More candles on your birthday cake means you’ve collected beautiful memories, laughter lines, and stories worth sharing. As the years add up, so can changes in your skin’s firmness, particularly around our jawline, cheeks, and eyes. It’s completely natural for skin to lose its youthful bounce as collagen production slows, but this gradual sagging—often referred to as skin laxity—can make the face appear more tired than you feel.
While it’s a natural part of the aging process, the good news is that there are things you can do to “slow the clock,” so to speak, and celebrate many birthdays to come feeling your absolute best. From advanced skincare formulas to rituals and treatments that stimulate circulation and collagen, it’s all about adopting a multi-layered, intentional approach.
What Causes Sagging Skin?
Though it’d be nice if we could outwit the tides of time, skin laxity happens to the best of us as a result of simple aging. Still, there are cumulative habits that can weaken our skin’s natural support system over time—things we do have control over. Let’s discuss both types of skin laxity causes.
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Aging and collagen loss: As we get older, the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins that give skin its firmness and bounce—naturally declines. This begins in our late 20s and accelerates over time.
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Hormonal shifts: Perimenopause and menopause can significantly impact skin density and elasticity. As estrogen levels drop, skin may become thinner, drier, and more prone to sagging.
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Sun exposure: UV damage is one of the leading causes of premature skin aging, breaking down collagen fibers and accelerating skin laxity.
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Lifestyle and habits: Smoking, poor sleep, chronic stress, and a lack of skincare consistency can all contribute to a breakdown in skin firmness.
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Environmental stressors: Pollution and free radicals create oxidative stress in the skin, weakening the barrier and contributing to sagging over time.
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Significant weight fluctuations: Sudden changes in body composition can also lead to excess skin and loss of firmness, especially in the face and neck.
Want to learn more about your skin and what treatments will target your concerns and skincare goals? Take our 60-second skincare quiz!
How to Visibly Tighten Sagging Skin
While there’s no “miracle” treatment for sagging skin, you can adopt a combo of effective skincare products, targeted tools, and healthy habits to help keep skin looking firm. There are also high-tech, non-invasive treatments that help tone, lift, and rejuvenate your skin that provide the perfect complement to consistent at-home regimens.
Commit to Daily Sun Protection
If there’s one non-negotiable in any anti-aging or skin-firming routine, it’s SPF. Daily sunscreen helps preserve collagen and elastin by preventing damage and sagging caused by UV rays.
The American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) recommends applying a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, and says to reapply every two hours or after swimming/sweating. Also avoid direct sunlight exposure by sticking to shady spots, wearing a hat, and using umbrellas. If you’re not doing this daily, it sadly negates everything else below.
Pick Up Some Powerhouse Skincare Ingredients
Look for firming serums and moisturizers that contain:
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Peptides: These short chains of amino acids support collagen production and help improve skin firmness over time. Try KNESKO’s Gold Repair Serum, which features a revolutionary gold-wrapped peptide that visibly stimulates collagen and elastin production to support strong, supple skin.
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Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that not only brightens but also stimulates collagen synthesis and protects against free radical damage. Use the Rose Quartz Antioxidant Collection every morning to protect your skin.
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Niacinamide: Helps improve skin texture and elasticity while strengthening the skin barrier. As a bonus, it also helps brighten skin for a more even-looking, radiant complexion.
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Hyaluronic Acid: While this must-have ingredient doesn’t directly lift, it does deeply hydrate the skin for a plumper appearance that minimizes the look of sagging and wrinkles almost instantly. A few drops of the Amethyst Hydrate Serum in the morning is a must.
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Retinoids: This vitamin A derivative promotes cell turnover and collagen remodeling over time. If your skin is sensitive and you prefer a plant-based, gentler alternative, use bakuchiol instead. You’ll find it in KNESKO’s Diamond Radiance Serum.
Treat Yourself to Gentle Lifting Rituals
We strongly believe in slowing your ritual, letting it serve as an intentional moment of self-care versus a hurried task. Incorporating gua sha or facial massage into your routine is the perfect way to do that, and it has the added benefit of stimulating circulation, reducing stagnation, and encouraging lymphatic drainage for skin that looks more lifted and sculpted. For best results, pair your ritual with a luxurious facial serum to enhance glide and infuse skin with active ingredients.
Related: How to Use Gua Sha on Your Face
Explore Non-Invasive Professional Treatments
While skincare lays the foundation of firmer-looking skin, non-invasive in-office treatments can provide immediate lifting and firming effects. These technologies work by stimulating deep collagen remodeling and tissue tightening beneath the surface. Our recommendation is to schedule one or two in-office treatments per year to help with skin laxity over time, making sure to remain consistent with the rest of your routine throughout the year.
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Collagen-Stimulating Treatments: PRX is a zero-downtime treatment that penetrates the dermal layer to stimulate collagen, boost cell turnover, and enhance overall skin health (without needles or peeling), and injectables like Sculptra work beneath the surface to gradually rebuild collagen.
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Radiofrequency (RF) Treatments: RF uses heat to stimulate collagen deep in the skin, helping to firm and smooth areas like the jawline and neck with minimal downtime.
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Ultrasound Therapy (Like Ultherapy): Ultherapy delivers focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin by jumpstarting collagen production in the deeper layers—no needles or surgery required.
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Microneedling with RF: This treatment combines tiny needles with radiofrequency to tighten skin, improve elasticity, and smooth fine lines with little recovery time.
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Laser skin tightening: Lasers gently heat the skin to boost collagen and improve laxity, often with added benefits like better tone and texture.
Before we go, remember: It’s not just what you apply, but how consistent you are about your ritual. A consistent skincare routine, focused on hydration, antioxidants, peptides, and protection, can make a dramatic difference in how the skin responds over time. Think of it as a daily investment in your skin’s future strength and resilience.
