Derms & Plastic Surgeons Love These 3 Secret Weapons For Stronger Skin

Quick question: How often do you think about the strength of your skin? Not its tone, clarity, or any other aesthetic outcome but how well it functions underneath the surface? 

The answer, for many, is something along the lines of Uh, not really. But strong skin is something experts strongly suggest you start prioritizing. Your skin, after all, is a multipronged defense system—and when the system operates at full strength, it better performs that protective role, keeping out environmental aggressors and locking in moisture. 

"Collagen is what makes the skin nice and firm, tight, and youthful," holistic plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D., reminds us on the mindbodygreen podcast, but, alas, that skin-firming protein starts to decline once you hit your mid-20s. 

So, experts (Youn included!) recommend using products that stimulate and protect your natural collagen production—retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C, etc.—as well as internal methods to promote the process. 

This is where collagen powders come into play: Research shows these supplements are able to enhance your body's own collagen production1 by stimulating fibroblasts, those same cells that make collagen and elastin to begin with. As a result, targeted supplementation can support skin elasticity2 and potentially make fine lines appear smaller.

Ceramides are directly responsible for the strength of your skin. Housed in the uppermost layer of skin cells, these lipids function as the "glue" that holds your skin barrier together. 

As board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., once shared with mbg, "Ceramides are thought to be the most important component for maintaining barrier function." And a thriving skin barrier equals resilient, healthy skin overall. 

Thought we'd rattle off skin care heroes without mentioning SPF? Think again. Proper sun care is imperative for resilient skin, period and full stop. 

Take it from board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care: "Sun protection is critical since up to 80% of the signs of skin aging4₂—including thinning and loss of elasticity—are due to UV damage," she shared with mbg. 

So find a sunscreen you love, and wear it daily, ideally reapplying every two hours. Some personal favorites at the moment include the Seaweed Bath Co. Invisible Mineral SPF 50 (literally disappears upon application—zero white cast), Prequel's Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (great for a dewier look), and the new Kosas Dreambeam SPF in Sunlit (has bronze pigments that make you look effortlessly sun-kissed).