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Everyone knows that skin changes over time, but not everyone knows how to combat these concerns. One of the hardest skincare problems to crack seems to be sagging skin, which is the result of the loss of collagen over time. For some, it can be due to a lack of moisture in the skin and genetics.
Regardless of the causes, dermatologists agree that there’s one product everyone should avoid because of its ability to worsen sagging skin– it’s most “firming” and “lifting” creams!
"Cosmetics companies are well aware of how unhappy you are about your sagging skin, and will sell you creams and lotions claiming they can tighten, lift, and firm those problem areas. Unfortunately, those claims stretch the truth beyond what is possible from any skincare product," according to the experts at Paula's Choice. "For example, there is no research showing that creams claiming to lift skin work as claimed (firming creams are a different subject, but we’ll get to those in a moment)."
Instead, you should be piling on products that protect the skin from environmental stressors and agents that cause deconstruct collagen--starting with sunscreen.
"Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is the best thing you can do for your skin," dermatologist Rebecca Giles, M.D., owner of FIX skin clinic in Malibu, California, tells NBCNews.com, who recommends using a physical sunblock like titanium dioxide daily.
It's also a good idea to start introducing antioxidants into your skincare routine. New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., suggests getting your antioxidants from a serum to ensure that they will get deep into the cells.
“Antioxidant serums are like fire extinguishers that put out free radical inflammation," he tells Alexis Diaz of The Klog. Dr. Zeichner also notes that antioxidants also help neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular damage, which can have a premature aging effect on the skin.
Which sunscreens and serums do you swear by for sagging skin? Let us know in the comments below!
