Wrinkles. Saggy skin. Age lines. Nah.
Today we’re talking all things skin elasticity and preventative beauty.
Skin elasticity is your skin’s ability to maintain and regenerate the connective tissues that hold it all together.
As you age, your skin naturally loses elasticity.
So, as you get older, it’s important to take measures to keep it healthy, fresh, and youthful.
Because if not, you could be looking at a bad case of elastosis – aka abnormalities in the connective tissues that make your skin look yellowed, aged, and wrinkled. (Yes – yellowed.)
Losing skin elasticity is a normal part of aging, but that’s not the end of the story. Because in reality, there are tons of things you can do to help improve (and prevent loss of) elasticity, and keep your skin looking and feeling young.
Read on for all the deets.
How To Improve Skin Elasticity Naturally
When you’re young, your skin has way more elastin and collagen—two proteins that help keep your skin soft and supple. Studies have shown that as you get older, these proteins decrease in quantity, potentially causing saggy skin and wrinkles. It’s naturally part of the aging process.
Our bodies simply produce less collagen over time than they used to. This causes our skin cells to lose their ability to hold themselves together securely; which leads them to sag over time. AKA, the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. And we can all agree – no one wants saggy jowls.
Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your skin’s elasticity and prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Use sunscreen.
You already know how serious we are about sunscreen. So serious that Lauryn made her own. If you’re wondering why, be sure to listen to this episode of The Skinny Confidential’s Get The Fuck Out Of The Sun.
Anyway, you can protect your skin from the sun and improve your skin elasticity with REGULAR use of sunscreen. When you’re out in the sun, your skin loses its elasticity as it gets damaged by UV rays.
When you apply sunscreen, you are protecting your skin against UV rays and sun damage, which can cause fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues. The best way to do this is by applying a high-quality sunscreen every. single. day. Make sure you get all areas and as Lauryn says: take it to your tits (meaning, apply to your neck and chest too). Check out this post for tips on how to apply SPF without fucking up your makeup.
Wear protective clothing.
Sagging skin and wrinkles caused by UV rays ARE NOT limited to the face and neck. Other problem areas include the hands, arms, and elbows. That’s why, in addition to sunscreen, you can also protect your skin from damaging rays by wearing protective clothing.
This is where our driving gloves come in. Protective clothing like our driving gloves are ideal for preventative beauty on the arms and hands. They are UPF 50, meaning they block 98% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Plus, they’re made from soft, breathable stretch fabric, and they’re the perfect accessory for driving, golfing, walking, gardening, pushing a stroller, playing tennis, sipping lemon drop martinis, yachting, YOU GET IT.
Snatch a pair up before summer to ensure your preventative beauty game is on point all season long. On that note, our girl Parker has shared her favorite UPF clothing with us here.
Take a collagen supplement.
We lose collagen over the years too. You can hear everything we learned about collagen from Dr. Dennis Gross in this podcast but we want to share it here also, because it totally applies.
Collagen is the stuff that keeps your skin elastic, smooth, and young-looking, but as we age, our bodies stop producing it as efficiently as they did when we were kids. Collagen supplementation can help you increase your body’s natural production of this important protein by up to 40%. We love Vital Proteins & Owl Venice bone broth (use code SKINNY for 15% off) to get your collagen.
♡ Consume plenty of vitamins and nutrients.
Consuming plenty of vitamins and nutrients can help improve your skin elasticity and protect your skin from the dangers of aging.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E are both antioxidants that help prevent premature skin aging by neutralizing free radicals that cause damage to your cells.
Vitamin B promotes collagen production, which keeps your skin plump and smooth. As well as repair damaged tissue in the dermis layer of your skin where wrinkles appear first.
You can get all of these vitamins by maintaining a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, or with the addition of a supplement. Just remember to choose only high-quality and natural supplements because there IS such a thing as too many vitamins. Lauryn and Michael love Cymbiotika, Athletic Greens, and Hiya for the kids. (Use those links for special discounts).
Invest in an Ice Roller.
TSC’s Ice Roller is preventative skin maintenance at it’s BEST! It uses the power of cold therapy to contour, tighten and de-puff your skin, while simultaneously relaxing your facial muscles and promoting lymphatic drainage. And even more, it boosts circulation, bringing blood to the skin surface – restoring radiance and encouraging optimum cell function.
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS Moisturize.
We all know that the best way to keep your skin looking fresh and young is to moisturize regularly. But did you know that moisturizing helps protect against losing your skin’s elasticity?
It’s true—when you moisturize regularly, it can slow down the aging process and keep your skin looking younger for longer. So don’t skimp on the serums & lotions. We love Depuffing Face Oil, Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Cushion & First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. Lauryn is also loving this Skinceuticals gel serum right now.
Exfoliate on a regular basis.
Maintain your young-looking skin by exfoliating.
Exfoliation helps your skin retain its elasticity by promoting regular cell rejuvenation. It also protects your skin from environmental damage that causes premature aging by removing dead cells and dirt from the surface of your skin- which makes your skin glow and helps your skincare products absorb better.
Steer clear of harsh exfoliators with beads and crystals that could damage the skin. Instead, opt for exfoliants in the form of chemical peels. We love Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads that come in extra strength, regular strength, or ultra gentle. Another amazing way to exfoliate is to shave your face. The Skinny Confidential Razor gives you such a close shave to get rid of peach fuzz, but it simultaneously gets rid of dead skin cells too. It’s the perfect gentle exfoliation that creates the smoothest canvas for your makeup.
Invest in a high-quality face oil.
Using a good, high-quality face oil is one of the best things you can do to improve your skin elasticity above the neck. If you’re on the hunt for the BEST face oil around, we love TSC’s Depuffing Oil.
The oil is packed with antioxidants that penetrate quickly to help hydrate, firm, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin soft and supple.
Key ingredients include pomegranate seed oil (rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants), blueberry seed oil (helps improve the skin’s hydration, elasticity, smoothness and density), and raspberry seed oil (one of the highest antioxidant, and phytosterols contents, of any of the vegetable or fruit oils).
Use witch hazel extract.
Witch hazel extract has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine. And today, we see all sorts of beauty products – like our fave Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner (there’s an unscented one, but you can also buy the cucumber, lemon or rose petal one).
Witch hazel extract is an all-natural ingredient that can help improve your skin’s elasticity and protect it from damage. It works by tightening pores & reducing inflammation (which causes redness and swelling).
Consider retinol alternatives.
Retinol is a powerful ingredient that helps to protect your skin from the sun and other environmental factors, which can lead to the loss of its elasticity. The problem is that retinol isn’t always easy to find—and it can be pricey as well.
Luckily, there are some alternatives out there that are just as effective at helping your skin maintain its youthful appearance without breaking the bank or making you look older than you are. See our fave products that contain retinol here.
Invest in some high-tech beauty tools.
Your skin loses its elasticity as you age, but you can fight back with LED lighting. LED lights are known for their ability to improve skin tone and elasticity, and they also target sun spots, breakouts, and even acne-causing bacteria.
When it comes to the face AND the body, we love Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro and DRx SpectraLite BodyWare Pro LED device. (We also love the Pro Facial Steamer.) All of these products by our beloved Dr. Dennis Gross are proven to reduce signs of aging, and promote cell regeneration and elasticity.
More of our fave high-tech beauty tools can be found here.
Invest in a Face Massager.
If you’re looking to improve your skin tone and protect it from losing its elasticity, our Pink Balls Face Massager is the PERFECT tool.
Custom designed with two very pink multi-angular disco-esque balls that contour the fuck out of the face and body, this face massager grips the face tighter than any other tool in your kit. She rolls smoothly over the contours of your face to visibly sculpt, tone and rejuvenate the many layers of your skin.
Exercise on a regular basis.
Exercise regularly to improve your skin tone, protect your skin from losing its elasticity, and keep your skin healthy.
You see, exercise is for more than just looking good in a bikini. It also helps improve blood flow to the skin (which means it gets oxygenated and gives it a healthy glow) and supports cellular regeneration and the removal of toxins from the body.
Establish a healthy sleep routine.
Your skin loses its elasticity as you age, so it’s important to protect it from stress and environmental damage. A regular sleep schedule will help you maintain a healthy skin tone and prevent wrinkles. For more on optimizing your sleep situation, read this post.
Hydrate
Drinking water is the best way to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
When your body doesn’t get enough water, it loses its elasticity. This can cause your skin to look dull and dry, and can slow the removal of toxins from the skin and body overall. If you need tips on how to effortlessly drink more water, try getting a fun new tumbler, spice it up with LMNT, greens or create your own spa water situation.
How To Prevent Loss of Skin Elasticity
It’s a fact of life that we all have to deal with: as we age, our skin loses its elasticity. But there are things you can do to prevent this from happening prematurely. If you’re wondering how to prevent saggy skin before it starts, we have good news: all it takes is a few simple steps.
+ Limit your sun exposure.
When you spend time in the sun, your skin gets damaged by UV rays. This damage can cause your skin to lose its elasticity and become more prone to wrinkles.
To keep your skin looking youthful and healthy, limit your sun exposure. When you do go outside, make sure you’re wearing sunscreen and opt for shade whenever possible. Oh, and your driving gloves.
+ Avoid sugary foods and processed ingredients.
You’ve heard it before: “You are what you eat.” But did you know that what you eat can also affect the elasticity of your skin?
Overly sugary foods can cause the skin to lose its elasticity. So if you want to keep your skin looking young and healthy, then avoiding sugary foods is a must. Not all the time, but most of the time.
The good news is, this preventative tip goes way beyond just better looking and feeling skin. The benefits extend into better mental and physical health as well.
+ Avoid harsh skincare products.
When you’re looking for a skin-toning and anti-aging product, you want to be sure that it won’t cause more damage to your skin than good.
Avoid harsh skincare products that can damage the skin and leave it feeling dull, dry, and saggy. Instead, opt for high-quality products that contain hyaluronic acid, as well as the skin-supporting ingredients mentioned throughout this blog.
+ Quit smoking.
You may not be aware of it, but skin elasticity is one of the first things to go when you start smoking.
You CAN protect your skin by quitting smoking. Your skin elasticity, as well as tone, vibrancy, and overall complexion, will return to normal (or as close to normal as possible). Plain and simple.
+ Add antioxidants to your diet.
Insider tip: antioxidants can help improve your skin tone and protect you from the damaging effects of free radicals, which can cause your skin to lose its elasticity.
You can find antioxidants naturally in foods like blueberries and green tea, but if you’re looking for an extra boost, consider taking an antioxidant supplement or adding them to your diet with vegetables that are high in Vitamin C (like broccoli).
If you want to keep your skin looking its best for years to come, then be sure to add antioxidants into your diet.
The signs of aging ARE GOING COME, But don’t let them get you down.
Loss of skin elasticity is normal. Use these tips, tricks, and tools to keep your skin youthful and young-looking for as long as possible. And if you feel like a splurge (Lauryn loves to invest in her skin), try some laser treatments. If you want to learn more about that, read this post from Lauryn’s facilist Staci Christie.
Too many skincare routines, products, and schedules to keep up with??? Grab the HOT MINUTE PLANNER. A very detailed morning routine planner that gets it. Plus, it’s pink, dreamy & has a spiral spine ( like, a must to comfortably flip it open ). She’ll keep things organized, increase your clarity & optimize positive habits. So grab a pink furry pen & RUN YOUR DAY instead of the day running you.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ too much skincare to keep up with? write it down in your HOT MINUTE PLANNER (there’s a skincare prompt – we thought of everything.)
++ stalk Lauryn’s latest manicure obsession & how to preserve it.
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