Want smooth and wrinkle-free skin?
Well, it’s going to cost you…if you want instant results.
Botox injections cost about £350 a pop and you need a new one every few months. Dermal fillers will cost you up to £300 a session. As with Botox, you have to go for regular sessions.
But there is a much cheaper and effective alternative that doesn’t have any risk of major side effects: collagen creams.
Collagen creams will not get you results as quickly as a Botox injection but they make a big difference over time. You just have to be patient and consistent.
It’s also essential that you select the right collagen cream. That’s why I have written this buying guide with reviews of the best collagen creams you can buy.
But first, a quick look at how these creams work and tips for buying the best collagen cream for your skin care needs.
How Collagen creams work
Collagen is a structural protein that occurs naturally in the skin. It keeps your skin smooth, firm and supple.
So if you already have it, why do you need more?
The thing is, collagen doesn’t remain in plenty throughout your life. As you age and expose your skin to the sun, the amount of collagen in your skin goes down.
Your body also produces less and less of it.
The aim of collagen creams is to slow down the loss of this ‘youthfulness’ protein and keep wrinkles off your skin for as long as possible.
I’m going to be honest with you here. There isn’t a whole lot of scientific research to support the claim that collagen creams replace lost collagen in your skin.
What they do is make sure you are not losing as much collagen. There’s also some evidence that they do help the body make more collagen.
But it’s not just collagen doing all the work. These creams also come with a host of other ingredients like hyaluronic acid and natural oils that moisturize your skin, protect it against aging and make it glow.
What to consider when buying a Collagen cream
Like any other skincare products, always check the ingredients before buying especially if you have the kind of skin that breaks out easily.
Different collagen creams come with different ingredients.
Some boast of superfood ingredients like green tea and algae while other tout their natural plant extracts and rejuvenating oils.
But just because the cream contains all these great ingredients doesn’t mean it cannot affect your skin.
Make sure you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients.
Another reason to check the ingredients is to make sure the cream is the right one for your skin type.
If you have dry skin, look for a collagen cream with an abundance of moisturising ingredients. If you have oily skin check that there aren’t oily ingredients that could cause breakouts.
Once you know which ingredients to watch out for, it’s all about buying a product that’s within your budget.
The best Collagen cream reviews
Here are five that we think you’ll love.
1. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra Rich, 50 ml
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Plant extracts? Sure.
Vitamins and oils? Great.
But marine ingredients?
Don’t worry about weird fish parts in your cream. The Elemis Pro-collagen marine cream contains a well-known type of algae called Padina Pavonica.
This Mediterranean species provides deep moisturization that leaves your skin softer, smoother and brighter.
It’s especially helpful if you struggle with dry flaky skin.
Another key ingredient in the cream is Ginkgo Biloba. The leaf extract is mostly known for its internal benefits – more energy, improved cognition, pain relief and so on.
But it’s also great for your skin primarily because it’s high in antioxidants. The antioxidants protect your skin from environmental stressors that cause aging and skin dulling.
It’s also great for cleansing your skin and removing dead skin cells, excess oils and debris.
Other ingredients include Shea butter, carrot root extract and lemon peel oil.
The cream is not exactly cheap. It comes in a small 50ml tin.
So a little goes a long way. The manufacture recommends using only a pea size amount every time you apply it.
Let it warm up in your hands and then spread on your face and neck.
Note: This product contains parfum. Find another cream if you are sensitive to synthetic fragrances or avoid applying it near your eyes.
What I like about it:
- One of the best anti-aging products.
- Provides deep hydration.
- Reduces wrinkles and improves complexion.
2. TIME BOMB Collagen Bomb Essential Skin Fuel 30 ml
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This one comes in an even smaller 30ml bottle. But it’s packed full of collagen-boosting ingredients.
It shares a key ingredient with the Elemis cream above; Padina Pavonica algae. You’ll feel its pleasant hydrating effects as soon as you apply it.
The cream is also loaded with several antioxidants that protect your skin from damage caused by environmental pollution, sun damage and other stressors that age your skin.
Other important ingredients include Davilla Rugosa leaf extract and hyaluronic acid, both of which rejuvenate your skin and delay the effects of aging.
The manufacturer recommends applying the cream twice daily, morning and evening, for best results. Cleanse your skin before application.
30ml goes fast so be stingy in your application. A pea size amount is enough for your face and neck.
The bottle comes with an easy to use pump that lets out just the right amount of cream.
What I like about it:
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
- Provides deep hydration – great for dry skin types.
- Prevents further skin damage.
- One of the most potent collagen cream for aging and sagging skin
3. Balance Me Collagen Boost Moisturiser, 50ml
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This cream goes about the collagen-boosting business a bit differently.
It uses chains of amino acids that mimic damaged collagen. The skin goes into overdrive, producing more collagen and firming up your skin in the process.
The company has not written a white paper or produced peer-reviewed research to prove that this technique works.
But customer feedback is mostly positive. I say you give it a try and see if it works for you.
The collagen boost moisturiser also contains hyaluronic acid. You’ve probably heard about this one.
It is a hydrating ingredient used in many skin care products. It pulls moisture into your skin, making it soft and supple.
Blackberry leaf extract, a powerful antioxidant, completes the job by protecting your skin against environmental damage.
Other notable ingredients include magnolia leaf oil, Kukui nut oil, Rosehip oil, glycerine and rosemary extract in addition to several natural oils.
What I like about it:
- Moisturises your skin even as it boosts collagen levels.
- Nourishing ingredients to make your skin glow.
- Contains antioxidants to prevent skin damage that leads to early aging.
4. skinChemists Pro-5 Collagen SPF50 Cream, 50ml
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What if you could have your collagen-boosting ingredients and sun protection in one easy to use cream?
That’s exactly what this skinChemists collagen cream is.
Let’s begin with the sun protection bit.
The cream is rated at SPF50, the highest level of sun protection. It will protect your skin against 98% of UVB rays.
Other than protecting you from short term effects like sunburns, the cream also protects you from long term aging effects including wrinkles, dull skin and sun spots.
As for the skin-firming part, this cream contains several nourishing ingredients that boost the amount of collagen in your skin.
It is also a gentle moisturiser with hydrating ingredients like Shea butter. If your skin tends to feel a bit flaky at times, this cream will help.
Just apply a bit in the morning after you shower and cleanse your face. It will keep your skin supple throughout the day and provide continuous protection against sun damage.
What I like about it:
- Provides dual sun protection and collagen-boosting benefits.
- Great for deep skin hydration.
5. Gatineau Collagene Expert Ultimate Smoothing Cream, 50 ml
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Our final recommendation is from the luxury brand, Gatineau Paris, which has been in business since 1932.
One of the first things you’ll notice about their ultimate smoothing cream is the smooth gel texture. This makes it so much easier to apply on the skin without leaving any residues or oiliness on your face.
The smooth texture also allows it to absorb into the skin more effectively to provide deep moisturization and rejuvenation.
The cream contains collagen extracts that reduce the rate at which your skin loses the crucial protein. They also help the skin make more of it.
After a while, your skin will feel firmer and smoother. It’s great for fine lines and slight drooping.
The cream also contains antioxidants to protect your skin against environmental damage.
You can use the cream as a night or day cream, or both. Just remember to apply it after you have cleansed your face.
Feel free to use it along with your favourite moisturiser.
What I like about it:
- Collagen extracts reduce the appearance of fine lines and drooping on your face.
- Antioxidants protect your skin from environmental damage.
- Smooth gel texture maximizes absorption and makes application easy.
