The Skin Nerd: Want firmer skin? These are the ingredients you need to be using
The Skin Nerd: Products, ingredients and treatments to tighten and lift a lacklustre complexion
When it comes to addressing ageing skin, lines and wrinkles steal much of the spotlight, but one of the key signs of the passing of time is a loss of firmness. This is completely natural, happens to us all and I applaud anyone choosing to grow older gracefully and embrace what gravity is gifting us with but for those who would like to increase firmness, elasticity and general skin bounce back, I am also here for it!
Firstly, it helps to understand why the skin begins to sag. As we age, a combination of gravity, UV damage and genetics can lead to a loss of elastin and collagen, which leaves us with ‘crepe-like’ skin texture. Collagen and elastin are essential proteins that act like scaffolding to the skin, so it makes sense that when there is less of these vital components, our skin begins to get looser – and not just on the face. This can also occur across the body, particularly in places such as the thighs, bum and neck. Whilst natural and to be expected, the sagging and stretching of the skin can knock your confidence and for those of you wanting a boost, there are several key ingredients that can help:
The body stops making elasticity from around puberty, but introducing retinoids to your skincare regime can help to trigger the production of elastin and collagen.
As short chains of amino acids, peptides can signal the skin to produce more collagen and elastin.
Caffeine has vasoconstrictive properties, meaning that it can (temporarily) tighten blood vessels, leading to an appearance of increased firmness.
This moisture magnetising humectant draws water to the skin and keeps it there for plumper, bouncier skin that appears more voluminous.
Ceramides boost the skin's protective barrier, preventing any moisture loss, and aiding skin suppleness.
As long-term exposure to the sun is partly responsible for a breakdown in collagen and elastin, protecting your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen is also essential. My favourite is Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising + Priming SPF 50 PA+++ (€57, skingredients.com). Not only has the product won multiple awards for its usability, but it is also highly rated by makeup artists such as Wayne Goss for sitting beautifully under makeup and giving the complexion a radiant glow.
When it comes to diet and lifestyle, it is important not to smoke. Not only does smoking break down elastin and collagen, but it also decreases your levels of estrogen, which also leads to a loss of skin firmness. Do eat an antioxidant rich, balanced diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables and plenty of protein. This is important when it comes to collagen as our bodies cannot produce collagen without the necessary amino acids that we get from our diet to process them. However, foods that contain lots of collagen include chicken, fish and bone broth – all of which are not suitable for vegans. To mitigate this, you can boost collagen production by consuming vitamin C rich foods such as spinach, oranges and tomatoes – or zinc from wholegrains, nuts and seeds. *
Additionally, ensure that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated from the inside and do your best not to eat too much sugar. Sugar in the bloodstream has been found to form molecules called advanced glycation end products (aka AGEs) - which weaken collagen and elastin. The effectiveness of collagen supplements is often in debate, but some research has also found that taking a daily collagen supplement can help to trigger the production of elastin and improve skin hydration, leading to a more youthful appearance.
Microcurrent uses low voltage currents to tense and relax the facial muscles, encouraging the stimulation of collagen, skin proteins and elastin primarily for plumper skin.
Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy uses energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, promoting collagen remodeling and tightening.
Ultrasound Therapy - ultrasound devices can penetrate the skin to stimulate collagen production and strengthen the skin’s supportive tissue.
Chemical peels – this treatment involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, which causes exfoliation and triggers the production of new collagen and elastin.
LED Light Therapy – different wavelengths of light can help to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.
Most of these incorporate one or multiple ways to achieve tighter skin including stimulating collagen and elastin production, strengthening the skin's barrier, exfoliating, plumping and moisturising and constricting blood flow to boost circulation:
The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Face Firming Serum (€115.12, theskinnerd.com) Plumps up the complexion with a lipid and vitamin rich blend including Rosehip, carrot and grapefruit.
NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream (€79.95, neostrata.ie) This award-winning neck cream contains gluconolactone to target visible discolouration while firming and toning the look of sagging skin on the neck and décolletage.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Night Cream (€51, boots.ie) Night-time is the ideal time for regeneration and this rejuvenating cream contains collagen, hyaluronic acid and Resveratrol to plump, smooth and redefine a deflated complexion.
ASAP Skincare Cellulite + Skin Firming Treatment (€79, asapskincare.ie) Address loose skin and stretch marks with this caffeine infused body treatment.
St.Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Daily Firming Body Lotion (€21.99, theskinnerd.com) Build up a sun kissed glow AND tighten pasty winter skin with this gradual tanning must-have.
- Sources: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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