When most people think of skin plumping, they think of making the skin supple and bouncy. There are two ways to do this. You can apply things topically that will absorb into the skin. Or, you can literally add volume to the face with fillers and implants.
What is the difference between fillers and implants?
Implants are inserted into a pocket made within the facial tissue by a surgeon. They are commonly placed in the chin, cheeks, and jawline. People also use topical products to plump up the skin, but these will not perform the same way as fillers or injections. Topical products cannot add volume to the face, but if you use them regularly, their effects can be long-lasting. So, if you’ve noticed fine lines and wrinkles, and you want your skin to be a little more plump and elastic, these are the serums for you. These product picks have truly effective ingredients, and Cassandra has actually tried and tested these on her skin and clients' skin.
Firstly, if you want your skin to be plumper, juicier, and bouncier, this means your skin barrier has to be intact. Likewise, you’ll need the skin to produce more collagen and elastin. One ingredient that can help achieve this is copper peptides.
What do copper peptides do for the skin?
Copper peptides are fantastic because they work naturally well in your skin. Our entire bodies and skin have copper. So, not only is it an essential, dietary nutrient, it is also essential to collagen production. Copper is a cofactor that allows protein cross-linking to happen. Basically, your body cannot create collagen and elastin without the help of copper. But what happens when we put it on our skin? Well, it can be a biocide and disinfectant. But, if it absorbs into the skin, it can tell your skin to make more collagen and elastin through special cells called fibroblasts.
What are fibroblasts?
Fibroblasts are responsible for creating collagen and elastin inside of our skin. And if we can stimulate those fibroblasts, they’re going to create more collagen and elastin. So, when applied to the skin, copper is a great way to stimulate those fibroblasts, and below, we’ve listed some great copper peptide products.
Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum -$68
In addition to peptides, this serum has brightening ingredients like turmeric, eggplant, and basil.
This also has glycerin and hyaluronic acid, two very inexpensive, but effective ingredients. And because this formula also contains water, the hyaluronic acid and glycerin can bind to the water and pull hydration into the skin. They help plump up the outer layers of the face and give you that extra boost and luminosity.
However, Cassandra would still recommend using this serum with a moisturizer even though it does have squalane which can also deeply moisturize and seal the skin.
The squalane in Biossance’s plumping serum is fantastic, moisturizing, and it gives the skin a wonderful boost. And because the product says “rapidly plumping,” Cassandra decided to test it. She tried it on half of her face, and upon comparing it to the other side, she indeed saw rapid plumping. It wasn’t instant, but given that Cassandra knows where her fine lines and wrinkles are, she definitely saw a noticeable difference after 30 minutes.
The only problem Cassandra has with this product is the price. At the same time though, this is a brand that cares about its customers and the environment. They use glass packaging, and they also donate to sustainability and ocean conservation. However, if you’re looking for something less pricey, The Ordinary has a copper serum too.
The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%
The Ordinary has multiple serums including The Buffer + Copper peptides. However, their copper serums don’t include the added hydrators like squalane, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. It also doesn’t include antioxidants like the turmeric, basil, and eggplant. However, this serum is a great way to get copper peptides without the price. It is one of The Ordinary’s more expensive serums, but Cassandra does think it’s worth it.
Philosophy DOSE OF WISDOM bouncy skin reactivating serum- $68
This serum helps to plump the face as well. It has hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and adenosine. Adenosine is used in emergency medicine, but when adenosine is applied topically, it can actually help with wrinkles. And not only does this serum boost the skin, but it also really hydrates the skin. This made Cassandra’s skin so bouncy, happy, and luminous. When she applied it to half of her face, it visibly plumped it. She’s also used the product in various climates. For example, when she visited Abu Dhabi, it was very humid, and the serum pulled water into the skin. And on the plane ride back from Abu Dhabi, Cassandra’s skin got very dry.
But when she puts this on her skin, her skin soaked it right up, and it was deeply replenished it. So, this serum is great for luminosity, and it also has plantain leaf extract which is very anti-inflammatory.
VEGREEN Nature Mucin Serum - $18.30
Did you know vegan snail mucin is less sticky and more absorbent? It comes from yams, and it has amazing antioxidant and healing benefits.
This particular serum is from B green. This is the V green, and it is so good. If you’re looking for something gentle that hydrates the skin, this is your best option. The other ones work well too, but they’re a bit more intense. Vegreen worked for years on this serum, and they made sure they got the ingredients just right. It truly mimics the wound-healing properties of snail mucin!
This is simple, and you can use it day or night. This formula is fantastic because not only does it have yams, it has centella asiatica which is amazing for anti-redness. It’s a very hydrating and wound-healing plant. The plant also includes other peptides that are great for barrier support.
So, as you can see,you don’t necessarily have to get surgery, fillers, or Botox. While plumping skincare products are indeed more temporary, they can have long-term effects upon being used consistently.