Sagging skin is one unfortunate beauty issue that arises as we age. While many outside forces, such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and more can play a major role in how quickly our skin loses elasticity, this is a natural—and mostly inevitable—process. However, there are several ingredients women over 40 can incorporate into their skincare routine to avoid this issue and keep their face as tight and youthful as possible.
To learn more about the best serum ingredients that can help you maintain your skin’s elasticity as you age, we spoke to board-certified dermatologist Amelia Damse, DO, MPH, FAAD, FASDS, AACMS. “Although some degree of loss of elasticity is inevitable as the skin ages, there are some key ingredients that can help to slow down, and even reverse this process,” Damse says. She told us about two options that are sure to help you keep that youthful glow: retinol and Vitamin C.
Retinol
If you know anything about skincare, you've likely heard that retinol is one essential ingredient that can help solve a number of skin issues. One benefit of adding a retinol serum to your skincare routine is tighter skin, thanks to an increase in collagen and elastin, which are "two proteins that provide structure and elasticity to the skin," Damse says.
Since our body's collagen production naturally slows as we age, women over 40 can greatly benefit from this ingredient. Not only will it help your skin maintain its elasticity, but it will also help to reduce the appearance of other signs of aging. "Retinol serums are derived form a metabolite of vitamin A, and help to boost production of collagen and elastin, helping to significantly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and leading to skin tightening," Damse explains. Sounds like a miracle-worker!
Vitamin C
One of the most common causes of sagging skin is exposure to free radicals, which Damse says "are responsible for degrading collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to loose, lax tissue." Yikes! Luckily, though, you can avoid these issues by applying Vitamin C every day.
"Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage and prevents against premature aging," she explains, noting that this vitamin is "also necessary for building new collagen," which we already know is essential to skin elasticity.
But Vitamin C can do more for your skin than reduce sagging. Damse says this serum ingredient also "helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and protects the skin from photoaging." With all of these incredible benefits, it's no wonder Vitamin C has made a name for itself in the skincare world.
At the end of the day, slowed collagen production and a loss of elasticity is a natural process that comes along with aging—and for what it's worth, we think you're gorgeous either way! However, adding these serums into your skincare routine can be a great way to slow that process and maintain youthful, tight skin.
