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As we mature, the effects of sun exposure, smoking, stress, and a decrease in hormone and collagen production can cause skin to sag or wrinkles to become more prominent. There are a number of ways to improve the appearance of your skin without going under the knife or getting injections. I’m in my mid-50s, get mistaken for being in my late 30s/early 40s regularly, and have personally tried all the methods I have listed. As with anything, please consult with a physician or health professional before trying!
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Here are 7 of my favorite ways to improve skin’s appearance.
1. Exercise
Resistance and aerobic exercise can help skin look tauter. Studies have shown that doing 30 minutes of cardio or strength training exercise twice a week can help increase the production of collagen and build muscle mass. Both cardio and strength training can help skin appear firmer. Regular exercise is also a great stress reliever, so it’s a win-win! I personally alternate between low to mid-impact cardio and strength 3 to 5 days a week.
2. Castor Oil
Known for its use as a laxative when taken internally, castor oil has also been used around the world for hair growth and skin tightening. For optimum results, it’s best to use a cold-pressed, organic castor oil that is hexane-free, and then dilute it with a carrier oil to aid in faster absorption into the skin. I use two parts castor oil to one part carrier oil, such as grapeseed or jojoba oil. It can be left on the skin for 15 minutes or as an overnight treatment. Note that it can stain the sheets if you don’t allow the oil to absorb fully before going to bed.
3. Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting can have health benefits, and it can also help to increase the production of collagen and elastin, which can aid in firming the skin. Dr. Frank O’Neill, D.C. (GrowGrayMatter), says that autophagy (the process of cells breaking down and repairing) plays a crucial role in healthier, tighter skin. Fasting helps to repair, in conjunction with getting enough sleep. “Fast Like a Girl” by Dr. Mindy Palz is a great resource on this approach.
4. Sauna and Cold Showers
A circuit of 15-20 minutes in the sauna, followed by a cold plunge or cold shower for 2-3 minutes, increases blood circulation and collagen production. Both also help to release toxins and inflammation from the body, which helps to alleviate puffiness and blemishes. Wellness expert Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, said that cold water tightens and constricts the blood flow, which gives your skin a healthier glow. Unlike hot water, cold water doesn’t dry out the sebum layer, a naturally lubricated barrier that protects your skin and hair. This can make your skin and hair healthier over time.
5. Facial Massage
Facial massage helps increase circulation and collagen production and can be done in a few different ways. I use a combination of these methods myself: facial lifting massage, stone roller, gua sha, and microcurrent.
Facial lifting massage is a series of exercises to help tighten the skin. Here’s a link to a great series of exercises by skin specialist Abigail James.
I also use a stone roller and gua sha to aid with lymphatic drainage, which helps to reduce puffiness and increase blood circulation. You can find these tools made from stainless steel, jade, or rose quartz.
Microcurrent is the delivery of small amounts of electrical pulses to stimulate the muscles and skin on the face and body. It decreases puffiness, increases circulation, and helps to tighten and firm the skin. I have a device that is no longer being made that I use on my face, but NuFace has devices for the face and body.
6. Skincare
There are some skincare items that can help, and I’m a big fan of several of them.
Peptides help to improve skin elasticity and decrease fine lines and wrinkles. For the best results, the product should contain at least 5% peptides.
Ceramides are naturally occurring fats in the skin that hold moisture in. This decreases with age, so products that help replenish the skin are helpful.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein. It helps with skin elasticity and blood flow to the skin.
Niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant that improves skin texture, helps to fight environmental stress, and brightens/tightens skin.
Exfoliants are an important part of a skincare routine. It’s important to exfoliate the skin a few times a week to remove dead skin cells, which will aid in better absorption of your skincare products. It can also help increase blood circulation, collagen production, and improve skin texture. It’s also better to exfoliate at night because it can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Sun protection is recommended during the day. I prefer methods that don’t cause any microscopic tearing of the skin, so I tend to use enzymes more than chemical exfoliants. My favorite enzyme exfoliant is Sex-a-Peel by Sonia Roselli Beauty, which is safe to use from head to toe.
Here are some of my favorite overall skin lines to use:
https://www.elizabetharden.com
7. Last-Minute Fixes
Sometimes you have a special occasion or something going on, and you need something fast. Maybe you haven’t been sleeping well, have had too much salt or alcohol, or aren’t feeling your best. I keep these around just in case.
These are my secret weapons to use for a few hours of extra help!
Shapewear
I’m a big advocate of shapewear when I need to look smoother/firmer in form-fitting clothing. My favorite brand is Spanx since they have everything from hosiery to foundation pieces to clothing.
Temporary Firming Products
Genie Instant Line Smoother, Westmore Beauty 60 Second Effects, and Plexaderm are all great products for temporarily tightening the skin. I like to mix them with my foundation and concealer, so I don’t have to worry about the foundation or concealer disturbing the effects.
Temporary Lifting Tape
Skinnies is a body-shaping tape that is water-resistant and sweat proof.
Temporary Face Lift
The Facelift Band is a bungee that is hidden in the hair that can be used to pull and tighten the skin on the face and lift the eyes.
I would love to hear about the successes you’ve had with any of these suggestions!
Additional Disclosures: Links to external websites are provided for convenience, and do not constitute an endorsement. Note this is not intended as medical advice, and we are not responsible for the content of third-party websites.
Visiting as many New York City Holiday Markets as possible over one weekend has become a December annual tradition. It’s my way of unofficially kicking off the Christmas season, and a reminder to embrace at least part of what makes the city fun. I map the market trips to include holiday lights and other shopping along the way. Usually, I go alone, but this year my sister was with me, making it feel more like a shared tradition.
Planning the Weekend
The weekend route can be flexible, as each market has a distinct vibe. Traveling in semi-geographical order makes sense and makes adding things in easier. It’s important to allow time for wandering or detours so the weekend isn’t rushed.
Weekends are very busy, and that energy feels right this time of year in short bursts. Midday into early evening works well, especially once the lights come on. Layering up, including a hat, gloves, and scarf, plus a tote for any extras, is part of my we’re-going-to-be-outside-for-a-while strategy. My sister refused to wear a hat and somehow managed not to zip up her coat for a good part of the day, which gave me a chill just standing next to her. I’m still shaking my head about this.
Day 1: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Circle is one of the easiest markets to navigate. It usually feels calmer than the others, and it was a nice way to ease into the first day. As with any market, some stalls are quick passes and others are worth circling back to. I like doing a full lap before committing to anything.
This year, some favorites included unique jewelry, spices, and one-of-a-kind jackets. A fantastic hot chocolate from the No Chewing Allowed! stand became the first warm-up of the day. Running into extended family created the perfect catch-up moment, selfies included.
Being so close to Central Park makes it easy to step into nearby shops or walk through the park, depending on the weather and current energy level. This year, a quick loop through Williams Sonoma was enough to warm up before we continued.
Grand Central Market plus a Bonus Stop: TikTok Holiday Pop-Up
Next stop was The Grand Central Market. If you’re following along, we went from the west side to the east side and half a mile south to reach the smallest and only fully indoor market on the itinerary. Beneath the iconic, soaring ceilings, four corridors of holiday stalls offer everything from handbags and jewelry to unique art. We chatted with a few artists who were running their own booths and picked up a piece of Swiss chocolate at the SwissAir pop-up a few steps away. Whether this market is a must-see or a quick look depends on your interests, but it brought a different tone to the weekend.
This year, Grand Central also hosted a TikTok holiday pop-up where you could browse trending products, pick up gifts, and play games for prizes. There was more hot chocolate, this time with peppermint. They had a corner set aside for TikTok live streaming, and the space had a fun, energetic vibe.
Along the Way
Between markets, we passed street installations, decorated windows, lights, and holiday displays. There were quick warm-up stops and a few small purchases. Not being in a rush made it easier to follow whatever looked interesting. However, inching through the shoulder-to-shoulder pre-dinner crowd outside the Saks Fifth Avenue light show was my least favorite thing.
Day 2: Bryant Park Winter Village
Bryant Park was bursting with activity across its distinct sections. The skating rink and the après-ski-style lounge, which includes a pretty big bar, make it a destination beyond just a market. Even if you have no interest in skating, it’s usually less crowded than Rockefeller Center for people-watching. Because it’s New York, there’s always a mix of ages and skill levels on the ice, and the Zamboni is often met with cheers.
The layout makes it easy to spend almost a day here. Between shopping, eating, skating, drinking, and people-watching, time moves quickly. As always, the food stalls smelled amazing, and one of the longest lines was for the most over-the-top hot chocolate. We skipped this one, even though it was topped with s’mores-like melted marshmallow, because the line was nearly thirty people deep.
In another very New York moment, I ran into someone I used to work with and had a quick catch-up. Bryant Park always delivers at least one surprise moment.
Bonus Stop: Macy’s Holiday Square
The holiday windows at Macy’s Herald Square included a karaoke machine, and the crowd was happily singing their hearts out when we arrived. The flagship is fully decorated for the holidays, and sales are in full swing. The Macy’s Holiday Square market stalls are both indoors on the lower level and outside in front of the Broadway entrance. By the time we’d warmed up, the narrow lanes of the outdoor shopping area were overcrowded, so this was a quickest stop of the weekend.
Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square isn’t the smallest market, but its layout makes you feel tucked away from the city. The crowd feels lively rather than chaotic, especially earlier in the evening. I recently saw a post about the high cost of being a vendor here for the season, including renting the booth, building it out, staffing it, keeping it stocked, and taking it down in a very short timeframe. I thought about that when I bought a container of loose tea from a husband-and-wife team I wanted to support. The tea is good, and in my opinion, supporting a small business makes it taste better.
Union Square has more shops just a few steps away, and when it was time to warm up, we bought a few more things.
What Made the Weekend Work
This weekend worked because the layering kept us (okay, me) warm, the schedule was flexible, and the shopping lists were short. There was no pressure to stop at every stall or even buy something at every market. Somewhere between Bryant Park and Union Square, we realized how nice it was to move through the city with no agenda beyond enjoying it.
At one point, my sister also pointed out that if we kept stopping for hot chocolate, the weekend would turn into a chocolate-tasting tour disguised as a market outing. She wasn’t wrong, since after a quick visit to the Frick Collection, we ended up at Ladurée.
The weekend felt festive without being exhausting, and that balance is what keeps me returning to this tradition.
Wrapping it Up
The Manhattan Christmas markets work best when treated as a seasonal ritual rather than an agenda. A few neighborhoods, a few hours at a time, and the city doing what it does best. It’s an easy way to step into the season and appreciate how New York embraces the holidays.
