Ever watched a beauty product advertisement and wished for the full and healthy skin they have? Well, having baby soft plump skin has always been all the rage and it still is. The supple skin and rounder facial structure that is concentrated in the cheeks is enough to emit a youthful glow.
This young-looking skin you’re longing for is actually made possible by the saturated composition of collagen and elastin proteins. Elastin, as its name suggests, gives the skin its elasticity and bounciness that keeps wrinkles at bay. On the other hand, collagen has elastic characteristics but is mainly known for its ability to provide strength and structure, which maintains the skin’s firmness.
Unfortunately, the plumpness of the skin gradually reduces over time due to the decrease in the production of these two proteins. This means that the collagen and elastin that eventually break down can’t be replenished to their original saturation. But not to worry; we’ve got you covered! These are some effective steps you could take to restore your skin.Â
Table of Contents
1. Incorporate lactic acid into your skincare routine
Somewhere along your skincare research, you may have come across alpha-hydroxyl acid, or AHA for short. One very versatile AHA compound that we know of is lactic acid. Unlike the infamous hyaluronic acid which is popular for its hydrating abilities, lactic acid can not only hydrate but also exfoliate. The antimicrobial property of this substance makes it one of the best ingredients to ensure gentle exfoliation, which simultaneously retains the skin’s hydration.
But most importantly, it does a great job at increasing collagen production to avoid fine lines and other signs of aging. Apart from that, it also stimulates new cell growth by getting rid of keratin. While keratin may be good for your hair, it is detrimental to your skin as it holds dead skin cells together. Therefore, using a face wash with an optimum level of lactic acid will most definitely give you bright and young-looking skin.
2. Keep your skin moisturized
Source: Pexels.com – @Tima Miroshnichenko
As we’ve covered, collagen plays a huge role in giving the skin a bouncy feel with a spring when you tap your cheeks. Besides the elasticity aspect that collagen brings to the table, it is also a critical component in preserving the moisture in your skin. And one of the main reasons your skin looks plump is excellent moisture retention.
Therefore, if the lack of collagen negatively impacts the moisture level in your skin, you’ll just have to take matters into your own hands. Applying moisturizer is kind of a self-explanatory method at this point, but it is always a good reminder. In order to obtain the best results, a tip is to pay attention to your skin type. For example, oily skin types would benefit from a more lightweight gel-based moisturizer, whereas dry skin types could go for a thicker cream-based moisturizer packed with more plant-based oils.
3. Protect your skin from harmful UV rays
The key is to never skip sunblock. By now, we’re quite aware that exposure to the sun’s UV rays is harmful. Furthermore, the UV rays are actually directly responsible for the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. So, if your skin appears to be flaccid instead of firm, you know who to blame.
So, how can sunblock help? Well, sunblock contains a formula that acts as a protection to shield your skin by reflecting UV light instead of letting it absorb into your skin. So, applying sunblock can tremendously reduce the glaring signs of aging.
4. Get yourself a good eye serum
Source: Pexels.com – @Alesia Kozik
It’s time to pull some focus towards the eyes. Tired eyes can be considered telltale signs of aging. Even though the eyes only occupy a small region on our face, they sure do leave an impact.
This is where serums come in. Corrective eye serums do a great job at not only lifting the eyes but also firming the surrounding skin. The mechanisms of eye serums are interesting; you’ll find that some serums are formulated to actually intercept neuronal activity. This prevents the nerve cells around the eyes from signaling muscle motion, which limits the movement of wrinkles and diminishes their appearance altogether.
The eyes are particularly sensitive compared to the rest of the face. So, the main takeaway is that the skin surrounding the eyes should be given much more delicate care. With a fresh set of eyes, your skin will look as plump as ever. This will tie everything together and give the entire face a vibrant and youthful glow.
5. Apply anti-aging cream
We’ve talked about wrinkles and fine lines a lot now. But signs of aging go way beyond that. Dark spots, an uneven skin tone, skin discoloration, and skin texture disparity are among other biological and environmental side effects that come with age.
Anti-aging cream helps to minimize the visibility of these factors. Again, it eventually boils down to moisture. Anti-aging creams contain active ingredients that help to soothe and plump the skin. Retinol is a well-known ingredient in this category. It works as a stimulant that encourages collagen and elastin production.
As they always say, prevention is better than cure. So, you’re encouraged to start using anti-aging cream as early as in your 20s. But if you’re way past your 20s, it’s not too late either. With the help of anti-aging creams, the redefined structure and shapeliness will give your face a much more youthful look.
6. Hydrate your skin
We’ve covered the use of products that maintain moisture. We’ve also touched on how collagen has hydrating properties. But at the end of the day, what you consume is just as important as the products you apply to your skin.
With this in mind, you can start hydrating from the inside out by drinking a sufficient amount of water daily. Speaking of consumption, the food you eat should also be accounted for. For instance, Skin Kraft suggests that cutting our caffeine and eating citrus-based fruits will do wonders to make your skin feel plump and healthy.
It is not too late to do some damage control. Although, if you’re from the younger age group and still haven’t seen the adverse effects of aging on your facial skin, it is better to start as soon as you can in order to obtain the best results in the long run. Now that you’re equipped with some easy but effective tips, it’s time to get to work and soon flaunt your soft, plump skin.
