Skin Care
Is your skin starting to feel thinner, less resilient and more fragile? It’s normal for skin to change with age. Over time it can become drier, more delicate and less elastic. Thinner skin also means a weaker skin barrier. When the skin is healthy, it protects us from irritants, infections and inflammation. But when the barrier is damaged, the body can’t defend itself as well. Below we’ll look at how thin, weak skin affects your skin barrier and what you can do to restore strength and health.
Key Takeaways
– Nutrition for Collagen: Eating foods rich in omega-3s and vitamin C supports collagen production, which helps strengthen skin.
– Skincare with Peptides: Products containing peptides can encourage collagen growth and improve skin strength.
– Daily Moisturizing: Regular use of moisturizer keeps the skin barrier intact, preventing dryness and damage.
Table of Contents
Jump To…
– Why Is My Skin So Thin?
– How Will Thin Skin Impact Me?
– How To Make Skin Stronger & Thicker
Why Is My Skin So Thin?
Aging
As you get older, your skin texture and elasticity change. A main reason skin seems thinner and drier is a drop in collagen production. Collagen is the structural protein that keeps skin firm, elastic and bouncy. Collagen fibers support the top skin layers and prevent sagging. As collagen declines, skin becomes less plump and more fragile. Genetics play a big role in how quickly this happens.
Lifestyle Factors Including Medication
Long-term use of certain medications can thin the skin. These include:
– Prescription blood thinners
– NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
– Topical and oral corticosteroids
– Over-the-counter aspirin
Other lifestyle habits can speed skin aging and thinning:
– Smoking
– Heavy alcohol use
– Lack of exercise and a diet high in sugar and refined carbs
Sun Exposure
Too much UV light damages skin cells and reduces collagen and elastin. Years of sun tanning or burning can make skin thinner, especially on the face, arms and hands—the areas most exposed to the sun. Sun damage can also cause age spots, sagging, wrinkles and increase skin cancer risk.
Tanning Beds
Artificial UV sources like tanning beds also harm skin and can thin it while raising the chance of skin cancer. The FDA warns that tanning causes the skin to lose elasticity and develop premature wrinkles, and severe sunburns—especially at a young age—are linked to melanoma. Avoiding tanning beds helps protect skin, slow premature aging and lower cancer risk.
Menopause
A drop in estrogen, especially during menopause, contributes to thinning skin. Estrogen helps keep collagen, moisture and oil levels stable. When estrogen falls, collagen decreases, and skin can become thinner, drier and more prone to fine lines and sagging.
How Will Thin Skin Impact Me?
Thin skin itself isn’t usually dangerous, but it’s a problem when skin bruises or breaks easily. As MedlinePlus notes, aging brings higher risk of skin injury because skin becomes thinner, more fragile and loses some of the protective fat layer. The dermis loses resilience and thickness, which makes bruises and wrinkles more likely.
If you’re not caring for your skin, its barrier can be compromised. Skin has three main layers: the hypodermis (with fat, sweat glands and connective tissue), the dermis (with blood vessels and nerves), and the epidermis (the outer layer that acts as the barrier). A healthy barrier keeps irritants out and locks in moisture and oils. A damaged barrier can’t protect against irritation, inflammation or dryness. Thin skin is already fragile, and over-exfoliating or not moisturizing can make it worse.
How To Make Skin Stronger & Thicker
Eat Foods That Help Collagen Production
Omega-3 fatty acids support collagen production and help improve the skin’s barrier. Vitamin C is also essential for making collagen and is found in broccoli, leafy greens and citrus fruits. Foods that can help boost collagen include:
– Chicken
– Leafy greens
– Berries
– Fish and shellfish
– Egg whites
– Citrus fruits
Use Skin Care Products With Peptides
If your diet is in good shape, you can also strengthen skin with skincare products that contain peptides. Peptides are small pieces of proteins that can penetrate the top layer of skin and signal cells to make more collagen. Full collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin, but these smaller fragments can reach deeper layers and help promote collagen production.
Apply Moisturizer Daily
Shift the focus from over-exfoliating to keeping skin moisturized. No matter your skin type—dry, combination, oily or sensitive—hydration is key to a healthy, strong skin barrier. Some people naturally have drier skin, but environmental factors like air conditioning, hot showers and cold weather can also dry skin out. After cleansing, apply a moisturizer to lock in hydration and protect your skin from the environment.
In the video below, our Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar shares her top moisturizer picks for each skin type.
Are you dealing with thinning skin? Learn more about solutions from your favorite Eminence Spa Partner or try the Marine Flower Peptide Collection, formulated with plant peptides and marine flower technology to help skin feel firmer, lifted and stronger.