Have you ever rubbed your eyelid only to notice that your skin didn’t bounce back as quickly as it used to? That’s because it has lost elasticity. With age, it’s common to lose skin elasticity. However, there are a few steps you can take to retain elasticity as you get older.
What is skin elasticity?
Elasticity refers to the skin’s ability to snap back into its original place when it is moved. It is directly tied to collagen production, and skin that has lost elasticity usually has a saggy or wrinkled appearance. Technically, loss of elasticity is called “elastosis.” Because skin has different thicknesses throughout the body, certain areas are more prone to losing elasticity more quickly, such as around the eyes or on the backs of your hands.
Why does skin lose elasticity?
Age, lifestyle choices, and sun exposure all contribute to skin elasticity. Hormonal changes, smoking, and pollution are some other factors that accelerate elasticity loss. As it’s normal to lose collagen with age, your skin also loses elastin. Elastin is the protein found in the connective tissue of your skin that helps it snap back into place.
How to retain skin elasticity
Luckily, there are ways to protect skin elasticity through the years and even repair it.
Keep your skin hydrated. Drinking enough water is key to retaining skin elasticity. Skin that isn’t hydrated actually thins out – and skin that is hydrated is less likely to show wrinkles, lines and signs of aging. Another key component to ensuring your skin stays hydrated is to apply a moisturizer twice daily.
Eat a skin-friendly diet. The vitamins and minerals you consume greatly contribute to skin health. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, while minerals zinc and copper help develop elastin.
Exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating helps slough away dead skin cells, improves the appearance of fine lines, and even helps with discoloration. The key is to use an exfoliating serum, not a harsh scrub. Some scrubs can cause microtears in the skin and cause you to pull on your skin more, which impacts elasticity.
Practice safe sun. UVB and UVA rays from the sun both accelerate aging and cause skin damage. Some sun exposure is healthy to make sure your body creates Vitamin D. However, too much exposure can lead to sunburn, skin cancer, and the breakdown of skin components, including collagen and elastin. Protect your skin by wearing protective clothing and staying out of the sun at its high points during the day.
Incorporate facial massages. There are so many benefits to gentle facial massages. It stimulates circulation and cell growth, which helps retain skin elasticity and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. The key is to be gentle and never tug or stretch our skin.
Use restorative, gentle skincare products. What you put on your skin has an impact on its elasticity. Using products that help restore skin from damage with nourishing ingredients is essential to retain and restore elasticity. Some products contain ingredients that do more damage than good, such as alcohol and harsh scrubbing agents.
By taking a little extra time and care and being aware of what damages skin elasticity, you can enjoy a radiant complexion for a lifetime and age gracefully!