Skin Firmness: Keeping Firm, Tight, and Toned
Nowadays, there are numerous advanced and innovative products in the skincare market to combat signs of aging including age spots and fine lines and wrinkles. Keeping the skin firm and toned is yet another anti-aging challenge. For most women, the firmness of their skin is at its best in their 20s and 30s, as the face loses the teenage roundness and takes on a contoured appearance. After the 30s however, comes the tricky part, when skin firmness starts to decrease, and the slide downwards accelerates.
Skin Firmness: All About Collagen
The most important step to prevent loss of skin firmness is to stimulate production and prevent breakdown of collagen, the main building block of the skin, and elastin, the protein in tissues that confer its flexible, resilient properties. Both collagen and elastin begin to deteriorate after the 30s due to age, changes in hormone levels, as well as environmental factors such as sun damage and pollution. At the same time, the support structures of the face, including muscles and bone begin to degenerate gradually. Moreover, loss of fat occurs in specific areas faster on the face than other. These areas include the temples and the apples of the cheeks, causing loss in volume and leading to a sagging appearance.
Skin Firmness: Solutions
To counteract loss of skin firmness and sagging without resorting to expensive surgeries, there are plenty of methods which can be employed as follows:
1. Always Use Sunscreen Protection
Remember to use effective sunscreen protection every day. EDCskincare.com offers various sunscreen-dedicated brands that provide a wide range of choice in broad spectrum sunscreens, from SPF 15 to SPF 50, for sensitive, dry to oily skin types, and for all lifestyles, whether for daily use or for active-wear outdoors. Top selling sunscreen-dedicated brands include: EltaMD, Sun Bum, MDSolarSciences, and COOLA.
2. Replenish with Retinoids and Peptides at Night
Use products that contain retinoids and peptides at night. Both of these ingredients are well known and clinically proven to stimulate and boost the production of collagen and elastin, as well as enhance the rate of cell renewal. Retinoid products contain varying concentrations of retinol, thus it is a trial and error to find the highest concentration of retinol that can be tolerated by each individual's skin to provide maximum skin firming benefits. If skin is very sensitive and easily irritated by retinoid products, try diluting the formula with a regular moisturizer, or use less frequent doses until skin adjusts, then gradually up the frequency of doses.
Great retinoid products include SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0, which is a highly potent formula that contains 1% pure retinol, to rejuvenate the skin and increase firmness. Obagi 360 Retinol 1.0 is another great formula designed to renew and clarify the skin. La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum is a great choice for people with sensitive skin. The serum contains pure retinol together with a gradual-release form of retinol and vitamin B3, which work synergistically to effectively improve skin firmness and diminish wrinkles. Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum is designed to work while you sleep to rejuvenate the skin. This intensive serum also contains powerful peptides which stimulate collagen production to firm the skin.
3. Exfoliate Regularly
Another important skincare routine that helps to prevent loss of skin firmness is regular exfoliation. When dead, old skin cells and impurities are regularly removed and sloughed off; repair treatment formulas can more easily penetrate the skin and deliver maximum skincare results. EDCskincare.com offers many gentle yet effective exfoliating formula such as Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant, and Vivier Vitamin C Scrub, to help gently resurface and polish the skin, refining the appearance of pores and a revealing smooth, radiant look.
4. Neck and Decollete Care
Last but not least, it is essential not to neglect the neck and decollete areas, as the skin in these areas are thinner than the skin on the face, and more prone to show the signs of aging and loss of skin firmness. Therefore, all the products used in the skincare routine to combat sagging skin should also be used in these areas, including sunscreens, retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants. Specific products aimed to target these areas can also be used to improve the appearance and firmness of the skin. Recommended products include NEOCUTIS Neo Firm Neck & Decollete Tightening Cream, Vivier GrenzCine Neck, iS Clinical Neckperfect Complex, and NEOSTRATA Triple Firming Neck Cream.