ONCE upon a time, cream that provided basic hydration was enough to put our best face forward.
However, as we age, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and a loss of firmness start to change the tone and texture of our skin, and we need to ask more of our moisturiser.
Some skincare brands market these as ‘anti-ageing creams’, but there’s nothing negative about ageing, so I’m calling them ‘moisturisers for mature skin’.
These are formulas made with skincare ingredients backed by science to rejuvenate our complexions.
These common skin concerns can be a result of three main things. Firstly, the proteins that keep our skin smooth, plump and firm — collagen and elastin — deplete as we age.
Secondly, once we hit perimenopause and menopause, our hormone levels also decrease, leading to dry, dull, thinning skin that creases more easily.
And lastly, sun damage from ageing UV rays not only further breaks down protein production, but appears in the form of pigmentation, commonly known as sun spots.
Luckily, we live in an age where cosmetic science is so advanced that we now know what skin actives can help address these visible signs of ageing. That means it’s easier than ever to know what to look for in your moisturiser.
Some of the best include peptides, vitamin C and/or niacinamide to support the production of collagen and elastin.
For hydrating heroes, turn to formulas packed with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and/or squalane, as well as ingredients like ceramides that lock the moisture in.
Don’t know where to start? I’m an experienced beauty editor, and these are my picks of the best moisturisers for mature skin.
Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturiser, £21
Pros: Great value, lightweight, skin-plumping
Cons: Takes a few minutes to absorb
Rating: 4/5
You might not be familiar with Naturium yet, as it’s only recently made the jump from across the pond.
Teaming high-performance skincare with affordable prices, I’ve tried quite a bit from the range now, with a few standouts including this moisturiser.
The beauty journalist in me was already impressed with the ingredient list before putting it to the test, as it reads like a who’s who of skin-loving ingredients, all at a purse-friendly price.
I was not disappointed. The fragrance-free, lightweight texture leaves behind a veil of moisture thanks to the likes of squalane, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — all excellent skin hydrators. My skin felt softer and more supple the more I used it.
But with ongoing use, you notice that this is much more than just a moisture-replenisher. Packed with peptides — that are the building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin — my complexion looked smoother after trialling it for a month.
With a stable non-irritating form of vitamin C, my dull skin also looked brighter and more even-toned.
Size: 50ml, SPF: No, Vegan: Yes, Key ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid
Trinny London Intense Peptide Moisturiser, £49
Pros: Use AM/PM, skin-smoothing, refillable
Cons: Not widely available
Rating: 5/5
Peptides are the buzziest skincare ingredient of the moment thanks to their ability to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and Trinny Woodall has packed them into this moisturiser, so we can all benefit from its wrinkle-plumping and firming effectiveness.
I call it a medium-weight cream, as it’s light enough to not interfere with make-up but rich enough to bring comfort to my dry skin.
It often makes me want to go make-up-free, as it leaves skin with such a dewy, healthy glow.
It’s thanks to the combination of more well-known actives: mainly, hyaluronic acid which attracts moisture to the skin and holds it there, and squalane which further traps the moisture in.
You can use it day and night, and I also like to layer it over my retinol serum in the evenings for its skin-soothing abilities. Two pumps are enough to cover my face, neck and decolletage, so a little goes a long way.
My skin feels smoother the more I use this, and my frown lines look less pronounced. Play the long game with this, and you’ll too notice a difference in your skin.
Plus, it’s such a bonus that you can buy refills with a £10 saving at just £39 — better for our purses and the planet.
Size: 50ml, SPF: No, Vegan: Yes, Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30, £95
Pros: Lightweight, super hydrating, plumping
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
Luxury British beauty brand Elemis has several standout products, but none so iconic as this hard-to-beat moisturiser that launched 20 years ago and is still winning awards today.
I’ve lost count of friends and family members asking me if it’s as good as its hype, and my answer is always the same: yes!
That’s why this isn’t my first jar, nor will it be my last.
Elemis is an expert in marine-sourced ingredients, and so this formula turns to the power of the sea for ingredients. Microalgae padina pavonica is the not-so-secret infusion that makes this one of the most hydrating creams on the market.
The fact that its moisture boost isn’t just short-lived, but constantly working its magic is what makes it such a frontrunner. And that’s without any heaviness, thanks to the lightweight gel-cream texture.
Further marine and plant actives work together in the formula to aid the production of collagen, which shows up on my skin usually after a few weeks of use as it starts to look smoother and firmer.
Today, it comes in several different versions like the rose-infusion or the ultra-rich cream, but this one with added SPF is my favourite as we should of course be protecting our skin daily from UV damage which also speeds up the ageing process.
Also, I know it’s expensive but there are always offers to be had – whether it’s travel-sized freebies with purchases direct from the brand, or money off across websites.
Size: 50 ml, SPF: 30, Vegan: Yes, Key ingredients: padina pavonica, chlorella, ginkgo biloba
Murad Essential-C Firming Radiance Day Cream, £86
Pros: Radiance renewing, evens skin tone, protects skin with antioxidants
Cons: May not be suitable if you have sensitive skin
Rating: 5/5
If it’s a radiance boost your complexion is after, reach for this moisturiser powered by vitamin C.
It’s one of the most powerful skincare ingredients on the planet, proven to brighten and rejuvenate the skin.
Not only does it help protect us from ageing environmental factors like harmful UV and pollution, but it can help correct the look of pigmentation and uneven skin tones and stimulate collagen production.
I have gone through so many of these jars over the years because it’s not just any vitamin C it uses, but a potent and stable dose of L-Ascorbic Acid.
And with continuous use, I always see my lacklustre, dull skin get its glow back, as well as a softening to the look of dark spots.
But it’s the instant results I love just as much. The light, silky cream is extremely nourishing, leaving my complexion dewy looking, thanks to a multitude of ingredients including skin-strengthening and hydrating ceramides and niacinamide.
Make-up sits perfectly on top too, as it’s fast absorbing. The only negative I can ever find with this moisturiser is it’s on the pricey side.
Size: 50ml, SPF: No, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ceramides, niacinamide
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal SPF40 Day Cream, £34.95
Pros: Hydrating, high SPF, antioxidant protection
Cons: Love or hate rich texture
Rating: 4.5/5
Highstreet favourite No7 has a few top-notch moisturisers for mature skin, but this one contains the homegrown beauty brand’s biggest-ever scientific innovation.
It comes in the form of a super-peptide, which tricks the skin into thinking it’s been damaged, thus boosting the renewal process of key skin proteins like collagen that keep skin plump and firm.
If that’s not enough, antioxidants like powerhouse vitamin C and SPF40 have also been added to protect the skin from UV damage, as well as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to supercharge hydration.
I’ve tested this formula for months, and love everything about it, from its rich texture that my dry skin drinks up instantly, to how it protects my skin when I’m caught out in the sun day to day.
I quickly noticed how good this is for quenching dryness, leaving skin soft and supple within a few days of use.
And after a few weeks, I saw changes to the texture of my skin. Touted to improve all the major signs of ageing, it certainly does that, with a smoother, more even-looking complexion.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 40, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream, £82
Pros: Hydrating, firming, great for menopausal skin
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
With a line-up of top-choice moisturisers for mature skin, it’s a difficult task to choose the very best from Clarins – but this one pips the post for me if you’re going through menopause.
With hormone levels plummeting, changes to the skin like thinning, slackness and extra dryness are common and this cream tackles these concerns exceptionally well.
When I first opened this jar, I was hit by its delicate floral fragrance. It’s one that beautifully lingers, and when you team that with its ultra-smooth, gel-like texture that feels refreshing on application, it’s top marks from me when it comes to its sensory experience.
It’s also a winner in the application category, in my book. Its formula melts into my skin in seconds, leaving it smooth and velvety soft, ready for make-up.
Clarins is famed for turning to plant science, and this moisturiser is no exception. It’s made up of 93% natural origin ingredients, including its hero, organic harungana, which helps boost the production of collagen and is being dubbed nature’s retinol.
Combined with a great range of actives that boost radiance and hydration and plump the skin, I love how nourishing it is without feeling heavy or like it’s overloading the skin.
I saw results day after day with this: at first, I noticed how smooth and dewy-looking it left my complexion, but my skin also felt bouncy and firmer after a few weeks of use.
Size: 50ml, SPF: No, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, harungana
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Anti-Dark Spots Corrective Moisturiser, £32
Pros: Softens dark spots, high SPF, suitable for sensitive skin
Cons: Smaller tube
Rating: 4/5
Providing effective skincare solutions and offering them at affordable prices is what makes La Poche Posay stand out in a crowded skincare market.
I’m a big fan of the French pharmaceutical brand, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this new moisturiser when I heard it’s made for my skin in mind.
It targets hyperpigmentation or dark spots (also known as sun spots or liver spots), of which I have many dotted around my complexion.
What excited me about this launch was that it’s pumped with a new ingredient, Melasyl, that’s been proven to improve the appearance of discolouration — and La Roche Posay is one of the first beauty brands to make use of it.
It’s also been teamed with niacinamide, one of the few skincare superstars with a multitude of skin-rejuvenating abilities, including skin-brightening, strengthening, moisturising and soothing.
On application, I can feel how hydrating the light and silky fluid is, instantly softening and comforting the skin. However, I do have to leave it a few minutes to soak in before applying make-up on top.
After trialling it for six weeks, I can honestly say my dark spots look less prominent and my dull skin looks more radiant. A top moisturiser, dark spot treatment and skin protector with added SPF30!
Size: 40ml, SPF: 30, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Melasyl
Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Firming Serum-in-Moisturiser, £49
Pros: Use AM and PM, hydrating, firming
Cons: Not fragrance-free
Rating: 4/5
Fusing nature with skincare science, Liz Earle has a string of bestsellers ideal for mature skin, but this new glass jar moisturiser might just be my favourite yet.
Powered by a cocktail of potent botanical actives, you’ll find acacia tree extract as one of the hero ingredients in the moisturiser that mimics the benefits of collagen: keeping skin smooth, plump and firm.
Furthermore, skin-plumping linseed extract and hydration-boosting rosehip oil, glycerin and vitamin E are added to the infusion to target all those telltale ageing signs like dryness, skin-sagging and wrinkles.
My first impressions of the cream are that it has just the right amount of richness for dry skin without being greasy. It’s fragranced with beautiful neroli, and after letting it absorb for a few minutes, it plays well with coverage on top.
But it was some 30 days after use when I really fell for it. I could feel how nourished my skin felt, and how much plumper it looked.
Size: 50ml, SPF: No, Vegan: Yes, Key ingredients: Botanical extracts, glycerin, vitamin E
Origins Ginzing SPF40 Tinted Moisturiser, £36.85
Pros: Tinted, high SPF, no white cast
Cons: Only one shade
Rating: 4/5
If you’re looking for a no-fuss, minimalist skincare routine, reach for this all-in-one tube that moisturises, UV protects and imparts a glowing sheer tint.
The creamy formula is an ideal skincare switch-up for the summer months, infused with a mineral sunscreen SPF40 to protect the skin from the sun’s ageing rays.
It doesn’t have any white cast or chalkiness to it. Instead, it leaves behind such a natural tinted luminosity on my light skin, that I prefer to skip coverage on top when using it day-to-day as I don’t feel I need it.
With caffeine and ginzing packed into the formula, the radiance isn’t just cosmetic. Teamed together, the skincare ingredients are masters of perking-up tired, dull skin types, and that’s evident from continued use.
Hydration comes from hyaluronic acid and squalane, so it always ups the moisture levels, leaving my complexion feeling smooth and well-nourished.
Ticking so many boxes, I can see why this is such a bestseller for the brand. I would have given it full marks, but it’s only available in one shade so it’s not suitable for all skin tones.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 40, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Caffeine, ginzing, squalane, hyaluronic acid
Olay Regenerist Niacinamide SPF30 Day Cream, £37.99
Pros: Firming, smoothing, refillable
Cons: Not fragrance-free
Rating: 4/5
With a long history of providing excellent moisturisers for mature skin at reasonable prices, highstreet favourite Olay’s top pick for me is this red jar.
It’s loaded with a hefty dose of niacinamide, a skin-loving powerhouse that seems to do it all. It promotes collagen production, brightens skin tone and packs a hydrating punch to name a few of its qualities.
And it shows, as with continued use it smoothed my lines, made my skin feel firm and plump, reduced the look of my pores and boosted my skin’s radiance.
All this, while providing a lightweight texture and a dreamy fragrance, and protecting my skin with antioxidants and a high SPF.
And, I’m so pleased that all of Olay’s premium ingredient collections, like this one, are now available as refills, so you can save on waste while saving on your pocket too.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, vitamin E
Although beauty shelves both online and in-store all offer the latest miracle creams to turn back the clock, I know some are better than others, so I’ve selected the best moisturisers for mature skin.
I’m a beauty editor in my forties and have tested the latest products as they launch for over 15 years, so there isn’t a moisturiser I haven’t tried.
I also have the expertise to know what really works, as opposed to what is just marketing fluff.
With a dry, dull complexion showing all the visible signs of ageing – such as fine lines, wrinkles, a loss of firmness and pigmentation in the form of dark spots from sun damage – moisturisers needed to show rejuvenating results on her skin to make it on to this list.
All these moisturisers have been tested for a minimum of 30 days. You can therefore trust that all these products have been tried and tested fairly to bring you this round-up of the best moisturisers for mature skin on the market.
Moisturisers fit for mature skin can be found on the high street, at major department stores and online.
You’ll find Olay widely available at major supermarkets, Superdrug and Boots, while No7 is only at Boots. For those with higher price tags, you’ll need to visit Sephora, Space NK and John Lewis.
Of course, all are available online too. Our favourites to visit are Sephora, Lookfantastic and Cult Beauty. But if you’re looking for Trinny London, you’ll need to head to the brand’s website directly.
Some of our favourite in-store and online retailers include:
You’ll find moisturisers for mature skin to suit all budgets. While prices have increased, like everything; shop around as you’ll often find money-off promotions.
There are budget-friendly options around £20, but for value, you can’t beat Naturium’s £21 offering packed with skin actives that defy signs of ageing.
For mid-range moisturisers, you can expect to pay anywhere between £30-£50, like No7’s Future Renew at £34.95 and Trinny’s Intense Peptide at £49.
The most expensive we put on trial is Elemis’s iconic moisturiser at £95, but it’s often on offer and sometimes comes with travel-sized freebies if you head straight to the brand’s website.
