Unless you’re an astronaut, gravity isn’t something you really think about until things start sagging and dragging a little—on your face. While I am grateful to be alive and experiencing getting older, I still want to feel my best, and skin care plays a big part in that. With gravity knocking at my door and over-40 skin, I’ve been looking for products that address firming. One of the newest products I’ve tried is Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum ($45), which addresses fine lines and wrinkles while aiming to lift and firm the skin so it improves over time.

Glow Recipe, Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum — $45.00

What’s in the Glow Recipe Pomegranate Firming Serum

Our bodies’ natural production of collagen and elastin slows down more and more as we get older. The Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum has a trifecta of key ingredients, including polypeptides (signal peptides and copper tri-peptides, to be exact), pomegranate, and hyaluronic acid to plump, firm, and hydrate skin.

“Peptides are the amino acids that make up certain proteins needed for various skin functions, and polypeptides are longer chains of connected amino acids that act as ‘chemical messengers’ with the unique ability to permeate our cells to repair or correct cellular damages,” explains Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills.

She explains that our skin’s collagen is made up of three different polypeptide chains, so adding these key polypeptides into the mix boosts natural collagen production. Which, in theory, will lead to firmer, younger-looking skin. “This gives polypeptides the strength and ability to provide a range of anti-aging benefits,” says Dr. Shamban. “They are a great base for an anti-aging serum to help support the reduction of fine lines and dehydration and boost lifting, toning, firming, and plumping.”

As far as the antioxidant-rich pomegranate in the formula, it has a whole host of potential benefits. “It fights the free radical and environmental damage, pigmentation from sun damage and general age spots,” says Dr. Shamban. “It is a great protector from toxins and also helps promote efficiency in collagen production.” All of this helps make it a great ingredient for fighting signs of aging.

My honest review of the Glow Recipe Pomegranate Firming Serum

I’ve had luck with Glow Recipe’s products in the past—just ask me about the chokehold the brand’s Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser and Plum Pump Hyaluronic Serum have on me!—so needless to say, I was pretty optimistic about the Pomegranate Firming Serum.

On first try, I noticed that there was some weight to the formula and it had a milky appearance. In spite of this, it absorbed quickly into my skin without any feelings of stickiness or any sort of noticeable sensation.

I noticed instantly that my skin had a healthier glow about it, and after a week felt that it looked plumper and more hydrated. Something that I really like about Glow Recipe in general is that the products are easy to use and great for sensitive skin types, but still effective. (Also, the product packaging is always so pretty; this one comes in a gorgeous red!)

Overall, I’m pretty happy with the firming serum and plan on continuing to use it for at least another month to see how much more of an improvement it has on my skin.