SAGGING SKIN: HOW TO MAKE YOUR SKIN FIRM AGAIN

Do you also have that ideal image of radiant, firm skin beaming with youthful resilience in your mind - even when you're over 25? But our skin on the face and body loses moisture, elasticity and therefore volume over the years, causing sagging skin to develop. In this article, learn how you can tighten sagging skin naturally with anti-aging products and targeted firming products.

Updated 4^th of june 2025

From BIOTHERM

• 01 HOW DOES SAGGING SKIN DEVELOP?
• 02 WHERE DOES SAGGING SKIN OCCUR?
• 03 THESE ARE THE CAUSES OF SAGGING SKIN
• 04 ACTIVE INGREDIENTS THAT REDUCE SAGGING SKIN
• 05 PREVENT SAGGING SKIN ON THE FACE
• 06 WHAT HELPS PREVENT SAGGING SKIN ON THE BODY?
• 07 SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR SAGGING SKIN

HOW DOES SAGGING SKIN DEVELOP?

Sagging skin is a cosmetic problem that mainly concerns women over 50. With the onset of menopause, the body changes. Hormone levels, especially estrogen, decline quickly and collagen production slows. In the first five years of menopause, women lose about 30 % of their collagen. However, this is the strongest protein in our body and plays the biggest role in keeping the skin looking fresh, firm, and smooth. Collagen for skin, together with elastin is essential: it forms an elastic support structure and thus provides moisture as well as a plump and firm complexion. However, this support structure becomes weaker and weaker over the years. Since the body's own collagen production already slows down in your mid-20s, you should start using anti-aging skincare products early on, before sagging skin and wrinkles become noticeable.

At the same time, less and less hyaluronic acid, elastin, and lipids are produced during menopause, which ensure that the skin remains supple and well moisturized. This in turn leads to a decreased ability to maintain its water balance, drying out the skin and thus causing deep wrinkles to form more quickly. The loss of elastin, another protein responsible for elasticity, causes the skin to sag - resulting in drooping cheeks and bags under the eyes.

As these important substances that maintain our body's structure slowly disappear, the subcutaneous fat in our skin also reduces^[1], along with the fat that lies just below the surface of the skin and which helps to provide a youthful glow.

WHERE DOES SAGGING SKIN OCCUR?

Sagging skin can occur anywhere on the body and especially on the face:

SAGGING SKIN ON THE FACE

• Cheeks: Sagging cheeks are essentially caused by excess fat and loose connective tissue. As soon as skin starts to age, elasticity steadily decreases and fat is increasingly deposited in the subcutaneous tissue in the upper area of the cheek. Sagging cheeks can develop as a result of a decrease in connective tissue elasticity linked to aging.


• Skin under the eyes: the skin around the eyes, for example, is particularly thin. This is where you first see the signs of sagging skin - wrinkles and dry patches under the eyes are among the first symptoms to appear here.


• Neck and chin area: the skin on the chin and neck also becomes slacker over time. When the skin of the neck and chin area becomes slack, sagging skin can form, which is also known as "turkey neck".

SAGGING SKIN ON THE BODY

• Abdomen: the abdomen can also be affected by sagging skin. Severe weight fluctuations, hereditary factors, and pregnancies are the causes here. Sagging skin on the abdomen can also affect well-being and self-confidence


• Legs: sagging skin on the legs is often recognized in the form of cellulite, also known as orange peel skin. The small indentations are especially noticeable if you squeeze the skin ever so slightly.


• Upper arms: often our upper arms are also affected by sagging skin. Colloquially, this is then referred to as "bat wings". This phenomenon of flabby upper arms also means that many women, especially in summer, no longer feel comfortable in their skin.


• Neck: sagging skin on the neck and under the chin (also known as turkey neck) is also common. Here, the skin is also particularly thin and exposed to the sun and thus UV rays fairly regularly. Sagging skin on the neck and chest can make you look much older than you actually are. UV protection is essential in any anti-aging skincare routine.

WHY DOES SAGGING SKIN OCCUR? - CAUSES AT A GLANCE

Sagging skin affects the entire skin, not just that on the face. As mentioned at the beginning, this is due to the gradual age-related reduction of elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid (essential elements for firm skin).

Hereditary connective tissue weakness can also cause the skin on the body to be less elastic and plump, even at a young age.

Major weight fluctuations due to dieting, obesity or pregnancy can also thoroughly put the skin's resilience to the test. Smoking, the consumption of alcohol, regular sunbathing, little sleep, a lot of stress and a nutrient-poor diet can also promote sagging.

SAGGING SKIN IN OLD AGE

It is important that you adapt your skin care to your age because the needs of your skin change. It often becomes more demanding with age and needs richer skincare products to glow. Sagging skin in those over 50 may be caused by another reason: menopause. During this phase, the production of female sex hormones decreases and the skin appears thinner, drier, and less toned. The contours of the face may lose their clarity, and the skin's radiance diminishes. This is the time to take action with the right anti-aging skincare for mature skin and a healthy lifestyle.

SAGGING SKIN AFTER WEIGHT LOSS

After a successful diet, the achievements can give you a new sense of self-confidence. Finally, the dream figure we always wanted! But often sagging skin remains. The fat disappears, the body becomes significantly smaller: the skin now looks flabbier.

Use a firming body lotion, such as our Collagen Fit Body Cream to keep the skin elastic and supple. This is because the skin is better supplied with blood when massaged in and the valuable skincare ingredients can penetrate it particularly well. The skin is intensely cared for and can thus regain elasticity and suppleness in the long term. But sometimes sagging skin can't be counteracted with the right skincare products. In some cases, invasive surgery, such as a tummy tuck, is necessary - but you should definitely consult a doctor about this.

SAGGING SKIN AFTER PREGNANCY

Just as with weight loss, the skin can also sag after pregnancy. In a very short time, our body performs unimaginable feats: a new human being grows inside our body. The belly becomes large, the skin stretches. Fat reserves are stored and hormones change the whole body. The breasts increase their volume, the skin is also heavily stressed here. Even after recovery, stretch marks and loose skin may stick around.

The skin contracts again, the breasts get smaller again after weaning, and the hormones settle down. This physical feat leaves visual traces on many women: stretch marks and sagging skin often remain on the body even after pregnancy^[2]. With a skin tightening cream, such as Biotherm's Biovergetures Gel Cream for stretch marks, you can prevent stretch marks and reduce existing stretch marks. The formula with plant oils intensely moisturizes your skin and promotes elasticity.

SAGGING SKIN CAUSED BY EXTERNAL FACTORS

External factors can also influence the firmness of our skin. Particular attention must be paid to UV radiation because sunbathing can lead to sagging skin^[3]. Daily exposure to sunlight, even on cloudy days, is enough to cause sun damage and the inevitable premature aging and sagging skin.

An unhealthy diet with too much sugar and too few vitamins, smoking and the regular consumption of alcohol can also stress the skin and thus lead to flabbiness. Speaking of stress: too hectic a lifestyle, too little rest and, above all, too little sleep make the skin appear tired, sallow, and flabby more quickly.

Active ingredients that reduce sagging skin

Sagging skin is not a fate to which we must succumb. On the contrary: with the necessary know-how, high-quality anti-aging skincare products and an optimized, mindful lifestyle, we can maintain our radiance - both inside and out.

When it comes to skincare, look for ingredients that retain moisture and reinforce the skin barrier. These actives support skin firming, hydration and regeneration.

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our body that makes connective tissue and skin elastic. Hyaluronic acid can store many times its own weight in water. That is why hyaluronic acid is so popular in firming skincare products, and also in cosmetic procedures by injection^[4].

Hyaluronic acid can also penetrate deep into the skin and store a lot of moisture there. The skin is moisturized once again, gleams with a smooth, rosy glow and regains its usual elasticity. For this reason, two types of hyaluronic acid are contained in the Life Plankton Regenerating Serum.

PRO-XYLANE

Pro-Xylane is an active ingredient obtained from beech wood and counteracts the skin's formation of wrinkles by promoting cellular bonding. Aquasource Deep Serum from Biotherm functions according to the same principle. With highly concentrated Biotech Plankton™, it penetrates deep into the skin to hydrate cells and promote the skin's ability to regenerate.

COLLAGEN

Collagen is found in the human body in connective tissue, tendons and skin. In the skin, collagen is crucial because it provides mechanical support for the complex tissue found there^[5]. Collagen also decreases with the years and the skin's aging process. Therefore, it is necessary to transport collagen back into our skin, because collagen is very good at restructuring and transforming it.

Blue Peptides Uplift Day Cream with collagen is a firming cream that restores the skin's youthful glow with the power of red algae extract, plumping peptides to smooth sagging skin. The sagging skin becomes smoother with visible skin-firming.

Collagen is also an excellent ingredient to prevent sagging skin on the body. It improves the appearance of the body, firming and smoothing the skin layer. Our Collagen Fit Firming Body Milk and Collagen Fit Intensive Hydra Barrier Cream both feature this firming ingredient.

RETINOL (VITAMIN A)

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the skin's defense.^[6] Retinol in anti-aging skincare products can help stimulate cell renewal in the skin. This allows important skin nutrients to be optimally transported and metabolized again. Blue Therapy Pro-Retinol Multi-Correct Cream by Biotherm is an anti-aging skincare product with retinol for daily use on the face. It moisturizes the skin and also provides it with essential nutrients.

Biotherm skincare expert Kim McLean is also convinced: "The powerful combination of our Life Plankton Complex and the #1 anti-aging ingredient retinol is my absolute favorite for an uneven skin tone and the first wrinkles. I've already recommended it to all my friends."

VITAMIN C

Your skin contains a high concentration of vitamin C. One of its functions is to stimulate collagen production. Vitamin C also protects against antioxidants which can accelerate skin aging.^[7] Vitamin C is proven to protect the top layer of skin from harmful UV rays.

The vitamin C content in the skin decreases if your diet is not balanced or if you smoke. But stress can also attack the vitamin C reserves. A serum with vitamin C is just the thing. Biotherm’s Life Plankton Regenerating Serum features vitamin CG and hyaluronic acid to brighten, plump, and firm the skin all-in-one.

PREVENT SAGGING SKIN ON THE FACE

Fortunately, you can both treat and prevent sagging skin on the face and body. Discover our skincare routine for firmer skin:

STEP 1: REGENERATING SERUM

Since our skin has to deal with factors that challenge its natural protective barrier from the outside and inside every day, it is important that we also support it on a daily basis. Regenerating and moisturizing serums are ideally suited for this purpose.

They are formulated with many active ingredients that thoroughly nourish and protect the skin, thus supporting a youthful complexion. Life Plankton Regenerating Serum from Biotherm is a transforming serum that protects, nourishes, and regenerates. It deeply moisturizes the skin and reduces the first signs of aging.

STEP 2: FIRMING FACE CREAM

Invest in a firming face cream. The Blue Pro-Retinol Multi-Correct Cream from Biotherm is an anti-aging product that contains retinol. This active ingredient provides the skin with added moisture^[8] and provides it with nutrients. Small wrinkles and the first lines are reduced, and the skin looks fresher, rosier, and plumper again.

STEP 3: EYE SERUM FOR RESTED-LOOKING EYES

The skin around the eyes can get particularly stressed because it is thinner and the subcutaneous layer of fat is flatter than the rest of the face. Small wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin often appear here first. Blue Pro-Retinol Eye Cream makes the eye area look youthful and refreshed again, and the eyes appear more alert.

STEP 4: DAILY UV PROTECTION

A summer complexion and a honey glow make us look healthy and refreshed. Unfortunately, sunbathing and everyday walks outside lead to the premature aging of skin, but also to the aging of skin in general.

The effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) cause wrinkling, while ultraviolet A (UVA) mainly causes sagging.^[9] It is therefore advisable to use the Waterlover Face Sunscreen with SPF 50+, or a moisturizer and SPF duo, such as the Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF 30.

WHAT HELPS PREVENT SAGGING SKIN ON THE BODY?

The skin on the face is the first to show signs of aging and to start sagging. After all, the face is the part of our body that is most often left uncovered. But other parts of the body are soon exposed to the fresh air, especially when it gets warmer outside and we wear fewer pieces of clothing. So smooth legs, toned thighs and firm arms are what we want.

There are many, normal reasons for sagging skin on the body. And there are clever methods and effective beauty routines that will help you feel good in your skin again.

BODY OIL FOR SAGGING SKIN

Body oils pamper the skin and relax stressed muscles after a long day. Regular use of oils helps to prevent stretch marks, loosens subcutaneous fatty tissue, and supplies it with blood, in addition to Life Plankton, Life Plankton Body Oil also contains high-quality almond and olive oil, and deeply regenerates extremely dry patches of skin. After a relaxing bath, take the time to give yourself a massage - a gift just for you.

MOISTURIZING LOTIONS & MORE

Your skin needs your attention every day. With a firming body lotion, you can give it what it needs to continue feeling tight, elastic, and plump. The Collagen Fit Body Milk is a lightweight, firming body lotion that intensely moisturizes and restores your skin's youthful tone. Collagen Peptides fraction, Biotech Plankton™ and caffeine tighten the skin all over the body and prevent sagging skin.

REGULAR PEELING TREATMENTS

Body scrubs provide more extensive care than oil treatments. With these, the skin is also intensely massaged and cared for. But thanks to the various micro-abrasive particles, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and blood flow circulates particularly well. After a peeling treatment, follow up with anti-aging body care to lock in results.

After the peeling treatment, consider using the Collagen Fit Body Cream or Life Plankton Body Oil - for a complete pampering session.

BRUSH MASSAGE

Using a brush on your skin has a similar effect to exfoliation. There are countless products on the market: plastic brushes and sponges, natural sponges, microfiber cloths, wooden brushes with boar bristles, or exfoliating products made of jute or cotton fibers.

There are many different tools which can be used and the application is very simple. Using the brush, vigorously massage the entire body or desired areas of the skin a few times in circular motions. This enables intense blood circulation and removes dead flakes from the skin. Follow this with a body firming lotion, such as the Collagen Fit Body Milk.

CELLULITE - ORANGE PEEL SKIN

Everyone fears it, almost everyone has it. Small dimples found on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and upper arm, cellulite, or orange peel skin, is caused by a change in the connective tissue, which, interestingly enough, affects almost only women. The decisive factors here are therefore gender, age, genetic disposition, and weight - although the latter is not confirmed by every expert.

Regular peeling treatments, massages, a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise, and a healthy diet can help fight cellulite.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

You are what you eat! Only healthy skin can fully protect itself against the damaging aggressors in the outside world. Therefore, make sure to eat a diet rich in vitamins, fiber, and trace elements. Always drink enough water so that the healthy substances can also be properly transported around the body. For beautiful, firm skin into old age!

FOOD FOR FIRM SKIN

Egg whites, or protein, is the be-all and end-all of beautiful skin. This is because protein is found in all cells and is instrumental in muscle development and the skin's appearance.

• A lot of protein is found in soybeans and lentils, but also in meat, fish, and cheese.
• Microorganisms, or so-called probiotics^[10], help the skin to protect itself. These can be found in yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut juice, kefir, miso, and pickles.
• Blackcurrants are vitamin C bombs. Vitamin C has an intense antioxidant effect on the skin. It helps prevent sagging skin and wrinkles, and is crucial with collagen production.
• Found in walnuts, biotin, vitamin E and omega-3 are essential when it comes to skin health.
• Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of zinc and iron. Zinc is necessary for the formation of our connective tissue and is involved in the synthesis of protein. Iron is responsible for transporting oxygen around our blood.

SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR SAGGING SKIN

Time and again, surgical options are also brought up when it comes to sagging skin. These are the most common methods to medically address sagging skin:

LIPOTRANSFER

In autologous fat grafting, an experienced surgeon removes fat from an area where it is abundant. In other words, from the buttocks or thighs, for example. Then, they inject this into sagging skin or wrinkles in the face, neck, or chest.

FILLER

Hyaluronic acid fillers are very common to reduce the appearance of sagging skin or wrinkled skin. Here, hyaluronic acid is injected into the affected skin area. This should also only ever be done by an experienced medical professional.

IMPLANTS

Some choose to insert an implant in the face to regain lost volume. Often this happens in the cheeks, cheekbones, and nose.

CONCLUSION: SAGGING SKIN CAN BE TIGHTENED WITH THE RIGHT PRODUCTS AND METHODS

Sagging skin is something natural and shows that we have already mastered or achieved great things in life.
Nevertheless, we want a firm, youthful radiant complexion and a shapely body with plump, rosy, and elastic skin.

With exquisite anti-aging products tailored to our needs, clever beauty hacks and a healthy lifestyle, we can slow down the skin aging process and confidently capture everyone's attention with a fresh glow for years to come.

Learn more beauty tips for all-around beautiful skin in our Biotherm Magazine.

[1] https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Keratosis_pilaris

[2] URL: https://www.msdmanuals.com/de/heim/hauterkrankungen/mit-verhornung-zusammenh%C3%A4ngende-erkrankungen/keratosis-pilaris

[3] URL: https://www.skinsight.com/skin-conditions/adult/keratosis-pilaris

[4] URL: https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Keratosis_pilaris

[5] URL: https://www.altmeyers.org/de/dermatologie/keratosis-pilaris-simplex-2088

[6] URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00105-019-4436-2

[7] URL: https://msesk.com/medical-secrets/keratosis-pilaris

The Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Women Over 50

As you approach 50 and beyond, your skin naturally loses firmness and glow. Hormonal changes from menopause means collagen production goes down, dryness increases, and skin sagging starts setting in. More wrinkles and fine lines start to appear.

But only 20% of the signs of aging are inevitable – you can act on the rest.

A healthy lifestyle coupled with the right skincare routine can reduce the skin concerns that women over 50 struggle with. You don’t need a 100-step skincare routine to look and feel good – a simple five-step routine using the most effective ingredients will go a long way:

1. Cleanse your face and neck twice daily with a gentle cleanser (eg. Aquasource Hydra Barrier Cleanser)
2. Use an all-in-one anti-aging serum made for mature skin (eg. Life Plankton Regenerating Serum)
3. Follow up with a moisturizer that has built-in SPF (eg. Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF30)
4. Reapply your sun protection throughout the day (with Waterlover Face Sunscreen)
5. Use a retinol-based serum in the evening for skin resurfacing (eg. Blue Retinol Night Serum)

And that’s it! Just five simple steps will give you glowy, firm skin. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of what skincare ingredients to look for and tips for application.

The ultimate 5-step anti-aging skincare routine for women over 50

Step 1. Gently cleanse your face and neck with a cream cleanser

Cleansing your skin is an essential first step to any skin routine – especially for mature skin. Cleansing washes away impurities, prevents buildup, and most importantly, preps your skin for anti-aging treatments and hydration. Cleansing improves the efficacy of any follow up products, since they can penetrate your skin properly.

For this reason, we recommend double cleansing your skin in the evening if you wear makeup.

What is double cleansing?

You first wash off your makeup with a makeup removing cleanser. If you’re wearing heavier makeup, opt for an oil-based cleanser. For light makeup, you can use a micellar water – a rinse-free convenient cleanser that has tiny oil particles called micelles that lift away impurities.

Then, once your complexion is makeup-free, follow up with a gentle cleanser to wash away impurities without stripping your skin.

In the morning, you can either cleanse once with a gentle cleanser. If you have dry skin, you can also splash your face with warm water in the morning if you’ve cleansed the night before.

Now that your skin is clean, you’re ready to move on to the next step – preventing wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness with anti-aging serums and treatments.

Step 2. Use anti-aging serums with healing active ingredients

The right serum can be one of the most effective additions to your skincare routine. The best face serum for over 50 will be concentrated with nutrient-rich actives, minerals, and phytonutrients that target your skin concerns.

If you want to treat a loss of firmness and dullness, go for our Life Plankton Regenerating Serum infused with Biotech Plankton™, a natural living ingredient that increases skin’s bounce, radiance, and tonicity.

It promotes skin cell regeneration, which is essential for getting that dewy, supple look when you’re over 50.

Apply to your face and neck every morning for more radiant, luminous skin. Our studies show that 83% of women noticed a more smooth skin texture after use.

In the evening, apply our anti-aging powerhouse Blue Retinol Night Serum. Retinol is one of the top skincare products for aging – its renowned for fighting wrinkles and clinically proven to improve skin texture and correct tone uniformity.

Blue Retinol specifically has a 2x higher efficacy rate than Pure Retinol, according to findings from our clinical study of 49 women after 4 months. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles fast.

Step 3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Hydration is key to maintaining soft, supple skin and preventing dullness. Moisturize both day and night with an anti-aging face cream after cleansing and applying your treatments and serums.

In the morning, opt for a moisturizer with built-in SPF protection. Sun damage is one of the main causes of accelerated aging. It contributes to dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Protecting your skin around-the-clock with at least SPF 30 will help slow down the signs of aging and prevent future damage.

Our Blue Peptides Uplift Cream SPF30 not only has SPF 30 built-in, it’s also infused with Biotech Plankton™ that’s rich in 35 nutrients that promote collagen production. That translates to firmer, more radiant (and protected) skin.

If you have especially dry skin with rough and flaky patches, double up on the hydration by first starting with our Aqua Bounce Super Concentrate – a moisturizing serum powered by hyaluronic acid. This powerful ingredient is the go-to for treating dry skin and reducing water loss.

Apply this concentrate after cleansing and before applying other serums or moisturizers for maximum efficacy.

What about your evening skincare routine? You can go for a richer moisturizer that will continue to work its magic while you sleep. The Blue Peptides Uplift Night Cream is a luxurious-feeling night moisturizer that deeply replenishes the skin. Maximum hydration is essential for mature skin, especially when you’re using active anti-aging ingredients, such as Blue Retinol, in your routine.

The Night Spa has an ultra-rich, leave-on texture that feels so good as the last step of your skincare routine.

Step 4. Give your skin some TLC with weekly masks

Once or twice a week, you can give your skin to some extra TLC with a mask treatment. Here you can incorporate Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that makes your skin glow, reduces dullness and improves signs of aging.

The Aqua Glow Flash Mask is infused with the combination of Vitamin C and the Life Plankton we mentioned earlier – a powerhouse duo that intensely hydrates and brightens after one application

Step 5. Protect your skin from sun damage

Getting sun damage from UV exposure is one of the fastest ways to age your skin. It causes sun spots and wrinkles. You not only need to apply SPF in the morning before you go out, but reapply every 2 hours throughout the day for maximum protection.

Take a face sunscreen with you on-the-go, such as the Waterlover Face Sunscreen SPF 50+. Its formulated with our potent photostable filtering technology, the antioxidant niacinamide, and our Biotech Plankton™. All excellent anti-aging ingredients and high protection against UVA and UVB damage.

And that’s it! Follow this step-by-step skincare guide for women over 50 and you’ll be on the right path to improve your skin texture and prevent the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.