Human skin is an extraordinary organ that regenerates completely approximately every 7 days . This type of renewal is crucial, because the skin fulfills the vital function of protecting the body from many dangers.
And although the skin retains its ability to protect us from the elements until old age, its capacity for self-renewal weakens with age, and it begins to lose the firmness of youth.
It is a fact of life that skin changes as we age. Sagging, deep wrinkles and fine lines, loss of moisture and firmness – these are all skin changes that we arm ourselves against with anti-aging products that fill our bathroom shelves.
But while we can’t wait to get back to the skin we had at 18, the good news is that with the right treatment, we can help our skin stay supple, smooth, and more youthful-looking for a longer period of time. .
The key is not painful and invasive treatments that cost thousands of dollars, but the right ingredients that can help increase your skin’s natural ability to renew itself, repair daily damage (for example, from UV rays) and increase elasticity. of your skin .
Fortunately, there are quite a few cosmetic products on the market that can achieve good results. You just have to know how to choose the best firming cream for your face.
And for that we are here, to help you decide which is the best option for you, always based on the most important thing about a cosmetic, its ingredients.
So we have taken the most popular firming creams on the market, and the ones with the best ratings, and we have analyzed their ingredients one by one.
And we have finally found it! The best firming cream for you. With quality ingredients that are really effective, so that you get the firmness and smoothness that you desire in your skin.
I explain how this article is structured: Below you have the complete analysis of the two best options that we have found in the market. With each ingredient well explained, although so that it does not take too long, if an ingredient is already explained in another product, I leave only the link so that you can look at it whenever you want.
And then there are other firming cream options that are not so good, but that may interest you. Of these I leave you a summary of the analysis, and the link, so you can see the complete description.
But it does not end there, after the analyzes, you have more information about firming creams: why you should use them, how to choose the best one, the ingredients they should have, or how and when to use them.
A complete article that will make you an expert in firming creams.
Index
Best Firming Face Creams
- Nezeni Cosmetics Botox Effect Anti Age Cream
- Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer by Perricone MD
- Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream SPF 30 PA ++ by Elizabeth Arden
- Cougar Skin Zero Gravity Cream by Rodial
- Strivectin Tightening Face & Neck Cream
- Chanel Le Lift Firming Cream
- WELEDA Pomegranate Firming Night Cream
- Daeses Sesderma Firming Gel Cream
- Nutreplus anti-wrinkle and anti-aging cream
- Regenerist Intensive Anti-aging Cream 3 Areas of Olay
Nezeni Cosmetics Botox Effect Anti Age Cream – High in active ingredients and low in preservatives – The best firming cream
It is the best firming and anti-aging cream that we have found based on its ingredients and its price. And although it is not a super known brand, it takes care of its formulation with the best quality ingredients.
Its combination of beneficial natural assets provides elasticity and firmness to the skin of the face, forehead and neck, minimizing wrinkles and expression lines; and also does not neglect the optimal hydration of mature skin.
In addition, the formula is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and is not tested on animals.
It smells really good, although its texture may be a bit thicker than what you are used to, but it spreads very well and spreads a lot.
It is packaged in an airtight airless bottle, so no air enters and we don’t have to put our finger in the jar, thus contaminating the product.
But let’s get to the important thing, here is your INCI.
I’m not going to analyze this INCI again, because I already analyzed it in this other article on the Best Anti-Wrinkle Creams for Men . I’m just going to explain a few things.
The INCI is quite low, but it has 3 of the ingredients that are recommended in a firming cream (you have more information about this below): hyaluronic acid, Cobiolift and Sangre de Drago.
They have opted for the popular Cobiolift, a quinoa extract that has an effect similar to botox, but without being so invasive. It is one of the most studied ingredients of the ingredients that really are anti-wrinkle, so its effectiveness is more than proven.
Best of all, these actives are in a very high proportion, which means that they will have a great effect on the cream.
And if you look at it, it almost doesn’t include preservatives, that’s why it has a closed expiration date of two years; something that does not happen in most cases, where closed and open creams do not expire also last a long time.
This way we make sure that the product does not aggravate the combined effect that excess preservatives, silicones, alcohols, irritants and other harmful ingredients have on our skin and our health.
Because every time we apply a cosmetic with any of these ingredients, a tiny part accumulates on our skin, and this accumulation lasts for months and years.
In the end, all this affects our health in the form of problems such as sensitivity, irritation, itching, eczema, atopic skin or more serious problems.
Luckily, with this cream we avoid these problems in the long term. And in addition to this anti-aging cream, from the same range there is also a serum and an eye contour that minimizes the effects of aging.
And in addition to all these advantages, Nezeni cream is not exorbitantly priced like other more renowned or popular brands, so it is affordable for most pockets. They are all advantages!
In addition, the value for money seems unbeatable. You can buy it on amazon or on its website nezeni.com from here .
Do you want to enhance the firming effects of this cream? Now you can do it with the food supplement that Nezeni has created in combination with cosmetics. These are the AntiAging capsules, a supplement based on hyaluronic acid, which also has antioxidants as interesting as coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, and astaxanthin.
As we age, our skin begins to lose its natural elasticity and can sag and fill with wrinkles. Many believe that there is nothing that can be done to reverse this natural process. However, when hyaluronic acid is ingested, and / or when applied to the skin, it helps keep our skin fresh and youthful.
This compound works by preventing the loss of water in the layers of our skin. As skin ages and is regularly exposed to the sun and pollutants, moisture evaporates. This is what causes it to fall off and wrinkle. Hyaluronic acid replenishes this moisture and restores the skin’s natural volume, making it appear fuller and younger.
In addition, the antioxidant effect of the other compounds, delays the signs of aging by neutralizing free radicals and promoting collagen production. With just one capsule a day, you can reap all of these benefits. Now you can buy it in a pack with the cream, or alone.
An anti-aging supplement that will help you enhance the effects of any anti-aging treatment. You can buy it on their website nezeni.com from here .
Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer by Perricone MD
This revolutionary firming and moisturizing cream addresses the effects of advanced aging by minimizing the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles, while providing essential hydration for an overall youthful appearance.
Twenty years of research has resulted in the most advanced firming cream in Perricone MD. This luxurious and ultra-powerful formula provides essential hydration throughout the day, and helps to dramatically and visibly firm fine, sagging skin for a noticeably younger-looking complexion.
Formulated with Dr. Perricone’s proprietary neuropeptides, this revolutionary moisturizer firms sagging skin and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes.
Research results in a consumer study with 105 women after 28 days are:
- 91% of the skin felt smoother
- 89% agreed that the skin felt smoother and the texture improved
- 84% agreed that skin looked stronger
- 81% agreed that skin looked firmer
It has no parabens, sulfates or phthalates.
Dr. Perricone recommends applying it to the face and neck in gentle circular motions in the morning and evening.
And now we are going to analyze the ingredients:
- Isopropyl Palmitate : Analyzed in NewPeptin’s Wrinkle Repair wrinkle cream .
- Cetearyl Alcohol : Analyzed in the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye eye contour .
- Taurine : Analyzed in Filorga’s Ultralifting Lift Designer Serum .
- Tyrosine : Analyzed in Filorga’s Ultralifting Lift Designer Serum .
- Glyceryl Stearate : Tested in Fiori di Cipria’s anti-wrinkle cream for men .
- PEG-100 Stearate : Tested in Fiori di Cipria’s anti-wrinkle cream for men .
- Ceteareth-20 : Analyzed in Mercadona’s Sisbela eye contour .
- Phosphatidylcholine : Analyzed in NeoStrata’s Bionic wrinkle cream .
- Dimethyl MEAAlso known as DMAE, it is a derivative of the B vitamin choline. It has been around for years as an oral supplement popularly believed to improve mental alertness, as have Ginkgo biloba and Coenzyme Q10. However, the research on DMAE does not show the same positive results as the other two supplements. Because Dimethyl MEA is chemically similar to choline, it is believed to stimulate acetylcholine production. And because acetylcholine is a brain neurotransmitter, it’s easy to see how it could be associated with brain function. However, only a handful of studies have looked at Dimethyl MEA for that purpose, and they have been inconclusive in the least, while some have shown that DMAE can be problematic or not very effective. As a cosmetic ingredient,It has been claimed that DMAE can help reduce wrinkles by preventing cell deterioration and strengthening cell membranes. It is a controversial ingredient for the skin, because research has shown conflicting results. It appears to offer an initial benefit that improves skin firmness, but these results are short-lived and eventually lead to the destruction of substances in the skin that help keep it firm. A 2014 animal study of Dimethyl MEA used in combination with amino acids found that skin thickens with increased type l and type lll collagen. Interestingly, there is a formulation challenge when including Dimethyl MEA in skincare products. To maintain its effectiveness and stability,the pH level of the product should be at least 10. A pH of 10 is highly alkaline, which is not good news for the skin. Also, since almost all moisturizers (including eye creams and serums) are formulated with a pH that approximates that of human skin (generally 5.5-6.5), it is very likely that the Dimethyl MEA included in the products to skin care may not have any prolonged functionality.
- Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 : Analyzed in Nezeni Cosmetics anti-wrinkle cream .
- Sodium Hyaluronate : Analyzed in Nezeni Cosmetics anti-wrinkle cream .
- Disodium EDTA : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Dimethicone : Tested in Shiseido Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Caprylyl Glycol : Analyzed in Nezeni Cosmetics anti-wrinkle cream .
- Phenoxyethanol : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Sorbic Acid : Analyzed in the Lancaster Skin Therapy eye contour .
- Potassium Sorbate : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Fragrance / Parfum .
- Citral : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Citronellol : Tested in Shiseido Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
- Geraniol : Analyzed in the Decléor Harmonie Calm eye contour .
- Hydroxycitronellal : Analyzed in Biotherm Homme’s Aquapower moisturizer .
- Linalool : Tested in Clarins Men’s Anti-Wrinkle Cream for Men .
Perricone is committed to a formula that begins with the amino acids taurine and tyrosine, which have the property of increasing collagen synthesis.
It continues with phosphatidylcholine, which smoothes the skin and repairs cell membranes, and Dimethyl MEA provides firming benefits to the skin that begins to lose elasticity; improves facial contours and provides a “lifted”, taut and toned appearance to the skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It uses Argireline as a neuropeptide, a highly sophisticated proprietary technology that activates surface renewal to treat more mature skin problems. And hyaluronic acid to fill in wrinkled skin.
The actives have a good concentration, but it has several preservatives (one of them toxic), perfume and a lot of fragrances, which can be irritating for the most sensitive skin.
It is a good cream, with good ingredients, although Nezeni Cosmetics cream has a better ratio of active ingredients and does not include the toxic preservative.
Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream SPF 30 PA ++ by Elizabeth Arden
Check price
Despite being a brand of certain renown in the cosmetic industry, Elizabeth Arden’s formula is not as good as you might expect.
The problematic ingredients saturate a composition with fewer firming actives than expected, and in a much lower proportion than necessary to achieve the desired effect.
Parabens, toxic preservatives, and irritants are all over the place, spoiling what could have been a pretty good anti-aging cream.
You can enter the full technical analysis in the following article: Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream SPF 30 PA ++ by Elizabeth Arden, Analysis and Alternative .
Cougar Skin Zero Gravity Cream by Rodial
It is a cream that wants to cover several problems of mature skin at the same time, that is why it includes so many ingredients. It has a bit of everything, antioxidants, moisturizers, nourishing ingredients, anti-blemishes, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and skin barrier enhancers.
And so many ingredients are diluted in the end. So, although it is a good cream, with quality ingredients, most of them do not have enough concentration to produce a positive effect on the skin.
I don’t like that phenoxyethanol, a toxic preservative, is so high on the list. Not including alcohol and perfume.
You can enter the complete technical analysis in the following article: Cougar Skin Zero Gravity Cream by Rodial, Analysis and Alternative .
StriVectin TL Advanced Toning Face and Neck Cream
It is a very complete formula that includes nourishing ingredients, tensors, antioxidants, moisturizers, alpha hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides.
What happens is that of so many ingredients it has, the vast majority can contribute little or nothing to the final formula. Those that are most noticed are shea butter, emollients and an active that strengthens the barrier and increases skin renewal and DNA repair.
These ingredients are not powerful enough to firm sagging skin, although they can create a foundation for hydrated and nourished skin.
You can enter the full technical analysis in the following article: StriVectin TL Advanced Toning Cream for Face and Neck, Analysis and Alternative .
Chanel Le Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Cream
For a 110 euro cream, we expect a product with the best firming ingredients available right now, and in adequate concentrations; But when analyzing the Chanel cream we did not find what we expected.
It is true that it has 4 very interesting active ingredients, such as two peptides, hyaluronic acid and amino acids, but their concentrations leave much to be desired.
Also, I’ve counted up to 6 different irritating ingredients, not counting alcohol, and a toxic preservative. I honestly expected a lot more from a brand with a reputation like Chanel’s.
You can enter the complete technical analysis in the following article: Le Lift de Chanel Anti-Wrinkle Firmness Cream, Analysis and Alternative .
WELEDA Pomegranate Firming Night Cream
Weleda’s formula is totally natural, with organic ingredients and free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants, and free of raw materials derived from mineral oils.
It has a good amount of botanical ingredients, in good proportion; but the vast majority of them act as antioxidants. Only pomegranate oil promotes collagen synthesis, and can firm the skin, and it is not the one that is in the first position.
It is a good anti-aging cream, but it falls short of assets that can actually increase the smoothness and firmness of mature skin. I only put one downside, alcohol is in a large proportion.
You can enter the full technical analysis in the following article: WELEDA Pomegranate Firming Night Cream, Analysis and Alternative .
Daeses Sesderma Firming Gel Cream
Although it is a drugstore brand, and it has good firming ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and amino acids, the reality is that the harmful ingredients outweigh the beneficial ones.
It has up to 5 parabens, perfume, a toxic preservative, and an irritating ingredient. Enough reasons to avoid this cosmetic.
In addition, its star ingredient, Dimethyl MEA, does not work at low pHs, so it loses all its effectiveness. So they are selling us something that is not true.
You can enter the complete technical analysis in the following article: Daeses Sesderma Firming Gel Cream, Analysis and Alternative .
Nutreplus anti-wrinkle and anti-aging cream
More than firming, it is an anti-wrinkle and anti-aging cream, which is based on the same principles as firming creams, promoting collagen synthesis to plump up the skin.
However, there is no ingredient capable of doing this in the first part of the formulation. The amino acids that can help create more collagen and elastin are in too low a ratio to have any effect.
However, in the first part there are several irritating and toxic ingredients, so it is a cream that is totally ruled out.
You can enter the complete technical analysis in the following article: Nutreplus anti-wrinkle and anti-aging cream, Analysis and Alternative .
Regenerist Intensive Anti-aging Cream 3 Areas of Olay
Non-firming anti-aging cream, composed of a hodgepodge of ingredients, most of them nonsensical. The active ingredients are too low in the formula, and therefore their effectiveness will be minimal, firming the skin.
And the worst thing is that it brings together a large number of compounds harmful to the skin, such as toxic preservatives, parabens, irritating fragrances, dyes, and perfume.
The lower half of the list is left over, and it would be a pretty nice formula, although equally insufficient. It would not be an option for me, I am looking for something more natural.
You can enter the complete technical analysis in the following article: Regenerist Intensive Anti-aging Cream 3 Areas of Olay, Analysis and Alternative .
Why do you need a firming cream?
Elasticity is not only the ability of our skin to stretch without damage, it is also the ability it has to return to its original shape, and the time it takes to do this.
The elasticity we have is largely due to our genes, so you can look at your parents to get an idea of what yours is.
When the skin is young and healthy, it recovers practically immediately, but with natural aging, the skin produces fewer supporting fibers : collagen (which gives our skin firmness and strength) and elastin (which, as the name suggests , gives our skin its elasticity). Collagen fibers loosen and become less organized.
The result: the skin begins to lose elasticity, begins to stretch and sagging appears .
This is compounded by the loss of fat layers between the skin and the muscle, the thinning of the epidermis and dermis, and even the loss of bone density at a later stage.
Then, of course, there are the external factors that can speed up this process.
Gravity, having children, and menopause all contribute, but there are also “lifestyle” causes, which are more preventable: first of all , UV damage from sun exposure, lack of quality sleep (which means that our bodies cannot repair themselves efficiently while we sleep), and then there is stress, unhealthy diet, and smoking .
Environmental factors also play a role in the degradation of those important aspects of the skin that give it the flexibility that we all desire.
The common denominator in these factors is that they can produce free radicals , malignant oxygen molecules that are hyperactive and unstable and cause damage to the structures of our skin, including our collagen and elastin fibers.
They also cause inflammation in tissues, which can destroy and damage collagen and elastin, causing the body to not repair itself properly.
But despite these negative factors, there is very good news: Although the skin cannot produce these substances that make the skin firmer and lifted, we can use other resources to give it the look and feel we want.
This is where firming creams come into play . The most logical thing would be to think that if our skin lacks collagen and elastin, a good firming cream should include these two compounds in its formulation. But in practice it is not as simple as that.
The problem is that the collagen and elastin in these products cannot fuse with the collagen and elastin in the skin to help rebuild or strengthen those structures. The molecular sizes of both collagen and elastin are too large to penetrate the surface of the skin.
In some products, the collagen or elastin is supposedly “redesigned” so that it is small enough that it can be absorbed by the skin, but even if it is nano-sized, these ingredients still do not fuse with the collagen and elastin of the skin.
Any claims to the contrary are not supported by independent research.
The key to firming creams is that they contain ingredients that stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and cell regeneration . In addition, they also have antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals, and also block an enzyme called elastase that breaks down elastin.
These ingredients will help to slow down the aging process, the skin will be firmer, tighter and will regain some of its smoothness.
How to choose the best facial firming cream?
The main problem with cosmetics is that most brands focus on advertising and marketing, and put formulation aside . Their products are packed with very poor quality ingredients, and therefore they don’t work.
But there is hope! This is not the reality of all brands, there are still some facial firming creams that do work , as you have seen in our selection.
But you must be careful what you buy, and always pay attention to the ingredients.
This is because the cosmetic industry is not as regulated as the pharmaceutical industry. For example, if a pharmaceutical company claims that a drug lowers blood pressure, it has to prove that claim with rigorous clinical studies.
But this type of evidence is not required in the cosmetic industry, and that is why any product can affirm what it wants on its packaging. Furthermore, they are not required to disclose the potency or effectiveness of a product.
So many products may include the correct ingredient (eg ascorbic acid), but they do not reveal that its concentration is 0.1%, when it really takes around 20% to be effective.
You see the difference? All of these factors are important when considering which products to buy or which products to choose.
So how do you know if a product is of quality? The INCI (the ingredient list) is the only thing that doesn’t lie . But before reading any ingredient list, you should know that the ingredients are listed based on their concentration.
This means that the first ingredient is the one that has the most weight in the formula , as it is the most abundant; and the latter are those with the lowest concentration. Ideally, the assets are in the upper positions, to get all their benefits.
It is curious that quality products have no problem in visibly listing all their ingredients, and even the concentration of each one of them. Instead, if you are having trouble finding the ingredient list or strength, then the product you are looking at is probably trying to hide something.
So that you can tell the difference between a good firming cream and a not so good one, I have created a list of high quality ingredients that have been shown to be effective in firming the skin through several clinical studies (this means that they have been proven to be effective.
And I have also created another list of the ingredients that you should avoid in any cosmetic, since they are not beneficial for your skin, or for your health. Whenever you can avoid them!
Ingredients of the ideal facial firming cream
Many cosmetic companies sell products that claim to firm and lift sagging skin. Their claims sound great, like “botox in a jar,” but not all of them have the right ingredients to achieve this effect.
Not that all firming creams are bad, but the vast majority are poorly formulated, and the promises they make go beyond what is possible with any skincare product.
Therefore, you should ALWAYS look at the ingredient list of your cosmetics, and look for not only the best firming ingredients, but also that they contain enough of the correct ingredient.
It’s the best thing you can do to start helping your skin feel and look firmer. Using what really works will get you closer to the results you want!
But what are the ingredients that really work for firming and lifting skin?
SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen is at the top of the list, that’s non-negotiable! Sun damage is considered by experts around the world to be one of the main reasons why skin loses its flexibility.
But how many of us remember to apply sunscreen to our face and neck every day?… Exactly. And that’s one of the main reasons why many women’s necks look older than their faces.
Using broad spectrum sun protection with SPF 30 or higher is an extremely important step in youth-preserving skin care, and it’s never too late to start.
ANTIOXIDANTS AND RESTORATORS
Products loaded with antioxidants and skin restorative ingredients are incredibly important. These two types of ingredients can help slow down the natural aging process by bonding and scavenging free radicals.
Antioxidants are often found naturally in plants, and many vitamins can also act as antioxidants. They are found in vitamins C, E, A, B3, and most botanical (vegetable) ingredients.
ALPHAHYDROXY ACIDS
Using a mild exfoliator like salicylic acid (BHA) or glycolic acid (AHA) on a daily basis can make a big difference.
In addition to achieving noticeably smoother and more hydrated skin, they help the skin to regain its elasticity. Research shows that these ingredients can build more collagen and, to some extent, can help firm the skin.
You don’t need to use both at the same time, one or the other is fine; and if you want, you can alternate them.
RETINOL (VITAMIN A)
Vitamin A, also called retinol, is a superhero skin-transforming ingredient that can treat almost every conceivable skin concern: wrinkles, loss of firmness, open pores, blemishes, it can even improve the shape of elastin that your skin still has.
Retinol has been proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and even reduce sun damage (another cause of skin aging). Retinol has also been shown to induce the production of glycosaminoglycan, which helps the skin stay plump.
PEPTIDES
Peptides are a large group of ingredients, but certain peptides can specifically target factors that visibly improve the loss of firmness and wrinkles.
They are combined with amino acids and peptide-enhancing ingredients to achieve multiple benefits.
ASCORBIC ACID
Ascorbic acid is a formulation of vitamin C and is another very powerful ingredient. Vitamin C helps tighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, and brighten the complexion. The trick to using vitamin C is to find it in the correct concentration (up to 20%) and at the correct pH. Low-quality formulations don’t work well.
NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide is a B vitamin that can be formulated and placed topically on the skin. Niacinamide not only helps keep skin looking younger, it also helps improve skin elasticity, helps reduce wrinkles, and can even out skin tone and complexion. Just 12 weeks of a 5% Niacinamide product is enough to show significant and noticeable skin improvements.
MOISTURIZING INGREDIENTS
Firming creams also contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba oil to keep skin properly hydrated, as dryness can often exacerbate that sagging, loose look we try so hard to avoid.
ZINC OXIDE
Zinc oxide helps block ultraviolet radiation and therefore damage to the skin. So while this ingredient doesn’t necessarily help tighten the skin, it does help prevent sagging skin due to sun damage over time.
It shouldn’t be used on its own, but it should definitely be a part of any complete skincare regimen.
FILM FORMERS
In all face firming products, almost without exception, there are film-forming agents. As the name suggests, film-forming agents form a film on the skin, and that can make the skin “feel” tighter.
The effect is usually visibly immediate, but the results will not last long, but the sensation is often enough to convince women that the product is working.
Noticing skin tighter is not the same as getting a real change to improve skin tone or laxity.
Do you need to find a product that contains all of these ingredients? No. In fact, I’m not even sure that such a product exists.
What it does mean is that you should look for a product that contains at least ONE of the high-quality ingredients listed above.
Ingredients to stay away from
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) the list of products to avoid is quite a bit longer than the list of products that are actually beneficial.
Basically, you can think of it like this: If your skin firming cream’s ingredient list doesn’t include any of the ingredients listed above, they probably won’t work for skin firming.
But in addition to this, you also have to avoid certain ingredients that could potentially harm your health, and even make aging worse.
PARABENS
Parabens are chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system; In other words, they mimic estrogen and can cause hormonal imbalances in the body.
Although the FDA still considers them safe for use in cosmetics, they are so widespread in both cosmetics and the environment that these chemicals are found in the urine of almost everyone in developed countries.
Some parabens are worse than others, with the strongest evidence for endocrine disruption in isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
FRAGRANCE
Fragrances and perfumes are common in cosmetics. However, companies do not have to legally disclose what chemicals make up that fragrance or perfume, because they are considered trade secrets.
Fragrances and perfumes emit volatile organic compounds, formaldehydes, and other toxic chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer.
Some fragrances are linked to allergic reactions, asthma, and migraines.
Products labeled as unscented or unscented products may contain fragrances with masking agents. Masking agents are often phthalates which are known as endocrine disruptors.
Choose options without fragrance or in which its composition is specified.
OXIBENZONE
Sunscreens contain oxybenzone to absorb UV light. While it is considered a safe ingredient (within a certain concentration), there is some concern regarding its endocrine disrupting properties.
One study found that oxybenzone caused the excessive creation of reactive oxygen species, which can cause DNA mutations, cell death, and cardiovascular problems. Synonyms for oxybenzone are benzophenone and phenylmethanone.
PHTHALATES
A common ingredient in fragrances, phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that mimic human estrogen and cause hormonal balance issues in both women and men.
Several studies have found that phthalates are obesogens, chemicals that disrupt metabolism and lead to weight gain, and that they have also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
How and when to apply a facial firming cream?
The way we apply facial creams is really important for the beauty of our skin. It determines not only how quickly the active ingredients act, but also to what extent the freshness, radiance and youth of the face are maintained. These are the rules.
Regardless of the time of day you apply the facial firming cream, it should be applied to perfectly clean skin .
Remove makeup, sweat, grease, or dirt with a cleanser, rinse with water, and then apply a balancing toner. In this way, you will allow the cream formula and its active ingredients to penetrate deep through the pores and do their work.
A very important requirement is to always apply the firming cream on damp skin (which is not the same as wet) to better seal the water in the pores.
Apply a small amount of cream , no need to overdo it. Keep in mind that a larger amount takes longer to spread and absorb. It is not true that more cream has a more efficient and faster effect on the skin. The skin needs to absorb the formula well and not become saturated.
Apply the cream strategically. Start with a few small dots of cream on the middle area of the face. Distribute it with slow circular movements as a massage.
Next, apply a little cream in the center of the forehead and spread it over the eyebrows, in an outward direction, again in circular movements.
From the center of the eyebrows continue down to the eyelids with rotating movements. Go towards the nose, gently massaging from top to bottom to the nostrils. Next, apply the cream under the eyes towards the temples.
Then it is the turn of the lip area. Apply a little of the cream on the upper lip and spread it to the cheeks. Then, apply a small amount under the lower lip and massage it down to the lower part of the chin.
Don’t forget the neck . Put a few drops of cream under the chin and spread it over the entire surface of the skin until there is a thn, even film.
Finish with a fingertip massage over the entire face. This will stimulate blood circulation and help the skin absorb the cream more quickly.
Can you use a firming body cream to firm the face?
A specific cream for the face and neck has more benefits than one for the whole body.
- They adapt to the finest and most sensitive skin of the face and neck.
- They have a lighter consistency and do not cause any damage.
- They are mostly hypoallergenic, which means that they are specially designed not to cause allergies or other side effects.
- Additionally, they contain anti-aging properties to prevent early signs of aging that are mainly visible on the face and neck.
Are firming creams useful after a sudden weight loss?
The short answer is probably no. The long answer has to do with how sagging skin is created after weight loss.
Aging causes a natural decrease in collagen and elastin in the dermis, which reduces the texture and quality of the skin.
While sagging skin after weight loss is the result of excessive stretching of the skin, which is a completely different mechanism.
Exercise can help build muscle in this. In some cases, however, the weight loss is so dramatic that the skin cannot fully retract, and you may need a more drastic treatment.
Tips to maximize the effect of firming cream
Aside from using skin-firming products, there are other things you can (and should) do to help improve the quality and elasticity of your skin.
These tips should be combined with skin care products, and can be started right away.
- Protect yourself from the sun . The sun is the leading cause of photodamage and premature aging among women. You can hide in a cave, but it is much easier to apply sunscreen every morning, just as you know you should. The sun is really the skin’s worst enemy: Prolonged exposure causes collagen to break down and elastin to degrade. Choose broad spectrum formulations, and make sure the SPF is at least 30.
- Stop smoking . Smoking is proven to destroy collagen and elastin, and lower levels of estrogen, which is necessary to keep skin firm.
- Make sure all your skincare products are in airtight containers . Not in clear jars, or jars, which are also protected from UV light and moisture (this will ensure that they remain active in the long term). Oxidation and moisture can damage the active ingredients in skin care products.
- Use a moisturizer daily . Moisturizers protect the skin against free radicals. Dehydration leads to oxidative stress, which generates free radicals. Without moisture, the skin cannot repair itself and suffers even more damage. A product with cholesterol, ceramides, essential fatty acids, and niacinamide can enhance the skin’s protective moisture barrier.
- Take care of your diet . When it comes to diet, one of the worst things you can do is eat carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, because the sugar that floods your system can adhere to collagen and elastin, causing glycation, which makes fibers hard and brittle, causing premature wrinkling and sagging. Instead, a daily intake of quality protein, a diet low in foods with a high glycemic index, fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, and fish oil supplements with omega-3s, can help stimulate your body in general, as well as to improve the production of support fiber.
- Deal with menopause . The changes that arise during perimenopause and after menopause are related to a decrease in estrogen levels, which causes less support fibers to be manufactured, and a redistribution of fat deposits in our body occurs, which they are visible as a loss of fat in the face , neck, arms, hands and breasts, and a change in the general shape of our body. You can discuss the options for treating these deficits with your doctor, depending on your health profile.
All of these actions will only increase and further enhance the results you achieve with the firming cream.
Definitely, the quality of your skin is a combination of what you put on your body, and what you put on your skin .
Yes, it is possible to tighten and firm the skin of the facial oval, eyes, neck and other parts of the body, but only with the right products.
In your search for firming creams be sure to skip those products that make claims that seem too good to be true. They are usually too good to be true.
If you avoid these products and are looking for a product with ingredients that promote collagen synthesis and hydration, the results will be visible in the long term.
As always, be sure to tailor your cosmetic products to your skin type, and combine them with lifestyle changes for the best results.
Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.