By Anna Cave-Bigley

After I had my first child, I began noticing subtle shifts in my skin: fine lines forming more quickly, a loss of elasticity, and a dryness that regular moisturisers couldn’t fix. It was my wake-up call. Like many women, I assumed these changes were simply “ageing.” But the deeper I looked, the more I realised that hormones were playing a powerful role in how my skin looked and felt.

Many of the changes women notice: dullness, dehydration, loss of plumpness, and reduced bounce,  aren’t random. They’re connected to hormonal fluctuations that directly influence collagen, elastin, and moisture levels.

At The SABI, Hilary and I are committed to giving you the science behind these changes, so you can make informed, confident decisions about your skin and hormones. If you’ve ever wondered what actually makes skin appear plump, and how to maintain that glow, this guide will walk you through it clearly and simply.

Xx, 

Anna, Co-founder of The SABI

The Building Blocks of Plump Skin

Plump, youthful skin depends on far more than topical moisture. It’s the result of internal structure, water retention, and a healthy skin barrier. These are the three pillars:

1. Collagen: The Foundation of Firmness

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your skin, acting like scaffolding. It keeps the skin firm, lifted, and structurally supported.

Fact: Collagen production begins declining as early as age 25 — and drops by up to 30% in the first five years of menopause.

Hormonal fluctuations (postpartum, perimenopause, chronic stress) accelerate this decline, which is why skin may suddenly feel less firm during these life phases.

2. Elastin: The Stretch Factor

If collagen is the scaffolding, elastin is the spring. It allows skin to stretch and bounce back.

Like collagen, elastin naturally diminishes with age. Loss of elastin contributes to sagging, creping, and fine lines — especially around the mouth and eyes.

3. Hydration: The Filler for Fine Lines

Water-binding molecules like hyaluronic acid “fill” the upper layers of the skin, giving it a smooth, plump appearance.

Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it essential for maintaining volume in the epidermis.

But stress, poor sleep, dehydration, and hormonal shifts reduce the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

What Reduces Skin Plumpness?

The Hormone Connection

Hormones — especially oestrogen — play a defining role in skin health.

Oestrogen stimulates collagen production, enhances elastin quality, and boosts natural hyaluronic acid synthesis. It also supports the skin barrier and helps regulate moisture levels.

But when oestrogen levels drop (during postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, or periods of chronic stress), the skin rapidly loses:

• firmness
• hydration
• elasticity
• plumpness

This is why so many women describe their skin as “different overnight.”

Oestrogen increases the skin’s water retention capacity — which is why low-oestrogen phases feel instantly drier.

This is where targeted hydration — like The Reviving Face Mist — becomes particularly effective.

How The Reviving Face Mist Works

This isn’t just a refreshing spray — it’s a daily treatment designed to restore hydration and support hormonal skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

A molecule that binds up to 1,000x its weight in water, instantly plumping the skin and softening fine lines.

Aloe Vera

Soothes irritation, reduces inflammation, and hydrates without heaviness.

Gotu Kola

A plant humectant known to support collagen production and enhance moisture retention.

Used consistently, this vegan mist supports the skin barrier and enhances the absorption of serums and moisturisers.

Lifestyle Factors You Can’t Ignore

Products are powerful — but they work best when supported by daily habits. These three factors have the biggest impact on plumpness:

1. Prioritise Sleep

Poor sleep elevates cortisol, which breaks down collagen. Aim for restorative sleep rather than just hours in bed.

2. Eat Skin-Supportive Foods

Omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, sardines, walnuts) strengthen the lipid barrier.
Vitamin C-rich foods (acerola cherries, kiwi, oranges) support collagen synthesis.

3. Stay Hydrated

Water intake affects intracellular hydration — but pairing it with a topical humectant is what maintains skin fullness.

Internal vs External Hydration

A Simple Routine for Plump Skin

1. Cleanse: Remove impurities without stripping the skin.

2. Mist: Apply the Reviving Face Mist to hydrate and prime the skin.

3. Serum: The Active Nutrient Serum will lock in hydration with marine peptides, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

4. Moisturise: Lock in hydration with a non-comedogenic moisturiser.

This sequence maximises both water retention and barrier strength.

The Bottom Line

Plump, radiant skin is the product of strong internal structure (collagen + elastin), proper hydration, and healthy hormonal balance. When you understand these mechanisms, choosing the right skincare becomes intuitive rather than confusing.

At The SABI, we develop products like the Reviving Face Mist to work with your biology — not against it — supporting your skin through postpartum shifts, perimenopause, stress cycles, and every stage in between.

You deserve skin that feels vibrant, hydrated, and supported every single day.

References

• Journal of Investigative Dermatology: Collagen Dynamics and Skin Ageing (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12542529/)

• National Institutes of Health: The Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Skin Hydration (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30267515/)

• Journal of Endocrinology: Oestrogen’s Effects on Skin Health (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19228821/)

HORMONAL & PROUD

Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI aims to change the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.

We offer you an invitation to get to know your body and its cycles better –– an invitation to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormonal cycle to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. Look for the right sources of information. Know that there is help, and know that you’re supported.

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DISCLAIMER

The SABI blog and articles are not meant to instruct or advise on medical or health conditions, but to inform. The information and opinions presented here do not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals for your unique situation.