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The best collagen creams and skin-plumping formulations, tested by 130 people
Firm up a dull and lacklustre complexion with these expert-approved products
Tested by Denny DailyFormer Beauty and Grooming Tester
While we’re not looking to turn back time, there are certain superhero skincare ingredients that will help keep your complexion looking smoother, plumper and firmer for longer. Top of that list is collagen, a protein that gives skin its structure and is essential for elasticity, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and minimise sagging.
From our mid-twenties onwards, our bodies start to produce collagen at a slower rate, and its quality also declines, leading to signs of ageing, from fine lines to loss of firmness. The best collagen supplements are one way to stimulate collagen production from within, but what about topical application?
Collagen face creams claim to slow down premature ageing. But it’s important to note that collagen itself is a large molecule that can't be absorbed topically, so using it on the skin is unlikely to give the results you want.
That’s why collagen-boosting products usually contain other ingredients, such as vitamin C or retinol, which either help to stimulate collagen production or stop it deteriorating. Peptides are another key ingredient to look out for, especially if your skin is too sensitive for retinol (it can cause irritation or redness for some). Peptides are smaller collagen molecules, making them easier for the skin to absorb.
To help you find the right product for you, the Good Housekeeping Institute tested a range of collagen skincare over 12 weeks, looking for those packed with ingredients to help strengthen, plump and firm. These are their top picks.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30 50ml
Pros
- Best for boosting elsticity
- Instantly hydrates
- Not heavy
Cons
- Expensive
Score: 83/100
When it comes to keeping skin moisturised, the Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream is one of the OGs in the field. Although it doesn't actually contain any collagen, its ingredients (specifically marine algae) have collagen-like properties and cause skin to act in a similar way, helping to improve elasticity. Standing up to its claims, this cream performed best on test when it came to boosting elasticity, as well as providing instant hydration without weighing skin down.
Our panel found a small amount of the gel-like formula went a long way — which is good news considering the hefty price tag. They also said it felt like silk and was enjoyable to use.
It glided onto skin, had a spa-like fragrance and left our panellists' complexions feeling soft and "instantly hydrated", creating a moisturising layer that wasn't greasy.
Key specifications
| Collagen type | None, but includes marine algae which has similar effects |
|---|---|
| Size | 50ml |
| Suitable for skin types | All skin types |
| Use | AM/PM |
| Format | Cream-gel |
Olay Collagen Peptide 24 MAX Face Cream 50ml
Pros
- Minimises fine lines
- Lightweight
Cons
- Can pill under makeup
Score: 79/100
Leaving our testers’ skin glowing, but not greasy looking, this collagen peptide day cream also performed the best in our lab's 12-week VISIA wrinkles analysis.
Our panel found the cream very hydrating and praised its ability to improve suppleness and boost glow. It also helped reduce the appearance of fine lines and one tester said they received lots of complimentary comments about their skin from friends during the trial.
The cream's lightweight consistency means it felt nourishing without being too heavy, and makeup also sat well on top.
However, some testers did report occasional pilling (where the product doesn't quite sink into the skin), and the packaging is quite bulky, so would be best decanted for travelling.
Key specifications
| Collagen type | Peptides |
|---|---|
| Size | 50ml |
| Suitable for skin types | All skin types |
| Use | AM |
| Format | Cream |
Pros
- Vegan
- Brightening
Cons
- Divisive fragrance
Score: 76/100
Taking on the nighttime shift, this is the only vegan collagen peptide cream in our list.
Testers said that despite the rich texture, which goes hand in hand with a night cream, it wasn't heavy or sticky, and they woke up the next morning with "visibly brighter" skin that felt "more plumped".
It absorbed easily, boosting firmness and reducing fine lines around the eyes. Most of the panel liked the primrose fragrance, but some found it a little overpowering.
Key specifications
| Collagen type | Peptides |
|---|---|
| Size | 50ml |
| Suitable for skin types | All skin types |
| Use | PM |
| Format | Cream |
Pros
- Affordable
- Brightening
- Alcohol and fragrance free
Cons
- Didn't score as highly for hydration
Score: 71/100
This vegetarian collagen is derived from seaweed. It packs in a lot of positives, especially considering its budget price, and is also almost entirely natural (98.5%), as well as being cruelty-, alcohol- and fragrance-free.
It gave testers a "fresher and brighter" complexion during the testing period and left their skin feeling "much more supple". Its creamy texture was described as luxurious, and it sinks into the skin easily with a long lasting moisturising effect.
Key specifications
| Collagen type | Seaweed derived collagen |
|---|---|
| Size | 50ml |
| Suitable for skin types | All skin types |
| Use | AM/ PM |
| Format | Cream |
How we test collagen creams
We tested a range of collagen face creams over a 12-week period, asking over 130 panellists to report back on how well the products hydrated and smoothed the skin, assessing how well they boosted immediate and long-term hydration, their elasticising and moisturising effects, the product's texture and feel on the skin.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab, our experts used a VISIA image analysis machine to assess any improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after 12 weeks. We also used our Elastometer probe to see if there was any increase in skin elasticity after six weeks of using the product.
FAQs
What are the benefits of collagen?
“Topical collagen is applied externally to the skin and is intended to supplement our natural collagen production,” explains aesthetician and skin specialist Sam Cinkir.
“While it can improve the appearance and texture of skin by providing hydration and helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that topical collagen can penetrate the skin and boost collagen production internally.
“Peptides, however, are smaller fragments of proteins that can signal the skin to produce more collagen. They work by penetrating the skin and stimulating collagen production from within,” Sam explains. “This is better for a long-term approach than topical collagen, which may simply sit on the surface.”
What is collagen made of and what's it good for?
Collagen is made up of three amnio acids: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
As well as helping to improve the plumpness and firmness of your skin, it also supports and strengthens tendons, bones, ligaments, nails and hair. Most collagen products are made from animal or fish collagen. However, there are a small number of vegan collagens that are made from plant-based derivatives such as seaweed.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over 100 years, from the best vacuum cleaners and the best bed sheets to individual trials of buzzy new tech like our Currentbody hair growth helmet review.
Our testers are experts in their fields, whether that's home appliances or skincare science. They develop rigorous protocols to ensure we're putting every product through its paces in the lab. We also use our extensive at-home panel to try them in real life, to ensure they live up to their claims.
Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, has also been writing about beauty products for several years, which includes trying them herself at home and deciphering which efficacy claims can be substantiated, and which are just too good to be true.
29th July 2025: This article was updated to reflect the latest stock levels and prices. We also adjusted headlines and seasonal references and linked to other relevant Good Housekeeping content.
Denny our Former Beauty and Grooming Tester has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.
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