I am sure many of you clicked into this article with the same question I had when I embarked on this research: Do skin tightening creams really work? It’s a valid question and while we have our own assumptions, we reached out to Dr. Parvaneh Rafaeloff, founder of Le Jolie Medi Spa to find out once and for all. To our surprise, she’s actually a fan revealing that “skin tightening creams work effectively by boosting the collagen in the skin, smoothing the skin, and increasing skin hydration.” But here’s the thing… While some firming and skin tightening creams and serums can help to tone and tighten problem areas, it really is just a temporary fix. That said, they are, just like your other skincare products, contributing to your overall skin health and that is important. For example, if your skin is dry and lifeless, a good moisturizer can help to firm it up with hydrating ingredients.
As our skin loses tightness due to the loss of elastin, cartilage, and fat along with the thinning of the dermis, there are also professional treatments you can have that target skin tightening: think micro-needling, radiofrequency, PDO threads, lasers, etc. Dr. Rafaeloff suggests pairing skin tightening ingredients with these professional tools to help prevent and treat loosened skin. Some of the most popular treatments she offers clients are Forma, Morpheus8, and the Neurotris Facial. For at-home tools, she suggests LED hand-held devices, EMS devices like NuFace, and gua sha.
Ingredients to Look for in Skin Tightening Creams
- retinol – renews and tightens the skin
- niacin – with vitamin B3, it helps to rejuvenate and tighten
- hyaluronic acid – holds 1000 times its weight in water so it helps to hydrate and plump
10 skin tightening creams Dr. Rafaeloff swears by:
SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier
This is the best hyaluronic acid because it hydrates and plumps the skin really well.
This has a high percentage of ascorbic acid which helps protect skin from the sun, brighten the skin, and helps with cell turnover.
SkinMedica HA5® Rejuvenating Hydrator
This keeps the skin super hydrated with hyaluronic acid.
Alastin Restorative Skin Complex
Alastin Restorative Skin Complex contains peptides that help protect your skin from wrinkles and laxity. It’s a great product before and after in-office treatments.”
This complex hydrates the skin by plumping and putting moisture into the skin.
SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum
This serum contains growth factors and antioxidants to help protect the skin and tighten.
This is a vitamin A retinal with hyaluronic acid that is great for all skin types. The reason this is suitable for all skin types is because of the heparan sulfate, which moisturizes and prevents irritation from the retinol.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid
This one is great because it contains a synergistic combination of vitamin C, phloretin, and ferulic acid. It combats environmental and UV damage resulting in more even tone, texture and a reduction of fine lines.
I really like how this serum immediately tightens and firms the skin while adding a youthful glow.
I personally like how the serum evens the skin tone and plumps your face. When I use this serum I notice that it immediately evens my skin tone. Men also love this serum!
