Yes, retinol can help with jowls by boosting collagen and thickening the skin, leading to a firmer, smoother appearance, but it works slowly (months to years) and addresses skin laxity, not significant fat or structural loss, with stronger forms like tretinoin offering more noticeable results than over-the-counter retinol. For significant sagging, it's often combined with other treatments or professional procedures.
The best creams for sagging jowls are retinol-based creams. When you use these creams regularly, they can increase collagen production in the skin. Dr. Flahive noted that retinoid creams take months to years to make a small difference in the appearance of their jowls.
Dermal fillers can help lift and contour the jawline, while treatments that stimulate collagen production, like Ultherapy or radiofrequency, can improve skin firmness. For more significant sagging, surgical options are recommended.
Retinol can help improve the skin's firmness, which may help the skin appear “tighter.” However, topical medications (including retinol) can only treat the outer layers of the skin; they cannot address loose or sagging skin due to age-related changes in the underlying support structure of the face.
Fact: Most people can't tolerate retinols on the skin around their mouth or neck, as it tends to be thinner and more sensitive. Hence why I often call this area the kiss of death! 🙅♀️ But that doesn't mean these areas are doomed for failure.
The Retinol 1-2-3 Method is a gradual skin-adapting technique for beginners: use retinol once a week for the first week, twice a week for the second week, and three times a week for the third week, then work up to every other night or nightly as your skin tolerates it, minimizing irritation and building tolerance to the active ingredient. This "low and slow" approach helps avoid dryness, redness, and peeling (retinization) by letting skin adjust before increasing frequency.
🔥 Retinol Tips: If you are starting off with a retinol, make sure not to use it around your mouth because this area is the “kiss of death”. Your skin will get irritated and flaky, and although you may feel smooth in the short term —inflammation is the worst thing that you can do to your skin in the long run.
In essence, neither ingredient is inherently better than the other; they complement each other beautifully in a comprehensive skincare routine. If you're looking for immediate hydration and plumpness, collagen is your go-to. For long-term improvements in texture and firmness, retinol takes the lead.
Skincare products to treat sagging jowls
Luckily help is at hand! If skin laxity is one of your concerns, vitamin A-derivate creams and vitamin C (such as tretinoin, retinoic acid, and l-ascorbic acid) will stimulate the building blocks of the skin, fixing you from the inside out.
With treatments like laser skin tightening and dermal fillers and collagen biostimulators, you can get rid of those dreaded jowls for good! It is completely possible to delay surgical interventions and prevent lower face laxity with small timely interventions.
Ultherapy is a leader in skin tightening technology for the face, as it is ideal for lifting sagging jowls and brows. Ultherapy is also suitable for people who want more dramatic results, especially around thinner areas of the skin.
Jowls are one of the most common age-related concerns that patients develop in their 40's and 50's. While a healthy lifestyle and sun avoidance can help prevent jowl formation to a certain degree, a cosmetic intervention will typically be needed to produce the desired changes.
Common facial exercises that may help improve jowls include:
Koreans use gentle, effective alternatives to retinol like Bakuchiol, Peptides, Ginseng, Adenosine, and antioxidants (Vitamin C, Green Tea), focusing on hydration (Hyaluronic Acid) and barrier support (Squalane, Snail Mucin) to achieve anti-aging results without irritation. These ingredients boost collagen, improve firmness, and smooth texture, making them great for sensitive skin or those avoiding retinoids.
Dry skin exaggerates wrinkles, making them look deeper. Retinoids can increase dryness initially, worsening the appearance of fine lines.
So, if your jaw and neck areas are looking a bit less defined than they used to, StriVectin's Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream is one of the most targeted options out there.
Use Vitamin A or Retinol Derivatives: The vitamin A derivative retinol is popular for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. It's also effective for that under neck area, where it works to smooth tone and texture and minimize jowls.
Serious skin reactions including pain, irritation, itching, burning, redness, peeling, dryness, scaling, or stinging of the skin can occur during treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may tell you to use a moisturizer to treat skin irritation.
Both sun-damage and smoking can accelerate the ageing process, resulting in a loss of the skin's elasticity and collagen. Genetics can also play a part in the development of jowls; those with a genetic predisposition will be more likely to develop them.
The ingredient that works up to 11 times faster than retinol is Retinal (also known as retinaldehyde), a potent Vitamin A derivative that's just one conversion step away from retinoic acid, allowing for quicker skin cell renewal, wrinkle reduction, and improved texture, though it's generally recommended for experienced users due to its strength.
Retinol is better for wrinkles because it stimulates collagen and increases cell turnover. But Vitamin C can increase skin radiance and promote collagen production.
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are like apples and oranges: Both ingredients are very good for you, yet they are very different. While retinol is the gold standard anti-ager proven to help firm skin and soften fine lines (among many other things), hyaluronic acid is a super-hydrator for dry skin.
The Retinol 1-2-3 Method is a gradual skin-adapting technique for beginners: use retinol once a week for the first week, twice a week for the second week, and three times a week for the third week, then work up to every other night or nightly as your skin tolerates it, minimizing irritation and building tolerance to the active ingredient. This "low and slow" approach helps avoid dryness, redness, and peeling (retinization) by letting skin adjust before increasing frequency.
By the end of this year, the EU will restrict retinol concentration in topical products due to concerns that higher concentrations could lead to vitamin A toxicity. Restrictions will be more stringent for body products because a larger treatment area means a higher chance of too much vitamin A entering the bloodstream.