12 Anti-Aging Creams That Actually Work, According to Beauty Scientists

1. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

BEST OVERALL ANTI-AGING CREAM

PROS

• Highly moisturizing
• Smooths skin’s texture
• Powerful anti-aging actives
• Great value

CONS

Get the ultimate moisture boost with Olay’s best-selling cream that outperformed 10 competitors — even a prestige $440 one! — in the GH Beauty Lab’s clinical studies. Packed with powerhouse anti-agers including niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, Lab measurements with the Corneometer device found the formulation increased hydration by 50% on average over 24 hours and improved skin texture by 10% in four weeks. Note that it has a rich cream formula that could be too heavy for those with oily skin.

2. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Anti-Aging Day Cream with SPF 30

BEST VALUE ANTI-AGING CREAM

PROS

• Measurably minimizes dark spots
• Increases skin moisturization
• Fast-absorbing
• Affordably-priced

CONS

L’Oréal Paris’s affordable drugstore lotion packed with age-fighting actives and SPF proved to be a “bright” idea for youthful skin: It was a star in the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging day cream test, outperforming other formulas tested. The formula reduced UV spots by 11% over four weeks in measurements with the Visia Complexion Analyzer and improved skin hydration by 28% over six hours, per Corneometer calculations.

Testers also gave it the highest marks for its “citrusy” scent, texture and absorbing quickly. (Note that it didn’t score as well for irritating eyes and a few testers reported breakouts.) “My skin appeared brighter and more radiant,” a user commented. Two said that it left their skin “smooth and soft.”