3 Quick & Easy Ways To Tighten Skin Over Time, From Experts

DIY and budget-friendly, too.

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Apr 19, 2023 - 21:03

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3 Quick & Easy Ways To Tighten Skin Over Time, From Experts

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

By Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

Image by Jayme Burrows / Stocksy

April 19, 2023

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You don't have to resort to invasive skin-tightening procedures if you don't want to: Yes, those can be helpful, but there are plenty of natural (and less invasive) methods out there. If you want to encourage youthful-looking skin without sacrificing your overall skin health, we’ve got you covered.

To come, three ways to tighten skin that are quick, easy, and affordable.

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Topical retinol serums and creams are one popular option for reviving sagging skin. "Retinol binds to retinoid receptors within skin cells," board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., once told mindbodygreen. This "activates genes that upregulate collagen production."

If you already use retinol in your routine, feel free to skip down to the next point. Or you might consider increasing your retinol’s potency or your routine cadence.

See, retinol exists on a sliding scale, with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments being some of the most gentle. While these may be ideal for sensitive skin types, others might need a bit of a stronger treatment.

Want to level up? You may consider upgrading to stronger forms of retinol, like retinaldehyde, or talk to your dermatologist about prescription-only products, like tretinoin.

For those who can’t tolerate retinol at all, opt for gentler alternatives, like bakuchiol, for similar benefits without the side effects and irritation.

Add collagen to your routine

Here's a way to tighten your skin at its core: increase your natural collagen production via collagen supplements.

"Collagen is what gives our skin a tight and taut look, but as we age we begin to lose natural collagen," board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine Jeannette Graf, M.D., once told mbg. But good news: Collagen supplements have been shown to help promote your body's natural production of collagen 1.

When shopping for these products, though, formula matters. "While there may be some truth to collagen supplements stimulating collagen production, it's important to not skimp on quality when buying collagen supplements," Graf emphasizes.

She recommends looking for hydrolyzed collagen peptides (FYI: The aforementioned study also emphasizes hydrolyzed collagen peptides). While collagen research is still evolving, most of the promising results have been seen with this form.

More specifically, the research shows that these collagen peptides are able to support skin elasticity and dermal collagen density 2. What's more, "Amino acids in collagen supplements might increase hydration levels in the skin," Graf adds.

Here's a list of the very best collagen supplements, all backed by a nutrition Ph.D., if you want to start looking.

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Honor healthy sleep habits

The takeaway

If you want to encourage tighter skin but you’re not sure where to start, consider adding retinol and collagen supplements to your daily routine. And for those who can’t seem to stick to a regular sleep schedule, perhaps make that your next lifestyle goal. Want even more ways to tighten skin naturally? Check out this guide.

Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more. She previously interned for Almost 30, a top-rated health and wellness podcast. In her current role, Hannah reports on the latest beauty trends, holistic skincare approaches, must-have makeup products, and inclusivity in the beauty industry. She currently lives in New York City.