Best Overall

Olay Collagen Peptide Moisturizing Cream

$30

$29 at AmazonView on Ulta$30 at Target

Key Ingredients: Collagen peptides, niacinamide, glycerin | Skin Type: Combination, mature, dry | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Olay is a beloved brand for a reason, and the Collagen Peptide Moisturizer exceeds expectations. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, deeply moisturizes, and doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy. It’s formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to deliver ample hydration while also plumping and firming the skin. Our tester raved about the product’s quick results, sensitive skin-friendly formula, and layering qualities. However, she did note that it didn’t reduce her wrinkles quite as much as she’d hoped. Still, it’s an amazing option, and it gets bonus points for being available at most big-box stores.

Aleah, tester with sensitive, oily skin: “It pairs beautifully with makeup and did not pill at all, whether combined with other skincare products or makeup products. I find it to be a suitable base for makeup and loved it so much that I enjoyed wearing it morning and evening.”

Best Budget

Neutrogena Collagen Bank Face Moisturizer

$23

$22 at Amazon$30 at Ulta$20 at Target

Key Ingredients: Patented micro-peptide technology, SPF | Skin Type: Combination, oily, dry, acne-prone | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Neutrogena’s Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer is widely available at most drugstores, and at under $25, it’s extremely affordable without sacrificing quality. We love that it’s formulated with SPF 30 (the only collagen cream on our list with this ingredient) and that it doesn’t leave a white cast behind as a result. Our tester, who has a darker complexion, was thrilled that this product didn’t leave her skin looking dull or ashy due to the sunscreen in the formula. The collagen cream, however, did make her skin look and feel more plump, giving her a healthy, hydrated glow with some extra firmness to boot.

Ayooluwa, tester with combination skin and hyperpigmentation: “My skin has definitely become more firm, smooth, and bouncy since using this moisturizer. I have experienced no irritation, breakouts, or sensitivity.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

Biodance Collagen Cream

$45

$13 at AmazonView on IHerbView on Biodance.com

Key Ingredients: Low molecular weight collagen, mineral water, SYN-COLL | Skin Type: Oily, combo, normal | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated to minimize pores and improve skin texture, this collagen cream is also gentle enough for sensitive skin. Our tester, who has sensitive, acne-prone skin, did not experience any irritation or breakouts with regular use of this cream. It has a super-smooth consistency that glides on effortlessly, leaving your skin hydrated and smooth. Even better, with regular use, our tester saw lasting improvements in her skin’s overall texture, and she appreciated the hydrated glow it delivered as well.

Mary, tester with dry, sensitive skin: “The collagen cream didn’t irritate my sensitive skin at all. Even when I applied it on my driest days, it didn’t cause any redness or burning. I do have acne-prone skin, and it didn’t cause an increase in breakouts either.”

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Dieux Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream

$44 at SephoraView on Dieuxskin.com

Key Ingredients: Glycerin 10%, hydro lipid blend, vegan collagen amino acids 1% | Skin Type: Oily, combo, normal | Size: 2.53 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This collagen cream is packed with moisturizing ingredients, but won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. We love its lightweight texture that truly falls in place between a gel and a cream (and it applies so smoothly as a result). It has a matte finish that works well under makeup, and it also layers well with products for a nighttime skincare routine. While there’s only a small amount in the package, our tester noted that a little product goes a long way, and too much product will leave a slightly greasy feel behind—but even then, she still didn’t experience any breakouts.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director with combination, sensitive skin, and loss of firmness: “I’d say my skin has started to look more youthful and plumper over the testing period. It hasn’t caused any irritation, breakouts, or sensitivity, and never pills, which is great. I basically forewent moisturizers on days I used this collagen cream—felt sufficiently moisturized without it.”

Best for Glowy Skin

Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream

$20

$19 at Amazon$22 at UltaView on Yesstyle.com

Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, squalene, hydrolyzed elastin | Skin Type: Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitive | Size: 3.71 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For a hydrated, radiant glow, we love Medicube’s Collagen Jelly Cream, which is formulated with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and squalene. The product comes with an application spatula, minimizing overapplication, and our tester found that a light layer worked well for the daytime, while a thicker layer at night gave the same effect of a sleep mask (but with much less mess). It also left her skin looking and feeling bright and firm, and the scent-free formula did not irritate her skin at all. This cream delivered more than we expected, but it does leave a slightly sticky feeling behind as it absorbs, so keep this in mind if you have sensory sensitivities.

Katie, tester with dry, dull skin: “Immediately after applying, [my skin felt] hydrated and firm, and visually like there was a nice dewy, bounce to the skin. When continued use, it did look more plump over time without any irritations or breakouts.”

Best Hydrating

Paula’s Choice Plumping Moisturizer

$49 at SephoraView on Paulaschoice.com

$49

$19 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Hexapeptide-5, oligopeptide-1, tridecapeptide-1 | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you want a formula that leaves your skin looking plump and firm, and doesn’t skimp on the hydrating benefits, this is the one for you. It has a lightweight texture that glides smoothly onto the skin and has a slightly cooling effect. Our tester noted that it does take a couple of minutes to fully absorb, but it doesn’t leave any residue behind, just super moisturized skin (which may make it better as part of a nighttime skincare routine). We love the dewy, not greasy, finish of this product, and that skin looks refreshed with regular use. This is a fantastic choice for someone with dry skin, but since it’s not thick, it may be a little too light in the cold, dry months.

Shannon Stubbs, writer with dry, acne-prone skin: “After applying, my skin looks plump and well-hydrated, with a radiant, healthy finish. While it does look dewy, it never looks greasy.”

Best Plumping

StriVectin Peptide Plump Collagen Cushion Cream

$79 at Ulta$79 at DermstoreView on Strivectin.com

Key Ingredients: Argireline, alpha-3 peptide | Skin Type: Mature | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A cream that moisturizes, firms, plumps, and shows results after one use? Yes, please. After applying StriVectin’s Peptide Plump Collagen Cushion Cream just once, I was hooked. I saw a visible difference in my skin within minutes, and after five weeks of consistent use, I noticed my 11 lines looking softer and my skin feeling smoother. It layers well with other products, whether it’s makeup, serums, or creams, and it absorbs well, leaving behind a natural finish (that leans more dewy than matte). The cream is also lightweight, gentle, and moisturizing. It should come as no surprise that this product is now a staple in my skincare routine.

Ashley, tester with combination skin, fine lines, and wrinkles: “Over the course of the testing period, I have definitely seen an improvement in my 11 lines and overall firmness.”