As we reach more mature years, the key components that contribute to the firmness and volume of our skin start to disappear. Fine lines and wrinkles are a common symptom of this, as is sagging skin. There are countless cosmetic procedures available to tighten and firm the skin, but these can be expensive and are not without potentially irreversible side effects.

Fortunately, there are skin tightening treatments that can be tried in the comfort of your own home. Although the results may not be immediately visible (like a visit to the plastic surgeon), even ‘home solutions’ can give us a smoother, more radiant complexion over time.

In this blog, I’ve detailed the best ways to tighten loose skin on your face with a holistic approach.

Why loose skin appears on the face

To understand why some of us experience sagging skin on our face sooner and others later, it is important to know the three main building blocks of the outermost layer of our skin:

Collagen – a protein that keeps our skin smooth and elastic.

Elastin – a protein that allows our skin to return to its normal shape after stretching or shrinking.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) – are polysaccharides (carbohydrates) that attract water and provide moisture to the skin.

As we age, our bodies start to produce less of these key building blocks.

Our skin, for example, all the way up to 20. This year, our skin produces collagen, and then decreases its production by 1% each year. The same happens with elastin and GAGs – they decline with age. This breakdown of the outermost layer of our skin results in loose and sagging skin – especially under the jaw and chin and on the neck.

Of course, the decline in collagen, elastin and GAG production with age is perfectly natural, but there are many factors that can accelerate this process and cause premature ageing – more on these factors below.

1. Sun damage

Too much time in the sun without adequate protection can accelerate the skin ageing process. Photoageing refers to premature ageing caused by UV rays. In particular, UVA rays can penetrate deep into our skin, damaging collagen fibres and promoting the growth of abnormal elastin. As a result, our skin will become less elastic and firm, and wrinkles and sagging skin will be more obvious.

2. Weight loss

If you lose a significant amount of weight in a short period of time, you may feel loose skin on your face and other parts of your body, such as your stomach and arms. When our skin is stretched beyond its natural capacity, it damages collagen and elastin fibres. Therefore, a sudden change in body composition brings with it excess (loose) skin.

3. Smoking

Cigarette smoking can be harmful to general health, but it is especially bad for our skin. Numerous studies have shown that “tobacco smoke extract impairs collagen production” and also breaks down existing collagen and elastin fibres. The constant lip-puckering of cigarette smoking can cause wrinkles on the upper lip (‘smoker’s lips’) and sagging of the jaw.

4. Poor nutrition

The food we eat and the way it is prepared can have a significant impact on our skin. Sugar-rich diets and fried foods can lead to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can inhibit collagen function and leave skin loose and soft.

5. Hormonal changes

Hormones also cause changes in the skin, of course, but certainly the most drastic changes occur during menopause. I have already written about collagen loss after 20. But the really rapid decline in collagen fibres happens when a woman enters menopause – that’s when women lose 30% of their collagen in the first 5 years.

As collagen breaks down, the skin loses its firmness and chins and wrinkles appear, the tip of the nose droops, the area around the eyes deepens and the pores enlarge.

In addition, the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the dermis is further accelerated, resulting in dry and rough skin (flaking), loss of skin elasticity and reduced moisture retention, which also leads to loss of firmness.

6. Stress

Research shows that when our body is stressed, it produces less collagen because the whole body is focused on fighting the effects of stressors and the inflammation they cause. Research has shown that cortisol (a stress hormone) contributes to the breakdown of collagen and inhibits its natural production.

Sweating, blackheads, wrinkles, dry skin, grey hair… these are just some of the unwanted changes that our skin reacts to, telling our body that we are stressed. We are all “stressed” at some time or another, but when it lasts for a long time, or when we are “stressed”. When we are stressed for longer periods of time, it can have very serious consequences for our health. Inflammation is also the body’s response to stress and prolonged inflammation is a factor in the formation of free radicals, which in turn cause ageing of cells and tissues.

How to firm skin without surgery

There are several ways to rejuvenate your skin without plastic surgery or other expensive procedures. A combination of well-designed anti-ageing skincare products and well-thought-out habits can yield beneficial results over time.

1. Develop an effective anti-ageing beauty routine

Every skincare routine we develop and follow must have a purpose. Once you have identified your purpose, it is important to research the best ingredients, to focus on your concerns, or to make sure that your skincare routine is the right one for you. focus on the factors you want to remove or soothe (dry skin, acne, pigment spots, wrinkles…).

In the case of ageing skin, focus on including at least one of the following ingredients:

Retinol

Retinol is a highly desirable anti-ageing ingredient as it accelerates the renewal of dead skin cells and stimulates collagen production. Retinol is a retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A. It can be bought over-the-counter and is very suitable for most skin types, unlike most other forms of vitamin A, which are only dispensed on prescription and can be too abrasive, especially for those with sensitive skin.

NANU Advanced Corrective Serum contains retinol and resveratrol. This combination of two highly active ingredients will help you fight wrinkles while helping to protect your skin from cellular damage caused by free radicals, resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another sought-after anti-ageing ingredient, as the process of collagen synthesis depends on this antioxidant. The downside of using pure vitamin C is that it is prone to oxidation, which limits its shelf life. Fortunately, more stable C-compounds are being developed that are not only more durable but also help the skin to absorb them better.

NANU Antioxidant Oil Serum is made with a combination of a special form of vitamin C called Tetra C(Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate) and astaxanthin and bacucyol and is a real antioxidant bomb that actively fights the signs of skin ageing and successfully “erases” pigment spots.

Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is a very powerful antioxidant and protects skin cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. It fights skin ageing, making it one of the most popular ingredients in anti-ageing products. Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring molecule in all cells of our body, found in the mitochondria. It also has an important function in the skin as an antioxidant.

Research has shown that the amount of coenzyme Q10 decreases over the years. Coenzyme Q10 penetrates into the deep layers of the epidermis and also into the dermis. In cosmetic products, it therefore helps to reduce oxidative stress in the skin, to slow down chronological ageing and photoageing, and to reduce the depth of wrinkles. Coenzyme Q10 is found together with another very active ingredient that also fights skin ageing, i.e. beta-glucan in NANU Rich Nourishing Cream.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol improves skin function and appearance in a variety of ways, and studies have shown it to be one of the best antioxidants in anti-ageing skin care. The unique multi-action approach of this powerful antioxidant helps to neutralise cell-damaging free radicals that lead to tissue damage and stimulates the production of the skin’s natural antioxidants.

It is found in more than 70 types of plants, including: strawberries, peanuts, grapes and red wine. In plants, it protects the plant from surface stresses such as ultraviolet radiation and fungal infections. Resveratrol has long been used in Eastern medicine, where it is valued for its various antioxidant and therapeutic properties.

The antioxidant action of resveratrol is its most powerful weapon against ageing. As a polyphenolic antioxidant, resveratrol has a dual antioxidant role. In addition to neutralising free radicals and thus reducing permanent damage, it also increases the production of other natural antioxidants in skin cells. This means that resveratrol not only helps to repair accumulated damage, but also prevents future skin damage.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is an extremely potent, fat-soluble antioxidant that is much more effective (per molecule) than vitamin E (the best-known natural fat-soluble antioxidant).

Astaxanthin increases the skin’s moisture, retains moisture and elasticity. Skin becomes smoother, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced. Astaxanthin also has natural UV-blocking properties that help protect the skin from sun-related damage such as dark spots on the skin. Astaxanthin can neutralise several free radicals at the same time and protect the skin and body from oxidation, damage and inflammation. Astaxanthin has been shown to increase blood flow, which means it helps the skin to improve blood circulation. Increased blood flow has several benefits such as increased cell turnover, increased elasticity and water retention.

Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is considered the first natural and more acceptable alternative to retinol and has unique benefits for all skin types. It helps to reduce many signs of ageing, visibly reduces skin damage caused by environmental exposure and has a pronounced soothing effect on the skin.

Its properties are as follows: it mimics the properties of retinol, but not its negative properties such as photosensitivity and burning on the skin; it is also a powerful antioxidant, so it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improves the elasticity and firmness of the skin. It stimulates collagen production, reduces skin pigmentation and improves skin tone and radiance. It eliminates skin roughness and redness, helps protect the skin against UV damage and has a pronounced soothing effect on the skin.

Together with vitamin C and astaxanthin, you’ll find it in our super-active and international award-winning NANU Antioxidant Serum.

2. Protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays

Every daily skincare routine should include sunscreen all year round. Protecting our skin from UV rays can save it from burning, wrinkles, sagging and even the development of skin cancer.

Look for broad spectrum formulas that have an SPF of at least 30 (SPF 50 in summer).

Layering is very important in facial care and as an example of a daily beauty routine, I recommend:

• Spray your cleansed face with toner,
• add hyaluronic serum,
• a cream with a high antioxidant content, and
• finish the routine with sun cream.

On particularly sunny days, complement your routine with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

3. Try facial massage and exercise

Try rejuvenating sagging skin with a facial massage. You can use e.g. the tool Gua Shato firm the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. For improved results, I advise you to spritz clean skin with NANU invigorating toner with Damask rose and green teaand then add 2-3 drops of Antioxidant Oil Serum and gently massage your face. Massaging at the same time allows the products to be well massaged into the skin, helping them to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin for even more visible results.

Of course, it is more than welcome to have a facial massage (e.g. a Japanese face lift) from a professional salon, such as Zlatobela.

4. Take care of your whole body

What you put into your body will eventually show up on the surface of your skin. Regularly include a diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (but watch the ratio!), CoQ10 and other antioxidants to give your body the nutrients it needs to care for your skin.

Do your best to cut out refined sugars and processed and fried foods to avoid the build-up of AGEs. (High levels of AGEs have been shown to cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the body and are linked to the development of many diseases: diabetes, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s disease and premature ageing).

As well as eating well, make sure you take good care of yourself in general. Avoid smoking (or take the necessary steps to stop), get plenty of rest and exercise a few times a week. Take a holistic approach and you’ll end up with a complexion that really shines.

A comprehensive approach to skin firming

In many cases, it is no longer necessary to go under the knife to eliminate the appearance of excess skin. Many non-surgical skin tightening procedures are now available (microneedling, mesotherapy, thread lifting, the HIFU method using ultrasound energy…).

However, like a surgical facelift, the procedures listed above can be quite expensive. In addition, the results of any treatment are likely to be minimal in relation to the cost. Of course, we are also not talking about permanent solutions, as regular treatments will be needed to maintain the results. treatments.

That’s why at NAN we recommend a holistic approach to skin care, especially when it comes to anti-ageing. Sagging and wrinkles are an inevitable part of our skin becoming more mature; but there are ways we can prevent these signs of ageing from appearing sooner than we would like.

With regular exercise, a healthy lifestyle, facial massage and regular use of well-designed skincare products containing the best active ingredients for your skin concerns, you’ll get the healthy, glowing complexion you want.

Of course, cosmetic products cannot prevent ageing, but with carefully chosen skincare products, ageing can be slowed down quite effectively!