How to prevent sagging skin?

You’ve noticed a change in your skin lately: it looks less smooth, duller and seems to be losing its firmness… But what causes sagging skin, sometimes described as loose skin, and what can you do to help prevent this change in your skin? Here are the main reasons behind skin sagging, along with some tips for caring for your skin every day.

What are the main causes of sagging skin?

Sagging skin, a common yet unwelcome phenomenon, manifests in several ways:

• A loss of elasticity leading to skin laxity and ptosis (or “ loose, hanging skin “)
• A loss of volume
• Increased wrinkling

It can be caused by a wide range of factors.

1- Age

This is the primary and most common reason. Ageing leads to skin deterioration, as the body produces less collagen and hyaluronic acid while its elastin reserves diminish. The skin gradually loses its ability to retain moisture, its resilience and its suppleness. It then tends to sag, stretch and take on a more flaccid appearance. Muscle loss can also be associated with ageing. We lose around 40% of our muscle mass between the ages of 40 and 90. When the connective tissue, which connects the epidermis to the muscles, becomes less dense and less resistant, the skin may tend to sag.

2- Hormones

A second cause closely linked to the first. Certain events in a woman’s life can have a direct impact on skin quality, as they involve intense hormonal fluctuations:

• Pregnancy, which triggers a surge in female sex hormones followed by a sharp drop after childbirth. These hormonal ups and downs can affect skin firmness. Not to mention the stretching of the belly skin, caused by the baby’s growth, weight gain (normal fat storage) and the increase in breast volume (development of the mammary glands in preparation for breastfeeding).
• Menopause, as oestrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply. These hormones contribute to skin elasticity and hydration. The skin therefore becomes drier and less firm, resulting in an epidermis that appears sagging and lacking volume.

3- Weight loss

If weight loss is rapid and significant, it can lead to sagging skin. Three factors explain this:

• Muscle atrophy, because when we lose weight, we unfortunately don’t only lose fat!
• Weakening of the dermis, as skin that was previously taut suddenly relaxes due to the loss of volume.
• Excess skin, because the skin’s ability to retract is limited.

A weight loss that is gradual and moderate should not, however, cause dramatic skin sagging.

4- Lack of hydration

Dehydrated skin can lead to sagging and flaccidity. The skin is made up of 70% water: deprive it of this resource, and it will quickly show signs of distress. Tightness, a feeling of dryness, loss of suppleness and volume, a “creased” appearance. Over time, it’s no surprise that the skin begins to sag, as its cellular matrix becomes compromised and the fibroblasts responsible for collagen production can no longer regenerate properly.

5- Lack of physical activity

As already mentioned, muscle loss can lead to skin sagging. The fascia — fibro-elastic membranes that envelop the muscles — can become distended if muscle volume decreases. And muscle can only be maintained through exercise. A lack of physical activity over time can therefore contribute to sagging skin.

6- Other contributing factors

Other causes can also lead to skin sagging. Among them:

• Stress, as sustained and/or elevated cortisol secretion can affect skin resilience and elasticity.
• Sun exposure, as the accumulation of free radicals in the body can weaken the skin.
• The consumption of tobacco and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration and affect the appearance of the skin.
• Genetics, as we often inherit our skin quality from our parents.
• Nutrition, as a poorly balanced diet can be reflected in the appearance of the skin.

Steps to take against sagging skin

1- Diet

When it comes to diet, start by focusing on variety. Here’s what to put on your plate:

• Seafood: both oily fish, rich in essential fatty acids, and shellfish, which provide zinc and copper.
• Fruits and vegetables: they provide vitamin C, provitamin A and water.
• Legumes: they provide vitamin B5, iron and selenium.
• Nuts and oilseeds: nuts are rich in unsaturated fats.
• Eggs and dairy products: they provide vitamin A.

A healthy, varied diet made up of whole, home-cooked foods is a good habit for caring for your skin and limiting sagging.

2- Hydration

And here we mean hydration from both the inside and the outside! Since the skin is made up of 70% water, maintaining good hydration is an important part of daily care. There are two ways to do this:

• Through what you drink: aim for 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day, supplemented with tea, herbal infusions, homemade fresh juices, soups and broths.
• Through skincare: moisturising cream, serum, rich body lotion… When it comes to skin hydration, the options are endless! We particularly recommend our stretch mark range: our Stretch Mark Serum and our Repairing Cream are worth considering. With their natural formulas and emollient, nourishing textures, they can easily be incorporated into a hydration-focused skincare routine. Skin sagging can also be accompanied by stretch marks, so these products can naturally form part of your routine.

3- Physical activity

As mentioned earlier, muscle loss plays a role in skin sagging. To prevent laxity and ptosis, keeping muscles strong is essential. The key? Keep moving! All forms of activity benefit skin health — from everyday movement (walking, leisure activities, gardening, DIY…) to dedicated sport. One recommendation: if you exercise outdoors, always apply a high-SPF sunscreen beforehand. The sun remains the skin’s number one enemy and, if left unprotected, can have a negative impact on its quality.

4- Skincare

Beyond pure hydration, you can round out your anti-sagging routine with a few additional steps:

• Massages with a natural plant-based oil, which can be incorporated into a skincare routine. Explore our range of oils: massage oil, Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil or Anti-Stretch Mark Oil, depending on your needs.
• Exfoliation, to care for the surface of the skin: a kessa mitt, a brush like ours, or an exfoliating scrub such as ours.

As you can see, there are many ways to tackle sagging skin. The key is to combine different approaches — nutrition, protection, healthy lifestyle habits and targeted skincare — to achieve beautiful skin that looks and feels its best. 

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• How to properly hydrate your body?
• Stretch marks linked to weight loss
• Stretch marks on dark or mixed-race skin: myths and facts

Useful categories: Stretch Marks.