Want to know which premium anti-ageing creams are really worth spending your money on?
Then you need to read the results of this year's Real Beauty Awards, which are based purely on the reviews of real women.
More than 700 women tested out 150 of the latest anti-ageing products from 70 of the biggest brands in the beauty business.
They tried their creams, masks and serums for a month, then sent us their reviews.
Only the anti-ageing products that impressed our testers most were given an award - it's as simple as that.
Where possible, products were blind tested so women could judge them by their effects, not the brand name.
Here are the premium products that our testers loved most - as reviewed in their own words.
Day creams *blind tested*
Winner: L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Dynamic Youthcare Cream, £55
There were some great contenders in this category, but this cream rose to the top.
Our testers thought it was a wonderful moisturiser, and every single one of them had fewer wrinkles after four weeks of using it.
What clinched it was their thrilled comments on all sorts of anti-ageing benefits, from glowy, plumped-up skin to a more lifted-looking face.
Our tester said: 'I loved this.
'It blurred fine lines, especially around my lips, and gave me back my confidence- so thrilled!
'There was a general glow to my skin that I had most certainly lost.
'My daughter asked if I was using a different foundation as I looked so fresh.
'I’ve stopped using my primer, as I feel this cream is so fabulous.’
Highly commended: Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel, £50
This was a very strong contender.
Our testers were blown away by how nice it made their skin feel instantly, giving a universal ‘excellent’ rating for hydration.
Everyone felt it improved their lines, and it wasn’t their imagination either – most testers got complimented on their rejuvenated skin.
Our tester said: ‘This definitely evened out my skin tone and left me with a beautiful dewy face.
'I had comments on how luminous and fresh my skin looked.
'I loved everything about this product, it kept my skin soft and hydrated all day, without a hint of greasiness.
'My skin looks better than it has in ages!’
Highly commended: Elemis Peptide Adaptive Day Cream, £50
Our testers thought this was a real dream cream that made their skin springy, dewy, soft and fresh.
Everyone thought their lines looked smoother after four weeks, and there wasn’t a single person who didn’t want to carry on using it.
Our tester said: ‘Not only did this work on my fine lines and uneven skin tone, it had the greatest impact on the dark circles underneath my eyes.
'People said my skin was looking brighter, especially around the eyes.
'I’d give this 10/10 for both anti-ageing and moisturising.’
Night creams *blind tested*
Winner: Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen, £88
A real overnight sensation.
This cream was loved by every single tester, with everyone reporting both instant and long-term effects.
Four out of five testers were complimented on their brighter, perkier, younger-looking skin.
Our tester said: ‘Every morning my skin looked more plumped and less dry.
'My daughter is a beauty therapist and she noticed how much better my skin was looking – she said it looked smoother and more hydrated.
'It is the best night cream I have ever used.
'My skin looks incredible in the mornings after using it.
'If there is a day version of this brand and an eye cream, I would buy it.’
Highly commended: Elemis Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial, £52
Another strong performance from Elemis, with our testers seeing anti-ageing results and all bar one ready to make it part of their regime.
Its fans were vocal about how much they loved it, with one telling us, ‘Just what my skin needs at bedtime – like a facial in a jar.’
Our tester said: 'Wow! Just wow! I am hooked on this.
'The morning after my first use I noticed how much plumper my skin looked.
'Any wrinkles had definitely softened.
'My colleagues remarked on how good my skin was looking, and a shop assistant complimented me on my lovely skin.
'I was thrilled!’
Highly commended: Decléor Green Mandarin Night Balm, £50
Our testers loved the product’s therapeutic scent (‘Using it felt like an aromatherapy session,’ said one), and they were all impressed by how refreshed their skin looked and that the benefits increased night by night.
Our tester said: 'The fragrance was wonderful, it made me feel like I was in a spa,and after two to three weeks of use, my skin definitely looked less “crumpled” in the morning.
'Very good for lines and wrinkles – after four weeks they were much less visible.
'This fits into my regime nicely, and it’s really good to actually see benefits.’
Eye creams *blind tested*
Winner: Elemis Ultra Smart Pro- Collagen Eye Treatment Duo, £145
What’s better than an eye cream? Two eye creams.
This Elemis treatment duo is pricey, but includes a morning and evening cream, plus a metal applicator that testers loved massaging their skin with.
We were concerned two extra products might prove too much of a fa for some of our busy, real women testing panel, but no – the results were universally adored.
Our tester said: '‘I took pictures of myself at the start, and within a week I started to see a difference with my eyes looking like they had been ironed out.
'Within three weeks my crows’ feet had filled out like Polyfilla had been applied.
'This is the best eye cream I’ve used.
'I turn 40 next month, but outwardly feel so much better that I want to wear my contact lenses more on a daily basis.’
Highly commended: Rodial Vit C Eye Souffle, £75
Everyone loved using this, and the majority saw very good wrinkle-banishing results.
It also scored highly for firming crepey skin around the eyes.
Our tester said: ‘It’s like wearing support tights on bad legs – it really helps.
'It gave me a lot of confidence in my appearance and I didn’t look tired at the end of the trial, which was a great bonus.
'My husband thought it took years off me; my friends have asked what my secret is, as I appear to be getting younger – even my grandchildren thought I didn’t look as tired.’
Highly commended: Filorga NCEF-Reverse Eyes, £55
Gave our winner a run for its money (not bad for a third of the price), with all testers reporting an improvement in lines, and that they’d like to keep using it.
Our tester said: 'Best eye cream I’ve tried.
'My wrinkles are smoother, eyelids more contoured and my skin feels soft and hydrated. (In my 60s, I’ve noticed how dry my eye area has become).
'My skin’s plumper and firmer, and there’s been an improvement in my under-eye circles – no other product has done this.’
Serums
Winner: Clarins Extra-Firming Phyto-Serum, £75
In a high-performing category this shone out like a star, with every tester reporting good anti-ageing effects.
It wasn’t just our testers who noticed the results either – more than any other serum, this was the one that got compliments from testers’ friends, colleagues, partners and even skincare professionals.
Our tester said: ‘This was amazing and my face has got better and better.
'It’s gone above and beyond any other serum I’ve tried.
'My jowls have lifted and my skin is firmer.
'From day one my skin has gradually looked and felt better.
'I’m dreading finishing the bottle.’
Highly commended: Filorga Global-Repair Intensive Serum, £85
This produced impressive results on almost all of its testers, with the word ‘glowing’ coming up repeatedly.
Our tester said:
'My skin immediately felt more radiant and glowy.
'I’ve never had a serum work like this right off the bat.
'One friend said, “Your skin looks amazing”, and another asked, “What’s different? You’re glowing!”’
Highly commended: Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Complex:12 Serum, £210
Testers loved using this, all rating it ‘amazing’ for how it felt to apply and ‘good’ for its wrinkle- fighting effects.
Testers felt radiant, and revelled in the confidence boost it gave them.
Our tester said: ‘I’m totally blown away by this - it really, really works.
'After the first use my skin was brighter in the morning, and over time it continued to improve.
'The tone and radiance improved dramatically, and I feel I can go without make-up as my skin is so glowy and even.’
Filming for The Real Beauty Awards was done at London City Island
