Tightening creams can help otherwise crepey, aging skin look smooth and refined. (Getty Images)
A few years ago, director M. Night Shyamalan's not-so-subtly titled movie Old (about a beach that rapidly ages visitors) came out with a chilling promotional image: A bathing suit-clad woman sitting in the sand with one young side of her body (taut, tan, glowing) and the other, well, old — wizened, dry, sun damaged — and, the most dreaded term in skin care: crepey.
Crepey skin, which is often found on aging necks, upper arms and legs, is caused by a number of factors, including sun damage, genetics, weight loss, hormone imbalances, dehydration and collagen loss. It tends to be textured, wrinkled and thin, but its most distinguishing feature is a slack, saggy appearance. Skin like this looks as if it needs to be tightened back in place, which is, incidentally, exactly how you treat it.
"Skin tightening creams refer to creams that contain ingredients that work to exfoliate and stimulate collagen production," explains Dr. Mina Amin, a Los Angeles–based dermatologist at California Dermatology Specialists. Amin points out that while skin-tightening creams won't have the same impact as surgical treatments (like a neck lift) or in-office services like collagen-boosting injectables, lasers or radiofrequency treatments, they can help skin appear firmer and more hydrated.
"There are certain ingredients that can help improve the skin's texture, hydration and firmness over time," she says. "Retinol is a key ingredient. It works to boost collagen and improve elasticity. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin and will help the skin appear plumper and firmer. Sunscreen is also a vital part of skin care and should be used at any age as it works to keep the skin protected from UV rays, which can break down collagen and increase wrinkles." In other words, it makes the entire crepey situation worse.
"A skin-tightening cream is designed to firm, lift, and improve skin elasticity, primarily by boosting collagen and elastin production," says Emme Diane Burg, a longtime esthetician and founder and CEO of her own eponymous skin care line. "That said, it's important to set realistic expectations. These products won't give you an overnight facelift, but they can make the skin look firmer and smoother by deeply hydrating, plumping and reinforcing collagen production."
For longer-lasting results, Burg says she'd seen clinically-backed ingredients like peptides, retinoids and antioxidants like vitamin C smooth skin texture over time.
Peptides: "If you’re looking for both instant results and long-term skin benefits, peptides are a must," says Burg. "They immediately hydrate and plump the skin, making fine lines and crepiness less noticeable right away, while also working behind the scenes to boost collagen and elastin production for firmer, smoother skin over time. Two of my favorites are Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (often called 'Botox in a bottle'), which helps relax expression lines, and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide, which signals the skin to increase collagen production and prevent collagen breakdown."
Retinol: When it comes to firming the skin, every expert I spoke with agreed that retinol is one of the most powerful ingredients you can use. It works by speeding up cell turnover, which not only smooths fine lines and wrinkles but also stimulates collagen production, keeping the skin plumper and more youthful-looking over time.
Hyaluronic Acid: "Hydration is one of the easiest ways to make crepey skin look smoother and more supple, and hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for the job," Burg explains. "It acts like a moisture magnet, pulling water into the skin to provide an instant plumping effect, which helps soften fine lines and improve skin elasticity."
Caffeine: While caffeine won’t provide permanent firming, Burg says "it can temporarily tighten the skin by improving circulation and reducing puffiness, which makes the skin look brighter and more toned. This is why it’s often used in eye creams and body-firming treatments!"
"This is a gentle yet effective retinol formula designed to firm, tone and refine the skin," Burg says. "However, you'll also want to proceed with caution on this one if you're prone to body acne since it does include some pore-clogging ingredients."
Though not an official expert pick, Gold Bond's award-winning Age Renew Cream is a fan favorite, having racked up tens of thousands of 5-star Amazon reviews.
"This stuff works!" raves a happy customer. "At 52, I have begun to see some crepey skin on the fronts of my thighs and backs of my hands. For reference, I have pale white skin — the worst kind for aging (lucky me!). I saw improvements after just two or three days when used morning and night. Like, the skin on my thighs "shakes less" when walking ... of course you will have to keep using it to reap its rewards, but it's quite affordable and lasts a long time. It's not too thick or too thin, and moisturizes beautifully, with no skin sensitivities for my skin that usually freaks out with any moisturizing product. The scent is almost unnoticeable and the product is effective."
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Alastin's creams are a serious luxury item, far outside most budgets (including mine). But if you're up for a mega splurge, this firming cream has been recommended to me by skin experts countless times. "It's just a great body-firming product that harnesses the power of peptides to tighten loose skin and improve elasticity over time," says Burg. "Plus, it's formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to instantly plump up the skin for a firmer appearance."
Last, all that skin tightening you're trying will be of little use if you continue to damage your skin in the sun. That's why Amin strenuously recommends a potent sunscreen like this one from iconic French brand La Roche-Posay. "It's suitable for all skin types," she says. "It's non-comedogenic, works for face and body. It's also very lightweight and can be worn under makeup."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.