We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?

Many brands sell creams that claim to prevent, reduce, or treat the signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tones, and dryness. Skin creams cannot reverse the signs of aging completely, but they may help improve skin appearance overall.

Quick links

UV light exposure may cause some signs of skin aging, such as:

People can use sunscreen and moisturizers to manage the signs of aging skin.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, as it protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays, as these can cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.

A person should choose sunscreens with high SPF (30 or over), as these offer more protection and allow less UV radiation onto the skin.

Learn more about sunscreen here.

Moisturizers can soothe dry skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Also known as pro-aging support creams, these products can help improve the appearance of signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines, dark spots, and skin discoloration.

Avoid products that state that they can reduce all signs of aging or make unsubstantiated health or beauty claims. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), no product can target all skin aging signs.

A person should choose products that suit their skin type. For instance, if their skin is oily, they should consider a moisturizer formulated for oily skin.

Skin care

How we choose products

Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:

  • Price: Products are available for a wide range of budgets.
  • Ingredients: Product lists all ingredients clearly.
  • Skin concerns: Products target a specific skin concern, such as dryness, oiliness, or aging.
  • Safety: Products contain ingredients that are safe for topical use.
  • Reputable: Products are from companies that adhere to industry best practices.
Was this helpful?

Pro-aging support creams, lotions, and sunscreens can help improve, reduce, and prevent some signs of aging but are not a cure. The products listed are suitable for all skin tones unless otherwise specified.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Was this helpful?

Best anti-aging face cream: SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture

  • Skin type: Normal to oily
  • Size: 60 milliliters (ml) / 2 fluid ounces (fl oz)
  • Price: $63

This face moisturizer may benefit people who have signs of skin aging and acne.

Customer reviews claim it is lightweight and does not leave a greasy residue on the skin.

It contains algae extracts and botanical extracts, such as ginger, thyme, and licorice.

The website states that individuals can use the product once or twice daily and recommends applying it before sunscreen.

If a person uses retinol in the evening, they should apply this before using the Daily Moisture product.

Learn more about retinol and its uses here.

Best anti-aging sunscreen: Avene Solaire UV Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+

  • Skin type: All
  • Size: 50 ml / 1.7 oz
  • Price: $32

This 100% mineral sunscreen is lightweight and has a tinted formula that absorbs quickly into the skin. It is suitable for darker skin tones.

According to the website, the National Eczema Association has approved this product, so it may suit people with sensitive skin.

It contains thermal spring water and niacinamide, which may reduce visible discoloration.

It also includes zinc oxide to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays.

Learn about the best sunscreens for different skin types here.

Best anti-aging eye cream: True Botanicals Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream

  • Size: 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz
  • Skin type: All
  • Price: $78

The manufacturers claim that this eye cream is suitable for dark spots, puffy eyes, dark circles, and fine lines or wrinkles.

Its main ingredients are plant extracts, such as coffee, licorice, and turmeric extracts.

True Botanicals recommends that people use a pea-sized amount under and around their eyes in the morning and evening.

Learn about the best eye creams here.

Best anti-aging retinol cream: PCA Skin Intensive Age Refining Treatment

  • Size: 30 ml / 1 oz
  • Skin type: Normal
  • Price: $114

This cream contains retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, to promote an even skin tone.

This product also contains niacinamide and claims to reduce skin yellowing and redness associated with aging.

This cream also contains orange stem cell extract, which the manufacturer claims reduces fine lines and wrinkles to improve the skin’s firmness.

According to PCA Skin, people should use this cream twice per week after cleansing their skin in the evening. Then, they can gradually increase application frequency if it is effective.

Learn about the best retinol creams here.

Best anti-aging neck cream: Alastin Skincare Restorative Neck Complex

  • Size: 50 ml / 1.7 oz
  • Skin types: Oily, combination, and dry
  • Price: $110

This product contains flaxseed extract, dill extract, and niacinamide.

Alastin Skincare claims that this product can reduce the appearance of discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also promotes hydration.

People can apply one pump twice per day to the chin and neck area.

Learn more about skin discoloration here.

Best anti-aging peel: Eminence Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5%

  • Size: 60 ml / 2 fl oz
  • Skin type: Combination
  • Price: $46

This product contains yam, pumpkin pulp purée, and pineapple extract. The manufacturer claims that these ingredients can help remove dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines, and sun damage.

Eminence recommends applying the product to the face and neck with a fan applicator brush. After 10–15 minutes, the user can massage the skin to loosen dead skin cells.

People should avoid using the product on active acne lesions.

Learn about chemical peels here.

Best anti-aging lip product: Skin Authority SkinSuit Lip

  • Size: 3.5 grams (g) / 0.12 fl oz
  • Skin type: Dry
  • Price: $28

SkinSuit claims that this product promotes smooth lips, soothes cracked lips, and protects the skin from UV light.

Its main ingredients are zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and vitamin E.

The company website recommends that individuals apply it to the upper and lower lips every 2 hours and immediately after swimming.

Learn how to prevent chapped lips here.

Best anti-aging BB cream: Peach & Lily Crystal BB Cream

  • Size: 50 ml / 1.69 fl oz
  • Skin type: Fair skin
  • Price: $67

A BB cream is a moisturizing product that is a lightweight alternative to makeup such as foundation.

This cream contains titanium oxide and zinc oxide and is suitable for fair skin tones with pink undertones.

Peach & Lily claims it may help treat dark spots, fine lines or wrinkles, redness, and an uneven skin texture.

Users should apply this product as base makeup at the end of their morning skin care routine.

Learn more about dark spots on the skin here.

Best anti-aging hand cream: Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream

  • Size: 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz
  • Skin types: All
  • Price: $30

This lightweight hand cream contains shea butter, which may help moisturize the skin. It also contains sesame oil and myrrh.

Clarins claims it may also protect the skin from environmental aggressors, such as extreme temperatures and hard water. It has a non-greasy formula.

A person should use this product on dry skin and reapply when needed.

Learn more about treating dry skin on the hands and feet.

Best anti-aging lotion: Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion

  • Size: 1.7 fl oz
  • Skin types: Oily and combination
  • Price: $42

This lotion has a lightweight texture and may suit people who have acne. It does not contain parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

It contains Queen of Meadow extract to prevent dry and scaly skin, and allantoin and arnica to calm and soothe the skin.

Murad recommends that customers use this product twice per day.

Learn more remedies for dry skin here.

Best anti-aging cream for daily use: La Roche-Posay Substiane Riche Anti-Aging Cream

  • Size: 1.35 fl oz
  • Skin type: Sensitive
  • Price: $56.99

The company claims using this cream can make aging skin feel more firm and toned. It is made for daily use.

Key ingredients include:

  • glycerin
  • shea butter
  • thermal spring water

It is also noncomedogenic, paraben-free, and allergy-tested.

Best anti-aging night cream: Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Restorative Night Cream

  • Size: 1.7 fl oz
  • Skin type: All
  • Price: around $30 on Amazon

The company claims that this cream can improve skin elasticity and firmness while a person sleeps. It is also hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic.

Key ingredients include:

Blackberry complex may promote the appearance of more youthful-looking skin by minimizing the effect of collagen loss.

Best anti-aging serum: Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Serum

  • Size: 1 fl oz
  • Skin type: All
  • Price: $21.49

This serum contains retinol and multivitamins. It is also allergy-tested and noncomedogenic.

The manufacturer recommends people with sensitive skin use caution when trying the product. Instead of applying one drop daily, a person should use one drop every other day, or every 2–3 days, until the skin adjusts.

The company suggests people may notice improvements to laugh lines, wrinkles, crows feet, after using the product for 2 weeks.

Best anti-aging micro-sculpting cream: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer

  • Size: 1.7 oz
  • Skin type: All
  • Price: $24.99

Olay claims this cream moisturizes, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and firms the skin.

Active ingredients include:

The company states that a person will see results after 4 weeks of daily use. The cream is designed to be the last step in a skin care routine.

The AAD recommends the following to help people increase the effectiveness of their aging support products:

  • start with one product, as using several at once can cause irritation, making aging signs more noticeable
  • consult a dermatologist if a product irritates the skin
  • follow a doctor’s instructions on how to use a product to prevent clogged pores and dryness
  • avoid tanning, as it can lead to premature wrinkles and dark spots
  • use sunscreen as it reduces the signs of early aging and the risk of skin cancer

People should discontinue the use of a product immediately if it irritates. Gradually introducing a new product to the skin can help prevent irritation. Before using a small amount on a larger area, people can do a patch test on their inner arm to see if they react.

Below are some common questions and answers about anti-aging creams.

Do anti-aging creams actually work?

According to the AAD, one single product cannot reverse all signs of aging. Claims that sound too good to be true usually are.

A person is more likely to notice results if they select a product targeted for their specific concern and skin type. They should also make sure it does not irritate their skin and use it consistently.

What age should a person start using anti-aging creams?

“As soon as signs of aging appear,” is a common response to this question. However, every person’s skin ages differently. People may see these signs at different ages, but they can take steps to protect their skin at any time.

According to experts, sunscreen is one of the most effective anti-aging products. People can start using sunscreen as early as 6 months old.

Moisturizer is another anti-aging product that provides benefits at any age.

Can anti-aging creams damage younger skin?

Products formulated for older skin can be harsh or too oily for younger skin.

The most commonly reported risks to younger skin from anti-aging creams are irritation and more frequent breakouts.

If younger people choose to use anti-aging products after consulting a dermatologist, they should do so slowly and carefully.

Aging support skin creams may suit people who want to reduce the appearance of their dark patches, discoloration, and wrinkles or fine lines.

Many skin creams claim to have anti-aging properties, though few have research or studies to support their use in preventing visible signs of aging.

People should follow their doctor’s instructions when using skin creams, as some products can cause irritation. They should also use sunscreen and avoid tanning to reduce the chance of skin aging and skin cancer.