As we age, we lose elasticity in our skin that not even a change in diet and fitness can completely reverse. It’s why the mature skincare market is a billion-dollar business, why there are myriad treatments aimed at getting our youthful, firm skin back and why firming lotions are so popular.
Having babies and the middle-aged spread can also lead to loose skin, cellulite, and wobbly bits all of which are, of course, beautiful but can cause many of us to lose confidence.
If this is you and you’re looking for firming lotions that actually work, we’ve spoken to skincare experts to reveal which ingredients to look for, and which products do as they promise.
We’ve also recently looked at the science of cellulite – from what it is to how to get rid of cellulite – and picked our favourite cellulite treatment options if this is your main concern.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum | Best night cream | Best cellulite cream
£9 | Buy now
Why we love it: Not only is Nivea’s Firming and Goodbye-Cellulite Gel Cream a bargain, it actually works.
One of the main ingredients is a co-enzyme called Q10, which has been scientifically proven to be a strong antioxidant. This helps to neutralise harmful free radicals that are behind many of the annoying signs of ageing.
You can read more about this in our guide to the best anti-ageing cream for targeting wrinkles and fine lines.
Of course, it’s unlikely to get rid of cellulite completely – you can read more in our cellulite guide – but Nivea promises a noticeable reduction within three weeks of use and we can vouch for this.
Alternatively, if you want to cut out the rest of the ingredients and take advantage of pure Q10, you can buy it from The Inkey List for just £6.49.
Buy now from Boots
£11.37 | Buy now
Why we love it: Jergens Skin Firming Daily Moisturiser has gathered a cult following because it more than outperforms its low price tag.
Using a mix of collagen and elastin, it tightens and increases the elasticity and resilience of skin and improves its firmness.
It’s also great for revitalising dry skin because it improves skin tone, texture, and luminosity. As described in The Guardian, “This, my fellow cellulite miracle searcher, is the Holy Grail.”
FURTHER READING: Collagen: What is collagen and what do the different types of collagen do for skin?
Buy now from Amazon
£65 | Buy now
Cocunat Why we love it: Body Power only launched in April yet it has sold out multiple times after becoming a firm – excuse the pun – favourite among social media users and influencers.
Body Power is a two-step program that helps reduce cellulite and slim the areas where it’s applied, with results being seen in as few as 30 days. While this may not seem like a quick result, other firming creams and lotions on this list typically take three months before noticeable changes appear. The first formula is designed to work before a workout, and the second is for when you are at rest.
In clinical tests, results across 60 women found that Body Power reduced the circumference of key body parts, as follows:
In the Warm Up formula is Glucosyl Hesperidine to boost circulation; cafeina, a popular fat burner that helps to activate lipolysis and boost microcirculation; Fisetin & Raspberry ketone, a fat-burning combination that works during the processes of lipolysis, adipogenesis and lipogenesis to reduce fat and cellulite; and Plankton Extract, activates the fat-burning mechanism of adipose tissue to reduce excess fat.
In the Smart Burn formula is Bacillus /Soybean Ferment Extract, which boosts the integrity of so-called Type I fibres and their mitochondrial metabolism to improve muscle tone; Gingko Biloba, to increase blood flow; Hyaluronic acid for moisturising and plumping the skin.
Buy now from Amazon
£5 | Buy now
Why we love it: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter is a firm (pardon the pun) favourite here at mamabella towers because it leaves skin feeling tighter and firmer.
With pure cocoa butter and Vitamin E, collagen, and elastin found in shea butter, this keeps your skin tight and won’t leave it feeling greasy. It’s particularly good if you’ve recently lost weight and want to firm up the skin on your bingo wings, or belly.
Plus it helps with scarring. All for around a fiver!
This lotion texture is very easy to apply and absorbs beautifully into the skin, it leaves a chocolatey scent on the skin – it reminds us of summer holidays – and Palmer’s has added Ginseng to nourish and rejuvenate.
Like the Nivea version, it uses Q10 as a powerful antioxidant that stimulates your skin cells to be more toned in appearance.
Buy now from Boots
£20 | Buy now
Why we love it: The only oil in our body firming roundup, Balance Me‘s Super Toning Body Oil smells incredible and is absorbed by the skin almost immediately, leaving it soft and smooth.
This is, in part, due to the fact it’s infused with Macadamia and Sweet Almond Oils.
Meanwhile, Wheat Germs provide anti-ageing properties to help firm and plump the skin and antioxidants stimulate circulation to minimise the appearance of cellulite.
Buy now from Lookfantastic
£40 | Buy now
Why we love it: Clarins New Body Fit has been designed to target the three types of so-called Adipocytes cells found in our bodies and which are responsible for storing energy as fat.
Its formula helps firm and tone the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite with only a handful of uses.
Elsewhere, Body Fit contains Quince Leaf which is said to reduce fat storage for what Clarins called a “corrective Anti-Cellulite action”.
It’s also great as a moisturiser because it leaves the skin soft and smooth.
Buy now from Sephora UK
£25 | Buy now
Why we love it: Caudalie Lift & Firm Body Cream targets four areas: arms, chest, stomach, and bum. All the areas that often can lose elasticity as we age.
This cream is enriched with antioxidant grapeseed, which also nourishes your skin; shea butter to give you a soft, moisturising feeling; polyphenols, which are anti-wrinkle ingredients; and Iris extract to help with firming and toning.
Using this morning and night on dry skin you will see the benefits of firmer, smoother and more hydrated skin.
This body cream is on the thick side, so you will need to work this in but it doesn’t leave a greasy residue, it absorbs into the skin nicely. It isn’t heavily scented, only carrying a hint of orange blossom, and it’s suitable for sensitive skin. So much so, that it can be used during pregnancy as well.
Tests have shown that 96% of women noticed their skin was firmer and 91% said it was more toned, in around three weeks. Reviews have also mentioned that stretch marks have visibly reduced in size along with smoother feeling skin.
FURTHER READING: Best stretch mark cream: From Bio Oil to Burt’s Bees Belly Butter
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Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget
