With every passing year, it becomes harder and harder for your skin to keep up its natural collagen production. This can result in your complexion losing elasticity and appearing saggy and sunken.
Aging is a beautiful and graceful process, but your skin might not agree. Wrinkles and fine lines are the markings of a life well lived, but you might be keen on restoring your skin's youthful bounce.
At a Glance
- Follow a Skincare Routine
- Use Hyaluronic Acid on Your Skin
- Prioritize Hydration Inside and Out
- Practice Mindfulness and De-Stress
- Get Quality Sleep at Night
- Utilize the Power of Antioxidants
- Take Collagen Supplements
- Practice Skin Massage
Keep reading, and we'll share eight ways that you can improve skin elasticity.
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What is Skin Elasticity?
Skin elasticity refers to the skin's natural ability to stretch and bounce back to its original position. As we age, our skin loses its youthful structure and can start to sag. Protein fibers like collagen and elastin give the skin firmness and strength, which is the cornerstone of healthy-looking skin.
The key to youthful, supple skin is a beauty regimen of natural, plant-based products. It's also a good idea to eat a well-balanced diet, prioritize hydration, and protect from UV damage. Maintaining and improving skin elasticity can be a breeze when you make mindful lifestyle changes that help your skin look good and feel good.
The Role of Collagen and Elastin in Skin Health
Skin has three distinct layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis. The dermis, the middle layer, produces collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for skin health.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for a third of your body's total protein. Your skin's collagen content is at its peak when you're in your twenties before slowly declining with age. When your skin is young and rich in collagen, it looks and feels supple and firm.
Elastin is a fiber protein that is found in your dermis. Elastin allows your skin to stretch and retract like a rubber band. It's the source of your skin's flexibility, and, like collagen, it is naturally produced in your body.
What Causes Loss of Skin Elasticity?
Simply put, decreased skin elasticity results from a lack of collagen and elastin fibers in the body. And, because your body produces less and less proteins as you age, it's natural that you don't have the same supple and soft skin you did in your twenties.
Your skin is your largest organ, offering your body protection from the outside world. Your skin's connective tissues in the dermis are comprised of collagen and elastin, creating the foundation for a healthy complexion.
Over the years, your body slowly cuts back on collagen and elastin production. And when your body is fabricating fewer proteins, your skin will lose elasticity. However, time isn't the only factor that can affect your skin's elasticity. Environmental or lifestyle causes can also play a role.
Internal Factors like Genetics or Stress
In addition to the natural aging process, a few key internal factors can greatly affect the skin's ability to produce collagen and elastin. Genetics, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions all impact your skin health.
Nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle choices could also be behind the changes in your body's protein levels. If you often snack on junk foods and live a sedentary life, your skin likely isn't at its peak. Alternatively, if you prioritize holistic health, eat a well-balanced diet, and regularly exercise, your skin is more likely to glow!
External Factors like Sun Exposure or Lack of Sleep
Many external and internal factors can affect skin elasticity. That's why it's crucial to focus on living a well-balanced and mindful life. Healthy lifestyle choices help reduce the negative impact of environmental factors while giving your skin the nourishment and care it needs to thrive.
Certain environmental factors can contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin and accelerate the aging process. Though natural, skin-friendly anti-aging treatments can work wonders, it's important to do your part to minimize the effects of external factors.
Exposure to UV radiation is one of the worst things for your skin. Though warm and comforting on a summer day, the sun's rays can wreak havoc on your skin's protective barrier. UV rays penetrate your skin and break down the collagen and elastin fibers in your dermis. Though it might seem harmless to spend an afternoon outdoors without SPF, prolonged exposure to UV radiation can speed up your skin's aging process.
Pollution, smoking, and climate are other environmental factors that can negatively impact your skin elasticity.
How to Improve Skin Elasticity: 8 Tips and Tricks
Some tell-tale signs can alert you to a lack of protein in your skin's connective tissue. Sagging skin around the jawline or neck can indicate a loss of skin elasticity. Wrinkles or dark circles under the eyes may also mean your skin lacks collagen.
For a quick test, simply pinch the skin on your cheeks slightly before letting go. Ideally, your skin should gently stretch before bouncing back into place. If your skin isn't as springy as it once was, it might need a boost in collagen production. That's the best way to regain the firm and supple complexion you once had!
#1. Follow a Skincare Routine
If your morning routine involves merely splashing your face with some water before facing the day, it's time to set aside some more time for a proper skincare ritual. Though you might have gotten away with sleeping in your makeup in your teenage years, you can't treat your skin that poorly anymore.
A well-rounded, all-natural beauty ritual is the foundation of happy and healthy-looking skin. The right products will provide your body with the necessary nutrients and nourishment.
Instead of taking time to research the best products for aging skin, all you need is JUARA's Face Ritual. This four-piece set contains every item you need to heal dry and aging skin.
It features our Rice Facial Cleanser, Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, Clove Flower & Turmeric Anti-Aging Serum, and Sweet Black Tea & Rice Moisturizer. Each product is crafted with plant-based ingredients that are rich in vitamins and minerals. From skin-brightening apple extract to barrier-strengthening avocado oil, each botanical we use is designed to treat your skin well.
The Clove Flower & Turmeric Anti-Aging Serum features a range of natural botanicals that effectively smooth wrinkles and fine lines. It's made with pea extract, golden bamboo, and palm peptide, three ingredients that are known to improve skin elasticity and stimulate collagen production. For glowing and supple skin from head to toe, try using our Candlenut Glow Body Oil or any other of our skin-firming body oils.
#2. Use Hyaluronic Acid on Your Skin
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most powerful skincare ingredients out there. It's widely revered for its moisturizing properties and is best for nourishing dry and damaged skin.
Our Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner is made with moisturizing ingredients that can improve skin hydration and elasticity. It's refreshing and calming without the uncomfortable "tight" feeling that comes with many toners.
It features natural botanicals like rice bran extract and tamarind seed extract for firm and plump skin. Plus, it contains 0.2% hyaluronic acid!
#3. Prioritize Hydration Inside and Out
Healthy skin is hydrated skin. Skin cells, like the rest of your body, are made up of water. So, when you're dehydrated, it's likely that your skin will suffer.
Hydration plays a massive role in overall skin health. Skin aging is often associated with a loss of hydration. If you don't drink multiple glasses of water daily, now is the time to start. Your mind and body will thank you!
Dehydrated skin can't function as it should. Water is necessary to maintain skin elasticity, stimulate collagen production, and encourage skin cell turnover. Dry skin is more likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles. Nothing good comes with dehydration.
Any anti-aging skincare products you use should double as a moisturizer. A great place to start is with a softening and smoothing hand cream for aging skin.
#4. Practice Mindfulness and De-Stress
Stress can be far more damaging to your mind and body than you might think. It can also be incredibly harmful to your skin.
The more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body produces. This steroid hormone can break down the collagen and elastin in your skin, contributing to skin sagging and premature aging. Finding ways to manage your stress can greatly benefit your overall health.
Mindfulness can help restore the delicate balance of your mind and body. Your mind will feel at peace, and your skin will rejoice!
#5. Get Quality Sleep at Night
"Beauty sleep" isn't just about feeling good the next morning. In fact, sleep can greatly impact your skin health. Sleep deprivation increases the amount of cortisol in your body, which can lead to skin inflammation. This results in redness, irritation, wrinkles, and skin laxity.
As you sleep, your body produces a growth hormone that is vital for stimulating collagen production and improving skin elasticity. Try to get at least nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night and wind down before bed by reading a book or drinking a mug of green tea.
#6. Utilize the Power of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are powerful ingredients that can transform dry and dull skin into a luminous and luxurious complexion. Infuse your daily diet with antioxidant-rich foods like berries, kale, broccoli, oranges, and walnuts. These foods are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids, which are necessary for keeping your skin healthy.
Keep in mind that merely eating antioxidants isn't enough to protect your skin from sun-related photoaging. You'll still need to lather up with SPF before you go outside!
However, you can use antioxidants in your daily skincare regimen. Our Kartini Oil Candlenut Creme Duo features two of our top-selling products, both of which contain skin-friendly antioxidants. For a refreshing cleanse, wash your face with our Rice Facial Cleanser each morning and night. This gentle cleanser contains botanical ingredients like apple extract, which is rich in polyphenolic antioxidants and naturally exfoliating fruit acids.
#7. Take Collagen Supplements
Proteins like collagen and elastin are naturally produced in skin tissue. To give your skin a boost, you can take health supplements containing these proteins.
Some evidence shows that collagen supplements that are digested in your gut can be delivered to your skin. Dietary supplements with collagen can leave you with more elastic and firm skin. Alternatively, topical collagen supplements may also be able to give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong.
#8. Practice Skin Massage
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For centuries, massage has been used to encourage rest and relaxation. It's good for your mind, body, and soul, whether you opt for a hot stone massage or aromatherapy.
Face massages can help to stimulate blood flow, increase collagen and elastin production, and tighten skin. It also helps your favorite skincare products to better absorb into your skin. Many people use jade rollers in order to soothe and freshen their faces. These gua sha routines originated in ancient China and Indonesia before spreading to the Western world.
Final Thoughts
Slowly seeing your once-radiant complexion transform into sagging skin can be disheartening. Though the natural aging process can be beautiful, you deserve healthy and happy skin. Improved skin elasticity is the key to a plump, soft, and smooth complexion!
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Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
