As we leave our 20s behind, it’s well and truly time to get started with some serious skin care. Because let’s face it, no matter how liberal you’ve been with your sun protection, you just can’t stop the ageing process.
What you can do is recognise which ageing skin concerns begin to occur at certain points in your life, and then tend to those ageing skin concerns by adopting a routine that includes anti-ageing products that target your issues and provide the best possible results. Here, we take a look into which skin ageing issues occur as you get older, and provide some solutions to help you combat ageing – at any stage of life!
How to look good when you’re…
In your 30s
What you’re worried about: fine lines, loss of elasticity, dull skin.
What can help: ingredients to help with cell turnover such as alpha hydroxy acids.
In your 30s, cell production is slowing, but still quite active. With this in mind, you should be looking for products that assist with the turnover of dead skin cells to reveal new, radiant and healthy cells. There are a number of ingredients found in products and salon treatments that can help with this, such as…
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) – derived from fruit and milk sugars, AHAs work predominantly as a chemical exfoliant (in that they don’t need to be manually massaged into your skin in order to take effect). AHAs work to ‘unglue’ the cells of the epidermis, allowing dead skin cells to be swiftly removed, and making room for the regrowth of new skin. AHAs can even stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, helping to provide a more youthful look.
Microdermabrasion – as part of this skin treatment, a hand-held device is used to circulate high-pressure micro crystals onto the skin, gently buffing and suctioning the skin in order to remove dead and dull skin cells. The suctioning action during microdermabrasion is also used to increase cell turnover and exfoliation by stimulating blood flow and cell production underneath the skin.
What to try:
ARTISTRY Alpha Hydroxy Serum Plus
Nutrimetics Ultra Care Micro-Dermabrasion Kit
In your 40s
What you’re worried about: dryness, prominent lines around the eyes and mouth, loss of skin firmness.
What can help: collagen-building ingredients, such as peptides and intensive skin re-hydrators.
In your 40s, increased skin dryness, loss of elasticity and wrinkles are some of the biggest skin concerns you may face, (that and the realisation that your frown lines don’t bounce back as fast as they once did!). However with some of the following ingredients working with your skin, these issues can be treated and even delayed…
Collagen/peptides – collagen is the main building block of skin, and is responsible for giving you that plump and youthful-looking appearance. As you age however, collagen is lost and your skin begins to look wrinkled and saggy. Luckily though, peptides found in skin care products can work to help your skin produce more collagen, helping you to plump up your skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid – after 40, your oil glands become less effective and as a result, your skin can seem noticeably drier and a lot less youthful. Products containing hyaluronic acid should be used to treat mature, dry skin, as the wonder ingredient works to retain water and keep skin moist, smooth and supple.
What to try:
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Daily Poly-Oxidant Complex
Good Skin Labs, Smooth-365™ Intensive Clarity + Smoothing Peptide Serum
Nivea Visage Expert Lift Day Cream
In your 50s
What you’re worried about: Dehydrated skin, sagging, deep-set wrinkles, pigmentation, and menopausal changes.
What can help: fillers, collagen repairers and brightening ingredients such as vitamin C.
As you go through menopausal changes, it’s highly likely that you’ll experience decreased oestrogen levels, which in turn means that collagen levels are greatly depleted, causesing loss of skin elasticity. This can result in your skin looking dehydrated and significantly thinner, while wrinkles will appear deeper and more pronounced. You may also notice an increase in hyperpigmentation, with a greater number of visible age spots. Luckily, there are skin care products and cosmetic surgery procedures available designed to assist with these issues, such as…
Retinol or retin-A – a pure and active form of vitamin A, and one of the few substances with a small enough molecular structure to penetrate the outer layers of the skin, retinol or retin-A works to repair the lower layers of the skin where collagen and elastin reside. This means that it can work to repair and stimulate collagen and elastin production, creating firmer, smoother skin.
Vitamin C – has a lightening effect that works on the skin to actively reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation (age spots) and improve radiance in dull and age-affected skin.
Restylane – if you want to go down the cosmetic procedure path, Restylane is a dermal filler that revitalises and plumps up the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and giving a softer look. Restylane is used to create volume in the upper layer of the skin and relax harsh lines and deep-set wrinkles.
Click here for everything you need to know about dermal fillers and other cosmetic procedures…
What to try:
Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalizing Face Mask
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector
La Prairie Cellular Treatment Rose Illusion Line Filler
What are you tips for staying younger looking for longer?
