The 13 Best Tightening Creams for Firmer-Looking Skin (2024)

Natural cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids in this treatment help to restore skin’s elasticity while boosting hydration. Plus, it contains vitamin E to help fight environmental damage.

One satisfied customer writes: “Bought the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 cream for my mom who is 81. She loves it! Her skin looks and feels wonderful.” —Cassandra P.

This popular body lotion uses niacinamide and marula, cacay, and meadowfoam oils to improve the look and feel of skin over time while increasing firmness. It’s also rich in vitamins C and E, as well as omega-6 and -9 fatty acids, to help replenish skin.

One satisfied customer writes: “This is a fantastic lotion! I have very dry skin in general and also live in a very dry climate. This lotion is not greasy and absorbs quickly into the skin. You can apply it and put your clothes on right after. For me, the true test is if it keeps the ashy dry skin away all day without reapplying, and this lotion does it well. I’ll put it on after my morning shower and by night time my skin is still soft and hydrated.” —Nikoru

This luxe body cream from RéVive uses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to soften and plump your skin, while its proprietary Bio-Renewal and Bio-Firming proteins tighten and even its tone.

One satisfied customer writes: “I just recently received and I am on my third day of use. I can not believe how beautiful this cream is. It is amazing in it’s subtle fragrance but what a difference it makes on winter legs! I just love it!” —Barbara K.

This cult-favorite cream is known for its tropical scent and skin-smoothing abilities. The thick, smoothing formula is great for those with drier skin, and it contains guaraná, a Brazilian plant known for its caffeine-rich properties, to keep skin stimulated and taut.

One satisfied customer writes: “I honestly never leave reviews on items but this has got to be hands down the best body cream/lotion I have ever bought! I hate creams/lotions because of the texture, however this absorbs in your skin so quickly and smoothly. And the smell lasts forever without bothering you if you have sensitive skin, which I do. I just want to make note it is small size but I plan on buying a bigger one once it’s finished !!! LOVE IT! BUY IT! Don’t hesitate.” —Sarah S.

Pond’s daily Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream aims to minimize the appearance of fine lines in as little as two weeks, using a blend of alpha hydroxy acids and collagen. Over 9,000 Amazon customers consider it one of their anti-aging go-tos.

One satisfied customer writes: “A friend of mine with beautiful skin, recommended this product, and I bought it immediately. After several weeks, I noticed an improvement. Now, people are shocked when I tell them my age and ask me what my skin routine is! It’s truly a miracle of a product.” —Stephanie W.

This hydrating cream is a drugstore staple, and packed with ingredients like vitamin B3, amino-peptides, and hyaluronic acid to plump skin and smooth fine lines.

One satisfied customer writes: “I have been purchasing Regenerist for years. I love that it goes on smoothly without a greasy feel. I don’t wear makeup, I feel that this product has helped me control the finer lines, and gives my complexion a brighter look.” —Jbug

King notes that decreasing collagen and elastin is one of the major reasons body skin loses firmness. This fragrance-free, salicylic acid- and grapeseed oil-based cream not only treats dry skin, but also helps support its natural elastin production.

One satisfied customer writes: “This stuff is amazing. I have been using it for a couple of years now and I love it. I recommend it to all my friends. My dermatologist commented on how ‘well hydrated’ my skin is. I am 65 years old. It has especially helped my neck décolletage. Wrinkles are greatly reduced. I use it everyday (after my shower) on my neck, chest and arms.” —Linda

Powered by tripeptides and lactic acid, this popular body cream—which over 1,200 Amazon customers are raving about—improves skin elasticity and reduces crepey-ness. Plus, it contains hydrating murumuru seed butter to nicely revitalize dry, rough skin.

One satisfied customer writes: “This product is reasonably priced and actually works to tighten crepe skin. Have used it for several months and can see a visible difference.” —Anonymous

Augustinus Bader is a cult favorite for a reason. This body cream helps jump-start the skin’s natural repairing process and also features a combo of amino acids and vitamins to firm skin, fight sun damage, and even fade stretch marks.

One satisfied customer writes: “The best body cream I have ever used—skin is smoother and tighter. I don’t have many problems with stretch marks, but my cellulite is less visible.” —Ilijana R.

One of the ways King says people can lower their chances of experiencing collagen and elastin degradation is by practicing “sun-smart behavior, including sun protection, on an everyday basis.” This coveted cream for the neck and chest includes broad-spectrum SPF 25, which is a great start.

One satisfied customer writes: “I love Perricone Plasma Plus Neck Chest SPF +25 and swear by it. It has made a huge difference in the appearance of signs of aging, the wrinkles and loose skin under my jawline. This alone when treated with Perricone Plasma Plus Neck/Chest moisturizer will take years of your appearance, at least it has mine.” —Christine

If loose stomach skin is an issue for you, this pick is a definite add to cart. Ingredients like the plant extract pink pepperslim smooth skin, while avocado extract improves the look of stretch marks, and shea butter and hyaluronic acid keep skin hydrated and moisturized.

One satisfied customer writes: “If you can get through the warm sensation with a little itching feeling, this stuff works wonders! The warm sensation only lasts about 10 to 15 minutes then goes away completely. I see a difference in my stomach’s appearance and the texture. Highly recommend this product.” —Tara A.

“Sun-smart behavior, including sun protection, on an everyday basis, in-office treatments that stimulate collagen, and topical products that stimulate collagen and/or decrease loss of collagen,” King says. “I also recommend an anti-inflammatory diet. This means a diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy grains, and low in sugar and other refined carbohydrates and processed foods.”

Why? It all comes down to sugar. “Excess sugar molecules bond to collagen and elastin through a process named glycation, which ultimately causes the collagen and elastin fibers to lose their strength and flexibility,” the dermatologist says.

• Hadley King M.D., F.A.A.D, is a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist in New York City.