8 Ways to Plump Skin Naturally, According to Dermatologists
Stocksy
Medically reviewed by Lucy Chen, MDFact checked by Michelle Regalado
Let's be real: Life can do a real number on our skin. Whether it's seasonal dryness, stress, or heck, getting older, our skin is in a constant battle to keep up a healthy, youthful appearance. So how do we deal? Well, fillers might be the fast track to plumper skin, but there are also natural ways to revive a tired, dull complexion. Ahead, we rounded up five ways to effectively strengthen and tighten your body's largest organ. Try out these practices for instant improvement and implement them into your daily routine for long-term results.
From collagen-boosting foods to skin-firming products, keep scrolling for how to plump skin naturally.
Meet the Experts
Brendan Camp, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
Shari Sperling, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist who practices in Florham Park, NJ.
Massage Your Face
Beauty is in your hands. Georgia Louise, the seasoned facialist behind famous faces like Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and Anna Wintour, swears by this technique to lift and sculpt her clients' visages. By gently massaging your own face (or doing facial exercises), you stimulate the muscle tissue which improves your skin's volume and combats atrophy.
While it may sound weird, facial massages feel amazing and you'll get even more enjoyment out of it knowing that it's refining your pores and plumping your skin. Massaging regularly keeps everything engaged and tightened, like a natural face-lift.
Aside from using your fingers, you can also use a jade roller or a gua sha stone to massage your skin. Gently press then roll or side your massage tool across your face to promote lymphatic drainage and collagen production, leading to plumper-looking skin.
Avoid Sun Exposure
We all know the sun can cause hyperpigmentation, and even severe damage like burns, excess sun damage cause collagen loss as well. As Brendan Camp explains, "The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays cause damage to structural proteins in the skin, like collagen and elastin. These proteins normally provide firmness and rigidity to the skin. Less collagen and elastin are associated with features of aging skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and less buoyant skin." Of course, if you can't avoid the sun, then you'll want to make sure to slather on the SPF. "Sunscreen is extremely important to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation. Sunscreen aids in preventing sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. During the summer months, it is important to reapply sunscreen often, every 2 hours or so," says Shari Sperling.
Eat Collagen-Boosting Foods
Certain foods are known for stimulating collagen production. Pack your diet with a healthy balance of nutritious superfoods like dark leafy greens, amino acid-rich eggs, avocado, and even garlic. Look for foods abundant in vitamins C and E and antioxidants. There are even collagen-boosting powders you can add to your food or drink of choice.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliating your skin doesn't only leave it smooth and soft, but it can also help stimulate collagen production, which then turns into firmer, more plump skin. "Removing dead skin cells from the surface helps reveal brighter, more radiant skin and is also thought to encourage the production of collagen, which can contribute to more youthful looking skin," Camp says.
Try a Skin-Plumping Mask
Once you've tackled all you can from the inside, treat your tired skin from the outside. You can whip up a natural skin-plumping mask at home by mixing together one egg with two tablespoons of rosewater and two tablespoons of glycerin. Adding glycerin to the mask serves as a natural humectant (a natural way to hydrate skin) to help with visible skin plumping. Leave it on for fifteen minutes, and then rinse with water.
Get a Good Night's Sleep
One of the best things you can do for your skin is to prioritize a good night's sleep. As Sperling explains, "Sleep is a restorative process and is necessary for optimal health. Lack of sleep can weaken the immune system and impact hormone regulation." Camp adds that not getting enough sleep can not only impact our overall health, but the health of our skin.
Use Proven Ingredeints
Incorporating good-for-your-skin ingredients—hydrating hyaluronic acid, anti-aging retinol, and plumping collagen—into your routine will bring you one step closer to a healthier complexion. Additionally, you should be exfoliating at least once a week to shed off any buildup (dirt, sebum, dead skin cells, etc.). Not only will this improve dullness, but it will also allow product ingredients to better absorb into the skin.
Exercise Regularly
We don't need to tell you that exercise is good for you (okay, we just did). Getting your heart rate up will increase blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the organs—skin included—resulting in a healthy post-workout flush.
Also, exercise is a great outlet to let go of stress and even set the stage for a good night's sleep. Since both stress and lack of sleep can have adverse effects on the skin, addressing these aggravators can bring you plumper skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you have tired skin?
If you notice that your eyes are a bit puffy or dark, your skin is looking dull, and the lines on your face are more prominent, then you're likely dealing with tired skin that needs a little TLC. Fortunately, you can improve tired skin by making certain lifestyle changes that are within your control.
How can I prevent skin from sagging?
Skin naturally becomes less firm as we age, but our lifestyle choices can also affect when and to what degree our skin sags. To help combat premature signs of aging, quit smoking and wear sunscreen daily.
Does drinking water plump your skin?
Unless you're severely dehydrated, there is not strong enough evidence to support that drinking water will give you plumper skin. Still, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day is beneficial to your health and will keep you hydrated.
