Forget that Face Lift! Here Are 5 Ways to Revive Your Skin

First things first: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting a face lift. Your face, your rules! However, it’s not every day that a face lift is a viable option. It’s not even most days. For many women, getting a face lift is like dreaming of going to the moon as a kid — it’s aspirational, even motivating, but most people just know they’re never going to get on that ship. Meanwhile, the tips below are 100% doable and unintimidating. For ways to non-surgically revive your skin, read on.

What a face lift primarily attempts to address are the signs of skin aging. These include fine lines and dry skin to deep wrinkles and sagging skin. While there are no at-home remedies that can replicate the results that you can get from getting surgery, you can incorporate preventive and maintenance measures, such as advanced skincare solutions, to aid aging gracefully.

One thing you can do is upgrade your products. Your skin in your ‘40s is very different from your skin in your ‘20s — specifically, it’s drier. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that sunscreen and moisturizers are the most effective anti-aging products. Switch to richer creams to seal in moisture and always use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, even if your products already have SPF.

Regular exfoliation is essential at any age. It revives dull skin while stimulating collagen production. Laser resurfacing, a popular skin rejuvenation treatment, removes the upper layers of the skin to reveal fresher cells. This reduces the appearance of fine lines, removes flakiness, and smoothens the skin’s surface to make it appear bright and even lifted.

When in-office treatments are not an option, weekly mechanical or chemical exfoliation with hydroxy acids will do. Using a simple washcloth to aid in cellular turnover is enough. Steer clear of very rough scrubs that can damage your dry skin.

The AAD notes that no one product can treat all signs of skin aging, so it’s important to prioritize. It recommends treating your #1 skin concern and going from there. Start by observing your upgraded skincare routine, focusing on moisturizing and sun protection. Then examine your skin after a couple of weeks to see if there are still any visible signs of aging that bother you. By focusing on only one kind of anti-aging ingredient, such as retinol, you reduce the risk of skin irritation and further dryness.

A regimen that makes use of complementary, advanced skincare products is your safest bet. Try applying POND'S Age Miracle Anti-Aging Day Cream SPF 18 for a bit of sun protection and moisturizing during the day. At night, pat a few drops of POND'S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Essence after cleansing to hydrate the skin. Smooth on POND'S Age Miracle Anti-Aging Night Cream to boost collagen production and even out the skin tone while you sleep. Finally, complete your regimen with POND'S Age Miracle Anti-Aging Eye Cream, which uses prebiotics and Blur Technology to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association shows that performing facial exercises and facial massage exhibits anti-aging results. Benefits include lymphatic drainage, which reduces puffiness, improves circulation, and brightens the undereye area, as well as smoothens features and even manages breakouts. Try doing this with a jade roller or a gua sha tool for a more relaxing massage.

Finally, when it comes to anti-aging, it helps to have realistic expectations. There’s a reason experts recommend starting an anti-aging routine at age 25 — prevention is simply better and much easier than cure. Just do the best that you can for your skin and keep in mind that there’s no such thing as a DIY face lift, but there are better things, like sticking to a skincare regimen that works for you.