Is Your Skin Losing Elasticity? Here’s What’s Really Going On

Jun 05, 2025
Is Your Skin Losing Elasticity? Here’s What’s Really Going On

 

One day your skin feels firm and springy, then suddenly, it’s like everything’s heading south. That subtle sagging, less-defined jawline, or crepey texture isn’t your imagination…

As we age, our skin loses its ability to “snap back,” and it all comes down to what’s happening beneath the surface. Here’s what’s really going on, and how to fight back.

1. Collagen Production Slows Down

Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin plump, smooth, and firm, but your body naturally starts producing less of it by your mid-20s. As levels decline, skin loses structure and starts to sag. Topical ingredients like retinol can help encourage collagen renewal and improve firmness over time.

collagen science animation

2. Elastin Breaks Down

Elastin gives your skin its bounce, but unlike collagen, your body doesn’t make more of it once it breaks down. That’s why skin starts to feel looser and less responsive. Using products with peptides can help reinforce the skin’s structure and improve elasticity, even if elastin can’t be fully replaced.

hands pulling on resistance bands

3. UV Exposure

Years of sun exposure break down both collagen and elastin, leaving skin thinner, weaker, and more prone to sagging. While you can’t undo the damage completely, you can support your skin’s repair process with ingredients that stimulate regeneration and help protect against further breakdown.

black and white UV damage on woman's face

4. Dehydrated Skin

Skin that’s low on moisture often looks more tired, creased, and deflated, making it easy to mistake dehydration for sagging. Hydrating ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, or soluble collagen can help plump the skin and give it a firmer, more lifted appearance.

dehydrated skin close up

5. The Impact Of Stress

Chronic stress triggers inflammation and slows down the skin’s ability to repair itself. This leads to thinning skin, reduced elasticity, and premature signs of aging. Adding barrier-supporting and collagen-boosting ingredients to your nighttime routine can help your skin recover and rebuild while you sleep.

stressed woman with a book covering her face

Skin that’s losing elasticity isn’t just a cosmetic concern, it’s your skin telling you it needs support. The right ingredients, like retinol, peptides, and deep hydration, can help strengthen your skin’s foundation and restore some of that youthful firmness. It takes consistency, but your skin can bounce back!