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Supple Skin
Supple skin refers to the skin’s ability to return to its original shape after stretching or pulling, similar to a new rubber band that has been tried and can quickly bounce back to its original condition. You can test your skin’s elasticity by pinching your cheeks: does it recover right away, or does it take a while to get back to normal? Two essential fibre proteins in the skin are responsible for keeping skin firm and elastic: collagen (which helps keep c plump and firm) and elastin (which gives skin its suppleness). This influential duo can be considered the “guardian” of the youthful appearance and is essential when preserving the skin’s structure.
Why does the skin lose its natural elasticity?
We’ve talked about what the natural ageing process does to your skin, but what if you’re still in your thirties or forties and your skin is looser and thinner than usual? In that case, some lifestyle choices may be to blame.
· Sun exposure
You may have realised that the sun can be your skin’s number one enemy. We all love to get a tan and spend hours lying in the sun, but constant unprotected sun exposure can wreak havoc on our skin.
UV rays are the leading cause of melanoma, the most aggressive and dangerous type of skin cancer, and accelerate the skin’s ageing process. It is responsible for about 80% of visible signs of ageing.
When you expose your skin to UV radiation for long periods, your skin’s natural reaction is to produce an abnormal amount of elastin, which causes collagen to break down, causing wrinkles and sagging.
Ideally, you should try to avoid the sun at its peak, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every time you go outside (even in the winter and on cloudy days).
· Smoke
If you’re a smoker and need another reason to quit, here it is: Smoking destroys collagen and elastin and lowers estrogen levels in the body, which help keep skin supple and firm. The result is that your skin will look older than people your age who don’t smoke.
The longer you smoke, the more wrinkles you will experience. And quitting smoking won’t reverse the damage your skin has already incurred. The good news is that you can prevent it from getting worse if you stop immediately.
· Dehydration
One of the leading causes of decreased skin turgor is dehydration. Our bodies are about 60% water as adults, so it’s no surprise that dehydration takes a toll on the skin.
When your skin is dehydrated, you will notice that it begins to flake, sag, and wrinkle. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and replenish the fluids it desperately needs. And to protect their skin from the outside, she uses moisturisers.
· Hormonal changes
Unfortunately, as we age, our estrogen levels begin to plummet. Estrogen increases glycosaminoglycans (GaGs), elastin, and collagen, which are other vital skin components.
Some women going through menopause choose to use skincare products like creams and serums that contain hyaluronic acid, which retains more than 800 times its molecular weight in water. Making it an excellent alternative for hydrating skin.
· Firming Creams
Firming creams and lotions are excellent non-invasive options to help the skin regain elasticity and prevent further sagging. Many skincare products will help solidify your skin by increasing collagen production and stopping collagen breakdown.
Take a look at our comparison of the best firming creams this year:
Collagen needs vitamin C to form correctly, so combination collagen-vitamin C creams are great options for improving skin elasticity.
In addition to these two ingredients, choose products containing peptides, retinol, antioxidants, vitamins A and E, and elastin to firm and tone the skin.
The best foods that increase the elasticity of the skin
To increase the elasticity of your skin, you need to consume foods rich in antioxidants and water, such as:
- Berries and red fruits are the best fruits to finish with antioxidants.
- Celery and cucumber contain silica, an ingredient that increases hydration and elasticity.
- The fats found in salmon, olives, and walnuts contain concentrated levels of omega-3 fatty acids, known to reverse skin ageing.
- Pumpkin and zucchini are water-, vitamin-, and antioxidant-rich vegetables packed with skin-saving nutrients.
- Spices like turmeric and cinnamon are superfoods due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
- In addition to all these foods, look for vitamins that contain copper, zinc, folic acid, and even some caffeine. As they can improve the skin’s elasticity, firmness, and ability to hydrate from the inside.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve liked our guide on how to improve Supple skin elasticity. The great news is that it can make your skin look better and regain some of its natural elasticity without invasive procedures or surgeries. Maintaining youthful, healthy skin is possible through lifestyle choices and collagen-rich skin care products.
