Best Overall

Strivectin Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream

$99

$71 at Amazon$99 at UltaView on Strivectin.com

Key Ingredients: Thyme extract liposomes, glycolipids, elastin-targeting peptides | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7, 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With its thick, creamy texture, we found that this product practically melted into the skin, leaving it feeling moisturized and looking great. Despite its thick consistency, the cream still feels lightweight and absorbs quickly. We love that it’s formulated for the face and neck, and it also layers well with other products. As for results, although not dramatic, our tester did notice improvements in lines on her forehead, noting that the skin appeared firmer with regular use of this product. Overall, she couldn’t say enough good things about this cream.

Sarah, tester with combination skin: “I loved the consistency. The texture is creamy and thick (like a night cream), and it absorbs well.”

Best Budget-Friendly

Gold Bond Ultimate Neck & Chest Firming Cream

$16

$10 at Amazon$13 at Target

$18

$12 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At under $15, this is the most budget-friendly option we tried, but you’d never guess it based on performance. Our tester found that it delivered ample moisture, leaving her skin with a slightly dewy appearance and a soft feel. In terms of firming, it did not bring immediate results, but it did improve the look of her skin over time.

We were also impressed with its overall nonirritating formula. Our tester, who is prone to breakouts, was initially skeptical since this isn’t technically a noncomedogenic formula. However, even after using it regularly for seven weeks, she didn’t experience any breakouts. It also applies well, is excellent for layering, and feels luxurious on the skin.

Gillian, tester with oily-combination skin: “Over time, I noticed my skin felt softer and smoother, and my fine lines seemed to be less noticeable. I also have a surgical scar on my neck that appears slightly softer than it did before, which could be thanks to the formula’s exfoliants.”

Best Smoothing

Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Moisturizer Youth Power Creme

View on Amazon$120 at SephoraView on Ulta

Key Ingredients: Stem cell extract, hyaluronic acid, moringa extract | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This pick wowed our testers with its rich and luxurious consistency. We love that it leaves the skin feeling deeply nourished and looking glowy and refreshed. It also stood out for delivering super long-lasting moisture (thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the mix). With regular use, we found that it left the skin feeling hydrated throughout the day after morning application and all night long when used before bed.

While one tester didn’t notice a significant improvement in laxity, she did note that it effectively helped smooth out some wrinkles on her neck and generally left her skin with a softer and smoother texture. Our other tester noted how well it smoothed fine lines and also applauded it for improving the texture of her skin. It’s also worth noting that this product has a light, floral scent. While we didn’t mind it, that may be slightly off-putting for some.

Anna, tester: “Over the testing period, I found some slight improvements in the deepness of my neck wrinkles and my skin texture was overall softened. It was also a luxurious way to end my nighttime skincare routine.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

Dr. Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Cream

$68 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, collagen peptide, panthenol | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

For those who want the benefits of a skin-tightening cream with retinol but find it too harsh for their skin, this is the answer. This cream is formulated with bakuchiol, a retinol alternative that’s generally safe for all skin types. It’s also super moisturizing (not always the case with retinol creams), especially if you have dry skin.

Our tester was blown away by its moisturizing benefits, praising its deeply hydrating consistency. Still, despite its thickness, it’s not the least bit greasy or tacky and soaks in beautifully, leaving your complexion feeling comfortable and looking extra glowy. Yes, please.

While not a major con, it’s worth noting that the packaging feels pretty bulky for the amount of cream in the jar. However, if you’re seeking a highly moisturizing option, we highly recommend this one.

Best for Neck Lines

Dr. Brandt Skincare Neck Tightening Cream

$90 at AmazonView on Drbrandtskincare.com$90 at Macy’s

Key Ingredients: Polysaccharides, firming peptides | Skin Type: All, especially dry | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If your goal is to tighten up the skin on your neck and smooth fine lines, give this cream a go. With consistent use, our tester saw an improvement in her skin’s texture and overall appearance, and she raved about its moisturizing benefits. We also appreciate that it layers well with other products and absorbs quickly, so you can keep your skincare routine moving along.

We highly recommend this product; however, don’t expect immediate results. It’s a slow-working formula that improves the skin with consistent use over time, so it may be a few weeks before you start noticing a difference.

Nykia, tester with normal to dry skin: “The uneven texture on my neck did feel smoother after a few uses and even more so over the seven weeks. The creases are still there, but overall, my neck feels smoother.”

Best With SPF

Clinique Repairwear Uplifting Firming Cream

$78 at Nordstrom

$78

$67 at Bloomingdales$77 at QVC

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba butter | Skin Type: Combination-oily, dry-combination, very dry to dry | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We love a product that does two things at once, like this one that helps tighten your skin while protecting you from harmful UV rays (although we recommend applying a separate sunscreen for optimal protection). This cream is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 15, and it doesn’t leave any white cast behind (a big win in our book). Sun protection benefits aside, it’s also an effective skin-tightening cream. With regular use, our tester observed improvements in her skin at the jawline and under her eyes. She also highlighted how quickly the cream absorbs into the skin, which is especially impressive given its thicker consistency.

As fantastic as this product is, it’s worth noting that our tester found it to become itchy on her skin when she started sweating during a workout. If you have sensitive skin, this may not be the best option for you.

Eileen, tester with dry skin: “I noticed a very slight but definite firming effect around my jawline and under-eyes while using this product, which boosted my confidence a bit, because I tend to have pretty bad bags under my eyes, and the firming effect of this product was nice for disguising those.”

Best for Quick Results

BeautyStat Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer

View on Beautystat.com

Key Ingredients: C22 conotoxin peptide, hexapeptide, glucosamine | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Looking for instant gratification? This cream delivers. Not long after applying this cream, our tester noticed that her skin looked smoother, especially under her eyes, and felt firmer. While immediate results like this are temporary, she still saw some general improvement in her skin over time with regular use of the product.

In addition to loving the quick results this cream delivers, we’re also big fans of how moisturizing it is. It has a thick, creamy consistency that spreads fairly easily and leaves skin feeling slightly warm and tingly after application. Just a heads up, though: our tester found it a bit sticky while it was fully absorbing, and it did leave a little residue behind.

Kristyna, tester with combination skin: “My skin appeared firmer shortly after application. I didn’t notice a temporary ‘lifted’ effect, but I noticed a subtle smoothing of fine lines that made a visible difference under my eyes. After consistent use, I noticed improvements in firmness.”

Best With Retinol

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

$89

$63 at Amazon$89 at Sephora$89 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, dipeptide | Skin Type: Balanced, oily, combination, dry | Size: 0.5, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our tester, who is an avid retinol user, raved about this cream from Murad, noting how beautifully it softened her skin with continued use. In addition to retinol, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate, niacinamide, which brightens the skin, as well as dipeptides to help improve skin elasticity. It’s also comfortably lightweight—not too creamy—and absorbs within a minute of application.

This is a night cream, so you only have to apply it once a day and just let it work while you get some rest. However, this is not a product that delivers rapid results; it took our tester a few weeks of continuous use to notice changes.

Ashley, tester with dry skin and fine lines: “I think my skin has become more supple with regular use of this. I think the balance of retinol and moisturizer works well for my skin concerns.”

Best for Dry Skin

Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Night Cream Skin Rejuvenating Treatment

$180

$135 at Amazon$140 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Linseed extract, apricot kernel oil, black tea, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Dry, combination, normal | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

While moisturizing is not the main purpose of a skin-tightening cream, the last thing someone with dry skin wants is to use a product that further dries them out. That’s why we like this cream so much. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to help the skin stay moisturized, while other ingredients, such as linseed extract, work to improve the appearance of wrinkles.

We love how smoothly this applies to the skin, and appreciate its thick, creamy consistency. During testing, we found that it quickly makes the skin look plumper and more radiant, and its moisturizing benefits last throughout the night and into the next day (our tester was able to skip her morning eye cream after using this product at night). Our only hang-up: it has a slight floral scent that may be bothersome to those with sensory sensitivities.

Averee, tester with normal skin: “Right after application, my skin feels plump, smooth, and slathered even though I don’t need much of the product to cover my entire face. It has a slugging effect on the skin. It brightens my face and plumps to give a youthful, glowy appearance.”