Beauty Experts Swear by These 19 Tightening Face Creams for Noticeable Results
Expert-approved and seriously effective, these skin-tightening face creams promise visible differences.
While it might sound like a beauty myth to sceptics, firming your complexion with a skin-tightening cream is only a swipe away. Don’t believe me? I consulted the experts, those regularly at arm's length of the latest innovations and constantly swatching, dapping and testing new holy-grail salves, to uncover the proverbial skin-tightening cream of the crop.
As every beauty expert knows, properly prepped skin, using the best serums and best moisturisers, is the key to a radiant, glowing base. No matter how good your foundation is, it's all about focusing on your complexion if you really want it to look its best. It can sometimes seem as if there are a million and one products to apply before your makeup, from toners to primers and eye creams, but a simple yet effective moisturiser is all you need (alongside your favourite SPF, of course).
To maximise the potency of this step, why not make like the legions of celebrity makeup artists who swear by skin-tightening face creams to help give their starry clientele's skin that plump and toned look? If you're curious to know which creams they keep in their kits, then you're in luck, as I asked some of the most sought-after makeup artists in the industry to share their top picks, and also tapped some skincare experts for their favourite formulas, too.
From luxury skincare brands that do wonders at lifting your complexion to high-quality, affordable moisturisers delivering doses of hydration while keeping skin smooth, there are tonnes of terrific skin-tightening creams for you to choose from. I even tapped these beauty experts for their top skin-tightening cream application tips and tricks, so you know exactly how to get the most out of the products, too.
The best thing about these skin-tightening creams is that you don't need to spend a lot of time prepping or priming before applying makeup, so they're an easy addition to your daily skincare routine. Keep on reading for more on the best skin-tightening creams, and get ready to glow like never before.
Do Skin-Tightening Creams Work?
Skin-tightening creams work by packing skin with moisture, which has a plumping effect, making lines look less apparent. In addition, those that contain collagen-stimulating ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids will help to prolong this effect into the long term, too.
Are Skin-Tightening Creams Safe?
The majority of skin-tightening creams are totally safe to use. Just look out for ingredients that may cause sensitivity, such as retinoids or exfoliating acids, and avoid layering these with serums that also contain active ingredients.
What to Look for in Skin-Tightening Creams?
When choosing a skin-tightening cream, consider the texture first and foremost. Do you prefer a light gel texture or a rich cream? If your skin is more on the oily side, you'll probably prefer a lighter, thinner texture, whereas dry skin will need a thicker formula.
It's also important to be mindful of any active ingredients that may potentially cause sensitivity or may not layer well with other ingredients or with your makeup.
How to Apply Skin-Tightening Creams
"I know most people start applying their face cream from the centre and then spread outwards, but I like to do the exact opposite, and here’s why: Most of us have dry cheeks since the skin doesn't produce as much sebum there as it does other places like the T-zone. Therefore, applying most of the product to the cheeks and sides of your forehead will give you more hydration exactly where you need it," says Paris-based makeup artist and expert, Andreea Ali.
The Best Skin-Tightening Creams
- Best Skin-Tightening Cream for Dry Skin: Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask, £142
- Best Luxury Skin-Tightening Cream: Augustinus Bader The Cream, £240
- Best Affordable Skin-Tightening Cream: Olay Regenerist Day Face Cream, £15
- Best Skin-Tightening Cream for Plumping: Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Rich Cream, £99
- Best Skin-Tightening Cream for Fine Lines: iS Clinical Youth Complex, £158
1. Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream
Formula: Cream.
Key ingredients: Rosewater, glycerin, shea butter
"This cream from Sisley is one of my favourites. It's a super-lightweight formula that's great for creating radiance and a nice lifting effect," says Ali.
Pros
- Feels and smells luxurious
Cons
- Expensive price point
2. Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask
Formula: Cream.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, grape leaf extract, rose oil
"I actually use this face mask as a moisturiser for super-dry or dehydrated skin," Ali adds. "It plumps the skin and provides an immediate tightening effect. It’s truly an extraordinary product. I apply a small amount [to avoid] excess product on the skin, and then I continue with foundation. It's probably my most effective trick when I'm working with someone who has very dry skin."
Pros
- It can also be used as a mask
Cons
- May be too rich for all skin types
3. La Mer The Moisturising Soft Cream
Formula: Cream.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, algae, macadamia oil
"This La Mer product is my personal favourite skin-tightening cream," says Ali. I use it on my clients and on my own combination skin. No formula has worked better for giving my skin lots of hydration, elasticity and radiance without that greasy feeling so many other rich creams can leave behind. This is a versatile, all-year-round kind of moisturiser—it's truly magic!"
Pros
- Doesn't leave a greasy residue
Cons
- Expensive price point
4. Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Rich Cream
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides
"I adore the Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Rich Cream," says London-based makeup artist and expert Nikki Wolff. "The formula is rich without being greasy, so it really plumps and firms the skin whilst also wearing well under makeup."
Like this skin-tightening moisturiser, Wolff advises applying serums and moisturisers on your face and neck with a gentle, but firm sweeping motion. "Smooth upward and outward. Any extra moments you can spend massaging during your application, your skin will thank you for. Remember to be gentle around the eyes and pay the jawline and lymph area (at the sides of the neck) extra attention."
Pros
- Instantly plumps skin
Cons
- Contains fragrance
5. Olay Regenerist Day Face Cream
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides
"For something affordable yet effective, I like Olay’s cream. It’s easily absorbed yet still hydrating, smoothing and firming," Wolff adds.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- The product lasts a long time
Cons
- Unsuitable for those with a niacinamide allergy
6. Augustinus Bader The Cream
Formula: Cream.
Key ingredients: Aloe vera, squalane, ceramides
This face cream has a huge fan base, and for good reason. It contains TFC8, the brand's patented technology, designed to enhance your skin's capacity for cellular renewal. "This is a rich formula that hydrates the skin and leaves it with a healthy-looking glow."
Pros
- Luxurious formula
Cons
- Expensive price point
7. iS Clinical Youth Complex
Formula: Serum
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, fruit acids, vitamin B5
"I love the IS Clinical Youth Complex. It's full of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and retinol, which are all great ingredients to tighten the skin whilst improving texture and reducing fine lines. I highly recommend this product," says New York-based makeup artist and expert Morgane Martini.
Pros
- Hydrates skin for hours
Cons
- Some may prefer a cream-like texture
8. Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, algae, ginseng
"This rich cream works to hydrate and plump the skin. It is formulated with a special blend of hyaluronic acid and algae, and it also contains ingredients to protect the skin against stressors, which is why I love it," says makeup artist Mira Parmar.
"When applying moisturiser before makeup, I like to give the product enough time to sink into the skin," Parmar tells me. "I also like to dampen the skin with a face mist, which helps to lock in moisture for extra hydration."
Pros
- Adds a dewy finish
Cons
- Might be too dewy for oily skin types
9. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid SPF 50 Day Cream
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin
"Another cream that is highly concentrated in hyaluronic acid. This product is beautiful on the skin and perfect for under makeup. It really firms and plumps, and for £30, it's great for the purse too."
Pros
- Formulated with SPF 50 protection
- More affordable than others on this list
Cons
- It may not be suitable for sensitive skin
10. Kate Somerville Exfolikate Glow Moisturiser
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid
"This is one of my favourite moisturisers to add a glowy finish to the skin and is great to use both alone and under makeup. It contains a duo of AHAs, an ingredient featured in some of the best facial exfoliators, which work to remove dead skin cells and reveal a radiant and plump complexion."
Pros
- Smooths rough skin texture over time
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
11. Olay Hyaluronic24 + Vitamin B5 Moisturiser
Formula: Gel cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin
“The Olay Hyaluronic24 + Vitamin B5 collection is unlike anything else on the market...this is the ultimate thirst trap," says Birmingham-based dermatologist Sonia Khorana.
"This [formula] combines hyaluronic acid with powerful ingredients like vitamin B5, niacinamide and glycerin to deliver long-term skin hydration while strengthening the skin barrier."
Pros
- Provides intensive hydration
Cons
- May not be suitable for those with niacinamide allergies
12. Merit Great Skin Moisturiser
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, polysaccharides
"Merit is best known as a makeup brand, but their MO is great skin, so it only makes sense that they'd formulate skincare products with a skin-first approach," says Manchester-based esthetician Grace Day. "Great Skin Moisturiser was specifically designed to be used under makeup, so as well as soothing skin and plumping it with moisture, it also doubles up as a primer to create the perfect base for concealer and foundation."
"Key ingredients include oat extract and glycerin, which help to soothe and moisturise skin, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid."
Pros
- Preps skin for makeup
Cons
- Might not be the best for really dry skin
13. And Begin Serum-in-a-Cream
Formula: Serum-cream
Key ingredients: Ectoin, azelaic acid, matrixyl 3000
"Ectoin’s multitasking abilities make it the perfect choice...as it addresses three key skin goals for this [mature skin] life stage — firmness, hydration and protection. It also has the added benefit of helping to improve the skin's tolerance of retinoids," says London-based dermatologist Malvina Cunningham.
“Ectoin is gentle and works on all skin types. Its anti-inflammatory properties help calm redness and irritation, making it particularly good for mature skin," Cunningham continues. "For those with dry or dehydrated skin, its exceptional moisture-retention capabilities make it a fantastic hydrating ingredient. It also works well for oily, combination or acne-prone skin as it is not greasy and does not clog pores.”
Pros
- Formula is personalised to your skin type and concerns
Cons
- Only available through subscription
14. Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Squalane, ceramides, linoleic acid
"If I want my makeup to last (and who doesn't?!), I will always choose a hydrating formula with a satin, almost primer-like finish, such as the Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream," says London-based makeup artist and esthetician Katie Onyejekwe.
"Dehydration can leave your base looking patchy within the hour, so a barrier-boosting formula that combines multi-weight hyaluronic acid and peptides, plus ceramides to lock it all in, is perfect for smooth, plump skin and a seamless base."
Pros
- Supports the skin barrier
Cons
- May not be suitable for oily skin types
15. Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Cream Moisturiser
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Vitamins C and E, peptides, hyaluronic acid, additional botanicals
I'm extremely loyal to just a handful of moisturisers, and this cult-classic pick from Charlotte Tilbury is one I can count on when I want my skin to look plump and super-dewy. It's loaded with amazing ingredients like the brand's BioNympth Peptide Complex (which kick-starts collagen production, plumps and moisturises), along with damask rose water, organic aloe vera and luxe, delicate oils from rose hip and camellia.
Pros
- Formulated with a cocktail of active ingredients and botanicals
Cons
- You'll need to layer with sunscreen
16. Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser
Formula: Cream
Key Ingredients: Peptides, amino acids, ceramides, collagen, hyaluronic acid
Ole Henriksen skincare products never disappoint, and this gel-like moisturiser is one of my top picks from the brand. The skin-tightening cream formula is filled with peptides, ceramides, collagen and hyaluronic acid, keeping your skin deeply hydrated and giving a visibly plumped effect.
Pros
- Can be applied in the morning and at night
Cons
- You have to be consistent with wear to see optimal results
17. Révive Moisturising Renewal Cream
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Antioxidants, minerals, marine adaptogens, vitamins C and E
This is, hands down, one of the best day creams I have ever tried. The hydrating formula leaves you with super plump skin and a gorgeous, glowy finish. Plus, makeup glides on seamlessly over the top.
Pros
- Plumping effect
- Adds a glowy finish
Cons
- Quite costly
18. No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream SPF 15
Formula: Cream
Key ingredients: Peptide technology, hyaluronic acid, hibiscus, vitamin C, retinyl palmitate
This No7 cream is up there with some of the best luxury moisturisers on the market. Not only does it work to reduce fine lines, but it makes skin feel so hydrated and plump, and it sits incredibly well under foundation. If you like a really glowy, radiant makeup look, I couldn't recommend it enough.
Pros
- More affordable
- Leaves skin hydrated and plump
Cons
- Might be too radiant for very oily skin
19. iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion
Formula: Rich cream
Key ingredients: Pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, powerful antioxidants
You'll believe in magic after trying this ridiculously lovely moisturiser from IS Clinical. This brand makes some of the most coveted skincare products in the industry, and it partnered with top makeup artists when it conceptualised and created this cream. It imparts a deeply hydrating, subtly luminous finish, and thanks to the addition of copper peptides, each application stimulates collagen production to help firm the skin.
Pros
- Deeply hydrating
Cons
- Expensive price point
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
