Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Courtesy of an Allure editor and MedicubeSave this storySave this story
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You may not be able to drink or chew your way to firmer, bouncier skin with collagen supplements, but the best collagen creams might take your skin in the right direction.
Our skin's natural production of collagen, the structural protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity, starts slowing down in our mid-twenties, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and fine lines. Wellness and beauty brands have started offering quick fixes via ingestible and topical collagen that claim to boost collagen production for bouncier, glowier skin. However, collagen loss cannot be replaced by a collagen-infused smoothie or face cream.
Collagen creams, however, can have the rejuvenating effect on your complexion that hydrolyzed collagen supplements promise if they are formulated with proven collagen-stimulating ingredients, says board-certified dermatologist Nina Desai, MD. While some creams use animal-derived collagen (typically from bovine, porcine, or marine sources), others now feature lab-engineered or vegan alternatives that mimic collagen’s amino acid profile.
Our Top Collagen Creams
- Best Overall: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream, $26
- Best for Barrier Repair: Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream, $22
- Best Lightweight: Biodance Collagen Pore Perfecting Collagen Peptide Cream, $29
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Dieux Air Angel Daily Moisturizer, $44
- Best Neck Cream: Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream, $98
- Best Eye Cream: Kiehl's Since 1851 Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $60
- Best Body Cream: Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream, $48
- Best with SPF: Neutrogena Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer, $23
- Best for Dry Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, $145
- Best for Mature Skin: First Aid Beauty Firming Cream, $44
Ahead, Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists share the best collagen creams that actually firm, tighten, plump, and rejuvenate skin.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
Best Overall: Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream
Sungboon Editor
Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: One look at the bouncy gel texture studded with bright yellow capsules, and you can already tell this isn’t your average face cream. Inside this K-beauty fan favorite, hydrolyzed collagen—broken down into ultra-small molecules your skin can actually absorb—delivers a rush of hydration to help skin look plumper, firmer, and smoother. You’ll feel a light, tingly sensation from pore-sized spicules (tiny, needle-like structures derived from marine sponges) that create a gentle needling effect to help actives absorb better and kick-start cell turnover. Add retinol, and you’ve got a powerful formula that smooths fine lines while keeping your skin supple. Bonus: You can tweak the retinol to your needs. For dry skin, double up on the capsules with less gel (2:1). Keep things even for normal skin (1:1). Or, if you’re oily or sensitive, add more gel to lighten the mix (1:2).
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Leave it to Sungboon Editor to make retinol…fun? The experience of scooping out the sunshine-yellow capsules from the Deep Collagen Retinol Power Boosting Capsule Cream is a delight, and the gel is really refreshing—perfect for calming down my skin after a long day. I like layering my more hydrating essences and serums—peptides, growth factors, you name it—before slathering on a 1:1 ratio of this capsule cream to balance out my combo skin. I know the jury is still out on spicules, but I find that this cream is gentler and less alarming than the more intense spicule serums I've tried—just my two cents!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: collagen, retinol, hyaluronic acid, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Repair: Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
Medicube
PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
Bianca Richards
Why it's worth it: Another K-beauty capsule cream worth scooping, Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream is a double act of collagen and PDRN—short for polydeoxyribonucleotide, a compound derived from salmon sperm DNA that’s been studied for its regenerative and healing properties. Despite the eyebrow-raising origins, you’re not really slathering salmon semen on your face; PDRN is carefully extracted and purified to help stimulate skin repair, boost elasticity, and improve hydration. Scoop out the little pink capsules and watch them melt right in, flooding skin with moisture and a healthy, springy bounce. In addition to PDRN and collagen, the formula also blends hyaluronic acid and niacinamide into the gel base for even more lightweight hydration.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“For my 30th birthday, I decided to treat myself to a salmon DNA facial, and it's easily one of my favorite treatments ever! To prolong the effects of the treatment, I stocked up on the Medicube PDRN collection, and the peptide cream is the perfect choice for everyday use to keep my skin looking plump and smooth!” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: salmon DNA (PDRN), hyaluronic acid, collagen, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Biodance Collagen Cream
Biodance
Collagen Pore Perfecting Collagen Peptide Cream
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Biodance Collagen Cream
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: If you’ve already fallen for Biodance’s viral sheet masks, you’re going to love what their Collagen Cream can do. This lightweight yet mighty formula utilizes ultra-low molecular weight collagen (small enough for your skin to absorb extra-quickly) along with peptides to plump, firm, and smooth your skin. It’s not just surface hydration, but real bounce and juiciness from within. Hyaluronic acid keeps things dewy, antioxidants protect your glow, and pores look tighter and more refined with every use. It does all that without the luxury price tag, proving glass-like skin doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I’m already such a fan of the Collagen Real Deep Mask, so I was excited to try this collagen-infused cream—and it didn’t disappoint. The lightweight texture absorbs instantly, but I like to really slather it on and let it sit like a mini mask for a few minutes before gently rubbing any excess into my neck and décolletage. It leaves my skin feeling bouncy and refreshed all day.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: collagen, mineragen complex, elastin, hyaluronic acid, fibroblast blend
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dieux Air Angel
Dieux
Air Angel
Sephora
Dieux
Allure contributor Devon Abelman applying the Dieux Air Angel
Devon Abelman
Why it's worth it: True to its name, Air Angel is a weightless, cloud-soft gel cream that swoops in to plump, smooth, and calm your complexion. A cocktail of humectants—glycerin, urea, trehalose, and hyaluronic acid—pulls in moisture, while vegan collagen helps plump and smooth. Beyond surface hydration, vegan collagen offers an added edge: It’s lab-engineered for purity and consistency, making it both skin-friendly and more sustainable than animal-derived sources.
A proprietary Barrier Repair Coplex (peptides, ceramides, and other emollients) further reinforces the skin barrier, keeping your complexion balanced and resilient over time.
Tester feedback from contributor Devon Abelman
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"This velvety gel enhances the natural glow of my skin without making it look too shiny or dewy. It layers seamlessly under sunscreen and makeup and even helps the latter go on smoother and gives it a fresher finish. I went through a bottle of this way too quickly and look forward to replenishing my Air Angel stash." —Devon Abelman, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, urea, ceramides, vegan collagen, amino acids, sodium hyaluronate
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Neck Cream: Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream
NeoStrata
Triple Firming Neck Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Allure commerce writer Sarah Han applying the Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream
Why it's worth it: Want to boost collagen production specifically in your neck area? Mona Mislankar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati, Ohio, recommends the Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream for combating sagging and tech neck. The rich cream clings to your skin, not your clothes, while bringing in bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to irritating retinoids, and super tiny peptides for efficient firming action.
The neck cream also features amino acids and a proprietary ingredient called NeoGlucosamine, which is a building block of hyaluronic acid that helps decrease the appearance of fine lines of wrinkles, as Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, previously shared with Allure.
Tester feedback from Han
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This is one of the most derm-recommended neck creams I've come across, and I get it now. It's stocked with all the heavy hitters, including micro-size peptides that go deep into the skin, bakuchiol, and vitamin E," Han says. "I've started to notice necklines forming in the past few years, and my typical facial moisturizers aren't rich enough, but this one has been helping smooth out my neck and decolletage area." —Han, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, apple stem cell extract, bakuchiol, amino acids
- Fragrance-free: yes
More collagen creams we love:
Best Eye Cream: Kiehl's Since 1851 Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Kiehl's Since 1851
Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Eye Cream is designed to tackle the full checklist of eye-area concerns in one step. The lightweight, nourishing formula combines niacinamide, collagen peptides, and hyaluronic acid to smooth fine lines, enhance firmness, and provide deep hydration. It also contains bilberry seed extract, an antioxidant-rich botanical that helps protect against environmental stressors while brightening the under-eye area. Unlike heavier eye creams that can feel greasy or migrate into the eyes (ouch), this one has a silky, cushiony texture that absorbs quickly—perfect for use under makeup or as a nighttime treatment.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: collagen peptide, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, bilberry seed extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best with SPF: Neutrogena Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer
Neutrogena
Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Protect the collagen you've already got with the help of Neutrogena's Collagen Bank SPF Moisturizer. Not only does it moisturize skin, but it's also spiked with SPF 30 to protect skin from UV damage, says Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Mississippi. Peptides and hydrolyzed collagen join typical chemical sunscreen ingredients to bring additional collagen-boosting benefits to the SPF-infused cream.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: avobenzone (2.5%), homosalate (6%), octisalate (4.5%), octocrylene (8%), hydrolyzed collagen, peptides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Cream: Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream
Sol De Janerio
Beija Flor Elasti-Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Come for the fruity-floral Cheirosa ’68 scent, stay for the hydration and bounce. Sol de Janeiro’s Beija Flor Elasti-Cream doesn’t just smell like a tropical vacation; it delivers skin benefits that make it a staple. Collagen amino acids and polypeptides help support elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines, while cacay oil, cupuaçu butter, and squalane nourish the skin with lasting moisture. The rich, velvety texture melts right in without feeling heavy, so your skin feels plump, supple, and nourished long after application.
Tester feedback from Lee
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“Every Sol de Janeiro product smells incredible, and this one’s no different—the fruity-floral scent is almost good enough to eat. But what really stood out was how plumping it is; after a summer of constant sun, pool water, and sand, leaving my arms and legs rough and bumpy, this cream brought back the bounce and smoothness.” —Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vegan collagen amino acid, cacay oil, vegan squalane, polypeptides
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Dry Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Elemis
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why it's worth it: With so many collagen creams flooding the market, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream truly makes waves (pun intended) with its hero ingredient, padina pavonica, a Mediterranean algae that helps restore bounce and hydration. Known for its silky, gel-cream texture, it melts into skin instantly—never heavy or greasy—yet delivers lasting hydration and a firmer, smoother feel. “It’s an easy addition to any skin-care routine to address hydration, fine lines, and skin firmness,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, California, thanks to its balance of effectiveness and wearability.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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"It has a gel-cream texture and just a trace of a soft floral scent (rose and mimosa). I've slathered a thick layer over a treatment product before bed and awoken to silky (but not sticky) skin. And I've applied a thin layer under my sunscreen and makeup in the morning without seeing a single pesky pill." —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: algae extracts, collagen, carrot root extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Mature Skin: First Aid Beauty Firming Cream
First Aid Beauty
Firming Cream
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: If fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of firmness are your biggest skin concerns, First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream delivers on all counts. “This is a great product for those looking for firmer, healthier skin,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. The formula pairs collagen with peptides—“a type of protein that works to improve elasticity by stimulating the creation of collagen,” she says—to strengthen skin and restore bounce. Niacinamide also steps in to hydrate, improve texture, and support barrier health, while colloidal oatmeal calms on contact. Despite its rich, buttercream-like texture, it feels “cloud-like,” leaving skin deeply moisturized, smoother, and more radiant.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, ceramides, peptides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Does collagen cream actually work?
The answer to this question depends on your intentions for adding a collagen cream to your skin-care routine. A collagen cream will definitely work if you only want to combat dryness and moisturize your skin. "[Your] skin will look healthier and plump," Dr. Desai says. After all, the only true benefit of topical hydrolyzed collagen is moisturizing skin, as cosmetic chemist Ginger King previously shared with Allure.
If you want your collagen cream to boost collagen production, smooth fine lines, and amplify the elasticity of your skin, topical collagen, itself, cannot do so, according to board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. The collagen molecules used in skin-care products are too large to effectively penetrate the skin barrier and stimulate collagen synthesis.
Fortunately, collagen creams can work to firm and rejuvenate skin if (and only if) topical collagen is joined by ingredients that have been scientifically proven to enhance collagen production, as Dr. Desai mentioned earlier.
What ingredients pair well with collagen?
The most effective collagen-boosting skin-care products are formulated with peptides or retinoids, Dr. Desai says. Unlike topical collagen, these ingredients are known to restore firmness and smooth wrinkles and have dozens of studies to substantiate this.
Some other helpful ingredients to look for in collagen creams include niacinamide, ceramides, and plant-based retinol alternatives, like bakuchiol.
Meet the experts
- Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Miami
- Nina Desai, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, based in Manhattan Beach, California
- Dendy Engleman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, based in New York City
- Ginger King is a cosmetic chemist, based in New Jersey
- Mona Mislankar, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cincinnati Skin Center, based in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology, based in Thousand Oaks, California
- Mamina Turegano, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, based in New Orleans
- Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, is a board-certified dermatologis, basedt in Ocean Springs, Mississippi
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best collagen creams, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
