sagging skin

When we asked the Truth In Aging community to tell us their number-one skin concern, nearly 80% said sagging skin — that’s a big number. The primary cause of sagging skin is loss of collagen and elastin, the skin's supportive connective tissue. The facial muscles also weaken with age. Therefore, I have been trying to find the very best boosters of collagen and elastin and I have made some very good discoveries. My Five Best for sagging skin just gets better every year, and this is the 2014 list that will lift your spirits and your jawline.

  • Truth Vitality Lux Renew

    Truth Vitality Lux Renew Ultrasonic & LED Anti-Aging System ($249 in the shop). Ultrasound is still the best thing I have found for sagging skin. Here’s how it works: the ultrasound waves pass from the treatment head of the device to the skin, causing a vibration of the surrounding tissues (particularly those that contain collagen) which boosts fibroblastic activity and collagen formation. The Truth Vitality Lux renew has five intensity settings. Then, there’s the ionic mode, which helps stimulate the facial muscles. LED light helps to plump skin and reduce wrinkles. Patience and diligence are required, as the results are cumulative, but they are rewarded, and even someone as antsy as me manages four 10 to 12 minute sessions a week.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Prime

    Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Prime ($135 in the shop) is the latest product from Osmotics and is aimed at women over 40. It was a labor of love for Osmotics founder, Francine Porter. I am finding that it’s having a great effect on my neck, jawline and “marionette lines.” It has triple strength copper peptides (a proven collagen booster), epidermal growth factor, natural artichoke leaf extract for increasing skin thickness and a patented new tetrapeptide that promotes collagen and elastin for firmer skin and improved elasticity.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • MitoQ Moisturizing Anti-Aging Serum

    MitoQ Moisturizing Anti-Aging Serum ($119 in the shop). Don’t just take it from me; much of the Truth In Aging community has experienced the lifting effects of MitoQ. As Naheed put it: “I would recommend the MitoQ serum to anyone looking to get firmer skin.” Based on just one active ingredient, this serum is a powerful antioxidant that targets mitochondria. The manufacturer claims it is 1,000 times more powerful than other antioxidants. I can’t vouch for that, but I can report that for firming and smoothing, MitoQ works.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Your Best Face Control

    Your Best Face Control ($160 in the shop) has a formula that is focused on improving elasticity, which is critical for helping the skin defy gravity.  The big guns are two tripeptides. One is marketed under the name of Syn-Hycan and is specifically aimed at lifting sagging skin. The other is called Relistase, and it inhibits elastase activity and boosts collagen 1 synthesis. Plus, there is Matrixyl 3000, a blend of two peptides for boosting collagen production.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients

  • Medik8 Firewall

    Medik8 Firewall ($145 in the shop) is one of the heaviest hitters, with Matrixyl 3000, copper peptides, niacinamide and some powerful free radical scavengers. Copper is the key mineral in lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that weaves together collagen and elastin. Niacinamide increases ceramide and free fatty acid levels in skin, which prevent skin from losing water content. Firewall stands the test of time, as well – I’ve been a fan for more than four years.

    Read the full review and learn about the ingredients