What Works to Make the Skin Look and Feel Tighter

When looking to firm or tighten sagging skin, you’ve probably come across skincare products that claim to lift the skin. The main concern, of course, is do they work? Can they penetrate the skin deep enough to make a noticeable difference? What ingredients can actually tighten the skin and improve its overall condition and appearance?

Continue reading as we dive a little deeper into the truth about products marketed as “lifting creams” or “tightening creams. We also offer a few recommendations to get started on making your skin feel and appear lifted and what really works to tighten skin on the face or improve visible signs of sagging.

What is the culprit behind sagging skin?

The loss or decline of collagen and elastin as we age causes the skin to have a saggy appearance. It causes the skin to lose its elasticity and strength, as well as its ability to snap back easily after being stretched. Decreasing levels of essential skin proteins can also cause the skin to become more fragile and prone to other signs of aging.

Other factors that contribute to the appearance of sagging skin include:

• Fat and muscle loss due to aging
• Hormonal fluctuations
• UV damage due to prolonged and unprotected sun exposure
• Weight loss 
• Smoking 

What’s the deal with firming creams?

One important thing to note about firming creams is that they offer subtle results at best. Most of them act as moisturizers to make the skin look and feel suppler or smoother. Some products even offer a sensation of lifting or tightening, but their effects are temporary and there is no visible lifting of the skin. 

It is also important to keep in mind that the main issue with sagging skin is the loss of collagen and elastin. Creams or similar products cannot significantly improve the production of these proteins. You shouldn’t specifically look for creams that contain collagen and elastin, as they cannot be absorbed topically. 

What’s for sure is that even the most expensive or considered one of the best firming creams will not produce the same effect as aesthetic procedures or plastic surgery. If you’re looking to address sagging skin but don’t want to go under the knife, you can pair your firming creams with non-surgical procedures such as lasers and energy-based skin tightening. 

So, what works to make the skin feel and look tighter

Below are some of the things that can help the skin appear firmer or create the feeling and impression of a more youthful complexion. 

Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily – choose a formula with SPF 30 or higher. A good quality sunscreen can protect you from the effects of UV damage and help the skin look youthful. There are also formulas that help maintain skin texture and even skin tone. 

Choose products with antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients – Antioxidants help defend against environmental damage, which can help promote a firmer and more youthful look. Other beneficial ingredients that can address visible aging concerns include:

• Retinol – is a vitamin A derivative that promotes skin cell turnover with anti-aging effects. It is said to help increase collagen which can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It can also clear the skin, improve the appearance of acne, and enhance skin tone and texture.  
• Niacinamide – is a skin-friendly ingredient that can improve the general appearance of the skin. It can help retain skin’s moisture, lighten pigmentation, offer protection against UV damage, and lessen the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Peptides – are a group of skincare ingredients that can benefit the skin in several ways. They can improve skin barrier function, promoting healthier and more youthful skin. Peptides can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 
• AHA/BHA – effectively exfoliates the skin for a noticeably hydrated and smooth skin. Both are skin exfoliants and can decrease inflammation, reduce the look of enlarged pores and surface wrinkles, even out skin tone, and improve overall texture.  

Consider non-surgical skin tightening – At Sanctuary by Cutis in Singapore, we offer several skin lifting and tightening procedures that can improve sagginess, visible signs of aging, and overall skin appearance. These include:

• NIR Cinderella – delivers pulsed infrared light that effectively heats the deeper layers to help build new collagen. It can tighten loose skin on the face, neck, and other areas, as well as reduce the look of lines, wrinkles, cellulite, and stretch marks.
• Exilis Ultra 360 – uses radiofrequency and ultrasound energy to tackle various face and body concerns. It gently heats the deeper layers to encourage the natural healing process and help the body create new collagen and elastin. Exilis Ultra 360 in Singapore can address mild skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, and stubborn fat bulges.
• Imperium Deep Restoration – uses Pulsed Crown RF that targets the deep dermis to regenerate skin tissues and help with collagen stimulation. It can reduce deep wrinkles, firm and remodel the epidermis, tighten the skin, and provide total skin rejuvenation.
• 10D Care-9 – uses high-energy focused ultrasound (HIFU) and radiofrequency technology for facial lifting, skin tightening, and body contouring. It can target superficial and deeper tissues to help stimulate collagen and elastin over time. It can lift and tighten the skin, reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, and contour the body. 

Book an appointment

At Sanctuary by Cutis, we encourage the use of quality anti-aging products to further protect your skin. We also invite you to supplement your efforts with non-surgical skin tightening procedures for visible and natural-looking results. Message us via WhatsApp at +65 6801 4000 to learn more or schedule an appointment.