How To Get (and Maintain) Bouncy, Plump Skin

When you’re young, having resilient, plump skin doesn’t require a whole lot of work (or any at all). With age, though, the skin changes. It becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic—all of which can result in a noticeable decrease in that youthful plumpness. Whether you’re beginning to notice your skin appears less full than you’d like or you’d simply like to maintain your bouncy complexion for as long as possible, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’ll discuss what plump skin looks like, explain why it’s such a covetable attribute, and share some of our top tips on scoring (and maintaining) a firm, bouncy complexion.

What Is Plump Skin?

Plump skin’s meaning is nuanced—it doesn’t mean “plump” in the way you might be thinking. Rather, plump skin is skin that appears full, hydrated, and smooth It's bouncy to the touch and has a radiant, healthy-looking glow (characteristics often associated with youth). Plump skin isn't about being free of wrinkles or fine lines entirely; it's about having skin that's well-nourished and resilient.

How do you know if your skin is plump?

There isn’t any test to discern whether or not your skin is plump, but the following characteristics are typically associated with skin plumpness:

• Bounciness: Plump skin feels firm and bouncy to the touch. If you press on your cheek, it should immediately spring back into place.
• Smoothness: Typically, plump skin lacks significant fine lines or wrinkles (minor lines and creases, however, can coexist with plump, bouncy skin).
• Hydration: Moisture is a key element of plump skin. Generally speaking, plump skin feels soft, smooth, and thoroughly hydrated.
• Radiance: Dewy, luminous, lustrous—whatever you want to call it, plump skin has a healthy-looking glow thanks to its hydrated feel and smooth, even texture.

Why Does Skin Lose Its Plumpness?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the skin contains two proteins, collagen and elastin, that help contribute to a firm, youthful appearance. Over time, the amount of collagen and elastin in the skin decreases, which can make the skin lose some of its natural firmness. Exposure to certain environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet radiation, can speed up this process, accelerating the rate at which your skin loses its bounce and elasticity (another reason why wearing sunscreen every day is a non-negotiable).

With age, skin also typically becomes drier, which can make it look dull and lackluster. Moisturizing consistently with a face cream or lotion designed for your skin type can help keep your skin hydrated and support a plump, youthful appearance.

How To Get Plump Skin

If your skin appears dull and lackluster or is beginning to lose its natural fullness, good news—there are things that you can do to make your skin plumper and bouncier. Ahead, we’re spilling the details on how to make your skin plumper through a proper skincare (and self-care) routine.

Get acquainted with hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is among the best ingredients to seek out if you’re after plumper-looking skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic, products with this ingredient can help hydrate the skin and visibly smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

There are countless ways that you can incorporate hyaluronic acid into your routine, but one of our favorite ways is with a gentle hyaluronic acid serum. If you need a recommendation, try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This skin-plumping serum leaves the skin feeling bouncier and firmer within one week, while continued use helps promote a dewier, more youthful-looking complexion. For your eye area, snag the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Caffeine Eye Serum, which smooths, de-puffs, and helps brighten dark under-eye circles for a youthful, rested appearance.

Use a vitamin C serum

A vitamin C serum can be a great addition to your skincare routine, especially if you’re after plumper skin. Products with this ingredient can help visibly smooth fine lines, diminish the look of pores, and help boost radiance for an overall more youthful-looking complexion. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum is an excellent choice for all skin types. The non-comedogenic formula helps target three key signs of aging—tone, pores, and lines—and helps boost radiance with continued use over time. Use it alone or layer it over your hyaluronic acid serum for extra skin benefits.

Keep your skin well-hydrated

If you want your skin to look plump and smooth, moisturizing is a must. Equally important, however, is choosing a moisturizer that suits your skin type—even the best skin-plumping creams aren’t one-size-fits-all.

Those with oilier skin tend to do best with lightweight, water-based moisturizers that hydrate without leaving the skin feeling slick or greasy. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream is among our top picks. The fast-absorbing formula deeply hydrates and helps visibly re-plump the skin to promote a smooth, youthful-looking complexion.

If your skin tends to feel dry or dehydrated, the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Day Moisturizer is an excellent pick. It boasts a non-greasy texture and delivers up to 24 hours of hydration to support soft, plump skin.

Start using retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A commonly used to help target the visible signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and discolorations. It can be a powerful ally in your skincare routine, particularly if your main barriers to plump skin are lines and wrinkles. There are plenty of ways you can incorporate retinol into your routine, but if you’ve never used the ingredient before, we suggest starting off with a gentle serum or moisturizer. For the former,

We recommend the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol. In addition to retinol, it contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid and helps smooth the skin while leaving it feeling moisturized. You can use it nightly as part of your regular routine, but if you’re a first-timer, we suggest starting with a twice-weekly application and gradually increasing your usage.

Those who’d prefer to use a retinol moisturizer can level up their nighttime skincare routine with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide. The lightweight night cream delivers up to 24 hours of hydration while helping to firm, smooth, and brighten the skin over time.

Prioritize sun protection

As we mentioned earlier, sun exposure can damage your skin and contribute to concerns including lines, wrinkles, dryness, and a loss of elasticity. To help protect your skin from damage, it’s important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen each and every day (yes, even if it’s cloudy). Heed the advice of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and opt for a formula with an SPF of at least 15, like the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion. The fragrance-free formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and suitable for all skin types (it even helps prime the skin for makeup). Be sure to reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours or after sweating or swimming for lasting protection.

Practice self-care

Your daily habits can go a long way toward supporting a firm, bouncy complexion—and we don’t just mean your skincare routine. Drinking lots of water, getting plenty of sleep, and maintaining a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can also help support healthy-looking skin. Managing your stress is a must, too—research shows that stress can exacerbate an array of skin concerns and accelerate the rate at which your skin begins to show the visible signs of aging. If you need help finding a way to unwind, we suggest pampering yourself with an at-home facial—it’s both relaxing and a great way to give your skin a little TLC.

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Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris