Our scientists separate myth from fact when it comes to collagen benefits.
Collagen is a buzzword in skincare — but there is some controversy about what the ingredient, a protein that’s a building block of skin, can and can’t do in topical products. “Topical preparations containing collagen help the skin look smoother because they help it retain water,” explains Lian Mack, M.D. assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital Center in New York City.
“When skin cells are plump and fully hydrated, skin appears more supple and radiant.” Plus, she adds that “collagen rebuilding products help the skin look more youthful because the more collagen we have in our skin, the less sagging we see, along with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.”
Do collagen products really work?
Dr. Mack explains that since collagen is a very large molecule, it has difficulty penetrating the skin’s surface when applied topically. “While applying collagen to the skin may not boost the amount of collagen within skin because it is unable to penetrate, there are ingredients that increase collagen production or prevent its breakdown,” she says. These include:
- Retinol (vitamin A) “prevents the breakdown of collagen by blocking the activity of certain enzymes in skin and it stimulates collagen production,” Dr. Mack explains.
- Vitamin C protects skin from free radicals, which prevents the breakdown of collagen from environmental stressors,” she says.
- Safflower oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and “helps lift and preserve skin by preventing collagen degradation,” Dr. Mack explains.
How we test collagen-boosting skincare products
The Institute Beauty Lab is constantly testing anti-aging skincare products for face and body that protect and boost collagen production, including serums and moisturizers. Formulas are assessed in the Lab using devices like the Corneometer, which gauges skin moisture levels; the Cutometer, which measures skin laxity; and the Visia Complexion Analyzer, which uses digital imaging to track changes in skin like lines and wrinkles. We also send these products to be evaluated at home by consumer testers for visible effects on skin, texture, scent, application, ease of use, and more.
Here, reviews of the best collagen creams and collagen-boosting face serums and moisturizers, including formulas for body and drugstore buys, as tested by the GH Beauty Lab and skin experts:
1
Best Overall Collagen Cream
Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen
A winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test, Algenist’s rich formulation is infused with fortifying collagen, ceramides and fatty acids. Calculations with the Lab’s Cutometer device showed that it boosted elasticity and firmness by 33% over four weeks. Hydration also increased by 28% in six hours in readings with the Corneometer machine. “I could really tell a difference in my skin — it was more firm and moist 24/7,” a tester raved.
2
Best Value Collagen Cream
Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Wrinkle Cream SPF 20
Made with both collagen-stimulating retinol and a protective vitamin C variant, drugstore pick Neutrogena’s Seal star formula provides anti-aging effects, SPF, and hydration in one. In 12 weeks of use, 97% of women saw a reduction in the look of fine lines after 12 weeks of use, GH Beauty Lab clinical data assessment confirmed.
3
Best Collagen Face Serum
Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum
This powerhouse Clinique serum, the winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging face serum test, boasts high levels of vitamin C to prevent collagen from breaking down. Per calculations with the Lab’s Cutometer device, it increased firmness by 24% after four weeks of use. “My jaw seems lifted and more defined,” a tester marveled.
4
Best Collagen Cream for Body
Mum & You Tummy Time Firming and Toning Gel
Dr. Mack’s go-to for fortifying collagen on the skin below the chin: this body treatment with safflower oil from Mum & You. “I used this product religiously for three months postpartum and noticed a tightening and evenness to my skin,” she says.
5
Best Collagen Moisturizing Cream
Roc Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Crème
From a line based on retinol’s collagen production powers, this GH Beauty Lab gold standard and GH Seal star Roc cream speeds up skin cell turnover to minimize wrinkles starting in as little as seven days. In clinical tests, volunteers’ skin looked 32% smoother and more radiant after one week of daily use, Lab data evaluation found.
6
Best Moisturizing Collagen Cream with SPF
L’Oréal Paris L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Anti-Aging Day Cream SPF 30
L’ Oréal Paris’s SPF lotion, a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging day cream test, packs the power of collagen-friendly retinol and vitamin C to plump and smooth skin at a palatable price. The formula boosted skin’s hydration by 28% per Lab calculations with the Corneometer device. “It decreased the appearance of my wrinkles,” one tester raved. “My skin stayed hydrated throughout the day,” another commented.
7
Best Collagen Cream for Eyes
Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging eye cream test, Lancôme’s luxe formula with collagen-protecting vitamin C effectively firms and moisturizes the eye area. The formula boosted skin firmness by 29% in four weeks and increased hydration 41% in measurements with the Lab’s Corneometer machine. It left skin “smooth and younger-looking from the very first use,” a tester said.
8
Best Collagen Cream for Neck
No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
A GH Seal star, No7’s serum for both face and neck with collagen-boosting retinoids won the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging neck treatment test for firming and lifting skin. Before-and-after images taken with high-resolution photography showed the most improvement in tightening and lifting neck skin over 12 weeks. “This made my neck more firm,” a tester raved.
9
Best Collagen Cream for Wrinkles
Roc Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Anti-Aging Daily Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
This SPF 30 moisturizer from Roc with collagen-saving vitamin C was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging day creams test for smoothing lines. Lab digital imaging showed it improved skin’s texture by 11% in four weeks; it also rated highly for diminishing wrinkles and firming. “It left my skin feeling plump and looking smooth,” a tester reported.
10
Best Drugstore Collagen Night Cream
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Moisturizer
GH Seal star Olay’s overnight moisturizer with retinol to build collagen won the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test thanks to measurable firming, wrinkle-reducing, and softening results. The cream increased skin’s firmness by 27% over four weeks, according to calculations with the Lab’s Cutometer machine, and 100% of testers reported it made their face feel softer. “Skin was firmer and smoother each morning,” a tester said.