Firming creams are known for their
anti-aging benefits, which is why it’s common to start integrating firming face and body creams, as well as other moisturizing topicals, into your beauty routine early on. They work to fight free radical damage and promote more youthful, dewy skin and fewer incidences of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dullness and more.
Free radical damage is somewhat inevitable—as it unfortunately increases naturally with age—however, firming creams and other skincare products tailored to your skin type and needs can help slow the aging process and prevent visible damage.
Plus, an ultra-hydrating, firming cream for the face and body is universally beneficial in promoting a healthy glow, tightening and strengthening skin cells and boosting collagen production, which skin needs to look and feel healthier.
What are firming creams?
Firming
creams and lotions contain moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to promote supple, hydrated skin, as well as other properties to boost collagen production, fight free radical damage and repair and regenerate skin cells. That’s why firming creams are so helpful in keeping skin taut, with greater elasticity, strength and a fresher, youthful glow.
Firming creams are particularly helpful in promoting healthy collagen production and increased elasticity. Most skincare products work to hydrate skin and its outer layers rather than addressing underlying contributors to skin laxity. Hydration is a much-needed component of skin care, but it doesn’t address aging effects directly to prevent further damage.
“Firming creams must include ingredients designed to boost collagen and elasticity of the skin as firming the skin is not just about increasing hydration or turgor, but also about thickening the skin to give it more firmness, which comes from collagen and tone as well as enhanced elasticity,” says
Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD, board certified dermatologist and CEO and founder of
AmberNoon.
Skin contains fibroblasts, which are a type of cell that plays a part in directly increasing collagen production. “For a firming cream to theoretically be most effective, it should have ingredients that can potentially stimulate fibroblasts in the skin to stimulate collagen production and increase elastin production for tone,” Ilyas notes.
Ingredients found in firming creams
“The most common ingredient found in firming creams is
retinol, and retinol has had years of data to support the potential for increased collagen production in the skin,” says Ilyas. While retinol tends to be a common ingredient in facial firming creams, it’s also found in firming creams for the body.
Firming creams additionally contain peptides, which are amino acid building blocks for collagen production and support functions of structural molecules in the skin. Peptides directly promote anti-aging, as they are signal molecules to stimulate collagen production and elastin proliferation. “The goal with each of these products is thickening of the skin with added tone,” says Ilyas.
You might also find alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, in firming creams for their ability to enhance collagen production. Some also contain caffeine; yet, its purpose in a firming cream is a little different. “Caffeine can improve the appearance of the skin by vasoconstriction of blood vessels in order to reduce excess fluid buildup found in soft tissue,” says Ilyas. Consider combining an
under-eye cream with caffeine with firming products for added benefits.
Lastly,
look for antioxidants in firming creams, as they can help to prevent damage, including the breakdown of collagen and elastin, due to aging or other environmental causes.
How to apply firming creams
Firming creams can be applied anywhere: on your legs and feet, arms and hands, belly, face and neck. However, the lower body, face and neck are most crucial, so consider focusing on those areas.
“The best results from firming creams will be in areas with larger underlying muscle groups to assist with tone, such as the thighs and buttock area, rather than the abdominal area, simply because there is more structural support offered by larger muscle groups,” Ilyas says. The neck and face are prone to loss in collagen and elasticity as well as visible signs of aging, so both will benefit from regular firming cream use.
Consistency in your skincare routine is an important strategy for reducing the appearance of loose, tired-looking skin as well as preventing fine lines and creases, deeper wrinkles and under eye bags and dark circles.
When and how often to apply firming creams
Most firming creams will show benefits with just one daily application, but check the product label to determine frequency, as it will depend on the type and concentration of ingredients and may require more or less use.
Generally, once daily application is safe and easy to follow, whether you’re applying in the morning for
daytime use or
at night before bed, when collagen production and other forms of cell and muscle recovery and damage repair take place. While year-round use is ideal, firming creams are essential during winter, when the air is dry and damaging to skin.
Best firming creams to try
Cleansing is an essential step in every skincare routine. So why not enjoy firming benefits with the everyday cleanser you use? This popular product from Andalou Naturals gently loosens and lifts away impurities and dry, dead surface cells while delivering skin-friendly enzymes, vitamin C and coconut water electrolytes.
Additonally, it contains AquaCacteen™, a refined elixir derived from prickly pear cactus containing vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C, the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium, along with - most notably - a high content of hydrating, water-binding compounds. Clinical studies have shown this ingredient was exceptionally soothing and firming to skin.
“It is often said that the neck and hands reveal our age, so finding a firming cream for the neck and starting early can help improve the overall appearance and promote maintenance,” says Ilyas.
Vitacost CSI firming cream contains peptides and hydroxy acids to enhance collagen production and skin elasticity in the neck, soften and smooth skin for a more youthful complexion and improve skin cell repair, regeneration and growth.
With peptides, retinol and antioxidants, Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer provides a nice balance of ingredients with a focus on firming the skin. Copper peptides keep skin taut, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and support collagen production and elasticity.
What's more, the antioxidant resveratrol prevents breakdown of collagen, leaving skin more fresh, dewy and bright. Apply twice daily.
A similar options is
Andalou Naturals Age Defying Hyaluronic Lift & Firm Cream, which delivers the same peptides and antioxidants such as resveratrol but also features hyaluronic acid for added hydration benefits. Apply similarly to the neck and face.
This lotion, which contains peptides, an amino acid blend and an elastin concentrate, can be applied anywhere, especially on the more “loose” body parts most prone to elasticity and collagen loss including your upper arms, thighs, buttocks and abdominal area. It may be helpful for reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Aim to apply at night and after showering when the body is slightly damp for maximum benefits.
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