Over the years, skin undergoes a variety of changes—some inevitable, some preventable—that lead to a loss of elasticity, firmness, and resilience. Understanding these changes and how to properly care for skin is vital to maintaining a youthful-looking complexion.
Dr. Suzan Obagi, Chief Medical Director at Obagi Cosmeceuticals, explains, "We peak at age 18 in terms of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan production." These three components are essential for maintaining firm, hydrated, and elastic skin. Collagen provides structural support giving skin firmness, elastin enables the skin to “snap back” to its original shape after stretching, and glycosaminoglycans retain moisture in the dermis, keeping skin hydrated and plumped.
As we age, our fibroblasts—the cells responsible for producing these three vital proteins—begin to slow down. "By the time we’re in our late teens, we produce 1% less collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans each year as part of the natural, intrinsic aging process," Dr. Obagi states. This gradual decline often results in the formation of wrinkles, sagging skin, and other visible signs of aging.
Additional Factors Influencing Skin Aging
Another difference in skin aging is how men and women experience it. "Men tend to have a thick dermis and thicker epidermis as compared to females," notes Dr. Obagi. This thickness often means that men's skin typically shows signs of aging later than women's. This does not mean men are immune to aging, simply that it manifests differently and at a different pace.
While intrinsic aging—our natural “biological clock” aging process—is unavoidable, extrinsic aging, caused by external factors, can significantly accelerate the process. "Smoking, tanning, and environmental pollution all accelerate aging. We need to start protecting our skin at a young age by incorporating a well-thought-out topical skincare routine earlier rather than later," Dr. Obagi advises.
Establishing an effective at-home skincare regimen early on is essential. A well-designed skincare routine that incorporates products that support collagen, hydrate the skin, and protect against UV damage can significantly slow down the aging process.
Skin Care Products Are Not Created Equal
"Not all skincare products truly achieve what they claim to do," warns Dr. Obagi, "It is important to invest in a skincare regimen that delivers high-quality ingredients in a stable form that is absorbed well by the skin." This is the concept behind Obagi's ELASTIDERM®, a line specifically designed to address the look of a loss of elasticity in skin that occurs with age.
The success of ELASTIDERM products lies in their advanced ingredient technology, specifically the patented Bi-Mineral Contour Complex™. This complex is formulated to support the three essential stages of elastin development: creation, conversion, and organization. Elastin is crucial for skin elasticity, allowing it to bounce back into place after stretching. By supporting these stages, ELASTIDERM products help to maintain and improve the appearance of lost elasticity.
Dr. Obagi underscores the significance of these ingredients, stating, "The importance of ELASTIDERM’s Bi-Mineral Complex relates to the natural aging process that is further accelerated by extrinsic factors. Adding a topical cream containing ELASTIDERM’s Bi-Mineral Complex plays a key role in enhancing the appearance of skin that looks like it has lost elasticity."
Introducing NEW ELASTIDERM Products to Combat Aging
The ELASTIDERM franchise continues to lead the industry in providing targeted solutions for transformative, anti-aging results with the introduction of two new products.
Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer is clinically proven to visibly lift and sculpt facial contours within six weeks.* It features the combination of Obagi’s patented Bi-Mineral Contour Complex™, a unique blend of Zinc, Copper, and Malonate, plus nine powerful moisturizing ingredients working synergistically to actively support skin's elasticity. Two of these include Polyglutamic Acid (PGA), a peptide also found in dermal fillers that’s known for its superior hydrating capabilities (compared to Hyaluronic Acid) and Beta-Glucan, which intensely hydrates and helps re-plump fine lines and wrinkles. Clinical studies have shown that Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer improves skin elasticity by up to 19% in as little as three weeks, while 100% of participants showed visible improvement in fine lines, and 94% showed visible improvement in skin smoothness after six weeks.*
Height maps at weeks three, six, and twelve show dramatic changes in fine lines and wrinkles after consistent use of Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer.
Advanced Filler Concentrate is our most advanced, targeted solution that offers a highly effective topical approach inspired by popular needle-based procedures, to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a single application.* This non-injectable instant line filler is formulated with Acetyl-Hexapeptide-1, a smoothing biomimetic peptide composed of six amino acids and an acetyl group recognized for its impressive replumping and wrinkle smoothing effects. This clinically proven solution provides an instant smoothing effect* with maximum results eight hours after application.* It features a precision applicator designed to target existing fine lines and wrinkles, diminish the appearance of wrinkles over time, and combat emerging fine lines and wrinkles across multiple areas for a visibly lifted, more youthful appearance. Clinical studies revealed that 85% of participants said their fine lines appeared blurred after 8 weeks.*
Height maps post application and at weeks four and eight show dramatic changes in fine lines and wrinkles after consistent use of Advanced Filler Concentrate.
Both products are strategically formulated to complement other products in the ELASTIDERM line, including:
- ELASTIDERM Eye Cream: Targets fine lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area with a lightweight, smooth formula that helps rejuvenate and firm skin.
- ELASTIDERM Eye Serum: Refreshes delicate skin around the eyes, reduces undereye puffiness and restores a more youthful look.
- ELASTIDERM Facial Serum: Supports skin elasticity and firmness across the face by promoting the three necessary stages of developing healthy elastin.
- ELASTIDERM Neck and Décolleté Concentrate: Concentrated, triple ingredient formula that helps improve elasticity and reduces crepiness in the delicate skin of the neck and décolleté areas.
Each product in the ELASTIDERM line is specifically designed to support the skin’s natural ability to produce and maintain elastin, ensuring firmer, more youthful looking skin with continued use.
ELASTIDERM Routine Basics
Morning Routine
- Prep skin with your chosen Obagi cleanser and toner.
- Apply your chosen Professional-C® serum and allow to absorb.
- Roll on ELASTIDERM Eye Serum and pat into undereye area.
- Smooth on ELASTIDERM Facial Serum.
- Layer with ELASTIDERM Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer.
- Target fine lines and wrinkles with ELASTIDERM Advanced Filler Concentrate.
- Roll on ELASTIDERM Neck and Décolleté Concentrate.
- Finish with your chosen Obagi sunscreen.
Evening Routine
- Prep skin with your chosen Obagi cleanser and toner.
- Smooth on ELASTIDERM Facial Serum.
- Apply your chosen retinol.
- Soothe skin with Obagi Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream.
- Layer with ELASTIDERM Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer.
- Target fine lines and wrinkles with ELASTIDERM Advanced Filler Concentrate.
- Roll on ELASTIDERM Neck and Décolleté Concentrate.
The Importance of Prejuvenation
The decisions we make today about our skincare have a lasting impact on how our skin will age. Dr. Obagi advises, "One can never be too young to start taking care of their skin. It is much easier to prevent damage and premature aging than it is to address it once it has occurred." By incorporating ELASTIDERM's transformative, clinically proven products into your routine early, you lay the foundation for healthier, younger-looking skin while minimizing the future need for invasive treatments like lasers and procedures. This early investment in quality skincare, like Obagi ELASTIDERM, is known as prejuvenation.
