How to Tighten Skin On Your Face

Whenever I write about anti-aging, I like to caveat that aging is a beautiful and natural process. There’s no need for you to dye your grays or “smooth out” your wrinkles. That said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder—and it’s in the hands of the practitioner. So if you want to tighten the skin on your face, my duty as a beauty journalist is to tell you how.

It’s totally understandable if you want to address sagging skin on your face. After all, it’s one of the most visible signs of aging. And because of this, it can affect your confidence. I’d be remiss not to mention that confidence really does radiate from the inside out. Always remember that you’re beautiful on every level and that’s how you’ll end up looking to the outside world.

All of that being said… If you want to boost your confidence by tightening the skin on your face, you’ll want to know the different ways of doing this. For example, you can apply serums or creams with collagen and elastin. Or you might consider skin-tightening treatments like radiofrequency therapy. (More on this later!)

Keep reading to learn the best ways to tighten skin on your face. 

How To Tighten Skin On Face

Before we get into the ways you can tighten the skin on your face, it’s important to discuss what causes skin to sag. This will make it easier to find the right solutions to reverse skin sagging.

What Causes Skin To Sag On Face?

• Genetics
• Decrease in production of collagen and elastin
• Prolonged sun exposure without proper sun protection
• Lifestyle factors like smoking, poor nutrition, and alcohol consumption

Can You Reverse Sagging Skin On Face?

Yes, you can reverse sagging on your face and neck. However, it’s important to note that you can’t completely make loose skin go away. Remembering this will go a long way in helping you manage your expectations.

In the same vein, not all skin-tightening methods are created equal. This, in turn, means that treatments will vary in cost, results, and duration. For more permanent options, you’re kind of limited to a facelift. These are, of course, expensive and dangerous—meaning that they’re not an option for everyone. If you’re okay with incremental results, you may consider chemical peels or dermal fillers. 

And, believe it or not, you might be able to tighten your skin naturally. For instance, you can do a face workout—which helps build muscle and tighten skin. Or you can take collagen-boosting supplements, like protein and vitamin C. 

Let’s explore six ways to improve sagging skin on your face so that you can decide which approach works best for you. We ordered the list from least invasive to most invasive so as to not overwhelm you with intensity.

How To Improve Sagging Skin On Face

Take collagen supplements.

The number-one reason why facial skin starts to sag is because your body is no longer producing enough collagen to keep your skin tight. So it follows that taking a collagen supplement could help address that. 

While there aren’t sufficient peer-reviewed studies to claim that taking collagen supplements boosts collagen production, there’s tons of anecdotal evidence. People who have taken collagen supplements say that they’ve noticed an improvement in their skin’s elasticity. Obviously, it’s nothing drastic, but even a small change can lead to a big boost in confidence.

There are a lot of different collagen supplements on the market. Ones I’ve personally tried are the Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails gummies, which I liked a lot. They have collagen and biotin, which are skin-loving ingredients. The taste is fruity and slightly sugary, so it feels like I’m having a sweet treat when I take my vitamins. At less than $10 for 80 gummies, this is a pretty low-stakes way to try to tighten your skin. (Pro tip: The serving size is two gummies, so you technically get 40 servings for $10. Still, not bad.)

Make changes to your diet.

Unfortunately, what you put into your body is a great indication of what it’ll look like on the outside. To delay the onset of sagging skin, you’ll want to avoid alcohol, which dehydrates the skin and can speed up the aging process. Because you want to stay hydrated for glowy skin, you’ll also need to drink tons of water. (Bonus points if you mix in some electrolytes for optimal hydration).

Anecdotally, there are some foods that could help pick up sagging facial skin. These include leafy greens like kale, as they’re rich in vitamin C and antioxidants; salmon and olive oil, which are jam-packed with omega-3s to boost collagen production; and berries, nuts, and avocados, which have other skin-loving vitamins and minerals.

Use anti-aging topicals.

If you, like me, are in your 30s, now is a really great time to look into anti-aging products to use on the outer layers of your skin. There really are so many options out there, including serums, creams, eye masks, face masks, and spot treatments. You’ll want to look for antioxidants (ingredients like vitamins C and E), caffeine, retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid for hydration.

Perhaps the buzziest and most viral skin-tightening product is the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firmx. Formulated with vitamins C and E to provide antioxidant benefits, this temporary face tightener is hard to beat. Not only does it fully firm your skin, it’ll also reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. Plenty of people have gone on social media lauding this “quick fix” product, and I expect to use it at some point down the line.

Try dry brushing or face rolling.

Looking for a skin-tightening method that’s a little more hands-on? That’s where dry brushing and face rolling come in. In case you’re unfamiliar, dry brushing refers to the ancient process of using a stiff-bristled brush to brush your face with upward strokes toward the heart. You’ll usually dry brush before getting into the shower to help exfoliate the skin.

Face rolling, on the other hand, uses a stone roller (usually jade or rose quartz) to gently massage a clean face. Because the tool is smooth, it doesn’t offer the exfoliation benefits of dry brushing. Instead, face roller benefits include depuffing and soothing skin.

Though the two techniques are different, they’re both rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. And they both aim to boost circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage, and help products absorb better.

Consider cosmetic acupuncture.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to anti-aging practices, and that includes sagging skin. As you may know, acupuncture uses tiny needles at different pressure points to achieve a desired goal. In cosmetic acupuncture, which is designed to tighten loose skin, the needles stimulate collagen and elastin, boost circulation, and tighten facial muscles for a natural lift.

Most people can undergo acupuncture with little to no issues, but the potential side effects are still worth discussing. These include slight bruising, redness, soreness, or minor bleeding and go away within a week.

Book a non-surgical procedure.

Let’s say you’re looking for something a little more permanent than serums but still not quite as invasive as a facelift. This is where finding a great aesthetician comes in super handy. My advice? Book a consultation with them so they can assess your skin and determine which treatment is best for you.

They’re likely to recommend one of two treatments. The first is Ultherapy, which uses ultrasound energy to lift and tighten loose skin on the face, neck, chin, and décolletage.  Alternatively, they may say you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency therapy, which uses waves of heat to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. This will tighten the skin while reducing wrinkles, improving texture, and contouring the face.

Regardless of which avenue you choose, make sure it’s something you want to do. Don’t let anyone pressure you into, or out of, tightening your skin. After all, you’re the one who has to live in it.