AS we age, our skincare needs change and the products that used to keep our skin hydrated and supple no longer perform as well as they did.
Face creams have to work a lot harder to keep us looking good – which is why you need to up your skincare game and consider the best moisturisers for mature skin.
These products contain a bunch of ingredients to firm up and smooth the skin on our face, minimise the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, reduce dark spots and even out texture.
That’s in addition to holding in moisture and soothing dry or flaky patches.
You can choose a cream or lotion that covers most or all of these, or opt for one that focuses on a specific need.
Generally for more mature skin, requirements fall into three categories:
Collagen and elastin – our stores of these vital support blocks decrease as we get older, leading to sagging, lines and an overall less firm look.
Moisturisers that contain ingredients to target firmness, such as peptides, vitamin E and vitamin C can really help here.
Hydration – menopause sees a drastic reduction in hormones and this affects our skin badly.
Older skin tends to be drier and is certainly thinner, not as bright as it once was and prone to flaky (often itchy) patches.
This change often begins during peri-menopause, so you may find you need to swap up your regular moisturiser for one with more potent ingredients in your 30s or 40s.
Look for creams containing hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane or glycerin, which hold moisture in your skin and help strengthen the skin barrier.
Sun protection – though ideally you should use sunscreen throughout your life, it’s when you’re older that the years of damage really start to show.
This can be in the form of dryness, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation (age spots), so to prevent further deterioration and protect your skin as it is now, a sunscreen is non-negotiable.
Retinol, vitamin C, azelaic acid and niacinamide are just some of the key ingredients that help improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin and protect it from further negative effects.
If you’re feeling more than a little confused by the array of products out there it’s not surprising.
However read on as we’ve put a few of them to the test and these are our tip picks when it comes to the best moisturisers for mature skin.
Best moisturisers for mature skin at a glance:
- Best overall: Trinny London Intense Peptide Moisturiser
- Best value: Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturiser
- Best mid-range: No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal SPF40 Day Cream
- Best premium: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30
- Best tinted: Origins Ginzing SPF40 Tinted Moisturiser
Dr Idriss Major Fade Active Seal Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer
Major Fade Active Seal Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer, £60 from Dr Idriss
Pros: Glides on to skin, absorbs quickly, non-greasy, good for day and night skincare routines
Cons: Rather expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
This is lovely to apply – it’s light and smooths easily over my skin, sinking in without leaving any greasiness.
As well as vitamin C, which has a brightening effect and helps protect against sun damage, it contains ceramides to moisturise and soften, peptides to support firmness and reduce the look of fine lines, and 4-Butyresorcinol, which helps fade age spots.
I’m currently using this morning and night, and while it’s early days I’m really pleased with it. It leaves my skin feeling soft and I think my skin looks fresher.
The dispenser is a bit different – it’s the entire top of the tub and you press it down to release the product – but it works and you don’t end up with too much moisturiser coming out at once.
I hope to see a difference in dark spots on my face with continued use. My freckles seem to have started to merge together as I’ve got older and I’m very conscious of them.
Size: 50 ml, SPF: No, Vegan: Yes, Key ingredients: vitamin C, 4-butylresorcinol and Hexapeptide-2
Green People Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15, £45.00 from Green People
Pros: Natural ingredients, contains an SPF, available in light and medium shades, you don’t need much, good coverage
Cons: SPF 15 so could be higher, dries quickly so a little difficult to blend.
Rating: 4/5
I have been using Green People products for years and I’m a big fan of their skincare, which contains a wealth of natural ingredients as well as being cruelty-free. The Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser was a new one on me though.
It contains SPF 15 to protect your skin from sun damage, Spanish Needle, which helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and interestingly, acts like retinol.
There’s also squalane and shea butter for moisturisation, and sea fennel which supports collagen production, reduces the appearance of lines and increases skin brightness.
For me, this was more like a light foundation than a moisturiser.
It dries too quickly on my face, making it more difficult to spread around and blend in, however it covers well.
I don’t wear heavy foundation, just a sheer CC cream or serum-type product, so this gives me another alternative and I have started using it regularly as my skin needs extra help these days.
Size: 30ml, SPF: Yes, Vegan: Yes, Key ingredients: Spanish Needle, sea fennel, shea butter, squalane
Trinny London Intense Peptide Moisturiser
Trinny London Intense Peptide Moisturiser, £54
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 £43 — 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
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30, £75.95 (was £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
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal SPF40 Day Cream
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal SPF40 Day Cream, £34.15
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
Naturium Multi-Peptide Moisturiser
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.
I 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
Murad Essential-C Firming Radiance Day Cream
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
Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream
Clarins Super Restorative Day Cream, £85
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 is my favourite 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
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Anti-Dark Spots Corrective Moisturiser, £24 (was £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 with 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 includes Melasyl, which has 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
Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Firming Serum-in-Moisturiser, £41.65
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. It 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
Origins Ginzing SPF40 Tinted Moisturiser, £36
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
Olay Regenerist Niacinamide SPF30 Day Cream, £18.99 (was £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 moeny at the same time.
Size: 50ml, SPF: 30, Vegan: No, Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, vitamin E
How we tested these moisturisers
We tested these moisturisers for mature skin with the help of a beauty editor and one of our team here at Sun Shopping.
Both are of an age to know what works for their skin and what doesn’t, preferring skincare with added ingredients to deal with the effects of perimenopause and menopause.
Our beauty editor has been testing new products for more than 15 years, while our Sun Shopping reviewer is an avid skincare fan who has been using moisturiser since her teens.
She is constantly on the look out for products to help improve the texture, appearance and health of her menopausal skin, refusing to give in to the ageing process.
Both experience skincare issues, including fine lines, deeper wrinkles, lack of brightness, hyperpigmentation, sagging and dryness.
Where to buy these moisturisers
You can find a great range of moisturisers for mature skin on the high street at places like Boots, Superdrug and John Lewis.
Larger supermarkets also have skincare aisles and stock products from well-known brands, such as Olay, Simple and L’Oreal across a variety of price points.
For No7 you’ll need to head to Boots or buy online.
As well as online versions of high-street stores, also keep an eye on individual brand websites for price cuts, flash sales and special offers when you sign up to their websites.
Look Fantastic, Sephora, Cult Beauty and Space NK are among our favourite beauty destinations as they’re home to niche brands as well as big names.
And don’t forget Amazon when it comes to skincare – they stock a massive selection.
Subscription website Beauty Pie is another of our go-to sites because they offer quality products at low prices once you’re a member.
The products tested in our reviews came from:
How much do moisturisers for mature skin cost?
Moisturisers for ageing skin come in at a variety of price points so you will be able to find something to suit your budget.
Disruptor brands The Ordinary and The Inkey List offer potent skincare at pocket-friendly prices.
The former’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides starts from £9.60 for 30ml, while the latter’s Bakuchiol Moisturiser currently costs £10.40 for 30ml.
For mid-range moisturisers you’re looking at between £20 and £40, and these would include brands such as No7, Olay, La Roche Posay and L’Oreal Paris.
At the top end of the scale, Murad and Elemis were the two priciest brands we tested, but luxury names, including Chanel, Dior and La Mer are also incredibly popular though they can be eyewateringly expensive.
The Verdict: What is the best moisturiser for mature skin?
For our beauty editor, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream ticks all of her skincare boxes.
She comments: “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.
Murad Essential-C Firming Radiance Day Cream comes a close second.
“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,” she reveals.
“And with continuous use, I always see my lacklustre, dull skin get its glow back, as well as a softening the look of dark spots.”
