With the influx of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, many users are noticing significant changes to their facial appearance and skin. If you're taking one of these weight loss medications and find yourself dealing with sagging skin or increased wrinkles, our experts are here to explain the why behind the changes in skin texture and appearance.
"Medications used for weight loss can reduce facial fat and affect levels of collagen and elastin in the skin," explains Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. "A rapid reduction in fat can cause skin to sag, accentuating features associated with aging, such as jowls, loose skin on the neck and a sunken appearance around the eyes."
Though not everyone on a GLP-1 will experience skin sagging, according to a recent article from the Cleveland Clinic, "the faster you lose weight, the more likely you are to experience" facial skin sagging. Additionally, older adults are more likely to experience this sagginess due to "lower subcutaneous fat reserves even before starting weight loss treatment."
Along with Camp, we also spoke with Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and the owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates and Dr. Akshay Sanan, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Dr. Sanan Facial Plastic Surgery, to learn more about what may cause these apparent changes to the skin as well as how to best treat them.
Our Shop TODAY team curated a list of the best expert-recommended skin care products to help firm and tighten skin after excessive weight loss. Keep scrolling to shop popular products from top brands like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Paula's Choice, Peach & Lily and many more.
How GLP-1 drugs might affect the skin
If you're dealing with unwanted skin changes due to extreme weight loss from a GLP-1, you're not alone.
"These medications are FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Their primary effects are the regulation of blood sugar, appetite control and weight loss, but they can also have secondary effects on the skin," suggests Spearman. "By causing weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, they can improve some skin conditions like acne, hidradenitis suppurativa and better wound healing due to improved metabolic function," she shares.
Facial changes are not usually a direct result of taking a GLP-1, but rather from losing a lot of weight over a shorter period of time, Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an adult and pediatric endocrinologist, and Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified endocrinologist, previously told TODAY.
That said, rapid weight loss due to these medications can cause undesirable effects on the skin. "Loose skin is one of the more common negative effects, usually involving the face, abdomen, thighs and arms," she says. "Sagging skin due to loss of subcutaneous fat, collagen and muscle mass, injection site reactions, like a rash, redness or swelling where one injects the medications are also common."
Spearman explains that age also plays a role because as we get older and our skin matures, the number of elastic and collagen fibers decreases. "This loss of elasticity makes it less likely that the skin will 'bounce back,' when stretched," she suggests. "The loss of collagen means less support for the skin as the weight is lost."
To better understand how these medications can affect the skin, marketing manager at Evolution Marketing, Natasha Polito, 45, documented her personal experience being on a weight loss drug that contains semaglutide. She was on the weight loss medication for one year and went from a starting weight of 200 lb. to 130 lb. during that time frame. The average weight loss expected is 10 to 20% of your starting weight, depending on the type of GLP-1 medication you’re on, and the length of time you take it, TODAY.com reported.
Polito tells us that she has always had bags under her eyes, but that she noticed they've gotten slightly worse since taking the medication (and growing older). She also experienced saggy skin on her stomach, but says the pros of having less fat on her stomach outweigh the cons of the excess skin.
What to look for in products to help treat sagging skin after extreme weight loss
If you've experienced extreme weight loss and you've noticed your skin has started to sag or droop, what should you do? According to Camp, "skin care products can’t restore fat to areas that have lost it, but they can help protect skin from environmental factors that reduce collagen and elastin, namely UV radiation, and help maintain current levels."
To help firm the skin, Camp recommends using a daily sunscreen to limit UV-induced degradation of elastin and collagen. "Look for products with a minimum SPF of 30 that offer more than sun protection, such as antioxidants and humectants," he suggests.
Also, "consider using skin care products like retinols and antioxidant serums that encourage collagen production and protect skin from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals," he notes. "Look for moisturizers that heighten moisture retention and maintain the skin barrier, which plump skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines," Camp adds.
Additionally, Sanan says to look for skin care products that support collagen production, hydration and elasticity. "Ingredients like peptides, exosomes, growth factors, retinoids, and hyaluronic acid can help improve skin texture and firmness over time," he states. "It won’t replace surgery, but it can support the skin’s remodeling process, especially if started early."
In order to improve both skin texture and tone, Spearman recommends products with vitamin C, which is an antioxidant.
Products to shop
"In addition to L-ascorbic acid, this anti-aging serum is also made with Kakadu plum, a rich source of vitamin C, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leave skin looking more radiant," notes Camp.
"In addition to providing SPF 50 protection, this sunscreen contains pentavitin (also known as saccharide isomerate), which promotes moisture retention and improves skin hydration," explains Camp.
Another favorite skin care product of Camp's, this moisturizing cream is infused with "retinol, an antioxidant blend, and hyaluronic acid" which he says, revitalizes and renews dry skin.
Camp is also a big fan of this hydrating, mineral sunscreen from Grown Alchemist. Why? “In addition to providing SPF 30 protection, this lightweight, mineral-based product provides deep hydration with three different types of hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil,” he mentions.
Spearman swears by this "peptide-rich serum that supports collagen production and hydration." This firming formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid and helps boost skin elasticity.
"Formulated with five ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and vitamin B5-derived panthenol to increase moisture, this barrier cream leaves dry skin feeling soft, nourished, and supple," says Camp.
Camp recommends this splurge-worthy serum that helps transform the look of aging eyes, according to the brand. "Retinol, and a plant-based bakuchiol, thought to be as effective as retinol but better tolerated, are features in this eye serum to address fine lines and wrinkles in the periocular area," he explains.
"This line of retinol creams comes in three different concentrations to cater to those who are new to retinols, those with some prior experience, and long-time users of this effective skin care ingredient," says Camp. If you're hesitant to start using retinol, the 0.3 is a great way to introduce your skin to the ingredient without being too strong.
Sanan recommends this rich firming cream that he says is ideal for the neck and jawline. "It targets firmness, crepey skin, and fine lines with peptides and antioxidants," he explains.
"A lightweight yet powerful moisturizer that targets glycation and oxidative stress, helping improve firmness and reduce the appearance of sagging in both the face and neck," says Sanan.
[This hydrating serum] is a "high-end exosome-derived serum derived from platelet technology," shares Sanan. "It supports collagen regeneration and skin recovery." According to the brand, it's safe for all skin types and beneficial for reducing the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best skin care products for those dealing with skin changes due to GLP-1 medications by enlisting the recommendations of two dermatologists as well as a facial plastic surgeon.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
- Dr. Dara Spearman is a board-certified dermatologist and the owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Dr. Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Dr. Sanan Facial Plastic Surgery.
- Dr. Ania Jastreboff, MD, PHD, is an adult and pediatric endocrinologist at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
- Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen is a board-certified endocrinologist at New York Endocrinology in New York, New York.
- Natasha Polito is a sales and marketing manager in Rochester, New York.
