Supporting your skin through weight loss and GLP-1s: Ingredients & products that help
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are incredibly popular, but as the pounds come off, new skin concerns can appear: sagging, hollowing and a loss of the facial volume that keeps skin looking youthful.
So, how do you prevent loose skin after weight loss? Targeted skin care can make a difference in some areas. We asked our experts—board-certified dermatologists Dr. Joel Schlessinger and Dr. Daniel Schlessinger—to share their top recommendations for protecting and restoring skin during and after weight loss.
Board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains, “Rapid weight loss accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which already decline with age. Focusing on using ingredients that both stimulate new collagen production and protect what's there can help protect as much as possible as you lose weight.”
In this blog, we’ll discuss:
- What happens to skin during rapid weight loss?
- The best skin care ingredients to look for
- The best face products for supporting skin through GLP-1s and rapid weight loss
- The best body products for firmer, smoother skin during weight loss & GLP-1s
What happens to skin during rapid weight loss?
When fat cells shrink quickly, as they do with rapid weight loss, the skin doesn't always have the ability to contract. On top of this, structural proteins in collagen and elastin can weaken, leaving skin with less scaffolding to hold its shape.
Board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Daniel Schlessinger explains, “The other important change during rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications is relative malnutrition and protein deficiency,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. “This lack of protein ends up leading to less collagen and elastin being produced in the skin.”
“These medications also tend to cause loss of bone density as well as muscle mass,” he adds. “The bone density doesn’t just happen in the spine and the hips, it also occurs in the face. This causes noticeable sagging in the cheeks, jawline and temples.”
On the face, this translates to a sagging and a sunken appearance after weight loss that manifests around the cheeks and eyes. For the body, loose skin on the abdomen, upper arms and thighs is common, especially with significant or fast weight loss.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger adds, “Genetics, age, skin quality and the speed and extent of weight loss all play a role in how your skin responds to these changes. But a consistent skin care routine focused on collagen support, cell renewal and firming active ingredients can minimize some of these effects. Lasers such as Sciton’s HALO and MOXI can also tighten skin, while their BBL HEROic can stimulate collagen as well.”
The best skin care ingredients to look for
When skin is under the specific stress of rapid fat loss, some active ingredients are significantly more helpful than others.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger explains, "When patients ask me what ingredients to prioritize, I always come back to peptides and growth factors—they work with the skin's biology rather than just treating the surface. Adding a good antioxidant and retinol can also provide a noticeable difference in how skin holds up through weight loss and GLP-1 use. In reality, no one skin care product or procedure can totally negate the effect of sudden weight loss, but these are the best of the best for keeping your skin looking as good as possible during these changes.”
“In our office, we perform treatments like fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane and others to replace lost fat in the face and other areas of the skin. Sculptra is particularly excellent as it is a true collagen booster and tissue regenerator. While it takes a little more time to work, it is a natural and more cost-efficient process,” explains Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
Here are the ingredients most supported by science for preventing sagging, loss of elasticity and the structural changes that come with rapid weight loss.
- Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that signal skin to produce more collagen and elastin, helping improve firmness. Look for multi-peptide formulas or technologies like TriHex+ that support the skin’s structure.
- Growth Factors: Growth factors help stimulate skin repair and regeneration, supporting firmness and structure. They’re especially helpful for improving a deflated or hollow appearance after weight loss.
- Retinol: Retinol boosts cell turnover and collagen production to improve firmness and smooth texture. It’s especially helpful for areas prone to thinning or loose skin, including the body.
- NAD+: NAD+ supports cellular energy and repair, helping improve skin resilience and overall quality—especially during periods of metabolic change.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid draws in moisture to help improve plumpness, texture and suppleness as part of a complete routine.
- Vitamins C & E: Vitamin C supports collagen production and fights free radical damage, while vitamin E boosts antioxidant protection. Together, they help preserve collagen.
The best face products for supporting skin through GLP-1s and rapid weight loss
SkinCeuticals A.G.E Interrupter Ultra Serum
Key ingredients: Vitamins C & E
SkinCeuticals' most advanced anti-glycation formula, this serum targets the process by which sugars in the body damage collagen fibers—a concern when skin is adapting to rapid fat loss. The formula helps improve firmness, reduce the appearance of deep lines and restore a more lifted look to skin that's beginning to sag.
skinbetter science InterFuse Treatment Cream FACE & NECK
Key ingredients: Peptides, InterFuse Technology, niacinamide
This peptide-rich cream uses a proprietary InterFuse Technology to help improve the appearance of skin firmness, smoothness and crepiness on the face and neck. The formula delivers a smoothing effect using neuro-calming peptides, leaving skin feeling firmer for a more lifted and contoured appearance. For GLP-1 patients experiencing the hollowed, deflated look that can accompany rapid weight loss, this face and neck cream is a great option.
SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Wrinkle Modulating Peptide Serum
Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide
Inspired by the effects of neurotoxin injections, this serum is formulated with an Advanced Peptide Complex to smooth nine types of contraction and expression lines, even those that traditional injectables struggle to reach. The formula is amplified by 5% PHA for gentle exfoliation, 5% niacinamide to help strengthen the moisture barrier and 1% laminaria extract to hydrate, soothe and firm skin experiencing laxity due to rapid weight loss.
Alastin Skincare Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex+
Key Ingredients: TriHex+ Technology (peptide blend), peptides, hyaluronic acid
This is one of our favorite serums for patients undergoing aesthetic changes, whether from procedures or lifestyle transformations. Proprietary TriHex+ Technology works to clear away damaged elastin and collagen while stimulating the production of new, healthy fibers. For skin that's been through significant weight loss, this dual-action approach is a great choice.
Obagi Nu-Gen Cellular Renewal Serum with NAD+
Key ingredients: NAD+, retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid
When it comes to how to fix Ozempic face, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is gaining serious traction in dermatology for its role in cellular energy production and DNA repair. This serum brings this innovative ingredient into your daily routine, promoting surface renewal, improved tone and a more resilient complexion. It’s ideal for Ozempic skin care routines focused on overall skin health.
Neocutis Bio Serum Firm Rejuvenating Growth Factor & Peptide Treatment
Key Ingredients: Growth factors, peptides, hyaluronic acid
This firming serum combines a comprehensive growth factor complex with firming peptides to help restore bounce, density and that visible plumpness that can decline with rapid weight loss. It's a particularly strong choice for addressing the hollow, deflated look of a sunken face after weight loss.
The best body products for firmer, smoother skin during weight loss & GLP-1s
SkinMedica Firm & Tone Body Lotion
Key Ingredients: Growth factors (TNS), retinol
This nourishing lotion was designed specifically for this type of concern. It combines caffeine to help tighten the appearance of skin with TNS (growth factors) and a blend of botanical actives to visibly improve tone and texture over time. Applied daily to areas of concern, it's a consistent performer that fits easily into any routine.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Sculptor Body Serum
Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid
This lightweight body serum takes a science-forward approach to skin laxity, using bio-sculpting peptides to help redefine contours and improve elasticity. For people who've noticed that their skin feels less "snappy" after weight loss, this serum delivers a measurable tightening effect over consistent use.
Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment with TriHex Technology
Key Ingredients: Peptides
This body treatment brings the same TriHex Technology to large surface areas of the body. It actively clears damaged matrix proteins while encouraging new collagen synthesis. It's particularly effective on the abdomen, inner arms and thighs and is one of the strongest over-the-counter options for post-weight-loss skin laxity.
Revision Skincare BodiContour
Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides
This concentrated body treatment is designed to visibly smooth, firm and reshape areas prone to laxity. It features a potent blend of retinol and peptides, along with skin-identical lipids that help restore the skin barrier and support structural proteins. For patients who are actively losing weight on a GLP-1 medication, starting BodiContour early can help keep skin looking smoother.
Looking for more ways to enhance your skin care routine with proven skin-smoothing formulas? Learn all about retinal vs retinol vs prescription retinoids and which one is right for your skin on the LovelySkin blog.
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