Collagen creams have become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are looking for ways to restore their skin‘s youthfulness.
Our bodies naturally produce collagen (it is what gives our skin structure and support!), however, collagen production slows down as you age, which results in skin sagging.
While a collagen cream won’t increase your body’s natural collagen levels, it can help to plump and firm skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and give skin a smoother, more even texture.
In this article, we explore how collagen creams work and what you can do to boost collagen production and recommend some of our favourite collagen creams worth adding to your skincare collection. From top–rated brands to budget–friendly options, you‘ll find the best collagen cream for your skincare needs.
How effective are topical collagen products?
Before we jump into some of our favourite collagen products, we want to set expectations on what a topical collagen product, in this case, collagen cream, can actually achieve.
While these creams are packed with nourishing and restoring ingredients, it’s important to note that topical collagen creams will not increase your body’s natural collagen levels.
Rather, they can provide benefits such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and hydrating and firming the skin. “Applying collagen topically has never been shown or proven in medical research to have an effect on collagen synthesis or growth. It’s not scientifically possible for collagen to be absorbed or penetrate the skin from the outside. Collagen molecules are simply too large to penetrate the top layer of skin. This is why skincare brands use other actives to help stimulate collagen production and support structural proteins in the skin – think Vitamin C, Vitamin A, certain peptides, and more.” explains Ewelina Aiossa, Skincare Expert and Co-Founder of Clinical Skin.
She adds that “Collagen itself needs to be eaten and ingested for the body to use it”. This is why many people are turning to ingestible collagen supplements or powders to complement their topical skincare routine.
What can you do to minimise the loss of collagen and rebuild it?
As mentioned above, collagen production will slow down as we age; however, there are some things we can do to restore, rebuild and minimise collagen loss.
Aiossa explained: “You can naturally support the collagen production process by using topicals such as vitamin C and retinol and always protecting your skin from damaging UV rays with a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen.”
Additionally, there are lifestyle changes you can make to boost collagen production: “You can also support collagen by ingesting collagen peptide supplements, eating a nutrient-rich diet including bone broth, and avoiding habits that damage the collagen (poor sleep, sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol consumption). One can also try minimally invasive procedures such as microneedling – aka – collagen induction therapy.”
The Best Collagen Creams to Buy in 2023
Kissed Earth Radiance Collagen Night Cream
Kissed Earth‘s Radiance Collagen Night Cream is a luxurious, super–rich night repair cream formulated to nourish and plump skin while you sleep.
This unique blend of calming essential oils, botanical extracts, and skin–loving nutrients massage away fine lines and wrinkles and soothe the skin. The collagen and lanolin–infused cream helps to plump and hydrate skin, while the Tasmanian lavender, Darwin blue cypress, and West Australian sandalwood essential oils soothe the mind and calm the skin.
Radiance has a creamy butter-like texture that can be easily applied and spread over your face. It feels like a hydration seal on your skin, locking in moisture without feeling sticky or greasy. The immediate effect is plump and radiant-looking skin.
If you can’t get enough collagen-based products, also consider their Awaken Collagen Day Cream.
Bescher Skincare The Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Cream
Marine collagen is a popular ingredient found in some of the highest-rated collagen supplements, offering a more sustainable and ethical alternative to bovine collagen. Bescher Skincare takes this one step further by harnessing the benefits of sea cucumbers for their anti-aging and skin-nourishing properties. Despite the unlikely connection between sea cucumbers and skincare, Bescher has expertly distilled their benefits into a range of effective and aesthetically pleasing skincare products.
One of which is The Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Cream.
The cream combines the natural benefits of Sea Cucumber Collagen with Squalane, Munapsys TM, Hyaluronic Acid, and Kakadu Plum Extract to regenerate the skin’s tone, texture, and luminosity. This powerful combination of ingredients minimises the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and sun damage, leaving the skin feeling renewed and glowing.
In addition to its powerful anti-aging benefits, the Sea Cucumber Collagen Anti-Ageing Cream is also free from harmful ingredients such as silicones, dyes, heavy metals, mineral oil, sulphates, phthalates, SLS, sunscreen molecules, formaldehyde, and artificial fragrances. This makes it a safe and natural solution for those looking to improve the appearance of their skin.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream
The Elemis Pro–Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream is a luxurious, hydrating night cream that helps enhance the skin‘s natural regeneration process.
It contains red algae, which is rich in trace minerals such as calcium, zinc, and magnesium, and is effective in improving the overall appearance of the skin. It also contains Padina Pavonica, unique Mediterranean algae with proven anti–aging benefits. The cream is further enriched with sesame and avocado oils to provide free–radical protection and help delay the signs of premature aging. This rich, non–greasy cream is free of parabens, mineral oil, sulphates, added fragrance and animal products, making it an ideal choice for people with sensitive skin.
The only downside of this collagen cream is its fragrance. While not overpowering, it does have a distinct fragrance that might be off-putting for anyone who likes to avoid this in their skincare products.
Mario Badescu Elasto-Collagen Night Cream
Mario Badescu‘s Elasto Collagen Night Cream is a rich, nourishing cream that restores moisture to parched skin. It is infused with skin–conditioning oils, antioxidants, collagen, and elastin, which soften and smooth the look of dry fine lines and wrinkles. The cream is made without gluten, sulphates, and phthalates.
One of the main downsides to this collagen cream is its size. It’s not available in a larger tub, although the small size makes it perfect for taking on your travels.
Olay Collagen Peptide24 Day Cream
This luxurious yet affordable cream is perfect for those looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while deeply hydrating their skin.
The Collagen Peptide24 Day Cream from Olay is formulated with Collagen Peptides and Niacinamide to help improve skin firmness and resilience, protect the skin barrier, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It is free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and synthetic dyes and provides 24-hour hydration. This creamy moisturiser will effectively lock in moisture to leave your skin feeling fresh, dewy, and firm and is a great option for those with mature skin.
FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream
The FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Firm Collagen Cream is a luxurious, hydrating and plumping moisturising cream that helps to nourish dry skin.
It firms the appearance of skin, supports skin texture and overall appearance, and restores healthy tone and texture. It encourages a plump–looking complexion and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The cream also relieves dry and dehydrated skin, softening the feel of skin.
It is free from artificial fragrances, sulphates, mineral oil and parabens and contains a combination of collagen, peptides, niacinamide and colloidal oatmeal to help plump the appearance of the skin, revealing a firmer, healthier–looking complexion.
Bali Body Pro-Collagen Cream
Bali Body‘s Pro–Collagen Cream is a luxurious face cream designed to leave your skin looking firmer and plumper. Formulated with powerful ingredients like Vitamin C, plant–based Collagen, and Bakuchiol, this light and creamy formula helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin hydration.
With regular use, you can expect to achieve a naturally radiant and nourished complexion with improved firmness and elasticity. The Pro–Collagen Cream is the perfect addition to your morning and evening skincare routines and can be used for up to 30 days for optimal results.
Vanessa Megan Marine Collagen Firming Night Cream
The Vanessa Megan Marine Collagen Firming Night Cream is an anti–ageing night cream that helps to hydrate, strengthen and firm skin.
Formulated with powerful anti-aging ingredients like Australian Banksia Extract, Tasmanian Kelp and IBR–Dormin®, this cream helps to smooth wrinkles and fine lines while boosting collagen production for firmer, stronger skin. Ideal for all skin types, this cream should be applied at night after all oils and serums.
The main benefit of this cream is what it’s made without. It’s Fragrance-Free, Sulphate Free, Mineral Oil Free, Alcohol-Free, Paraben Free and Vegan.
The downside of this cream is that it’s quite expensive for a 50ml tube, and compared with some of the other collagen creams on this list, it is a little underwhelming. You would get much more value for money with the Olay Collagen Peptide24 Day Cream.
Additionally, the package design has poor functionality and could be significantly improved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What effect does loss of collagen have on your skin?
Aiossa further described what happens to our skin and collagen levels as we age: “Healthy collagen levels in the skin are equivalent to plump, bouncy, elastic, youthful, smooth and glowing complexion. Collagen, being a structural protein of the body, helps support skin – making it firm and resilient. Unfortunately, we lose collagen every day, and its production (in our body) slows down with age – resulting in skin sagginess around jawline, cheeks”.
She adds: “Since the loss of collagen leads to dehydration and thinning of the skin, wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear as well. Loss of collagen exuberates signs of aging”.
What are some other collagen-infused products I should try?
Due to the popularity of collagen, it’s common to find in a number of different beauty and skincare products. Some other collagen-based products worth trying include eye masks, serums, and supplements.
When should I use a collagen cream?
You may have noticed that many of the products on this list are intended to be applied overnight. This is because your skin cell renewal peaks between 11 pm to 4 pm and your skin is most active.
In turn, your skin benefits from ultra-hydrating and nourishing products. While some collagen skincare products are designed for any time of the day, it can be more beneficial to apply them at night.
