We Tested 24 Skin-Tightening Creams, but Only These 6 Gave Us Visible Results (2025)

Jennifer Chan is a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over 20 years of editorial experience as a beauty expert, on-air TV host, and journalist. She has tested hundreds — if not thousands — of products throughout her career.

With age comes wisdom, but it can also bring about a slew of daunting beauty concerns.

It goes without saying that skincare prevails as an incredibly popular topic for people of all ages, but those with more mature skin may be even more intensely focused on firming and tightening their complexions. After all, as we age, the skin loses elasticity and collagen production, which can result in the appearance of saggier, looser skin that’s more prone to pesky fine lines and wrinkles. While we embrace beauty throughout all seasons of life, we’re here to help if you’re looking for a firming cream that very well may turn back the hands of time.

Thankfully, there are dozens (and dozens) of tempting products on the market; many of which are packed with potent ingredients that visibly improve the texture of your skin with continued use. Our testers tried 24 products, ranging from $40 to $140, over the course of eight weeks, carefully assessing tightening creams for the face, décolletage, and neck areas.

Keep reading to see which skin-tightening creams are worth every penny.

Our Stars

Reviews

Fiéra Multi-Effect Neck and Décolletage Cream

Our tester, who describes her skin as on the drier side, absolutely loved how hydrating and silky this cream felt. Everything from the neck down felt “smoother to the touch,” and she noticed a visibly softer appearance around her décolletage that lasted all day. She loved how this fragrance-free option absorbed right into her skin without any greasy or oily residue, and highly recommended this cream for anyone in their 20s or older. At $40, this Amazon find is effective yet sits at the lowest price on our list.

• Size: 1.69 ounces ($21.30/fluid ounce)
• Target area: Neck and décolletage
• Key ingredients: Macadamia seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E

Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream

The Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream is a great pick for anyone with sensitive, dry skin. Our tester was impressed with its plumping effects, especially around the forehead area, and raved about how soothing it was to her typically irritated, itchy complexion. She noted that it layered well with other products and made a “huge difference” in keeping her skin soft and hydrated throughout the day. Our tester was convinced that, with even more time, she would continue to reap better results in the weeks to come.

• Size: 1.69 ounces ($30.77 per ounce)
• Target area: Face
• Key ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane

Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Cream

If you’re after a dewy glow with a plumping effect, this luxe cream checks off both boxes. Our tester was thoroughly impressed with how much smoother and bouncier her skin looked with every application, and she noted that her typically dry texture and appearance of fine lines dramatically improved after use. The hydrator works well as an everyday cream for morning or nightly use and also enhances your complexion, locking in moisture even under makeup.

• Size: 1.0 ounces ($70 per ounce)
• Target area: Fine lines and wrinkles
• Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, moringa extract, and cactus stem cell extract

Isdin Age Contour Firming and Rejuvenating Cream

Talk about tightening and hydration in one! Our reviewer described the Isdin Age Contour Firming and Rejuvenating Cream as having a similar consistency to Greek yogurt: thick, rich, and satisfying. She also did a double take when it came to its subtle tightening effects, most noticeably around her cheekbones. She noted that her fine lines around the eye area also looked improved and slightly plumper, too. This luxe hydrator absorbed nicely into her skin and maintained impressive hydration levels in various climates. Best of all, it delivered a noticeable dewy glow that inspired compliments from others.

• Size: 1.8 ounces ($55.94 per ounce)
• Target area: Neck and jawline
• Key ingredients: Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid

Skinceuticals Tripeptide R Neck Repair Cream

If you want results, look no further. Our tester admitted she was “desperate” to stop her turkey neck dead in its tracks. She was so wildly impressed with the Skinceuticals Tripeptide R Neck Repair Cream that she ran out and restocked it immediately upon depleting the first bottle. She noticed a tightness in her neck area that she’d never seen before and couldn’t believe how much more sculpted and contoured it looked with continued use. She also noted that her skin “drank it up,” referring to the formula, and admired her firmer and tighter results. Our tester declared this was the best product she’s ever tried that actually delivered on its promise.

• Size: 1.7 ounces ($80 per ounce)
• Target area: Neck
• Key ingredients: Retinol

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting Firming Advanced Cream

Our tester typically swears by another pricey anti-aging cream, but after trying the Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting Firming Advanced Cream, she is a total convert and claims this product is “so much better.” In particular, the moisturizer dramatically improved our tester’s tone and texture and was easy to apply (sans greasy residue). She loved how light this cream felt on the skin and recommended it for sensitive skin types, too. In short, she said her skin felt soft, more even, and refreshed, even when braving harsh weather conditions.

• Size: 1.7 ounces ($80 per ounce)
• Target area: Face
• Key ingredients: SafflowerRED™, ginseng root extract, ziziphus jujube fruit extract

More Skin-Tightening Creams We Liked

While the six creams above won us over, there were several others that impressed us, too. If money is no object, definitely pick up the La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Sheer Cream, which our tester described as “velvety smooth” in texture, while still being hydrating and lightweight. Our tester liked the filter-like results but had a hard time justifying the price in the end.

The same was the case for the pricey Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Décolleté Firm and Repair Cream, which our tester felt was soft and creamy, but not earth-shatteringly good. One that surprised us was the Lawless Forget the Filler Perfecting Cream, which acted more as a mattifying blurring primer that looked great under makeup and diminished the look of saggy, aging skin in its own special way.

How We Tested

To properly review and rank these skin-tightening creams, we instructed our testers to start with clean dry skin and spot test each product first. Over the course of eight weeks, our team diligently applied each product at least once a day to their faces or necks and allowed the product to absorb fully before following up with other products or makeup to fully assess the results. Results were recorded and photographed, showing the skin in natural light with and without makeup, and before, during, and after the testing process.

Complete Your Skincare Routine

Now that you’ve settled on one (or two) potent skin-tightening creams to add to your arsenal, be sure to round out your routine with a few more essentials to put your best face forward. In addition to lotions and potions, we also recommend investing in tools and devices like the Daily Concepts Gua Sha Jade Tool for lymphatic drainage and sculpting, or the Higher Dose LED Light Therapy Mask to really amplify your anti-aging efforts.