anti-ageing options, this performance is incredibly impressive. However, exercise caution if you have very sensitive skin, as retinol and vitamin C can be irritating when used concurrently, even at low concentrations.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types; Quantity: 30ml; Best time to apply: Day; Key ingredients: Retinol, SPF 30, vitamin C, glycolic acid, glycerin; Vegan: No; Cruelty-free: No
3. Olay Regenerist 3-point Age Defying Day Cream: Best for Day and Night Use
Price when reviewed: £34 | Check price at Boots
Great for… deep hydration, day and night use
Keep in mind… no retinol or SPF protection in formula
Seeking an effective anti-ageing cream that won’t strain your budget? Olay Regenerist’s hydrating formula contains firming amino-peptides, plumping hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B3 to enhance skin texture.
Olay claims that its skin-firming ingredients penetrate 10 layers deep to stimulate cellular regeneration. While we couldn’t verify this in our real-world testing, we did notice that it absorbed effortlessly upon application, leaving our skin feeling smoother, moisturised, and more comfortable. The non-greasy formula tackled skin dullness, visibly brightening our complexion, and with regular use, our skin certainly appeared smoother and more even.
These are excellent results at a fantastic price, especially considering this cream is suitable for both morning and overnight use. However, if you’re looking for a formula that provides SPF protection or the resurfacing power of retinols, you might consider the L’Oreal Revitalift option mentioned previously.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Day; Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, glycerin; Vegan: No; Cruelty-free: No
4. Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Nourishing Moisturiser: Best Anti-Ageing Cream for Sensitive Skin
Price when reviewed: £64 | Check price at LookFantastic
Great for… dry, sensitive skin
Not so great for… retinol lovers
While retinol is renowned as an anti-ageing powerhouse, it can unfortunately irritate sensitive skin. Thankfully, this Hypoallergenic Clean Correction moisturiser from Perricone MD is a non-comedogenic godsend, leaving your skin visibly plumped and hydrated without the use of retinol.
Its fragrance-free formulation utilises peptides – chains of amino acid proteins – to counteract the effects of collagen depletion, specifically fine lines and wrinkles. When applied topically, peptides help the skin appear firmer and can improve the look of wrinkled and sagging skin. The moisturiser also incorporates ceramides to help rebuild the skin barrier and an adaptogen, mushroom extract. Adaptogens regulate and soothe the skin, contributing to a healthier, more youthful appearance.
When I personally tested this cream, I used it overnight after my prescription-strength retinol – a common culprit for dryness and irritation. After a month of consistent use, I was genuinely impressed by how much stronger my skin barrier felt. My typically sensitive skin remained hydrated and plump in the morning, and my redness was noticeably minimised. If your goal is to calm and strengthen your skin while achieving anti-ageing benefits, I wholeheartedly recommend this product.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types, including very sensitive; Quantity: 59ml; Best time to apply: Day and night; Key ingredients: Peptides, ceramides, mushroom extract; Vegan: Yes; Cruelty-free: Yes
5. Drunk Elephant Protini PolyPeptide Cream: Best for Fine Lines
Price when reviewed: £61 | Check price at LookFantastic
Great for… first signs of ageing, discolouration, sensitive skin
Keep in mind… no retinol or SPF protection in formula
If you’re beginning to notice fine lines, a lack of firmness, and discolouration from sun damage, Drunk Elephant’s potent blend of cell-boosting peptides and amino acids promises to help transform skin tone and texture. This high-protein concentrate, which can be used alone or mixed with a moisturiser or serum, contains nourishing marula oil and waterlily, alongside signal peptides that direct skin cells to renew their own cell-building proteins.
The vegan formula is free from silicones and fragrance. We observed firmer, plumper skin from the very first application, and a reduction in both fine lines and dark spots over time. These are excellent results, driven by powerful peptides. However, it’s worth noting that this cream does not contain resurfacing retinol, meaning the formula will be milder than some other options on the market. Depending on your individual needs, this could be either an advantage or a disadvantage.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Day and night; Key ingredients: Amino acids, growth factors, signal peptides, glycerin; Vegan: Yes; Cruelty-free: Yes
6. L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream: Best for Mature Skin
Price when reviewed: £82 | Check price at John Lewis
Great for… mature skin, wrinkles
Keep in mind… fragranced formula
According to our expert tester, this face cream will make you feel as though you’ve just experienced a professional facial – a justifiable expectation given its price. The product’s name is derived from the wonderfully fragrant antioxidant ingredient, extract of Immortelle Flower – affectionately known as the “flower that never dies.”
We found the cream’s texture to be rich, yet it melted effortlessly into the skin, leaving it feeling fresh, hydrated, and deeply nourished. It’s important to note that this cream is fragranced, which might not be ideal if you have sensitive skin. However, its scent truly is divine.
Immortelle Divine Cream is formulated to address tired-looking, thinning skin, aiming to replace it with a healthy, youthful glow. Consistent use, particularly when combined with the Immortelle Overnight Reset Serum from the same range, can help plump up your skin, visibly taking years off your appearance.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Day; Key ingredients: Immortelle flower extract, antioxidants, zinc, glycerin, vitamin E; Vegan: No; Cruelty-free: No
7. Facetheory Regena-C Moisturiser M4: Best Lightweight Anti-Ageing Cream
Price when reviewed: From £19 | Check price at Facetheory
Great for… combination skin, vegan-friendly
Keep in mind… low percentage of retinol
Combination skin, characterized by dry cheeks and an oily T-zone (nose and forehead), can be challenging to balance. Harsh exfoliants might irritate dry areas, while anything too rich could exacerbate oiliness. This lightweight cream from Facetheory offers a perfect solution to this common dilemma.
According to our reviewer, it provides effective moisturisation on the cheeks and drier facial areas, while its hyaluronic acid content hydrates without adding greasiness to oilier zones. It also contains healing vitamin E and brightening vitamin C, helping all skin types look their best.
All Facetheory products are vegan and cruelty-free, and come in sustainable amber glass packaging that can be easily reused or recycled. Regena-C Moisturiser is available with a light citrusy Mandarin scent or as a fragrance-free option. Its 0.6% retinol is suitable for sensitive skin or for addressing the first signs of ageing, though it’s still a relatively low concentration. If you prefer a stronger retinoid to target hyperpigmentation or more pronounced fine lines, a 3% “pro” version is also available.
Key features – Suitable for: Combination skin, normal skin; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Day and night; Key ingredients: Vitamin E, vitamin C, retinol (0.6%), hyaluronic acid; Vegan: Yes; Cruelty-free: Yes
8. Clinique Repairwear Uplifting Firming Cream: Best Anti-Ageing Cream for Dry Skin
Price when reviewed: £75 | Check price at Amazon
Great for… hydrating dry skin, brightening
Keep in mind… not for oily skin types
Clinique’s rich moisturising cream, infused with nourishing vitamin E and brightening vitamin C, works to stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production, lifting and firming the skin for a more youthful appearance.
Upon opening the jar, we noted a very subtle chemical scent in the lightweight cream, which quickly dissipated after application. We appreciate that despite its noticeably rich texture, the cream absorbed easily into the skin, leaving the face feeling remarkably soft and glowing.
Immediately after use, our dry skin felt fresh, comfortable, and thoroughly hydrated. With regular application, you should observe firmer and smoother skin within four weeks. Repairwear Uplifting Dry is ideal for dry to very dry skin, and a version suitable for combination skin is also available.
Key features – Suitable for: Dry and very dry skin; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Day and night; Key ingredients: Vitamin E, vitamin C, jojoba, glycerin; Vegan: No; Cruelty-free: No
9. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30: Best High-End Day Cream
Price when reviewed: £95 | Check price at LookFantastic
Great for… SPF protection, collagen boost
Keep in mind… lightly fragranced
This day cream is widely considered the ultimate anti-ageing cream if cost is not a concern, and we certainly understand why. Formulated with soothing rose and Mediterranean marine algae, we found this cream to possess a light texture and deliver significant results. In fact, after extended testing according to the product’s instructions, we observed a reduction in fine lines in just two weeks.
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, Elemis Pro-Collagen is exceptionally hydrating and boasts a fresh, clean scent. We also found that the cream absorbed into our skin instantly, allowing for immediate makeup application. For sun protection, we recommend the SPF 30 version reviewed here. Additionally, there’s an ultra-rich version available at the same price for drier skin, and a men’s version ideal for use after shaving.
Key features – Suitable for: All skin types, including sensitive; Quantity: 50ml; Best time to apply: Day; Key ingredients: Vitamin E, Mediterranean marine algae, SPF 30; Vegan: No; Cruelty-free: No
How to Choose the Best Anti-Ageing Cream for You
How do anti-ageing creams work?
Skin products designed to address the first signs of ageing primarily focus on hydrating the skin and smoothing out fine lines. Products formulated for mature skin deliver intense nourishment to help repair skin that has lost elasticity and contain ingredients that help reduce dark spots and discolouration.
A product’s performance will depend on its ingredients, how often it’s applied, and the duration of its use. While an anti-ageing cream cannot reverse deep wrinkles, evidence suggests it can be effective at addressing fine lines, at least stemming the progression of wrinkles, even if it won’t erase them completely.
Which ingredients should I look out for?
Skincare ingredients recommended by the Mayo Clinic – a non-profit academic medical centre – include:
- Retinol – a vitamin A derivative originally used in prescription creams
- Vitamin C – an antioxidant that helps protect against skin damage
- Peptides – originally used for wound healing and stretch marks
- Niacinamide – another antioxidant
- Sunscreen (at least SPF 15) – built-in and ideally broad-spectrum to block both UVA and UVB rays
Some of these ingredients, particularly retinol, can make skin more sensitive to the sun, which makes the consistent use of an SPF cream even more crucial. Retinol can also cause irritation when first introduced, so it’s advisable to use such products every other day initially.
If you have skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea, perform a patch test first or consult a dermatologist before introducing anything new to your skincare routine.
How much should I spend on anti-ageing cream?
There’s truly no upper limit to the cost of anti-ageing products; some creams can run into hundreds of pounds. The good news is that there’s no evidence to suggest that price directly correlates with a product’s performance.
In fact, participants in a clinical trial once reported seeing results from using a relatively inexpensive Boots anti-ageing cream, leading to the product selling out in stores within a fortnight. The creams we’ve tested above start at a budget-friendly £19, and as long as your chosen cream contains some of the ingredients listed above and you use it regularly as directed, you’re likely to see some benefits.
What else should I consider when choosing an anti-ageing cream?
It’s worthwhile to take the time to research your specific skin type, allowing you to tailor ingredients accordingly.
- Oily skins tend to benefit from exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic or salicylic acid that encourage the natural skin-renewal process.
- Dry and sensitive skins, on the other hand, may benefit from hydrating creams with antioxidants to boost healing, as well as limit damage from sun and pollution.
Remember that your skin type will evolve as you age. A lighter cream or serum might be suitable in your 30s, but as you grow older, you’ll likely find you need a more nourishing cream. Don’t forget that the delicate skin around the eyes responds best to specialist eye products.
How do I apply my anti-ageing cream?
Apply the cream after cleansing, toning, and serum, if you use one. Allow a few minutes for it to absorb into your skin before applying your makeup (for day cream) or getting into bed (for night cream).
Some creams are formulated for both morning and evening use. Naturally, creams with SPF protection are designed for daytime use, while thicker night creams are intended to deeply penetrate the skin overnight.