Renewing Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer
Budget Moisturizing Staple
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Exceptional value — 10 oz for approximately $8, lasting 3-4 months of daily use
- +Mineral oil and dimethicone provide genuinely effective occlusive moisture protection
- +Creamy texture feels smoother and more elegant than the ingredient list suggests
- +Non-comedogenic formulation claim — suitable for many skin types despite mineral oil base
- +Cruelty-free and paraben-free at a mass-market price point
- +Safflower seed oil provides linoleic acid for barrier support
- −Collagen and elastin are present at negligible concentrations despite being the product's headline ingredients
- −Mineral oil as the second ingredient feels dated compared to modern moisturizer formulations
- −Contains fragrance and triethanolamine — not ideal for sensitive skin
- −Jar packaging raises hygiene concerns compared to pump or tube formats
- −Can clog pores on oily or acne-prone facial skin despite non-comedogenic claim
- −Formula has been changed multiple times from the original 'Timeless Skin' version
The full review.
About St. Ives
Some products survive for decades because of their names rather than their performance. St. Ives’ Renewing Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer is a prime example in drugstore skincare. The words ‘collagen’ and ‘elastin’ on the jar drive the marketing, but the actual collagen and elastin inside do almost nothing.
Reality
The ingredient list is mostly a mineral oil moisturizer. Water is first and mineral oil is second, forming a large part of the formula. It also contains propylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, stearic acid, phenoxyethanol, safflower oil, and various emulsifiers and stabilizers. Hydrolyzed collagen and hydrolyzed elastin sit at the very bottom, after the preservative system and fragrance. These positions mean concentrations are too low to be functional.
Myth
Topical collagen and elastin cannot rebuild the skin’s structural protein matrix, even at high concentrations. These large protein molecules cannot penetrate the stratum corneum to reach the dermis where your body’s collagen and elastin live. At higher concentrations, they act as humectants and film-formers to moisturize and smooth the surface. At the trace levels in this formula, even that benefit is negligible.
Best for
This product moisturizes dry skin well. Mineral oil is a highly effective occlusive that creates a surface barrier to reduce transepidermal water loss. Dimethicone adds a silky texture and more occlusive protection. Safflower seed oil provides linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that supports barrier function. This combination creates a cream that keeps dry skin hydrated, comfortable, and protected from environmental moisture loss.
Texture
The texture exceeds its price. It does not feel heavy or greasy despite the mineral oil base. The dimethicone and glyceryl stearate emulsifier system makes the cream spread easily, absorb into a smooth finish, and leave skin feeling soft and cushioned. Users often find the experience more pleasant than the ingredient list suggests.
Packaging
The 10-ounce jar is the product’s best feature. At approximately $8, you get three to four months of twice-daily facial moisturizing for about $2 per month. This volume makes it one of the most affordable per-ounce facial moisturizers from a national brand. The economics work well for people who use moisturizer quickly, such as those with very dry skin or those who apply it to the face, neck, and chest.
Packaging
Jar packaging is the product’s main flaw. Skincare experts often prefer pumps and tubes over open jars that require finger dipping. However, jar packaging is standard at this price, and the preservative system (phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin) handles the bacterial exposure from jar use.
Scent
The fragrance is polarizing. Long-time users may love the scent, while others find it artificial and want an unscented version. The fragrance and the triethanolamine pH adjuster make this less suitable for sensitive skin, though St. Ives does not market this product for sensitive skin.
Common Complaints
Former ‘Timeless Skin’ fans have valid complaints about formula changes. Unilever has reformulated this product multiple times, and some users claim earlier versions worked better. Without archived formulations, these claims cannot be validated, but the number of complaints suggests a change occurred.
How to Use
If you have dry skin and need a cheap, effective, occlusive moisturizer, this works. The mineral oil-dimethicone combination is simple, proven, and inexpensive. Buy it as a basic moisturizer, not for the label’s claims. The collagen and elastin are for marketing, not function. For anti-aging, use this cream as an occlusive layer over a retinol, vitamin C, or peptide serum that stimulates collagen production. This makes the jar a cost-effective final step in an evidence-based anti-aging routine.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Dermatology has well-documented mineral oil's efficacy as an occlusive moisturizer. Research shows cosmetic-grade mineral oil reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by forming a semi-occlusive barrier on the skin surface; studies show a greater than 40% reduction in TEWL on dry skin. Its molecular structure prevents skin penetration, which provides surface protection but limits deeper biological activity.
Topical hydrolyzed collagen and elastin have minimal evidence for anti-aging efficacy. A 2020 review in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science noted that collagen peptides provide surface-level moisture retention and temporary smoothing at sufficient concentrations, but cannot stimulate new collagen synthesis topically. The molecules are too large to penetrate the stratum corneum, and even smaller collagen fragments do not reach dermal fibroblasts at concentrations achievable through topical application.
Evidence points to retinoids (which upregulate collagen gene expression), L-ascorbic acid (a cofactor in collagen synthesis), and specific peptides (which signal fibroblasts to increase collagen production) for genuine collagen stimulation. This formula lacks these ingredients. The product's anti-aging claims rest entirely on its moisturizing properties—which work, but are not specific to the collagen and elastin it highlights.
Dermatologist Perspective
Board-certified dermatologists view mineral oil-based moisturizers as effective, affordable options for dry skin management. Dermatologists note that while the collagen and elastin ingredients in this product do not provide meaningful anti-aging benefits at their listed concentrations, the mineral oil and dimethicone create a reliable occlusive barrier. This addresses the main cause of dry, dull-looking skin: insufficient moisture retention. Dermatologists may recommend using this as an affordable occlusive layer over evidence-based anti-aging actives like retinol or vitamin C serums—using the cheap moisturizer to seal in expensive treatments.
Where it fits in your routine.
Apply a thin layer to clean skin morning and evening after serums or treatment products. The occlusive mineral oil base works best as the final skincare step before sunscreen (AM) or as the last step (PM). For anti-aging benefits, layer over a retinol, vitamin C, or peptide serum — the cream's occlusive properties seal in those active ingredients. Apply to slightly damp skin to trap more moisture.
At about $8 for 10 ounces, this basic moisturizer offers great value. Using it twice daily costs roughly $2 per month, making it one of the most affordable facial moisturizers from a recognized brand. The ingredients are basic: mineral oil, dimethicone, and safflower oil work well but lack sophistication, and the collagen/elastin ingredients do not justify an anti-aging premium. Buy this as a budget occlusive moisturizer for excellent value. Buy it for collagen-rebuilding benefits and you overpay for marketing, even at $8.
Budget-conscious shoppers with dry to normal skin want effective, no-frills hydration. Use it as an affordable occlusive layer to seal in active serums, or as a straightforward daily moisturizer for people who want to spend as little as possible on basic skin hydration.
Don't buy this for anti-aging collagen benefits; the collagen and elastin levels are negligible. The mineral oil may clog pores, making it poor for oily or acne-prone skin. Fragrance and triethanolamine make it unsuitable for sensitive skin. It also lacks the lightweight feel of modern moisturizer formulations compared to mineral oil-based creams.
Product details.
This thick, creamy moisturizer spreads easily and absorbs to a smooth, slightly dewy finish. Mineral oil and dimethicone provide slip and softness that feels better than the price suggests.
The mild floral-clean fragrance is noticeable but not overwhelming. Some users like it; others find it artificial. The scent has changed as the formula updated over the years.
The 10 oz jar is practical and cost-effective. However, dipping fingers into the product is less hygienic. This jar format is standard for this price category.
Applies smoothly with a creamy, comforting feel. Skin feels softer and more cushioned immediately. The mineral oil base creates a protective layer without feeling heavy or greasy. Dry patches and tightness improve after the first application.
3-4 months with twice-daily face and neck application (10 oz jar)
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Originally sold as St. Ives 'Timeless Skin' Collagen Elastin Moisturizer, this product has been a drugstore fixture for over two decades. Multiple formula updates and rebrandings later, it maintains its core identity as an affordable collagen-named moisturizer. The name has always been its best marketing — 'collagen' and 'elastin' are powerful consumer-facing words, even though the topical application of these proteins at trace concentrations doesn't rebuild the skin's structural matrix.
About St. Ives
Legacy Brand (20+ years)St. Ives has sold drugstore skincare since 1980, focusing on accessible, nature-inspired products. Unilever owns the brand, which has massive distribution and recognition. The Collagen Elastin moisturizer line is one of the brand's longest-running products; it was originally 'Timeless Skin' before rebranding.
Common myths.
This moisturizer's collagen and elastin rebuild your skin's structural proteins.
Topical hydrolyzed collagen and elastin cannot reach the dermis where structural proteins live. These molecules are too large to reach the fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin. In this formula, they act as surface-level humectants and film-formers. They make skin feel temporarily smoother but do not stimulate new collagen or elastin production. Retinoids, peptides, or vitamin C in leave-on formulations do that.
Mineral oil is bad for your skin and clogs pores.
Dermatology has studied cosmetic-grade mineral oil more than most occlusive ingredients. Purified mineral oil is non-comedogenic and prevents transepidermal water loss effectively. Some people experience breakouts from mineral oil, especially on acne-prone facial skin, but this is individual sensitivity, not a universal problem. Skincare has used mineral oil safely for over a century.
FAQ.
Does St. Ives Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer actually fight wrinkles?
Its collagen and elastin ingredients are at negligible concentrations and cannot reach the dermis to rebuild structural proteins. The moisturizer reduces fine dehydration lines by keeping skin hydrated, but this is a basic moisturizing effect rather than an anti-aging treatment. For anti-aging, use this as a moisturizing layer over a retinol or vitamin C serum.
Is St. Ives Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer good for oily skin?
This is likely too heavy. The mineral oil base works for dry skin but feels occlusive and can cause breakouts on oily or acne-prone skin. Oily skin types should use an oil-free, water-based moisturizer instead.
Why did St. Ives change the Timeless Skin formula?
St. Ives has updated this product's formula and branding several times during its 20+ year history. The current 'Renewing Collagen & Elastin' formulation replaced the former 'Timeless Skin' version. The core concept stays the same — an affordable collagen-named moisturizer — but ingredient details and proportions changed between versions. This shift frustrated some long-time users who preferred the original formula.
Is mineral oil in St. Ives moisturizer safe?
Yes — cosmetic-grade mineral oil is one of the safest, most studied occlusive ingredients in skincare. Dermatologists have used it for over a century. The purified mineral oil in this moisturizer is non-toxic, non-sensitizing, and prevents moisture loss effectively. Mineral oil can clog pores on some faces, but this is individual sensitivity, not a safety concern.
How long does the 10 oz jar of St. Ives Collagen Moisturizer last?
Applying this to the face and neck twice daily makes the 10 oz jar last 3-4 months. At roughly $8, the cost is about $2 per month — one of the most affordable facial moisturizers per day of use.
Community
What the community says.
"Extremely affordable for the generous 10 oz size"
"Keeps dry skin moisturized and soft"
"Lightweight texture that absorbs without excessive greasiness"
"Non-comedogenic claim"
"Long-running cult favorite among budget skincare users"
"Mineral oil as the second ingredient feels outdated"
"Collagen and elastin are present at negligible concentrations"
"Formula has changed from the original Timeless Skin version"
"Can clog pores and cause breakouts on acne-prone skin"
"Contains fragrance that some users find artificial"
