Skin through the ages

Our skin and its needs change drastically as we age. Here’s what to expect at every life stage, and how to keep your skin looking younger for longer.

By Dr Judey Pretorius, Biomedical Scientist and Founder of Biomedical Emporium Skincare

It’s no secret that our skin goes through major changes as we age. From the formation of fine lines and wrinkles to loss of elasticity and volume, ageing is inevitable. But it’s not just the skin’s appearance that changes as we age – it’s also the skin’s needs. The skincare routine you used in your 20s is not going to suffice in your 40s or 50s.

The key to maintaining healthy skin with a youthful appearance is to adapt your skincare routine and lifestyle to your skin’s everchanging needs. Here’s how to build your best skincare routine throughout the various stages of your life.

At this age your skin is likely to still be plump, firm and wrinkle-free. Skincare in your twenties should be preventative. It’s the perfect time to start introducing antiageing ingredients in your regime and to form long-term healthy habits that will benefit your skin (such as maintaining a healthy diet, quitting smoking and getting enough sleep).

It is a good time to introduce retinol (vitamin A) into your regime. This powerful active ingredient is renowned for its anti-ageing benefits, but also helps combat breakouts, clogged pores and give you a more even skin tone. If you haven’t already, you also need to get into the habit of applying a broad spectrum SPF every day (even during winter!) and to keep doing this as you age. This is the single most important anti-ageing tool in your arsenal.

You are likely to start seeing the early signs of ageing during your thirties, and this is also a time in which a lot of women begin to see the first effects of sun damage that occurred when they were younger.

Fine lines, loss of volume in the cheeks and sun-induced pigmentation are common in your thirties. The skin’s production of collagen starts to decline, and your skin’s repair system slows down. This is a great time to include antioxidants in your regime. Vitamin C will help repair suninduced pigmentation and will help to rejuvenate your skin’s collagen production. You can also move on to a stronger concentration of retinol. It’s important to master the basics: Invest in a good quality cleanser, hydrating moisturiser and eye cream. Now is also a good time to start investing in professional treatments such as micro-needling and chemical peels to stimulate collagen production.

Most women become pregnant in their twenties and thirties. During the first trimester, women experience an enviable glow, but as the pregnancy progresses and the skin’s sebum production increases, she may begin to struggle with pigmentation and breakouts. It’s best to avoid using active ingredients during pregnancy, and to avoid professional treatments such as injectables and chemical peels. If you’re not sure whether or not a product or ingredient is suitable, consult your skincare therapist or medical practitioner.

During your forties is the time during which you may see the most dramatic changes in your skin. This is because most women in their forties enter the phase of perimenopause (the phase right before menopause begins).

During perimenopause the body experiences a lot of hormonal changes, which have an effect on the skin. Collagen and elastin fibres begin to break down, you may experience sagging and deeper wrinkles may begin to form. Your skin may also become dehydrated and struggle to retain moisture.

Include a hyaluronic acid serum or moisturiser in your regime. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most hydrating ingredients available in skincare and has the ability to hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water, so imagine how hydrating it can be for the skin!

You can also start using peptide serums (peptides are essentially the building blocks of the skin that send messages to your cells, telling them what to do). Peptide serums can help stimulate collagen production and are great to soften expression lines. Switch over to a retinol eye cream to help combat crow’s feet and deeper wrinkles around the delicate eye area.

Post-menopause, our bodies go through a major hormonal shift again with declining levels of oestrogen and increased androgens. Skin will become thinner and less elastic and while dryness is a common concern at this age, the fluctuating hormones may also bring about breakouts.

Your biggest focus should be to give your skin as much moisture and hydration as possible. Use a gentle cream or milky cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils and continue using a good quality hyaluronic acid serum for hydration.

Now is a good time to introduce a ceramide moisturiser into your regime. When we reach this age, the epidermal layer of our skin starts to lose the fatty substances that keep our skin plump and supple. Ceramides address this concern by locking in moisture and giving the skin a plumper appearance.

No matter what your age…

No matter what your age, it’s important to stick to a consistent skincare regime twice a day. Never go to bed with makeup on and apply SPF every day. A healthy lifestyle goes a long way to prevent and minimise the signs of ageing, as general wellbeing and a healthy skin go hand-inhand.

Ageing is inevitable and no matter how much we wish that we could look 25 forever, our skin will go through the changes that lead to signs of ageing. The good news is that when you apply good quality active ingredients to your skin, lead a healthy lifestyle and look after yourself, your skin can look great at every decade, and you can age with dignity and grace.

COMPOSABLE, CREATE YOUR BRACELET LINK BY LINK COMPOSABLE, CREATE YOUR BRACELET LINK BY LINK