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10 best anti-ageing creams to help reduce wrinkles and boost radiance

Address fine lines, wrinkles and more with these beauty editor-approved daily moisturisers

Sabine Wiesel
Thursday 18 January 2024 15:26 GMT
<p>Ageing is a privilege that should be embraced, so we find the term ‘anti-ageing cream’ as dated as the next.</p>

Ageing is a privilege that should be embraced, so we find the term ‘anti-ageing cream’ as dated as the next.

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Ageing is a privilege that should be embraced, so we find the term “anti-ageing cream” as dated as the next. Yet, whether we like it or not it’s become a skincare label that is still widely used to represent the products that minimise the look of common signs of ageing including fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and loss of firmness.

If you really want to see rejuvenating benefits from your day cream, there are a number of ingredients to look out for. Retinoids (retinol is part of the retinoid family) are the gold standard in anti-ageing with the ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production and promote cell turnover addressing all the major signs of ageing. Peptides are the building blocks of the proteins (collagen, elastin and keratin) that keep your skin strong, smooth and full of bounce. Ceramides are fats that strengthen the skin barrier keeping it firm and well hydrated. Lastly, hyaluronic acid is one of the best humectants around that can draw moisture to the skin.

And of course, “prevention is key”, explains Ada Ooi, skin and wellness expert and founder of 001 skincare. “To prevent lines from forming, volume loss and pigmentation, use protective measures from as early on as possible and try to be consistent,” she adds. Ooi recommends that you “look for antioxidants in your formula to neutralise free radicals and protect the skin from UV rays, pollution and other environmental damage”.

“Dermatologists rave about antioxidant vitamin C, with good reason: it’s a real multi-tasking skincare superstar. It not only helps shield the skin but also stimulates collagen production and brightens uneven skin tone,” she adds. Of course, if your chosen cream doesn’t contain SPF it should be applied as a next step.

Before we dive any deeper, it’s important to acknowledge that no matter what a product claims, none has the power to truly repair the signs of ageing. “It’s important to have realistic expectations,” says Amanda Azzopardi, advanced aesthetic nurse and clinic owner. “These products can help reduce the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing, but they cannot reverse the ageing process entirely.”

You also need to give a new product around a month to see visible results, this is roughly the time it takes your skin to turn over regenerated skin cells. However, “significant changes can take several months of consistent use and depend on the deepness of wrinkles and individual skin biology”, warns Ooi.

Whether your skin woes are wrinkles, fine lines, lack of plumpness, firmness or lift, our comprehensive review of the best anti-ageing creams has your skincare needs and budget covered.

How we tested the best anti-ageing creams

A selection of the best anti-ageing creams we tested for this review

Our tester is an experienced beauty editor in her early 40s who tests new anti-ageing creams as they launch. Each of these creams has been trialled for a minimum of three weeks, even though most have been trialled until empty. To make this winning line-up, we looked at ease of application, how it felt and looked on the skin and how long the youth-preserving skincare ingredients took to plump, smooth, brighten or firm the complexion.

The best anti-ageing creams for 2024 are:

  • Best anti-ageing cream overall – No7 future renew damage reversal SPF40 day cream, £31, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget buy anti-ageing cream – The Inkey List bio-active ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser, £18.99, Boots.com
  • Best vitamin C anti-ageing cream – Murad essential-c firming radiance day cream, £77.40, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best luxury anti-ageing cream – Augustinus Bader the rich cream, £230, Spacenk.com
  • Best cult classic anti-ageing cream – Elemis pro-collagen marine cream, £72.23, Amazon.co.uk

No7 future renew damage reversal SPF40 day cream

No7 future renew damage reversal SPF40 day cream-indybest
  • Best: Anti-ageing cream overall
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • High UV protection
    • Repairing formula
  • Take note
    • SPF can clog pores if you don’t cleanse well

Offering No7’s most scientifically advanced formula to date and 15 years in the making, this jar features a new super peptide that harnesses the skin’s natural repair process. Put simply, it targets skin damage and premature ageing by tricking the skin into thinking it’s been damaged, boosting the renewal of key proteins like collagen.

Teaming this world’s first cosmetic tech with skin-protecting antioxidants, vitamin C and SPF40, as well as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to boost hydration, this is a powerhouse of an anti-ageing cream. It’s a thick, rich formula but it absorbs instantly, and the SPF doesn’t leave behind a white cast. Within days it left our tester’s skin feeling soft and supple. For targeting loss of firmness, lines, wrinkles, and skin tone and texture, you can expect to see results after a few weeks.

  1. £31 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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The Inkey List bio-active ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser

The Inkey List bio-active ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser-indybest
  • Best: Budget anti-ageing cream
  • Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Excellent value
  • Take note
    • Let the cream absorb before applying make-up

New to the beauty shelves, we tried The Inkey List’s latest anti-ageing cream ahead of its launch and it ticked all the boxes of another buzz-worthy product from the accessible beauty brand. Boasting next-generation bio-active ceramides as the leading ingredient that works hard strengthening the skin barrier through multiple layers.

For instant gratification, the beautifully rich and creamy texture is also infused with gransil blur that delivers a soft-focus effect – blurring fine lines and imperfections. After a month’s use, our complexion felt smoother, well-nourished and firmer to the touch. It’s suitable and effective on all skin types and can be used as a night cream too. We’re predicting that this will go viral.

  1. £18 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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Murad essential-c firming radiance day cream

Murad essential-c firming radiance day cream-indybest
  • Best: Vitamin C anti-ageing cream
  • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ceramides, niacinamide
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Brightens dull skin tones
  • Take note
    • Vitamin C can irritate sensitive skin

Packed with vitamin C, this day cream protects skin from UV rays, pollution, and daily aggressors, as well as correcting damage already done in the form of uneven skin tone. It’s light in texture, but thanks to its infusion of ceramides and niacinamide it’s super hydrating, leaving even dry complexions feeling instantly nourished and dewy.

Our tester has turned back to this pot of radiance multiple times for its long-lasting smoothing and plumping abilities – and you can expect to see a difference within days. Stick with it for its glow-inducing magic and watch the compliments flood in.

  1. £77 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Elizabeth Arden retinol+HPR ceramide rapid skin renewing water cream

Elizabeth Arden Retinol+HPR Water Ceramide Rapid Skin Renewing Water Cream-indybest
  • Best: Retinol anti-ageing cream
  • Key ingredients: Retinol, HPR, ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Next-level retinol formula with less irritation
    • Packed with active ingredients to target signs of ageing
  • Take note
    • Don’t forget your SPF on top

If you didn’t think you could use a retinol product during the day, think again because you can with this next-level formula, just don’t skip the SPF. Retinol is just one form of a bigger family of retinoids that increases skin cell turnover and aids in the production of. In this pump jar, you’ll find it’s been combined with HPR (hydroxypinacolone retinoate) a next-generation retinoid that’s 10 times more potent yet much gentler on the skin.

This leaves you with a supercharged formula that’s further enriched with skin-plumping peptides, skin-strengthening ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid and bisabolol known to soothe and minimise irritation. The water cream itself is like a lightweight gel meets cream – we found that our skin drank it up in seconds, leaving behind a veil of moisture. We were surprised to see real results after just seven days with the skin feeling smoother and looking brighter. Still, give it longer to work its plumping and firming magic.

  1. £60 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Elemis pro-collagen marine cream

Elemis pro-collagen marine cream-indybest
  • Best: Cult classic anti-ageing cream
  • Key ingredients: Marine and plant actives
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Long-lasting hydration
  • Take note
    • It’s expensive but a little goes a long way

It’s not easy to reach iconic beauty status with so many day creams constantly being launched promising to be the next big thing. But Elemis has managed it with its pro-collagen marine cream. The product has a list of loyal fans among all who have tried it, including our tester who keeps going back to the skincare hero.

Its gel-cream silky texture is fast-absorbing and lightweight, keeping the complexion continuously well hydrated. A blend of marine and plant actives offers antioxidant skin protection while supporting the production of collagen. The effects on the skin show up within a few weeks of use, with skin looking and feeling smoother and firmer. Plus, it’s also available with SPF30, as an ultra-rich formula and a new rose-fused version.

  1. £72 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Augustinus Bader the rich cream

Augustinus Bader the rich cream-indybest
  • Best: Luxury anti-ageing cream
  • Key ingredients: TFC8, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
  • Size: 30ml
  • Why we love it
    • Leaves skin radiant, smooth and plump
  • Take note
    • The most expensive cream in this review

From celebrities to skincare enthusiasts singing its praises, you have probably seen the hype around this blue and copper luxe moisturiser, and we are here to only add to its acclaim. It’s the science behind the brand that makes it such a standout. Professor Augustinus Bader spent 30 years studying the skin’s healing process which led to the making of the brand’s cellular renewal complex, TFC8. The patented blend of amino acids, high-grade vitamins and peptides naturally found in the body stimulates the skin’s regeneration process.

You’ll find TFC8 teamed with omega-rich botanicals, fatty acids and antioxidants in this formula, which has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Give it a month of consistent use, and you can expect to see your complexion looking brighter, smoother and super supple – just like our tester.

If you have dry to normal skin, we’d recommend the rich cream owing to its thicker consistency, while others may prefer the cream. We’ve only marked it down slightly, as its hefty price tag is hard to ignore.

  1. £230 from Spacenk.com
Prices may vary
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Dermalogica dynamic skin recovery SPF50

Dermalogica dynamic skin recovery SPF50-indybest
  • Best: For high UV protection
  • Key ingredients: SPF, peptides, hyaluronic acid
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • High SPF with no white cast
  • Take note
    • Dry skin types may prefer a richer texture

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: prevention is key when it comes to warding off premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. As such, one of the best things you can do for your complexion is to shield it from damaging UV rays every day. Look for broad-spectrum formulas, like this first-rate daily moisturiser, which provides protection from both the UVB burning rays and the ageing UVA rays.

It’s powered by polypeptides to boost collagen production and repair photodamage that’s already occurred. The formula also includes glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane, which are skin hydrating. We rate it for how lightweight it is for such a high SPF, how fast it absorbs and how well it looks with make-up on top. During testing, we also found that it left a dewiness on the skin that we couldn’t get enough of.

  1. £75 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Clarins multi-active day cream

Clarins multi-active day cream-indybest
  • Best: For first signs of ageing
  • Key ingredients : Niacinamide, sea holly extract
  • Size : 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Calming spa-like fragrance
  • Take note
    • Best for 30+ skin
    • There are better-suited formulas for older skin from Clarins

Formulated to target the early signs of ageing, Clarins’s new day cream is touted to address dehydrated, fatigued skin, fine lines and uneven skin tone that can be brought on by the physical and mental stress of juggling busy lives.

Rich in niacinamide, the multi-tasking super active has many benefits, including strengthening your skin’s moisture barrier, boosting collagen production, smoothing lines and reducing the look of pores. The formula also includes antioxidant plant extracts, which protect signs of ageing from occurring.

It’s brand new to the beauty shelves, but we got a first look ahead of launch and fell for it immediately. Its instant appeal comes from the creamy, luxurious texture that’s fragranced with lily of the valley, bergamot and cedarwood for a relaxing, destressing scent. Within days of use, our skin felt well-nourished, but after a few weeks of use our skin looked smoother and our dull skin got its glow back.

Do note this product does not officially launch until 1 February, so be sure to be some of the very first to get your hands on it.

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ReVive moisturising renewal day cream

ReVive moisturising renewal day cream-indybest
  • Best: Luxury SPF face cream
  • Key ingredients: Patented peptide, vitamin C, marine adaptogens
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Smoothing
    • Brightening
    • Firming
  • Take note
    • Expensive, but worth it for the results

This is definitely a luxury budget day cream, but worth every penny for its advanced science-led formulation – the formula was developed by a renowned plastic surgeon who was inspired by Nobel Prize-winning science used to heal burn victims. It uses a skin-identical peptide that mimics your skin’s renewal process, along with antioxidants, vitamins C and E and SPF 30 for skin protection, nourishment and rejuvenation.

Our tester has been through a few jars of this fast-acting formula as it instantly makes skin feel soft and supple and offers zero chalkiness protection. They also found that dull skin perked up after a few weeks of use, but for impressive smoothing and plumping results use for longer to see results.

  1. £150 from Spacenk.com
Prices may vary
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Olay collagen peptide 24 max face cream

Olay-cream-indybest.png
  • Best: For menopausal skin
  • Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide
  • Size: 50ml
  • Why we love it
    • Light, fast-absorbing formula that intensely hydrates
  • Take note
    • Don’t forget your SPF on top

If your skin is on the dry side or if you’ve hit menopause, turn to this high street favourite. With oestrogen production diminishing when women reach menopause, the changes to your body’s hormones leave collagen and oil production slowing down too. Your skin can’t retain moisture as well, which leaves skin feeling dry, uncomfortable and sometimes itchy, so you need an intense dose of daily hydration like this offering to get its glow back.

Packed with replenishing ingredients in the formula including collagen peptides that penetrate deep into the skin to strengthen and give skin back its bounce, and niacinamide for skin smoothing and brightening. After just two weeks of use, the light and silky cream left our skin feeling healthily hydrated, but with ongoing continuous use, our skin felt strengthened, firmer-looking and with a real radiance to it. A great pick if you’re looking for a cream that will transform a dull, dry complexion quickly.

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Anti-ageing day creams FAQS

Do anti-ageing products really work?

You can’t reverse ageing, but certain skincare ingredients can improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and texture.

The gold standard anti-ageing ingredient in skincare is SPF and should be used daily. Regular use will help limit damage from UV radiation but also play an important role in protecting against fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

The best thing you can do to reduce the appearance of ageing with your skincare routine is to take care of it as early as possible, with preventative steps such as applying SPF daily and always removing make-up before you go to bed.

Ingredients to look for in anti-ageing day creams

Antioxidants Vitamin C and niacinamide are powerhouse ingredients worth a spot in your morning routine as they protect against environmental aggressors, pigmentation and blemishes.

Ceramides - You’ll find ceramides in plentiful supply in cleansers, serums and moisturisers and while they naturally occur in your skin, they gradually decline as we age. They protect your skin against environmental aggressors and prevent water loss, so are a great ingredient to look out for in your topical skincare products as they’ll leave skin feeling supple and hydrated.

Hyaluronic acid – This is one of the most commonly used ingredients in moisturisers as it's a humectant that attracts and retains moisture on the skin, giving a plumping effect.

Retinol – Derived from vitamin A, retinol is one of the most potent anti-ageing ingredients, thanks to its clinically proven results in improving fine lines and wrinkles in as little as twelve weeks. It can also fade acne scars and increase collagen production. It’s available over the counter in moisturisers and serums, in varying strengths, ranging from 0.01 per cent to two per cent.

Squalane – This is an unfussy, oil-based moisturising agent that works well for mature, dry and dehydrated skin types to reduce water loss and strengthen the skin barrier by sealing in moisture.

Does your skin type affect which anti-ageing cream you should use?

In short, yes. Anti-ageing is a common skin concern, but you should also take into account your skin type when looking for a new moisturiser.

Anything too oily or thick may exasperate oil production, so if you want to avoid a shiny T-zone, opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic products that are lightweight and won’t clog pores.

Equally, if you have dry skin, you’ll need something nourishing to improve skin texture and suppleness that will hydrate while tackling fine lines and wrinkles.

The verdict: Anti-ageing creams

Taking into consideration affordability and effectiveness, No7 future renew damage reversal SPF40 day cream has taken the top spot thanks to its high level of skin protection and fast-acting rejuvenating results that you see working after just a few weeks.

For those tightening the purse strings, The Inkey List bio-active ceramide repairing and plumping moisturiser provides skin-smoothing results at a fraction of the price. And, if you have a high-end budget, the ReVive moisturising renewal day cream has the level of protection and science behind it to warrant its price tag.

Tackle pigmentation and boost collagen levels with the best vitamin C skincare products

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