How to Firm Facial Skin
Skin loses its bounce as you age, which can lead to sagging, wrinkles and an otherwise dull-looking complexion. Sagging and wrinkles result from several factors, including sun damage and a loss of collagen and elastin.
Skin loses its bounce as you age, which can lead to sagging, wrinkles and an otherwise dull-looking complexion. Sagging and wrinkles result from several factors, including sun damage and a loss of collagen and elastin. According to "Allure," your skin stops making elastin as soon as you reach puberty, and collagen levels steadily decline as you get older. To firm your facial skin, use products designed to rebuild collagen and elastin. Keep your face moisturized and shielded from the sun's harmful rays, and you will achieve suppler, more youthful-looking skin.
Step 1
Wash your face in the morning with a creamy, moisturizing cleanser to get rid of dirt and oil without stripping your skin of hydration. Dry off, and then smooth on an antioxidant serum, which will help protect your skin from the free radical damage that can lead to wrinkles and a loss of firmness. Place a drop of serum on your finger and gently rub it all over your face.
Step 2
Let the serum absorb and follow up with a moisturizing sunscreen, which will replenish your skin's moisture while also preventing sun damage and future wrinkles. "Allure" notes that the sun degrades your skin's stores of collagen and elastin, causing it to sag. Slather your face and neck each morning with sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least 30.
Step 3
Clean your face at the end of the day with an exfoliating cleanser that contains glycolic or lactic acid. Dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D., says this product will get rid of dead skin cells and a dull complexion, as well as encourage your skin to renew itself. Gently massage the product onto your face and rinse it all off with lukewarm water.
Step 4
Pat your face dry, and then apply a nighttime serum with dill extract. According to "Allure," this ingredient will help your skin produce more elastin, giving it that youthful bounce and firmness. Smooth a drop of the serum onto your face and rub it in thoroughly. Wait a few minutes for it to soak in before moving on.
Step 5
Smooth on a rich, nighttime moisturizer with retinol. This ingredient will encourage collagen production, diminish your winkles, even out your complexion and help repair skin damaged by the sun and environment. Apply a small amount to your face each night before bed.
Tip
If you find that the retinol lotion is irritating your skin, apply it every other night instead. See a doctor if the redness or flaking persists.