The best illuminating creams - Top 5 2025
Are you looking for a cream that will add radiance to your complexion while taking care of your skin? The ideal illuminating cream not only subtly illuminates the skin, but also moisturises, smoothes, firms and reduces wrinkles. It also works well as a make-up base to prepare the skin for foundation. It is important to choose a product that combines skincare properties with an illuminating effect, so we have tested dozens of different cosmetics available on the market. Which illuminating cream should you choose? We have prepared a ranking in which we have identified the five best illuminating creams that will meet your expectations. With our recommendations, you can enjoy a radiant complexion every day! Explore our top 5 illuminating creams and choose the one that best suits your needs.
The ranking factors we took into account are:
- Illuminating effect
- Hydration
- Price
- Fragrance
- Performance
- Consistency
- Composition
What ingredients should a good brightening cream contain?
Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that brightens the skin, reduces discolouration and stimulates collagen production for a healthy glow. Hyaluronic acid: Intensely hydrates the skin, fills in fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin smoothness and elasticity.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Evens out skin tone, reduces the appearance of pores and has an anti-inflammatory effect to help fight imperfections.
Mica: A natural mineral that adds instant radiance to the skin, reflecting light and creating a glowing effect on the skin's surface.
Jojoba oil: Excellent for moisturising and regenerating the skin, strengthening the lipid barrier and providing a long-lasting feeling of smoothness and softness.
Squalane: A natural emollient that intensely moisturises the skin, improves its elasticity and promotes regeneration, leaving it silky smooth and radiant.
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Aggie's illuminating cream with glow effect delighted our testers with its performance. The product is excellent at evening out the dryness of mature skin, reducing redness and discolouration. Testers appreciated the cream's pleasant texture and subtle fragrance. The formula contains brightening particles that give the skin a healthy, radiant appearance. The cream is quickly absorbed, intensely moisturises and smoothes the face, gently tightening the skin, which optically rejuvenates and improves its firmness. It noticeably reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines. In addition, the cream is very efficient and is enclosed in an elegant jar with a silver cap. The composition of the cream is rich in valuable natural ingredients such as mica, squalane, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, shea butter and panthenol, which deeply moisturise and support the condition of mature skin. The Aggie Illuminating Cream provides nourishment and hydration to the skin and creates a great glowing effect at once, which is why we decided to put it at the top of the list.
Diamond Look from Phlov is an illuminating cream that is quite popular. It can be used topically, for example on the cheeks, to create a glowing effect - the glow effect is visually pretty. The cream works well under foundation, it doesn't weigh down or roll out, plus it lightly moisturises and smooths the face. It has a delicate, subtle fragrance that is not too intense. Most of our testers reported positive results - skin looked moisturised and glowing, and in strong light you can see minimal light-reflecting flecks. Unfortunately, the cream does clog pores, which is its main drawback. High in the formulation are the comedogenic isostearyl isostearate and isopropyl myristate. Those with skin sensitive to such ingredients may unfortunately experience worsening of facial skin conditions
Skincare Vitamin C Illuminating Recovery Cream by Madara is a brightening cream that has a light, watery texture and high performance. Just a small amount is enough to cover the entire face, providing hydration and a gentle glow to the skin. The glow effect is subtle without causing excessive shine. The illuminating cream works well with SPF and mineral and liquid make-up, absorbs quickly and leaves the skin matte. Our testers appreciated its ease of application and performance, but there was a recurring comment that with such a high price for a 15ml product at a high price point, its effectiveness does not fully reflect the cost incurred.
Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C C-Tetra Antioxidant Cream SPF30 is an illuminating cream that restores the skin's natural radiance with a fat-soluble form of vitamin C, tetrahexylodecyl ascorbate. The SPF 30 filter protects the skin from damaging UV rays, while its antioxidant-rich formula protects against environmental damage and prevents premature ageing. The cream absorbs quickly, does not cause blemishes and gives a subtle glow effect. Our testers noted that the skin felt visibly tightened and moisturised, and the cream was efficient and easy to apply. However, even so, for such a high price, we rate the composition as average, there are far too many fragrances and preservatives that could be replaced by active ingredients.
Resibo Glow is an illuminating cream that provides the skin with an intense glow. Containing two types of mica in warm and cool shades, the cream adapts to any complexion, creating a perfect taffeta on the skin. The product works quite well with other skincare creams to enhance make-up and facial features. It is fine for highlighting natural complexions, tans or selected areas such as the tops of the cheeks, forehead or the tip of the nose. The price is quite affordable, but testers noted that the cream contains a lot of fragrance and has a dull consistency that makes application difficult. It is also worth noting that the highlighting is very strong, even glittery, so it will necessarily not be suitable for use on the whole face.
