Why Skin Loses Volume with Age

There are many signs of skin aging, chief among them wrinkles, sagging, and loss of volume. While we’ve shared the common causes of wrinkles and fine lines—thanks a lot, Mr. Golden Sun—what causes our skin to sag and lose volume over time? Below, discover some of the main causes of volume loss with age—and get a few product recommendations to help plump and firm the appearance of aging skin!

Youthful skin is marked by a plump appearance—with fat evenly distributed across all facial zones. This plumpness and volume can be attributed to factors including moisture—young skin has naturally higher levels of hyaluronic acid—and collagen. However, over time our skin can lose this volume causing a flattened appearance of our cheeks, sagging, and dryer, thinner-feeling skin. While intrinsic aging is a factor, there are three other main culprits that can lead to a loss of volume, too.

It should come as no surprise that the first factor on this list is sun exposure. UV rays are known to damage the skin, causing everything from the first signs of premature skin aging—dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles—as well as sunburns and skin cancers. Another thing that UV rays do is breakdown the collagen that supports the skin and helps it to look plump. What’s more, the sun’s harsh rays can dry out the skin and a prolonged lack of moisture is another reason the skin can appear to sag and sink.

Another factor that can cause the skin to lose volume is extreme and quick weight loss. Since fat under our skin is what causes it to look full and plump, when we lose fat too quickly—or lose too much—it can cause the skin to appear as if it’s sinking in and sagging.

In addition to UV rays, another environmental factor that can cause a loss of volume is the breakdown of collagen from free radicals. When they separate—due to pollution or UV rays—free oxygen radicals look to latch on to a new mate. Their mate of choice? Collagen and elastin. When left unprotected, free radicals can breakdown these necessary fibers and the skin can appear lifeless and less full.

If you’re worried about a loss of volume, there are steps you can take in your skin care routine to help to plump the appearance of the skin.

Since sun exposure is a leading cause of skin aging, wearing SPF is key in preventing the visible side effects of UV damage. Each day—regardless of the weather—reach for a moisturizer that’s formulated with broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or more. One we love, that not only protects the skin from UV rays but also gives the skin an instant glow, is L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition. Formulated with essential oils and broad-spectrum SPF 30, this daily sunscreen oil is ideal for mature, dry skin.

The body’s natural stores of hyaluronic acid are what we can thank for the plump appearance of youthful skin, but as we age these stores start to deplete. So it’s great to try products formulated with the humectant to make up for that loss of hydration. Try L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius. There are three moisturizers in the new collection—one for oily skin, one for dry skin, and one for extra dry skin. All three are formulated with hyaluronic acid to help restore moisture to parched skin. Learn more about Hydra Genius here!

To help protect your skin from the free radicals that attach to and breakdown collagen you’ll want to apply a layer of an antioxidant-packed serum underneath your SPF each day. Antioxidants offer free radicals an alternate mate to latch onto. We share more about the importance of this skin care combo here.