The Best Anti-Ageing Creams for Every Age

Whether you’re looking to future-proof your skin or turn back the clock, we’ve curated the best formulas for every age and stage – from firming eye creams to high-performance hydrators

Content editor

Nabeela Saghir

Collage of an assortment of various skincare products

The best skincare for ageing skin

Great skincare starts with knowing what your skin really needs – and what it doesn’t. Think fewer steps, smarter formulas and a more targeted approach to anti-ageing.

A well-edited line-up begins with a gentle, hydrating cleanser, followed by a results-driven serum (think line-smoothing retinol or brightening Vitamin C). Finish with a moisturiser that keeps skin plump and comfortable all day – no heavy residue, just long-lasting hydration. Come evening, dial up the nourishment with a high-performance night cream to help support cell renewal and visibly smooth fine lines while you sleep.

The best anti-ageing routines aren’t overcomplicated – they’re curated. The goal? Skin that feels supported, looks luminous and reflects the care you’ve put in.

Shop cleansers Shop all skincare

Gif of barrier-repairing day cream and various skincare products

The best anti-wrinkle creams for your 30s and 40s

The first whispers of ageing are subtle – a hint of dullness, a soft line when you smile, or skin that loses its usual bounce.

In your 30s, it’s all about preservation. Reach for hyaluronic acid to plump and cushion and Vitamin C to fend off dullness before it takes hold. Clinique’s lightweight formulas excel here, delivering freshness without weight.

By your 40s, skin starts telling a different story – lines deepen and firmness begins to fade. Enter retinol, the powerhouse that renews and smooths, paired with peptides that strengthen and firm. Estée Lauder’s rich yet effortlessly absorbing creams are perfect for this stage, while Prai’s peptide-packed treatments offer targeted support.

The smartest move? Anticipate your skin’s needs before they become obvious. The best anti-wrinkle cream isn’t a quick fix; it’s a quietly powerful investment in staying one step ahead.

Shop Estée Lauder Shop anti-wrinkle creams

Gif of woman applying moisturiser and Clinique's moisture surge cream

The best moisturisers and hydrating creams

Hydration is everything – especially for mature skin. As collagen dips and the skin barrier weakens, moisture isn’t just lost, it’s harder to retain. That’s where the best moisturiser for mature skin steps in: not just to smooth, but to visibly firm, plump, and replenish.

There’s a clear difference between a standard moisturiser and a true hydrating cream for mature skin. One sits on the surface; the other goes deeper, using ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and nourishing oils to restore glow. Look for formulas with added firming benefits – like Emma Hardie’s Revitalising Cream – which delivers hydration with a side of lift, thanks to marine extracts and rich botanical oils.

The result? Skin that feels supported, looks brighter, and holds onto that post-treatment glow for longer.

Shop moisturisers Shop the Emma Hardie edit

Gif of Formula's hydrating eye cream and its benefits

The best eye creams for mature skin

Thinner and more delicate by design, the eye area requires more than your daily moisturiser. Enter eye creams: precision formulas that restore brightness, smooth fine lines, and bring visible lift to the most expressive part of the face.

Unlike all-over creams, these targeted treatments are crafted to address dark circles, puffiness and crow’s feet without overwhelming the skin. Estée Lauder’s Night Repair Eye Cream is a perfect example – a feather-light yet firming formula powered by peptides and hyaluronic acid to visibly lift and redefine the eye contour.

The effect is subtle yet significant: a brighter, more sculpted eye area that looks refreshed, rested, and quietly transformed.

Shop eye creams Shop all beauty