Sagging skin is a very common occurrence as you grow older that is largely due to a depletion of collagen within your body. However, while it may be natural to experience a loss of firmness in your skin as you age, that doesn’t mean you have to stop looking for ways to prevent it from happening with a well-picked selection of ingredients without your beauty regimen.
We spoke with Dr. Brian Hibler, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City who broke down the most important ingredients to be using in your skincare routine to do away with sagging skin once and for all, and with regular use you should be able to increase collagen production and preserve your youthful appearance.
Retinoids
Increasing collagen production within the body is one of the essential steps for preventing sagging skin, and retinoids are arguably one of the most powerful ingredients for the job. “Retinoids boost collagen production in the skin and can help reduce the signs of skin aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage,” notes Hibler. It’s important to note that retinoids make your complexion more susceptible to the dangers of UV rays, so they should be applied in the evening.
Vitamin C
One of the most popular antioxidants serums to be used for anti-aging, vitamin C has been known to enhance collagen production as well as naturally smoothing and evening your skin, reducing the risk of sagging around the neck and chin. “Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and is necessary for collagen biosynthesis,” notes Hibler. Vitamin C can be used at any time of the day and will be a valuable addition to your routine, but as a note, it should not be applied in combination with AHA’s and BHA’s as it may negate the effects of the other ingredients.
Hyaluronic Acid
Utilizing products that provide a plumping effect can also be great for fighting against sagging skin, and hyaluronic acid is the one for the job with its highly hydrating formulation. “Hyaluronic acid binds water and improves the appearance of the skin by keeping it hydrated and plump. A good moisturizer can reduce fine lines and wrinkles; however, the result is temporary,” explains Hibler. “To continue seeing any benefit, you need to apply the product every day.” Daily application is not only exclusive to hyaluronic acid, however, and you should be using all anti-aging products daily in order to reap the most benefit in your skin smoothing and strengthening endeavors.
While it may not be entirely realistic to avoid sagging skin as you grow older, using powerful anti-aging ingredients such as retinoids, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid can help your skin to age as gracefully as possible, slowing the loss of collagen and elastin, and maintaining your ageless glow for longer. “With aging, we are constantly battling against intrinsic factors, such as loss of collagen and elastin and thinning of the skin, along with extrinsic factors such as UV-radiation and pollution exposure which lead to skin laxity and sagging skin,” says Hibler, but even with this it’s still important to care for your skin so you can age with ease.
