Best collagen creams 2023 UK, tested by experts

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Firm up a dull and lacklustre complexion with the GHI's top-performing skincare

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.

Our skin naturally contains collagen, but from our mid-twenties onwards, the rate at which it's produced slows down, as does its quality, leading to signs of ageing, from fine lines to loss of firmness.

Collagen face creams claim to slow down these signs of 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 often contain 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, which can cause irritation or redness for some. Peptides are smaller collagen molecules, making them easier for the skin to absorb.

Below we've tested a range of collagen skincare over 12 weeks to find the ones packed with ingredients to help strengthen, plump and firm.

"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."

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 collagens in beauty products are made from animal or fish collagen and are not vegan. However, there are a small number of vegan collagens that are made from plant-based derivatives such as seaweed.

We tested seven brands of collagen face creams over a 12-week period, asking over 130 panellists to feedback 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 texture and feel on the skin.

In the lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts then used a VISIA image analysis machine to assess any improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after 12 weeks of use. We also used our Elastometer probe to see if there was any improvement in skin elasticity after six weeks of using the product.

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 act in a similar way, helping to improve elasticity. Standing up to its claims, this cream performed best on test in the elasticity analysis, while also 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 — plus it felt like "silk" and was "enjoyable to use".

Testers also said it glided onto skin, had a spa-like fragrance and left skin feeling soft and "instantly hydrated", with a "moisturising layer" that wasn't greasy.

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 to be very hydrating and praised its "supple and glowing" effects.

It helped reduce the appearance of fine lines and one tester reported receiving "great comments about my skin from friends".

The cream's lightweight consistency means it felt nourishing without being too heavy, and makeup also sat well on top of it.

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.

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.

Score: 71/100

One of the most affordable products on our list, this is also the only collagen cream that also contains SPF to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Testers said it was quickly absorbed and felt rich and expensive, despite its low price tag.

The cream is lightweight and smooth, and testers said their skin "looked healthy and youthful while feeling deeply hydrated and nourished" after use. It also noticeably improved dry patches on skin.

Score: 71/100

This is the second vegetarian collagen on the list, which this time 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".

Denny is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and 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.

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