3 Reasons Your Skin Lacks Bounce + What To Do About It

Some would say a dewy glow is all the rage, while others assert matte complexions are en vogue. Regardless of what makeup trends are in style, we know one thing for sure: Healthy, plump skin is absolutely timeless, no matter what makeup you choose to put on top. 

While some people are simply born with a cloudlike complexion, others have to put in a bit more effort to optimize their skin's bounce.

Plump skin starts with a fresh, hydrated complexion. If you have layers of dead skin sticking around, you'll struggle to get that dewy glow you're after because the buildup will prevent your topical hydrating products from penetrating into the skin. 

You know how a baby is literally the poster child for dewy, bouncy skin? Well, that's mainly because babies have loads of collagen in their skin—which doesn't last forever. In fact, the rate of collagen production begins to dip in your mid-20s by about 1% each year1; hence, why wrinkles start showing up around the same time. 

While you can't slow down physical aging (nor should you want to), you can restore your collagen levels from within. Do so by adding a collagen supplement to your daily routine, but not just any collagen powder on the market: Be sure to look for hydrolyzed collagen peptides and preferably snag a blend that includes vitamin C as well.

Last but not least, we have dehydration. This could be internal, external, or both. The first step here is fairly obvious—drink more water! However, if you're already on top of your hydration plan, then it's time to assess your topical routine. 

Using too many actives (exfoliants, retinol, etc.) in one routine can dry out your skin if you're not careful. The fix: Sandwich your actives with hydrating products. If you're using retinol one night, be sure to use a gentle cleanser beforehand and follow up with a replenishing moisturizer—rather than an exfoliating cleanser, retinol cream, etc.

Not everyone is born with a Jello-like bouncy complexion, and that's OK. If you want to work on your skin's elasticity and fullness, be sure to hydrate internally and topically, exfoliate weekly, and consider adding a collagen supplement to your routine.