We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Greatist only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Lots of beauty gurus claim collagen is a one-way ticket to #SkinGoals. They swear this popular protein will give you plump, firm, and ~youthful-looking~ skin. But does it really work?
Here’s the 101 on collagen and the 17 best collagen creams so you can try this skin care secret for yourself.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein. It’s pretty much the glue that holds all your parts together. It acts as the building block for your tissues, cells, and organs.
Alas, collagen production diminishes with age. Your skin loses about 1 percent of its collagen each year. As you lose the squishy stuff, you might notice a loss of volume and perkiness in your face (and, um, other places). Joint stiffness and weaker nails are also the norm. Rude.
The good news? Collagen creams can help bring some life back to your skin.
The lowdown on collagen cream
Collagen cream is straight-up collagen (usually hydrolyzed collagen) mixed into a moisturizing formula with other powerful skin care ingredients to help you youth-ify.
Is it legit or just some snake oil?
It’s a little bit of both. Topical collagen doesn’t increase or add to your ever-shrinking collagen reserve. But that doesn’t mean it’s totally worthless!
A small 2009 study found that collagen cream helped reduce fine lines and deeper wrinkles around the mouth and eyes when applied topically twice a day for 3 months.
The key is to look for hydrolyzed collagen. A recent overview of topical hydrolyzed collagen found that it was a helpful hydrator for the top layers of the skin. It may also protect against oxidative stress.
You’ll probably see a difference if you apply collagen cream on the reg. Even though the results are temporary, collagen can improve skin texture. Plus, it feels grrrrreat. Many users claim it has a firming, plumping, and even glowy effect.
Protect your precious collagen
UV radiation is the ultimate collagen thief. Research shows that extended sun exposure breaks down this protein and interferes with your ability to create more. So slather on that SPF on the daily. ☀️
Ready to jump on the collagen cream bandwagon? We narrowed down the best collagen moisturizers, eye creams, night creams, and serums for every budget.
- DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel
- Pevonia Botanica Power Repair Age Protection Marine Collagen Cream
- Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream
- OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème
- Physicians Formula 24K Collagen Eye Cream
- Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Eye Cream
- Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen
- Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream
- Sisley Botanical Night Cream with Collagen & Woodmallow
- Advanced Peptides and Collagen Serum
- Edible Beauty Deep Sea Collagen Elixir Serum Plump and Refine
- Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen
- Mizon Original Skin Energy Collagen 100
- SKIN INC Supplement Bar Collagen Serum
- Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion Serum
- Truly Vegan Collagen Anti-Aging Body Cream
- Bloom Collagen Firming Cream for Body and Face
Need a little more info to find a favorite? Keep scrolling for all the deets that earned these collagen creams a spot on the list.
Pricing guide
Here’s a helpful price key so you can pick the best creams for your skin and your wallet:
- $ = under $25
- $$ = $25–50
- $$$ = over $50
1. DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel
Price: $$
Hydrolyzed collagen particles help your skin hold in hydration from ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and royal jelly. Even though it’s ultra hydrating and super soothing, this gel formula isn’t too heavy.
It also has astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment that protects your skin and promotes better elasticity.
Order Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel online.
2. Pevonia Botanica Power Repair Age Protection Marine Collagen Cream
Price: $$$
This rich moisturizer’s short ingredient list is perf for peeps with sensitive skin. In clinical tests, 100 percent of users had no issues with this collagen cream during an 8-week study.
It also has a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid, which moisturizes to the max.
Order Pevonia Botanica Power Repair Age Protection Marine Collagen Cream online.
3. Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream
Price: $$$
Collagen amino acids and vitamin C work together to dismantle wrinkles and dark spots. This cream also hydrates the heck out of your face.
The formula contains camellia, rice bran, and sunflower oils. It should give you a dewy, my-skin-is-never-dry-how-dare-you glow.
Order Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream online.
4. OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème
Price: $$
This cream is bananas, B-A-N-A-N… you get the idea 🍌. It relies on vegetable collagen to give you firmer, younger-looking eyes. It’s also equipped with vitamin C, which is great for delicate under-eye skin.
Bonus: It’s a concealer, too, so it can disguise dark circles. Woot!
Order OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème online.
5. Physicians Formula 24K Collagen Eye Cream
Price: $
Twenty-four karat gold at a drugstore price? Yes, please! This derm-approved eye cream uses vegan collagen to plump up thin under-eye skin.
And guess what — 24K gold is an actual antioxidant. Its anti-inflammatory properties are perfect for puffy eyes.
Order Physicians Formula 24k collagen eye cream online.
6. Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Eye Cream
Price: $$$
Consider this the collagen jackpot! This eye cream uses three types of collagen — marine collagen, plant collagen, and hydrolyzed collagen. This trio can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boost firmness.
It also has hydroxyproline, collagen amino acids, and fatty acids. These ingredients support your body’s natural collagen creation.
Order Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Collagen Eye Cream online.
7. Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen
Price: $$$
This buttery night cream contains plant-based collagen to help strengthen your skin. It also may improve skin texture and elasticity. In fact, 95 percent of users said their skin looked softer and more supple after 10 days.
FYI: Alguronic acid is the secret sauce behind all Algenist products. It’s derived from algae and packs a wrinkle-fighting punch.
Order Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen online.
8. Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream
Price: $
Do you wake up with a greasy face on the reg? If yes, this oil-free night cream can help. While it battles oil, it’ll also provide a good dose of collagen and hydrolyzed elastin. This can give your face that supple stretchiness only the ~youths~ can get.
Bonus: Bladderwrack extract softens your skin while sodium hyaluronate helps it retain moisture.
Order Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream online.
9. Sisley Botanical Night Cream with Collagen & Woodmallow
Price: $$$
Sure, she’s a splurge. But that’s just because this super-duper high-end moisturizer contains soluble collagen, which is spendy AF. It’s worth the price. This cream won’t leave dry, deflated skin cells behind.
Perk: Whimsical woodmallow helps soften your skin while you catch your 💤s.
Order Sisley Botanical Night Cream with Collagen & Woodmallow online.
10. Advanced Peptides and Collagen Serum
Price: $$
Plant-derived collagen goes to work firming and plumping your skin. Meanwhile, a combo of peptides penetrates and stimulates collagen production from the inside out.
This serum also has pine bark extract, an antioxidant that helps reduce redness and fights fine lines and wrinkles.
Order Advanced Peptides and Collagen Serum online.
11. Edible Beauty Deep Sea Collagen Elixir Serum Plump and Refine
Price: $$
This clean-ingredient serum uses a combo of vegan collagen and seaweed collagen. It’ll firm and plump that beautiful face of yours. And we love ❤️ the customer reviews: Lots of folks said this serum increased their skin’s elasticity in just 2 weeks.
P.S. Seaweed and antioxidant-rich purslane repair your skin and protect it from damage.
Order Edible Beauty Deep Sea Collagen Elixir Serum Plump and Refine online.
12. Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen
Price: $$$
Fine lines and wrinkles don’t stand a chance against this high concentration of patented active vegan collagen. But keep in mind that it’s an intense product with an intense price.
This “genius” product also has omega-3, -6, and -9 and 13,000 beads of microalgae oil. These ingredients can smooth out every nook and cranny of your gorgeous face.
Order Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen online.
13. Mizon Original Skin Energy Collagen 100
Price: $
Leave it to K-beauty to deliver a simple, effective serum that’s 90 percent marine collagen (the easiest kind to absorb) for less than $20.
It also has a rockin’ amount of niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that helps minimize enlarged pores and even out skin tone.
Order Mizon Original Skin Energy Collagen 100 online.
14. SKIN INC Supplement Bar Collagen Serum
Price: $$
This simple serum calls on hydrolyzed marine collagen to plump and firm your skin. The gel consistency is ideal for oily skin and works well under thick moisturizers.
It’s also got glycine, alanine, and proline — amino acids that help boost collagen production from the inside out.
Order SKIN INC Supplement Bar Collagen Serum online.
15. Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion Serum
Price: $$$
Collagen amino acids get to work quick in this creamy serum. It can help smooth out wrinkles and provide volume for that I’m-young-and-totally-still-have-all-my-collagen-reserves look.
Hyaluronic acid (the hydration holy grail) assists collagen in plumping up dehydrated skin. Winged kelp pitches in to support your natural collagen and elastin reserves and help hydrate.
Order Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion Serum online.
16. Truly Vegan Collagen Anti-Aging Body Cream
Price: $$
Yes, vegan collagen is totally a thing. And this lightweight body cream lets you reap the benefits while staying true to your veggie values.
This cream also has vitamin C and retinol, two mega-powerful antioxidants that help tighten, smooth, and protect your skin.
Order Truly Vegan Collagen Anti-Aging Body Cream online.
17. Bloom Collagen Firming Cream for Body and Face
Price: $
Hydrolyzed collagen is the star of this ultra-hydrating and soothing lotion. The best part? It’s safe to use from head to toe.
This cream also contains a good amount of green tea extract, which has super antioxidant powers to help calm inflammation and repair damage.
Order Bloom Collagen Firming Cream for Body and Face online.
We looked for creams that contain collagen, as opposed to those that claim to boost collagen production. Many products on the list check both boxes (with the help of other ingredients).
Speaking of other ingredients, we also chose products with skin-happy stuff like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. These add-ins complement the plumping, firming properties of collagen.
We included products at a wide range of prices. Collagen creams can get pricey fast, but we found options for every budget.
There are more collagen creams on the market than ever before. So how do you choose? Here’s the 411.
When considering a collagen cream, put the collagen on the back burner for a second. Ask yourself:
- Is your skin oily or acne-prone? Avoid clogging your pores. Choose a serum or a lightweight gel moisturizer loaded with collagen.
- Is it feeling dull or blotchy? Opt for a collagen cream with vitamin C for a boost of brightening power.
- Do you need a ticket to Hydration Station? Grab one with hyaluronic acid.
And of course, there’s no need to go bankrupt in the name of finer fine lines. There are lots of quality collagen products out there for every budget.
When it comes to collagen creams, there’s something for everyone. To get the most bang for your buck, look for a product that also has other powerful skin care ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins and minerals.
And remember: It might take some trial and error. But you’ll find the collagen cream of your dreams in no time!
