How to Tighten Skin on Your Face: A Guide

As we age, the skin on our face naturally becomes less firm and tight.

However, just because that is an expected part of the aging process doesn’t mean you have to sit back and let it happen. 

Learning how to tighten skin on the face is crucial if you want to look youthful and radiant for as long as possible — age is just a number, after all. We have a guide to help you learn what to do (and what not to do).

Why does our facial skin get loose?

Although a loss of skin firmness happens as we age, knowing the biological reasons behind why it happens can help point you in the right direction. The ultimate factor behind how tight or loose the skin can be is a protein called collagen. 

Collagen (along with elastin) forms a tight “matrix” in the dermis that helps keep the skin plump and firm and promotes skin elasticity (the skin’s ability to “bounce back”). As the skin ages, collagen production starts to slow and eventually stops entirely. 

With less collagen in the skin, that matrix isn’t as tightly held together or as elastic. Not only does this lead to sagging skin, but it also speeds up the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and changes in skin tone. 

What factors other than age can impact skin firmness?

In addition to the aging process, other factors can impact how firm the skin appears. Some can be controlled, while others are out of your control. 

Sun exposure is one of the most significant factors leading to less firm skin. Genetics can also have an impact, as can certain skin conditions and your natural skin type. Additional factors, like smoking, sudden weight loss, air pollution and nutrition are also part of the equation. All of these components can have an effect on your body’s collagen production.

Because of the complexity of the biology behind a noticeable loss of skin laxity, approaching it requires a comprehensive approach. It’s important to look at the factors that may be playing a role in your skin’s firmness so that you can decide on a well-rounded approach. Speaking with a dermatologist or other skin care provider can also help you decide where to start. 

Skin tightening — how can I do it?

Worried about loose skin? Here are a few ways to learn how to tighten the skin on your face — try one or combine them for even better results.

Your skincare routine plays a significant role in your skin’s firmness. Each of the at-home creams, serums, moisturizers, lotions and other skincare products you use has the potential to support skin firmness if you know what to look for. 

For example, retinoids and retinol are a holy grail product to counteract skin sagging and other signs of aging (plus boosting the production of collagen). Giving your skin additional hydration (in the form of hyaluronic acid and peptides) is also an essential step.

Having a skin consult with a professional can help you get your skin care routine in order — we’re happy to help you find the best products to help improve your skin’s tightness.

Cosmetic dermatology can also help to improve the appearance of your skin. When it comes to skin firmness, certain treatments, including Botox, microneedling, dermal fillers, chemical peels and other skin tightening treatments, can make a big difference. 

While these treatments may have temporary side effects (like redness and irritation) and require some downtime, they work much more quickly than at-home skin care products. Consult with your skin care provider to see if you might be a good candidate for these treatments.

But don’t stop at your face! Many of the techniques we use to tighten the skin on the face can also be used on the remainder of the body. Recently had a baby? We’ve got you.

Try facial exercises

Yoga isn’t just for your body — it may also have some benefit for tightening up the face. While we won’t try to go over all of them today (there are plenty of suggestions out there if you do a quick Google search), doing them regularly can help tighten up your jowls, jawline and the area under your chin. 

Don’t forget the sunscreen 

The single most controllable factor in skin laxity is the sun. Wearing sunscreen is one of the best things that you can do for your skin health. The right sunscreen helps to put a barrier between ultraviolet rays and your skin. 

If these rays are allowed unrestricted access to your skin, they can create deep damage. According to many dermatology providers, part of that damage is related to free radicals in the skin. Doing whatever you can to prevent that damage is crucial.

When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that has an SPF of at least 30, protects you from both UVA and UVB rays and is water-resistant. Sunscreens that don’t hit those three bullet points aren’t as protective as they could be, and leave the deeper layers of your skin more vulnerable. You’ll also need to reapply as recommended to stay safe.

Antioxidants (like vitamin C) can also help to provide even more of a barrier. Apply them to your skin before using sunscreen to help promote a youthful appearance and make your sunscreen even more effective. 

To sum things up...

You don’t need a surgical procedure like a facelift or laser treatments to make the skin on your face appear firmer, tighter and more youthful. Non-surgical skin tightening treatments like sunscreen, facial exercises and a consistent skin care routine can also improve the look and feel of your skin. 

If you need additional advice on how to treat your skin the way it deserves to be treated, our knowledgeable skin care professionals at Skin Pharm are here to help.

Peer review

This article was medically reviewed by Madeline Stoffer, MSN, NP-BC, a board-certified nurse practitioner with 6 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.

SOURCES:

Collagen: quantification, biomechanics and role of minor subtypes in cartilage | Nature Reviews Materials

Elastin - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Natural and Sun-Induced Aging of Human Skin | PubMed

Defining skin aging and its risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis | PMC