As we age, the skin inevitably undergoes the natural process of wrinkling and sagging. However, there are numerous trusted skincare products and ingredients recommended by dermatologists that can assist in achieving a supple, radiant, and youthful appearance.
To discover the secrets of sagging and wrinkled skin rejuvenation, we consulted with skincare experts and dermatologists to identify six tried-and-true ingredients that are frequently utilized in serums, moisturizers, and other skincare products during the autumn and winter seasons.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Elaine F. Kung, M.D., FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, Dr. Anna Chacon, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team and Dr. Jenelle Kim, skincare formulator and founder of JBK Wellness Labs.
1. Vitamin C Serum
Chacon points out that apart from natural aging, the "biggest contributing factor for sagging skin" is sun exposure. Overtime, "UV rays damage fibers in the skin called collagen and elastin, which causes the skin to sag," she stresses, "stretching it, and losing its ability to quickly snap back after stretching."
To help combat these effects and to protect your skin along with sunscreen, Kung recommends opting for a vitamin C serum in the morning. By using this ingredient right after cleansing your face and before applying sunscreen, you can target the following skincare concerns, including "discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin barrier repair," she says.
This, Kung notes, is because "vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps protect us from UV and air pollutant skin damage." In addition, it functions as a "building block for collagen synthesis," which can help make your skin look less droopy and more plump when used daily.
2. Niacinamede Serum
When frequently using a niacinamede serum, you'll probably notice a more glowy appearance overall, Kung says. "Niacinamide serums are helpful for your skin tone because they help regulate pigment and also help reduce redness," she says.
Apart from helping combat skin discoloration, Kung also says that she finds this common serum ingredient to be "beneficial for other visible signs of aging," such as sagging and drooping, and wrinkling.
Niacinamede, she explains, is also known as vitamin B3, and helps to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent a loss of moisture which often leads to dry, dull-looking skin.
3. Peptide Neck Cream
One important ingredient often found in doctor-recommended neck creams that can lead to smoother skin, is peptides. "Neck creams with peptides may help to boost collagen production, which can help to firm and tighten the skin," Kim points out.
Using a cream product with peptides can "help to support healthy, young-looking skin on the neck and décolleté," Kim says, adding, "as women age, the skin on the neck can become thinner and more prone to sagging and wrinkles, so incorporating this into your routine can help to address these concerns."
The best type of neck cream to seek out when skincare shopping, Kim says, is one that hydrates your skin, and has a smoothing effect. One with peptides "helps to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." Chacon adds that peptides are amino acids that combine to form particular proteins required by the skin.
"Because collagen is composed of three polypeptide chains, introducing peptides can boost your skin's production of collagen," she notes.
4. Gycolic Acid Serum
Skin firmness, plumpness, and elasticity are all characteristics of collagen, the vital protein. Stimulating its production is necessary for anti-aging skincare, and this can be done with the help of gycolic acid, Chacon says.
Glycolic acid, a collagen-boosting skincare ingredient, brings about a range of beneficial effects on your complexion, she notes, from smoothing away wrinkles and lines to enhancing tone and texture. "Glycolic acid is my favorite ingredient that is rejuvenating with anti-aging properties other than retinol," says Chacon, who notes that it is also a "skin brightener."
She goes on: "I have many skincare products that contain it including cleansers, lotions, and serums. It has never stung my skin or caused irritation in any way."
5. Moisturizer With Sunscreen And SPF
Some moisturizers contain sunscreen and SPF built-in, and this is a great product to apply every day, year-round, Chacon says. Your skin, she stresses, needs sun protection all 365 days per year, and especially if you want to prevent a sagging, dull look and premature age spots and wrinkling (or to inadvertently speed up the aging process).
"Definitely the biggest mistake that people can make when caring for aging skin in their daily routine is not avoiding exposure to sunlight. This is a single biggest culprit in skin that is aging," she says.
"Over time. the sun's UV light and ultraviolet light exposure damages certain fibers in the skin, including collagen and elastin."
To prevent this, she stresses applying a moisturizer with sunscreen and SPF built-in, or putting on moisturizer and then a sunscreen with SPF to your face and neck.
"The most crucial piece of everyday skincare is sun protection," she emphasizes. "No matter what other products you use, your skin won't look its best if you don't initially protect it. Everyone should consistently use sunscreen and moisturizer."
6. Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Chacon recommends applying a hyaluronic acid serum to freshly cleansed skin at night to give your skin an instantly more hydrated look. This ingredient, she says, helps "replenish and lock in moisture to the skin."
Hyaluronic acid is "also generally safe for all skin types, and rarely has adverse skin reactions as it is a natural substance in the skin," Chacon continues. This skincare classic also "functions as a humectant," Chacon points out, which means it "attracts moisture and draws it into your skin via its large molecules."
This ultimately "prevents water loss by sealing the moisture in," and forms a "protective film on the skin to prevent vaporization."
