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The best anti-aging creams: What are they good for? Absolutely loads, it turns out. While you should be wearing one of the best SPF moisturizers (in the streets) and one of the best night creams (in the sheets), incorporating an anti-aging (variously also euphemized as “firming”, “correcting” and “renewing”) cream into your routine will, when used with discipline, transform the look of your complexion.
Sorting between them, though, is no easy feat; the category holds a veritable medicine cabinet full of products, ingredients, and market names, all of which mean—and do—different things. Thankfully, the basics aren’t too hard to grasp.
The key question: which ingredients are actually anti-aging? Here’s a quick rundown: squalane and/or hyaluronic acid (HA) plump as well as hydrate, vitamin C protects against environmental stressors, peptides tighten, and retinol (also found in AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid) reduces the appearance of fine lines. On the latter, Harley Street face expert Yannis Alexandrides MD told us “topical retinol leads to a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles… and is invaluable when it comes to improving your skin’s overall texture as you age.” Got it? Good. Below, our grooming expert and product tester Adrian Clark’s recommendations.
The Best Anti-Aging Creams, At a Glance
Best Anti-Aging Cream Overall: Horace Face Firming Gel
Formulated with 95.2% ingredients of natural origin, Horace’s cooling and firming face gel helps strengthen skin and reduce the appearance of sagging through peptides. A vegan formula with a distinctive woody and amber scent, it uses two forms of hyaluronic acid that moisturize to help improve skin tone and wrinkles, while protecting your skin from environmental aggressors with the use of antioxidants.
Best Budget Anti-Aging Cream: Q+A Ceramide Face Cream
Aggressive exfoliation, UV exposure, pollution, and stress-inducing harsh ingredients all take a toll on our skin barriers, which in turn contributes to the aging process. Repairing and future-proofing the skin barrier doesn’t, however, need to be complicated or expensive. This daily moisturizer effectively strengthens and supports a compromised skin barrier (even sensitive ones) with its fragrance-free formula that’s made with 97.9% naturally derived ingredients. Due to its sensorial rewarding whipped soufflé-like texture, I found myself slathering this on both morning and night. I found it helped reduce dryness (something I have ongoing issues with) and also dialed down redness and protected my skin that’s prone to flare-ups and breakouts.
Best Vegan Anti-Aging Cream: Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum
Boasting an all-in-one anti-aging formula, Eve Lom’s Radiance Repair illuminates, hydrates, firms, and smooths the skin. A vegan solution to be used both morning and night, it hydrates skin for up to 72 hours after use. Dermatologically tested, this serum is infused with a cocktail of potent and advanced actives, including liposome-encapsulated retinol, a more stable, gentler, non-irritating form of the active which stimulates collagen production.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Dry Skin: ESPA Men Age-Rebel Moisturizer
Age-Rebel is your first line of defense for the early stages of the aging process, like dryness or fine lines. The product is particularly beneficial for dehydrated skin—a single swipe deeply nourishes, energizes, and revitalizes skin. It’s formulated with a blend of acai, velvet horn, and black oat for superior moisture; golden seaweed and sea fennel to wake tired skin up; and beta-glucan and chitin to calm discomfort or irritation. An effective safeguard to help prevent visible signs of premature aging.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Fine Lines: Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
Dr. Howard Murad’s clinically proven wrinkle cream helps ease deep-set and fine lines via a powerful peptide-meets-hyaluronic acid-meets squalane treatment (use it sparingly as a little goes a very long way). The triple-action formula targets problem areas where needed, like smoothing forehead creases, and fine lines around the mouth and crow’s feet, helping skin bounce back from lines triggered by repeated facial expressions, and boosting skin’s hydration levels to discourage future wrinkles from forming.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Sensitive Skin: Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Cream
Fresh’s first naturally-derived ingredient blend with a scientifically proven retinol-like performance, Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Cream works to support lost skin structure due to a natural decline in collagen. Gentle enough to be used twice a day without the known discomfort typical of many retinol alternatives, this dermatologist-tested, lightweight treatment is packed with advanced active ingredients. Suitable for most skin types, including sensitive ones, it is a very effective moisturizer that visibly reduces wrinkles and helps skin regain elasticity and firmness.
Best Multi-Purpose Anti-Aging Cream: Kiehl’s Age Defender Cream Moisturizer
This dual-action daily moisturizer visibly lifts and firms while minimizing the appearance of lines and stubborn wrinkles. Specifically formulated to meet the needs of men’s skin—which tends to be thicker—it effectively helps to strengthen and improve elasticity and texture. On first impression, I thought that the rich and buttery texture of this face cream would be too heavy for my sensitive complexion, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any greasy residue. Despite being a powerful treatment, it didn’t irritate me in any way; instead, it left my skin feeling revitalized and looking healthier.
Best Anti-Aging Serum for Combination Skin: Clarins Double Serum
After winning 450 global awards, Clarins’ Double Serum needs little introduction. Now in its ninth generation, the dual-system-serum’s most powerful formulation to date is the first to target aging from epigenetic changes caused by unbalanced lifestyle choices. I’m a big advocate of the previous generation but found this one even more satisfying. It still targets chronological aging, but also helps combat self-induced damage from exercise, diet, and stress, as well as the environment. I also found it kept my skin hydrated for longer than its predecessor.
Best Anti-Aging Serum: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Dual Serum
This two-in-one dual-phase serum features Dr. Sturm’s renowned hyaluronic acid-based Super Anti-Aging Serum alongside a potent, ceramide-peptide complex that renews the skin barrier and boosts the skin’s natural collagen and elastin reserves. When applied to my skin, I noticed the two blend seamlessly, visibly reducing my fine lines and even some of the tough-to-fix wrinkles. A shortcut to visible age reversal, I found it to be particularly well-suited to dry, dehydrated, and dull complexions.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Plumping: Origins Youthtopia Peptide Plumping Apple Cream
The scientists at the Origins Biotech Labs have taken the humble apple and unlocked its remarkable anti-aging powers. A new era in skincare innovation, the Youthtopia collection harnesses the genius of science and nature. At the core of the collection, the standout Peptide Plumping Apple Cream has been designed to help you hold on to a more youthful-looking complexion. Better suited to those experiencing the early signs of aging, it serves as a deterrent to help future-proof your skin, more than a fixer of already established damage. The first thing I noticed when taking this moisturizer for a spin was the very noticeable and almost instantaneous plumping effect it had and its refreshing boost of hydration.
Best Anti-Aging Cream with SPF: Nivea Men Anti-Age Power Moisturizer SPF 30
One of the first brands to introduce male-grooming products specifically formulated to tackle hyperpigmentation, this gem from Nivea Men’s anti-aging line helps prevent the appearance and development of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and sun-induced skin aging. Ultra-light, fast-absorbing, and non-sticky, it uses a combination of powerful and exclusive ingredients that provide the complexion with an instantly refreshed look and a visibly youthful and smoother appearance. It also features an SPF 30 to help protect from any further dark spot-triggering UV damage.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Smoothing: Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense Age-Defying Cream
Neal’s Yard Remedies has been at the forefront of wellbeing for more than 40 years and is one of the OG’s of natural and organic skincare. Recognizing advancements in green technology and active organic ingredients, the new and improved Frankincense Intense line features products specifically designed to lift or offer multi-pronged age-defense. I tried out the Age-Defying Cream (which is now also vegan) for several weeks and found it effectively smoothed the texture of my skin and helped plump my fine lines and wrinkles; I also found the signature frankincense fragrance very calming.
Best Anti-Aging Cream with Peptides: Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer
This universal daily face cream fortifies fragile skin barrier which is meant to keep the good stuff (moisture, electrolytes) in and the bad stuff (pollution, free radicals, UV) out. Like a personal trainer for your face, it’s infused with a powerful complex of ingredients formulated at highly concentrated levels and aids recovery for skin that is looking a bit lackluster and is showing an onset of fine lines. More of a pre-emptive treatment than a cure, I found it intensely hydrating, improving my skin’s ability to hold onto moisture throughout the day, a problem I struggle with as my skin is often dehydrated and dry.
Best Anti-Aging Serum for Volumizing: RéVive Intensité Volumizing Serum
As early as your mid-20s, collagen production begins to slow down, enhancing the appearance of fine lines and folds. Now some good news: this powerful targeted skin filler plumps and firms from within, providing a no-needles-necessary alternative to injectable facial fillers. Powered by RéVive’s signature bio-renewal peptide, bio-volumizing peptide, and painless plumping actives (to help restore the appearance of facial volume), it supports the skin’s production of natural collagen and elastin. Promoting healthier-looking, smoother, and softer skin in just four weeks, the high-intensity formula is particularly good at shifting furrow lines, crow’s feet, nasal-labial folds and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t block or inhibit the pores. Apply morning and night and follow with your regular moisturizer to contour, uplift, and restore volume with rapid and transformative results.
Best Anti-Aging Cream with Retinol: Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Skin Resurfacer and Intensive Wrinkle Repair Serum
A specialist in skincare solutions founded on real science, real claims, and real results, Indeed Labs offers budget-friendly and high-performance grooming solutions. Its three-in-one skin-resurfacing retinol targets the signs of aging while you sleep; encouraging the shedding of dead skin to smooth the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation, while helping rebuild lost collagen. By using a unique combination of two different types of retinol—a slow-release formula that gently resurfaces the complexion and a multi-faceted and anti-aging ‘retinol-like’ peptide that speeds up cell-turnover—the formula is more effective, faster, and gentler on skin. The addition of bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, helps alleviate rough texture and dryness. Only use this serum at night, and follow it up with SPF the next morning.
Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Cream: RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum
Developed in partnership with a panel of expert dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this innovative, non-invasive wrinkle filler targets the appearance of stubborn lines both instantly and over time, with no injections required. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this targeted treatment to see whether its bold claims were on the level, and not only did I find that it visibly filled the fine lines on my face within minutes of the first application, but I also noticed an improvement in my harder-to-treat wrinkles after a few weeks of continual use both morning and night.
Best Anti-Aging Cream for Firming: Caudalie Resveratrol Firming Cashmere Cream
Our natural production of collagen reduces over time (by up to 30% as you near the age of 50!) resulting in a loss of elasticity and firmness for the skin. With that in mind, Caudalie has innovated and redesigned its iconic anti-aging line with a new generation of collagen stimulators (the actual collagen molecule is too big to penetrate skin) that uses sustainable and vegan revolutionary green technology. Of the many products I tried and tested that claim to lift, this day cream achieved (with regular use over a three-week period) some of the most transformative re-sculpting results. The first time Caudalie has taken inspiration from cutting-edge technology from the medical world and utilized plant-based ingredients, it offers exceptional anti-aging benefits.
Best Derm-Office Anti-Aging Cream: PCA Skin Pro-Max Age Renewal Serum
Clinically proven to visibly lift and firm the appearance of the skin by 60%, this next-level age-renewal serum makes some pretty bold claims—claims that I can substantiate. Only two weeks into using it, my best friend asked if I had indulged in any cosmetic injectables; something he had never asked me before. Supporting collagen production, it dramatically reduced the appearance of sagging, loss of volume, lack of firmness, and hard-to-shift wrinkles: in short, it worked miracles. Using a patent-pending Micro Growth Factor Technology (MGF) that penetrates deeper into the skin, it creates multiple modes of action to help support the anti-inflammatory response. Suitable for all skin types, it can also be used to complement cosmetic injectables, which, incidentally, I still haven’t had.
Best Anti-Aging Night Cream: Bynacht Nocturnal Signature Anti-Age Cream
Research and scientific studies have shown us that skin renewal and cellular regeneration happen almost exclusively at night. To take full advantage of this down-time, Bynacht has created a line of über-efficient nocturnal skincare formulas that are complemented with sleep-promoting aromatherapeutic balms and oils that help you effortlessly drift into the land of nod. I found the Nocturnal Signature Anti-Age Cream delivered transformative results in helping diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, after using it for only four weeks. I also woke up feeling refreshed, with my complexion feeling hydrated and ready to take on the day.
What are the best anti-aging ingredients?
As far as key ingredients go, you’re going to want to look out for a certain top three. Moisturizers with ceramides, squalane and/or hyaluronic acid-based formulas have all been designed to keep skin looking plump and hydrated. Next up, antioxidants such as vitamin C help to protect against environmental damage, which is a main skin concern.
Resurfacing ingredients are a little different and are the solution for fading dark spots and fine lines while stimulating cell renewal. Ingredients with these properties include AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) like glycolic and lactic acid. They also include that perennial grooming buzzword retinol. Ultimately, the best defense against premature aging is to look after your skin, utilizing a proper moisturizer routine, using sunscreen when you head out into the scorching summer heat, and thoroughly taking advantage of our pick of the best age-reversing creams to make your skin look and feel younger and stronger.
What about retinol?
A potent de-ager that encourages cell production, retinol is a craze in grooming circles right now, but it has been around since the 1970s. Dr Alexandrides explains: “Part of the vitamin A family, retinol works by increasing cell turnover speed to diminish the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.”
“Topical retinol leads to a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles and increased production of glycosaminoglycans and collagen,” says Dr. Alexandrides. “It’s also invaluable when it comes to minimizing the appearance of pores and improving your skin’s overall texture as you age.”
Should older men use face cream?
These matters are rarely a case of “should”, but if you care about the way your face will look in another five, ten, and even 20 years, then you certainly could consider an anti-aging cream—whatever age you are. At the very least you should be using a daily SPF/sunscreen, but you could incorporate one of the above creams or serums in order to hydrate and plump skin, reduce fine lines, and improve the overall texture of your skin.
How we test anti-aging creams
Here at GQ, we’re all for staving off the ravages of Father Time. Not with hopes, prayers, and weird tricks we learned off TikTok, but with cold hard science. So out of pure self-interest as much as anything else, we’ve tested a hell of a lot of anti-aging creams and serums over the years in order that we might remain our most handsome selves for as long as humanely possible. Who did we rope in to complete this task of rolling back the years? Adrian Clark, has been trying and testing all of the best skincare products for British GQ and other publications for over two decades, honing his craft as an expert on staying young and keeping healthy. Each product on this list has been tested and appraised by him over a period of at least two weeks.
This piece originally appeared on GQ UK.
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