There is an abundance of creams and lotions that promise skin firming and toning benefits. Learning what ingredients actually help the skin to stay firm and toned gives the consumer a guide to what to look for in the ingredients list of firming lotions and creams. Some natural ingredients can achieve firming effects on the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology constantly runs new clinical trials on different ingredients that may help skin firming.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E proves beneficial in moisturizing and smoothing skin. It also proves useful in sunscreen because it protects the skin against sun damage. As of 2010, there are not any studies on vitamins E potential to firm the skin. Most of the data on vitamin E studies show that it has not proved effective in treating scar tissue.
Coenzyme Q10
Some creams include the ingredient Coenzyme Q10 as a skin firming ingredient. According to the National Institutes on Health, "Preliminary study suggests the possibility of using DHEA topically as an anti-skin aging agent. Further research is needed to confirm these results."
DMAE and Tyrosine
The combination of DMAE and Tyrosine, "provide both immediate and lasting improvements in the appearance of specific skin aging parameters with continuous product use," according to a placebo-controlled clinical study to assess the anti-aging effect of the combination of dimethylaminoethanol and tyrosine on facial skin mentioned at the American Academy of Dermatology in 2002.
Marine Compounds
Marine compounds in creams moisturize and firm skin, but the effect lasts only while using the cream, according to a study in the April 30, 2008, International Journal of Cosmetic Science. In order for the firming effects to last, the cream needs to be continually used. The marine compounds tested were derived from algae and fish collagen.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C applied topically stimulates collagen biosynthesis. Collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping the skin firm. As the skin ages collagen and elastin weaken causing the skin to sag.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Phillippe Humbert in a study on In Vivo Collagen Biosynthesis by Topically Applied Vitamin C showed positive results for collagen biosynthesis with topically applied vitamin C. After the vitamin C was applied over a six-month period, the skin biopsy specimens were collected for clinical results.
References
- NIH: Kinetics ofmoisturizing and firming effects of cosmetic formulations
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science: Firming effects of cosmetic formulations
- NIH: DHEA: Medline Plus
- Society for Dermopharmacy: Vitamin E as a bioactive agent in cosmetics
- American Academy of Dermatology: Anti-aging effect of DMAE and Tyrosine
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