Signs of aging, particularly sagging skin, can be annoying to some. Unfortunately, no one is immune to this pesky skin issue. However, there are ways to delay and reverse this issue with proper care and by using the right skincare products and tools. The key to a plump and youthful complexion, in the long run, is continuously upgrading your skincare regimen to meet the varying needs of your skin and staying consistent with your skincare rituals.
Our skin has to endure a lot due to environmental exposure, unhealthy habits, genetic factors, hormones, and the natural process of aging, which warrants a diligent and preemptive approach to keeping the skin radiant and youthful. However, it may not be as simple as it sounds. So, let’s look at what causes sagging skin and how to prevent it.
What is Sagging Skin?
Sagging skin is skin that has lost its elasticity and appears loose or droopy. This skin problem is characterized by deficient elastic fibers of the skin that helps to maintain the shape and youthful appearance of the skin. This can occur as a natural result of aging, as the skin's collagen and elastin fibers break down over time because of environmental causes or internal health issues.¹
Sagging skin can be most noticeable in areas such as the face, neck, and décolleté and may contribute to a tired or aged appearance. Although sagging skin is harmless, many people don’t feel like it. Nevertheless, it’s one of the main goals of every skincare routine to keep the skin tight and supple.
Signs of Sagging Skin
As mentioned above, the skin goes through specific changes over time that affects the structure and appearance of the face and other parts of the body. Here are a few signs to help you identify when your skin is losing its plumpness:
- You’ll notice fine lines and wrinkles developing on your skin
- The pores on your face will start looking larger with time
What Causes Sagging Skin?
Let’s start by understanding what contributes to skin aging and leads to sagging skin. Although sagging skin is considered the normal part of aging, various internal and external agents can lead to premature sagging of the skin. You can prevent and reduce sagging skin by working on these causes. Here are a few factors known to cause sagging skin:
- External Factors - Environmental stressors are at the top of the list of reasons that causes sagging skin. Free radicals and UV rays trigger the breakdown of elastin and collagen in the skin, leading to loss of elasticity.
- Unhealthy habits - Our daily habits can also lead to premature skin aging and cause sagging skin. Smoking, sleep deprivation, inappropriate diet, and dehydration can make the skin prone to sagging.
- Aging - As we age, the skin’s aging leads to loss of elasticity, which results from the slower production of collagen, loss of volume in the tissue, and break down or displacement of facial fats.
- Gravity and Muscle Weakness - Gravity plays a subtle role in the skin's loss of elasticity over time. Muscle weakness due to collagen loss can also contribute to the sagging of the facial muscles.
- Other Factors - Genetics, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, extreme weight loss, and certain medical conditions can also lead to sagging.
How to Prevent Sagging Skin?
Let’s face it, the skin’s aging process is inevitable. You’ll have to face the markers of aging sooner or later. However, you can take preemptive measures to delay and reverse sagging skin. While it's not simple to prevent sagging skin, here are a few things that can help slow down the process and maintain healthy, firm skin:
Maintain a Healthy Diet: Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is essential for overall health, but certain nutrients can support youthful and firm skin. Fruits and vegetables are filled with antioxidants, which can help protect skin from damage and promote collagen production. Some of the best options include dark leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, and tomatoes. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, nuts, and seeds can help support healthy skin and reduce inflammation. Healthy fats such as avocado, olive, and coconut oil can also help keep skin supple and moisturized.²
Protein is also essential for collagen production, which is vital for skin firmness. Rich protein sources include lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts. Moreover, whole grains are a great source of fiber and B vitamins, which can help support healthy skin. It's also important to restrict or avoid processed and sugary foods, as these can give rise to inflammation and skin aging.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun: Sun's radiations can accelerate skin aging by breaking down collagen and elastin, which are required to keep the skin firm and toned. So it's essential to use sunscreen daily and wear protective clothing when exposed to the sun.
Sun protection is the most significant and reiterated skincare step that helps fight off damaging environmental stressors, which are the leading reason behind sagging skin. Add broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to your daily routine and apply it religiously, regardless of age, ethnicity, or skin type.
Use Collagen-Boosting Skincare Products: We all know the importance of the right skincare products in helping to maintain a soft, smooth, and glowing complexion. However, when it comes to sagging skin, look for skincare formulas containing collagen-improving agents. Certain skincare products containing retinoids, peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q-10, vitamin E, glycolic acid, and vitamin C can help promote collagen production and improve skin elasticity.
Add a Facial Serum to Your Skincare Routine: The skin begins to lose its natural ability to preserve moisture in the skin, and sebum production from sebaceous glands also drops, which makes the skin sagging even worse. Hence, it’s crucial to make up for the decline in the skin's moisture level. Applying a facial serum is the best way to deliver instant and deep hydration and moisture to the skin.
Facial serums are formulated with high concentrations of potent skincare ingredients, which absorb into the skin to provide quick nourishment and hydration. Look for a facial serum with anti-aging compounds, such as vitamin C, retinol, and peptides, to achieve additional firming effects, hydration, and nourishment.³
We love using Sundree’s RYSE+SHYNE facial serum. It’s a lightweight, hydrating serum packed with must-have ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, CBD, and vitamin C for brighter, smoother, and even-toned skin.
Stay hydrated: Hydration is vital for youthful skin because water makes up a large portion of our skin cells and helps maintain the skin's elasticity and suppleness. In addition, water plays a key role in the body's detoxification process, helping to flush out toxins that can lead to skin inflammation and aging. When the body is dehydrated, it can impair the function of the skin's barrier, making it more susceptible to damage from different environmental factors such as pollution and UV radiation. Therefore, drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Add a Facial Globe to Your Skincare Routine: Facial globes can help keep the skin firm and prevent sagging skin in several ways:
Final Thoughts
You can't achieve supple and healthy skin and prevent sagging skin overnight. One needs to follow a proper skincare routine and apply the right skincare products to help prevent sagging skin. Incorporating skincare tools, especially a facial globe, can elevate your skincare regimen to the next level and help you achieve your skincare goals faster. Our skin faces a lot daily, and a regular skincare routine can help to counter the adverse effects of damaging factors on the skin, allowing you to enjoy a youthful and glowing complexion in the years to come.
Citations:
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). ‘Elastin’, ClevelandClinic, Accessed April 20, 2023. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22482-elastin
- Gunnnars, Kris, BSc and Shoemaker, SaVanna, MS, RDN, LD. (2021). ‘9 Hight-Fat Foods That Offer Great Health Benefts’, Healthline, Accessed April 21, 2023. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-super-healthy-high-fat-foods
- S. Brooklyn. (2021). ‘Why Vitamin C Should Be Your Go-To Skincare Ingredient’, Sundree, Accessed April 21, 2023. Available at: https://sundree.com/blogs/news/why-vitamin-c-should-be-your-go-to-skincare-ingredient
