Sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles are all symptoms of skin damage that is the result of aging. We have some proven methods that will help you fight skin aging using natural skin tightening prevention and treatment methods.

Researchers and doctors in the field of dermatology have known for a while that this damage comes from two sources:

• Intrinsic or chronologic aging, which is the result of natural genetically programed changes that develop in our skin over time. While you cannot do much to change these factors, you can counteract them using the treatments we will discuss below.
• Extrinsic aging is often called photogenic aging as the primary contributor is UVA and UVB rays from sunlight or tanning beds.[1][2][3] There are a few things we can do to lessen this damage, but it can’t be entirely avoided. However, the same skin tightening home remedies we are going to discuss for chronologic aging will also help to counteract photogenic aging!

There are two types of proteins, elastin and collagen, that you’ve probably heard of that are essential for keeping our skin looking tight and healthy.

But what are these powerful proteins, and how do they work?

Let’s take a look:

• Elastin is a protein that is responsible for the elastic nature of our skin. This protein can stretch and then return to its original shape. Elastin is formed mainly during the fetal period of life and is not easily replaced—so you want to take care of it.
• Collagen is a group of several different proteins that provide strength and structure to our skin. Collagen is produced throughout our lifetime but diminishes as your skin is exposed to environmental factors that reduce our ability to replenish these proteins.[4]

When these proteins degrade, and your body can’t repair or replace them, you will begin to see sagging and wrinkles appear on your skin.

Because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes, let’s first look at what you can do to decrease the effects of those environmental factors on your skin.

Prevent skin aging with exercise, diet and sunscreen

Extrinsic factors are a result of the environment, and there are things you can do to lessen their effects. As we mentioned, UVA and UVB rays from light are the most significant contributors. However, factors such as air pollution, smoking, diet, and exercise can contribute to aging that results from our biological processes.[5][6][7]

1. Exercise twice a week

We know, everyone always talks about diet and exercise for your health, but skin health is no different!

The good news is that to keep your skin healthy, two 30-minute sessions of aerobic exercise per week is enough to reduce the causes and effects of skin aging.[8][9]

Adding in 20 to 30 minutes of strength training twice a week can also help to keep your skin toned and tight. Strengthening and toning your muscles is especially helpful for saggy skin that results from weight loss, pregnancy, or aging.

Check out these skin tightening exercises:

• Yoga
• Crunches
• Cycling or stationary bike
• Leg raises
• Sit-ups
• Squats
• Pelvic thrusts
• Dumbbell routines for the biceps and triceps
• Plank

2. Eat antioxidant-rich foods

For your diet, you want to eat antioxidant-rich foods.

Why eat foods rich in antioxidants:

Harmful molecules known as free radicals are one of the most recognized contributors to premature skin aging. Free radicals are compounds that are known to damage cells in our bodies, and antioxidants help to eliminate them both when eaten and applied topically to the skin.[10][11]

Include these antioxidant-rich foods in your diet:[12]

• dark green, leafy vegetables
• orange-colored vegetables and fruits
• berries
• tomatoes
• avocados
• pineapples
• salmon

Water intake is also an essential factor. Your body can’t keep your skin hydrated if you are not drinking enough water. Six to eight glasses of water per day is recommended, but you will need to drink more if you are sweating from exercise or heat.

3. Use physical filter based sunscreens

Adding a daily application of lotion before you leave the house that contains an SPF of at least 15, will help to reduce damage from UVA and UVB rays.[13][14] For improved protection, raise that SPF to 20 or 30.

Sunscreen is a controversial topic as many chemical filter sunscreens (compounds that absorb and reemit UV radiation) can be harmful when they are absorbed through the skin. However, some sunscreens use physical UV filters to block UV radiation. Instead of absorbing UV radiation and reemitting it as heat, these physical filters block the harmful rays from reaching your skin.

Look for sunscreens that use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide; these minerals are used as physical filters. Through clinical testing, researchers have shown that they are not absorbed into the skin and, therefore, do not have the same harmful side effects as other chemical filter products. Both of the minerals above have been approved for human use by several government agencies around the world, including the FDA.[15]

Using clothing as a physical filter is also an excellent method for limiting UV exposure. Wide-brimmed hats and UV filtering clothing can help to limit the number of harmful rays that reach your skin, causing photodamage and premature aging.

Now we can look at a few skin-tightening home remedies that can help to reduce the effects of skin aging.

13 Skin-tightening home remedies to reduce signs of aging

Wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin result from cumulative damage over our lifetime, dermatological research shows that this process begins early in the second decade of our lives, even though the effects may not start to show for several years after.[16]

What you need to know:

Now is the right time to start taking care of your skin even if you do not see any signs of aging. If you are over the age of 20, the damage has begun, and the sooner you start using these natural home treatments, the better off your skin will be.

Here are some exceptional evidence-based natural home remedies you can use to combat loose skin and wrinkles.

1. Use a natural skin-firming lotion

Keeping your skin hydrated is a great way to keep its tight, youthful appearance. You want lotions that have ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. The last two not only hydrate the skin but also increase collagen and elastin formation.

Materials:

• Skin-firming lotion of your choice.

Method:

1. Massage onto your face in an upward circular motion for five to ten minutes. The massaging helps the lotion penetrate your layers of skin.

How often:

Apply the lotion nightly before bed. For added benefit, you can also apply them in the morning.

2. Use a coconut oil rub

There are a few oils that help to rejuvenate the skin, but virgin coconut oil is one of the best. Coconut oil tightens skin and can be used all over your body. It is also a great addition to your diet as antioxidants can be applied topically or ingested—via antioxidant-rich foods.

Materials:

• virgin coconut oil

Method:

1. Massage onto your face in an upward circular motion for five to ten minutes. The massaging helps the oil penetrate your layers of skin.
2. Leave it on overnight.

How often:

Apply the coconut oil nightly before bed.

Why it works:

Coconut oil helps to hydrate your skin and contains powerful antioxidants. You can use regular coconut oil, but the virgin variety contains up to seven times more antioxidant compounds.[17]

3. Use olive oil as a powerful skin tightener and moisturizer

Olive oil is one of the best ways to hydrate and seal moisture into your skin. It has been used for thousands of years to heal and protect the skin.

Materials:

• virgin olive oil

Method:

1. After a shower or bath, gently dry your skin using a patting motion.
2. Massage the oil into the skin all over your body immediately after.

How often:

Olive oil can be used daily instead of using a full body lotion.

Why it works:

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, which help to heal damage from UVA and UVB exposure. Oleuropein, a compound found in olive oil, has also been shown to be the most potent activator for fibroblast growth, which build the collagen and elastin that give your skin strength and elasticity. Olive oil also helps to reduce moisture loss, which occurs when the water that remains on your skin from your shower or bath evaporates.[18]

4. Create a rosemary oil & cucumber rub

Rosemary and cucumber both have hydrating and antioxidant properties. Rosemary has been used for centuries as a natural remedy, and modern science has validated these uses by examining the compounds in rosemary.[19]

Both of these are also great additions to your diet and can be ingested to increase skin health and help boost your immune system.[20]

Rosemary is also used in aromatherapy to reduce stress, which can reduce inflammation and help to slow the aging process.[21]

Materials:

• 1 Tbs Rosemary oil
• ½ of a cucumber peeled

Method:

1. Grind or process the peeled cucumber until you have a smooth liquid
2. Mix in rosemary oil until thoroughly combined
3. Apply to face or desired areas and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

How often:

Do this 1 to 2 times per week.

Why it works:

Rosemary oil helps to increase blood flow under the skin, which promotes cell turnover and heals collagen and elastin, helping to tone any loose, sagging skin.

Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. They also contain flavonoids, triterpenes, and lignans which have anti-inflammatory properties. Both of these promote healing and improve the elasticity of your skin by healing the elastin.[22]

5. Apply primrose oil nightly to improve firmness and rejuvenate skin

Primrose is another oil that has several damage-preventing and healing properties. You can reap these benefits from both topical application and ingestion in capsule form.

Materials:

• A few drops of primrose oil

Method:

1. Massage onto your face in an upward circular motion for five to ten minutes. The massaging helps the oil penetrate your layers of skin.
2. Leave it on overnight.

How often:

Apply the primrose oil nightly before bed.

Why it works:

The gamma-linolenic present in primrose oil has been found to improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin. This active anti-aging compound also helps to hydrate the skin and prevent moisture loss.[23]

6. Use fish oil nightly

This is the last of the oil treatments. We saved it for last because it might the most controversial. Not because of the healing properties, there is good science supporting those. However, if you have ever cracked open a fish oil capsule, you know they smell like fish. That is why you will want to perform this treatment at night before going to bed.

The good news:

You can stick to taking this one orally if you want to avoid the smell. Follow the directions on the bottle of fish oil capsules for daily oral ingestion.

Your body cannot produce Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; you must get them from your food, supplements, or topical application. These essential fatty acids (EFAs) are present in [Zelen link – moisturizer], and the parent fat of omega-6 fatty acid is in [Zelen link – anti-aging cream]. Both of these will provide the benefits outlined below, but to get a boosted effect, add in a fish oil treatment.

If you want to try it out topically because it does work wonders, here’s how you do that. Make sure to get capsules that have both Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids as they both do wonders for the skin and the rest of your body.

Materials:

• 1 to 2 fish oil capsules

Method:

1. Break open the capsules.
2. Massage onto your face in an upward circular motion for five to ten minutes.
3. If you can tolerate the smell, which dissipates over time, leave it on overnight. If not, wash the oil off after an hour.

How often:

Apply fish oil nightly before bed or ingest daily according to the recommended dose on the bottle.

Why it works:

Ok, this explanation is a bit longer, but that is because the health benefits of the omega fatty acids in fish oil are many! We will stick to the skin-related benefits, but it is worth noting that these essential nutrients are beneficial for eye health, brain health, heart health, mental health, and could be helpful for treating a multitude of diseases.[24]

What about your skin:

Omega fatty acids nourish and hydrate skin. They also help promote a healthy skin barrier, which will lock in moisture.

Omega-3 and -6 also aid in the breakdown and removal of dead skin cells, which promotes collagen synthesis in the fibroblasts. This will help your skin become taut and help bring back a healthy glow.[25]

They also help to reduce sunburns by increasing your skin’s ability to resist UVA and UVB damage. EFAs also reduce inflammation in your body, including your skin, which will help to heal the dermis and make it more resilient.[26]

If you are a fan of fish, you can gain all these benefits by introducing cold-water fish into your diet:

• salmon
• herring
• cod
• mackerel
• seabass
• trout
• shrimp
• oysters

All of these are high in EFAs.

If you are not a fan of fish but would still prefer to eat foods rich in fatty acids rather than taking supplements or applying them topically, check out these foods:

• Flax seeds
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Soybeans

Given all these benefits, it may seem like fish oil is a miracle cure that is too good to be true. In reality, these fats are used in numerous biological functions throughout your body.

Because our bodies cannot produce these fatty acids, if we do not ingest enough of them in our diets, these biological processes are impeded, and we can experience a variety of adverse health effects. These EFA’s are not a wonder drug; they are an essential nutrient—make sure you are getting enough of them.

7. Use papaya skin as a powerful cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer and tightener

Papaya skins almost seem like they can do it all! This powerhouse fruit is not only delicious, but its skin and flesh can be used topically and orally to promote healthy, firm skin. First, we will show you how to use the papaya rind as a cleanser and exfoliant to improve skin elasticity and firmness.

Materials:

• Papaya skin (you can save the flesh to eat or for another treatment we’ll show you below)
• Washcloth
• Daily Cleanser

Method:

1. Peel the papaya
2. Cleanse your skin as normal
3. Use a patting motion to dry skin
4. Rub papaya skin all over your face or desired area for one minute
5. Use a patting motion to clean the juice off of your skin
6. Repeat the rub
7. Leave on for two minutes
8. Rinse

How often:

Once a month. You can perform this treatment more often if needed. Everybody’s skin is different, and exfoliating too much can damage your skin’s natural barrier, which will lead to moisture loss and inflammation. Both of which will prematurely age your skin.

Why it works:

Papaya is rich in vitamins A & C, which provide all the benefits we discussed above. However, most of the papaya’s beneficial properties come from the enzyme papain.

This enzyme does an amazing job breaking down junk proteins excreted from cellular waste and improves cell turnover. Both of which promote the production of new collagen and elastin which will enhance skin firmness and elasticity.[28] The removal of cell waste also improves fibroblast function, helping it produce collagen and elastin.

Papain is also great at removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. These cells naturally shed over time but can often buildup if they do not fully detach from the living cells. This accretion leads to either an overall dull look or dry, ashy patches.

Chemical exfoliants have been used to treat this issue, but they are harsh and can cause problems within the living cells of your skin. Papain has all the benefits of these harsh chemicals but also brings other rejuvenating and moisturizing properties avoiding those unwanted side effects you get with the more stringent chemical exfoliators.[29]

Wow, that is a lot of benefit from one fruit!

Here’s how you can make use of that papaya flesh you saved:

8. Use papaya flesh & olive oil to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

This one is great for crow’s feet and the small lines that appear around the mouth. You can also use up that papaya flesh from the papaya skin exfoliation treatment, assuming you do not want to eat it. Although eating the fruit is also a great way to get the health benefits of papaya.

Materials:

• The flesh of one papaya
• 1 tsp of olive oil

Method:

1. Peel papaya (you can use the skin in the exfoliation treatment outline above)
2. Mix the flesh of the fruit with olive oil until totally combined
3. Rub onto your skin and leave for 15 minutes
4. Rinse and apply your moisturizer of choice

How often:

You can use this face mask daily. Just make sure to moisturize afterward because you have to wash the face mask off, and you need to apply a moisturizer to lock in that hydration. You can use olive oil instead as a natural moisturizer after you wash the mask off. If you do not apply a moisturizer after, the moisture left on top of your skin from washing will evaporate and take some of the hydration underneath the skin with it.

Why it works:

You get the same vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidant, and papain enzyme benefits from the papaya as well as the vitamin E and collagen and elastin promoting benefits of the olive oil. Papaya and olive oil is a real 1-2 punch that will do wonders for your skin.

9. Use honey as a facemask

Honey is another excellent workhorse when it comes to healing and tightening your skin. It has been used for thousands of years as a way to heal the skin and fight aging.[31] There are several compounds in honey that help to fight signs of aging and repair damage. Manuka honey, which is produced in New Zealand from the pollen of the Leptospermum scoparium tree has some of the best antifungal and antibacterial compounds in it, this makes it a great candidate for use on your skin. In general, researchers suggest that darker honey, which is more abundant in phenolic compounds, has the most potent antioxidants.[32]

The takeaway:

When buying honey for natural skin tightening, look for a darker variety as this is an indicator that it will have a higher concentration of antioxidant compounds.

Materials:

• 3 tbs honey

Method:

1. Rub onto your skin and leave for 15 minutes
2. Rinse and apply your moisturizer of choice

How often:

You can use this face mask daily. Don’t forget that moisturizer to lock in all that hydration. Again, you can use olive oil instead as a natural moisturizer after you wash the honey off.

Why it works:

Honey is a powerful moisturizer due to its high glucose and fructose content, which forms hydrogen bridges with water and keeps the moisture trapped in the top layers of the skin.[33]

The processing of honey also lowers its pH, improving its moisturizing effects and giving it antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help prevent and treat skin conditions.

Those previously mentioned phenolic compounds found in honey, such as flavonoids and tannins, are also powerful antioxidants. These compounds “scavenge” for those free radicals and bind to them. However, honey also works as an antioxidant because it also prevents the formation of free radicals in the skin.[34]

Honey helps to regulate sebum production. Sebum is a substance produced by your skin to help moisturize it. However, too much or too little of this oily material can lead to dry skin or acne, respectively. Topical honey applications can help to eliminate dry, cracked skin and prevent acne.

Honey is also used in the treatment of wounds and burns on the skin as well as conditions such as acne, pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, dermatitis, and psoriasis.[35]

We have barely begun to touch on the known benefits of honey here, and researchers are finding more as they continue to investigate the effects of honey.

10. Add green tea to your next facemask

Green tea is another potent ingredient you can use on your skin to reverse the signs of aging and protect against damage.

Materials:

• 1 tbs green tea
• A face mask mix of your choice (3 tbs honey and 1 tbs olive oil are a great option)

Method:

1. Use your daily cleanser
2. Rub mixture onto skin and leave for 15-20 minutes
3. Rinse and apply your moisturizer of choice

How often:

You can use this face mask one to three times per week. Don’t forget that moisturizer to lock in all that hydration. Again, you can use olive oil instead as a natural moisturizer after you wash the honey off.

Why it works:

Green tea is rich in antioxidants helping to prevent and repair damage from free radicals. This fantastic, natural substance can also help to protect against the harmful effects of the sun by preventing DNA damage and impeding the immunosuppression effects of UVA and UVB rays.

It can also help to prevent skin cancer by stimulating your immune system, promoting DNA repair, and decreasing inflammation.

Finally, green tea is rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can prevent keloid growth in fibroblasts allowing them to produce new collagen and elastin, helping to tighten your skin and return its natural elasticity.[36]

11. Use lemon juice as a great source of vitamin C and gentle astringent

Lemon juice makes another great addition to your next facemask, especially if you have excess oil on your skin. Its vitamin C content also helps destroy free radicals and promotes collagen growth giving a tighter, more youthful appearance to your skin.

You can use the juice by itself or add it to your next facemask.

Materials:

• Juice of half a lemon

Method:

1. Juice half a lemon
2. Rub mixture onto skin and leave for 15-20 minutes
3. Rinse and apply your moisturizer of choice

How often:

You can use this face mask one to three times per week.

Why it works:

The vitamin C in lemon juice helps eliminate free radicals that damage skin and prevent collagen formation.

Vitamin C also does a fantastic job of promoting collagen growth because it is a vital building block of the structural protein. This essential vitamin also helps to stabilize collagen molecules already present in your skin.[37][38]

Lemon juice has a naturally high pH, which helps to trap moisture in the skin. It also makes this tart juice into a natural astringent that can help cleanse your skin and kill unwanted microbes.[39]

12. Apply aloe vera to your skin

This tropical cactus has been used for thousands of years to help treat skin conditions. Because of its moisturizing and healing properties, it is used as an ingredient in several skincare products. It works great for soothing burns and promoting wound healing.

You can grow your own aloe vera plant and harvest the soothing gel inside. When the plant has grown to a substantial size, you can break off a leaf and extract the gel from inside the succulent. You can also purchase aloe vera gel by the bottle from most drug stores.

Studies show that aloe vera may be most effective as a dietary supplement. Still, anecdotal evidence suggests that it can also be applied on top of the skin to achieve some of the same firming and healing properties.[42]

Remember to consult your physician or dermatologist before starting any new dietary supplements and do a patch test on your skin as allergic reactions are possible in a small portion of the population.

For topical application, try this:

Materials:

• Aloe vera gel
• Daily cleanser

Method:

1. Gently cleanse your face and hands
2. Pat dry
3. Apply a thin layer of the aloe vera gel
4. Leave it on for five to ten minutes (longer may dry your skin out)
5. Rinse with cool water
6. Pat dry
7. Moisturize

How often:

This can be done daily for maximum benefit. Again, don’t forget to moisturize anytime you wash your face or skin.

Why it works:

Aloe vera contains molecules called sterols that increase the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. The collagen helps to give structure back to your skin while the hyaluronic acid helps skin to retain moisture. Both of these effects help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and make your skin more resilient and healthier.[43][44]

There is also clinical evidence that aloe vera may also help your skin absorb useful compounds from other ingredients boosting their effectiveness.[45]

13. Mix it up!

We have listed several amazing, natural skin tightening and anti-aging ingredients here and recommended some combinations to use. However, you can mix and match these ingredients as you want to meet the needs of your skin. Don’t forget to do a patch test first.

Honey and olive oil make for a great base to start from when creating your own face mask concoction as they will allow you to spread the mixture over your skin and are great ways to keep skin healthy and hydrated.

If you have oily skin, lemon juice is an excellent addition due to its astringent properties.

If you have sun-damaged skin or live in a location that gets a lot of sun, green tea is fantastic for repairing photodamaged skin and preventing further damage from UV rays, in combination with those physical filters we mentioned at the start.

Adding ingredients rich in vitamin A will help with fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and evening out your skin tone.

Mixing in aloe vera may help increase your skin’s absorption of the helpful molecules from other ingredients.

Remember to do a patch test before using any new product or ingredient on your skin and talk to your doctor or dermatologist.

Try these clinical treatments if at-home remedies are not enough

If you’ve been trying at-home remedies and you still aren’t seeing the improvement you want, you may need a bit more helpful to bring your skin back to its youthful, tight, glowing appearance.

Sometimes the damage has gone too far for at-home treatments. There are many clinically proven therapies that you can seek from a dermatologist.

Facelifts use to be one of the only options for treating conditions like saggy skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. These are the result of damage to the collagen and elastin in our skin. While topical treatments can help prevent aging and repair damage in these lower skin structures, sometimes deeper penetrating measures are needed.

These procedures can stimulate remodeling in the deep layers of your skin, where collagen and elastin are found.

Radiofrequency and ultrasound are now being used by dermatologists to stimulate collagen production by penetrating the layers of the skin, helping to tighten the aging collagen structures found within the skin. These are non-invasive procedures that do not require the recuperation time that comes with more risky and invasive procedures like facelifts and CO2 peels.[46]

Microneedling is an exciting new method that has proven to be effective in promoting collagen formation in the lower layers of the skin. This procedure produces an immune response in the skin that leads to the development of new collagen growth.[47]

Dermatologists are having great success in delaying or preventing the need for facelifts and harsher interventions in people who have more severe skin damage and wrinkles.

Aging skin has been found to have a significant impact on people’s mental health through psychosocial effects and has even been found to lead to workplace discrimination.[48]

If you have tried the DIY remedies and still find that you are not feeling comfortable in your skin, make an appointment with your dermatologist and talk to them about these new non-invasive procedures that can help to tighten and rejuvenate your skin.

Doris Day, an associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, said that the many sources of skin aging are best treated by using several smaller treatments, rather than focusing your efforts all in one procedure. This multi-procedure approach is more useful because skin damage and aging come from multiple sources and affects various structures in your skin. Using a myriad of techniques also leads to more natural-looking results. Especially when compared to those harsher methods like facelifts, Botox, and chemical peels.[49]

Conclusion

Skin damage starts long before you see the signs of aging on the surface. It happens slowly over time and several factors that contribute to the aging of our skin. Some damage is the result of natural biological factors in our skin, and some come from the environment. No matter the cause, these natural skin tightening treatments can help bring your skin back to its youthful appearance. Because skin aging and damage is a multifaceted problem, it is best to use a variety of techniques to combat wrinkles and fine lines.

Remember:

Now is always the right time to start loving yourself and taking care of your body.

We have provided you with a list of evidence-based, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin and provide numerous tightening, rejuvenating, moisturizing, and healing benefits. We also gave some of our favorite combinations, but don’t let that limit you!

Combine these ingredients to meet the needs of your skin, and share them with us, your friends, and family so that we can all have better looking, healthier skin.

Which of these natural remedies are you going to try for your next at-home spa day? Leave a comment and let us know!

References

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