Sun exposure, age, pollutants in the environment, chemicals in skincare products, and an unhealthy diet are all external and internal variables that can directly impact your skin’s health. Given these factors, it’s natural for us to have skin problems as we get older and require more tender loving care to keep our skin healthy and supple. However, you can avoid or minimize these issues by taking safeguards from a young age. In this article, we will go through a few tips and tactics for preparing skin-tightening masks with natural ingredients.
What Causes Loose Skin?
The skin, like every other part of your body, ages as you age. One of the major factors that affect the elasticity of your skin is aging. Other factors that can affect the firmness of your skin are as follows:
The loss of collagen from your skin directly affects its firmness. Apart from this, loss of facial fat can cause the skin to sag (1), (2). Alcohol and smoking can have a detrimental effect on your skin and its elasticity (3), (4). Sleep deprivation is another factor that affects the firmness of your skin as it does not allow your skin to carry out its natural process of replenishment, thereby imparting an aged look to it (5). Exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun can cause photodamage and photoaging, which can reduce the firmness of facial skin (6).
We will now explore some natural ways that can help tighten your skin and prevent sagging.
Natural Skin Tightening Face Masks
1. Banana Face Pack
Banana not only moisturizes your skin but can also protect it from free radical damage with its antioxidant properties (7), (8). This can help reduce the signs of aging. Honey and olive oil are humectants and contain antioxidants that can repair damaged skin cells (9), (10).
1/2 ripe banana 1 teaspoon of olive oil 1 teaspoon honey
Use this mask once or twice a week.
2. Egg Face Pack
The complex peptides present in eggs tone the skin and make it firm (11). Yogurt can help to get rid of blemishes and cleanse the skin (12). The abrasive nature of sugar can help in sloughing off dead skin cells, making your skin look brighter.
1 egg white 1 tablespoon yogurt 1/8 teaspoon sugar
Apply this mask once every week.
3. Multani Mitti Face Pack
Fuller’s earth or Multani mitti improves the skin tone and lightens blemishes, pimples, tanning, etc. It draws excess oil from the skin and stimulates blood circulation in your face (13). Raw milk contains lactic acid that increases the thickness and firmness of the skin (14).
2-3 tablespoons Multani mitti (Fuller’s Earth) Raw milk
Repeat this once every week. Note: This face pack is not recommended for people allergic to dairy products. Substitute milk with rose water if you wish to try this remedy.
4. Oatmeal Face Mask
Oatmeal is a good absorbent. It absorbs all the impurities and dirt lodged in your skin pores. It also soothes the skin and protects it from free radical damage with its antioxidants (15). Research suggests that herbal face packs prepared using gram flour, green tea, and other easily available ingredients can keep the skin nourished (16). You Will Need
1 tablespoon oats 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour) 1 teaspoon honey Rosewater
Use this pack once a week.
5. Clay Mask
Clay masks can help cleanse the skin and remove oil and impurities (17). A study conducted in 2012 showed that clay masks could increase the number of collagen fibers in the skin, thus tightening the skin (18).
2 tablespoons bentonite or Kaolin clay 1 teaspoon powdered milk Water or rose water
Repeat this once every week.
6. Castor Oil Face Pack
Studies suggest that castor oil is a good skin conditioning agent (19). It enhances collagen and elastin production, making the skin more firm, taut, soft, and smooth. Ricinoleic acid, the main component of castor oil, has anti-inflammatory properties (20). These properties can ease inflammation on the skin.
1-2 tablespoons castor oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice OR a few drops of lavender oil
Do this once or twice a week. Note: This remedy is not recommended for oily and sensitive skin types. Here are a few ways to prevent loose skin.
Prevention Tips
You could do simple facial exercises that can help prevent sagging skin. This can be done easily for 10 minutes daily. Massage the area where you observe skin sagging. Regular massage enhances blood flow to your skin, thereby tightening it over time. Follow a diet that includes antioxidant-rich foods that can help enhance collagen synthesis, thereby increasing the elasticity of your skin and making it firm.
Is aloe vera good for tightening skin? Check out the infographic below to learn more about the best skin-tightening face masks. Yes, aloe vera can help boost collagen production and, in turn, improve the skin’s elasticity and make it firm (21). How can I tighten the skin on my face without surgery? You can use radio frequency treatments, ultrasound therapy, a combination of intense pulsed light and radio frequency therapy (IPL/RF), or home remedies to tighten facial skin without surgery. Does lemon tighten skin? Yes, lemon contains vitamin C, which is known to boost collagen production. Collagen is responsible for the skin’s elasticity and can help tighten it (22).
