Whether they’re called “anti-aging” or not, countless skincare products are marketed for the pursuit of more youthful-looking skin. The store and online shelves are bursting with bottles and jars proclaiming miraculous-seeming effects, from obliterating wrinkles to lifting slack skin and erasing dark spots. Our GH Beauty Lab scientists and consumer testers put those claims to the test to find the products that actually have visible effects on even the most stubborn issues.
The next generation of the classic Good Housekeeping Seal star Olay red jar, best in class in GH Beauty Lab testing, boasts a trio of peptides for added anti-aging power and a silky, decadent texture.
TEST RESULTS: The formula raised skin hydration by an impressive 47% in six hours, per our lab measurements with the Corneometer device. In a study of 100 women over four weeks, 85% said it left their skin looking firmer, our lab data evaluation confirmed.
This milky L’Oréal Paris serum delivers brightening vitamin C, plumping peptides, and softening hyaluronic acid in one bottle.
TEST RESULTS: Testers gave it the highest marks for minimizing the look of lines and making skin appear firmer. They also rated it tops for easy application, speedy absorption, and leaving a shine-free finish. “I was surprised by the visible results in just a few days,” one commented. Another said, “I use a lot of high-end products, but I was amazed at the difference in my skin—this really worked.”
Upgrade your routine—and treat signs of aging as you doze—with Avène’s night cream, which contains retinal (a more potent form of retinol) balanced by hydrators.
TEST RESULTS: It got top scores for making skin feel firmer and more moisturized and look brighter. Testers also appreciated its “light” texture and that it soaked in fast and didn’t irritate (a common issue for retinol products). A tester over the age of 75 said it “reduced wrinkles by about 50%” after four weeks. “My fine lines are noticeably less visible,” another user reported.
Roc Skincare works “wonders” for tired eyes with illuminating, smoothing active ingredients such as retinol and niacinamide in a cooling metal applicator.
TEST RESULTS: It got the best score in a stunning 12 categories, including reducing the look of crow’s feet, dark circles, puffiness, and bags, as well as hydrating skin and having a pleasant consistency and scent. “This helped with all my issues, especially undereye darkness,” a tester remarked. Several users said they would recommend the product or continue using it.
Tap this “magic” Clarins cream on lines for a fast temporary blurring effect.
TEST RESULTS: Of the fillers tested, this had the most prominent wrinkle-smoothing effects in before-and-after digital imaging using the Visia Complexion Analyzer. One tester said it “blurred out deep lines and made them less noticeable.” Another agreed: “I was impressed with how it diminished my forehead wrinkles.”
Get daily sun protection, moisturization, and age-fighting effects in one step by layering on this L’Oréal Paris day cream with SPF 30 and proven age-fighting actives (niacinamide, peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid).
TEST RESULTS: It hit the mark with testers thanks to its effortless application and fast absorption and leaving skin feeling hydrated yet shine-free. “I could see a big difference in the hydration level of my skin as well as more brightness and smoothness,” a tester commented.
Therabody dominated the hot category of LED face masks with this device boasting red light (to minimize the look of lines and dark spots), infrared light (for wrinkles), and blue light (to reduce acne-causing bacteria) with a bonus scalp-massage feature.
TEST RESULTS: Testers found the mask easy to use (it requires just 12 minutes of wear per day) and were satisfied with it overall, saying they would continue to use it. “I’ve received compliments on my skin looking healthier and glowing, and it feels tighter,” a tester reported. Another said it helped quickly clear up an “angry, very inflamed” pimple.
The new iteration of the gold standard skin-resurfacing laser Fraxel now works faster and is more targeted to smooth wrinkles and scars and fade hyperpigmentation.
TEST RESULTS: Two GH Beauty Lab scientists who tested the treatment saw both short- and long-term visible effects. “My skin felt so smooth and looked glassy four days after,” our GH Beauty Lab analyst said. After a month, “my skin looked noticeably brighter, bouncier, and smoother—I even started getting questioned about whether I’d been on vacation,” GH’s Beauty Lab director noted. “By month two, my dark spots had faded.”
This updated professional treatment from Sciton utilizes a more refined delivery of broadband light to zap away discoloration (redness, hyperpigmentation, uneven tone) and boost collagen production on both the face and the body.
TEST RESULTS: Dermatologists and plastic surgeons who use the technology on patients find that the new version is easier to control and delivers more even results in less time. A tester reported that her skin was “totally back to normal in 24 hours” and that there was “improvement in the texture.”
April (she/her) is the senior beauty and style director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
