Age is inevitable. At a cellular level, it begins at the age of 25 and while we may not be able to put a pause on it, we can certainly try our best to slow down the process. To keep the wrinkles at bay naturally, exercise often, relax your face muscles, stay hydrated, eat your leafy greens and get your beauty rest.
You see, the older we get, our bodies produce less elastin and collagen. It’s only during our late twenties, do we become even more conscious of our skincare routine and beauty habits. We start to look for skincare products that have the word ‘anti-ageing’ and ‘skin-tightening’ labelled on them. The real question is – do firming lotions and creams actually work? Let’s find out.
What Are Firming Lotions & Creams?
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Be it lotions or creams, firming skincare products are designed to tighten, hydrate and restore the skin’s elasticity. They also contain other active ingredients that strengthen the thick layer of tissue under the epidermis.
A few key ingredients in these products are caffeine, dimethylaminoethanol and retinol. While caffeine helps to make the skin smoother, retinol aka Vitamin A boosts collagen by exfoliating the skin. DMA aka Dimethylaminoethanol improves the appearance of the skin and makes it firmer. Green tea as a skincare ingredient boosts collagen and improves the texture of the skin by giving it a youthful appearance. Oat seed extract and dill seed also contribute to building firmer skin.
While all these skincare ingredients are incredible, their effects are temporary. Many dermatologists believe that firming lotions aren’t capable of penetrating deep into the skin. Soft tissue fillers, ultherapy, thermage, cellulaze (FDA-approved procedure) and botox do a far better job.
A wise thing to do is to invest in a good moisturiser. Keep an eye out for moisturisers that contain ingredients such as coconut, shea butter or cacao as they are rich in oils and help to nourish, brighten and moisturise the skin. Moisturising the skin every day will not only make your skin plump but healthy and nourished as well. If you’re into face acids, try glycolic acid, hyaluronic, ferulic or lactic acid. While these face acids treat your skin, they also prevent premature ageing.
The takeaway is clear and simple – firming skincare products do work, but their effects are temporary. When it comes to looking after your skin naturally, start young. Eat nutritious meals, exercise often and sleep well. If the sight of your wrinkles still bothers you, you can always consult your dermatologist.
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