By Eleanor Reader Different ageing concerns strike our skin at different stages in our lifetime. Whether it’s pigmentation in your 20’s or wrinkles and sagging in your 50’s, this skin guide tells you what skin concerns to expect and which anti-ageing creams and moisturisers will help your skin age as smoothly and healthily as possible.
For Lovely Skin In Your 20’s
Skin Problems
By your 20’s most of the hormonal changes that made your skin confused and unpredictable in your teens should have settled down, leaving you with fairly normal skin. Your complexion should still be silky smooth and line-free, but those who haven’t used proper sun protection may notice crows feet and early signs of pigmentation. All the bad habits from your teens and 20’s, like smoking and excessive drinking, may have caught up with you, causing early sags and bags and dull, unhealthy skin which contributes to ageing.
Best Anti-Ageing Ingredients: This is a time for prevention, so make sure you choose a cream with plenty of antioxidants and sun protection.
Rescu. Loves: L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect SPF 30+ Daily Moisturising Lotion
Protect your skin from damaging UV rays with this fantastic daily moisturiser from L’Oreal. It is a great price and an even better investment to prevent premature ageing and sun spots.
RRP $17.95. Available from pharmacies, department stores and variety stores nationally.
Rescu. Booster Product: Give your skin an extra boost with an exfoliator product to polish and purify your complexion. We use Dr Lewinn’s Synergise Facial Scrub which rejuvenates, smoothes and moisturises skin. RRP $19.95. Available from Coles.
For Rejuvenated Skin In Your 30’s
Skin Problems
You may be starting to notice some dullness in your complexion as your cell turnover slows and the surface layer of your skin retains dead skin cells. For those who have had too much fun in the sun, you will probably have sun spots and some fine lines beginning to appear. By this stage your skin is starting to lose some of its youthful elasticity and creasing from repeated muscle activity can begin to show by lines across your forehead and crows feet.
Best Anti-Ageing Ingredients: You should look for creams, which contain anti-ageing ingredients to fight fine lines. This includes Peptides to stimulate collagen production, Vitamin A retinols to fight free radical sun damage and Hydroxy acids to exfoliate skin.
Rescu. Loves: Elucent Day Moisturiser
Offering maximum hydration to dry and tired skin, this moisturiser has a powerful formula which reduces wrinkles, improves skin texture and most important of all, protects from future skin damage with 30 SPF.
RRP $44.95. Available from Priceline stores nationally and selected dermatology and plastic surgeons’ clinics offices.
Kerryn Greive from Ego Pharmaceuticals tells us just why anti-ageing creams are so important.
RESCU: How important are creams for a successful anti-ageing skin care regime?
Kerryn: For a good anti-ageing skin care regime, creams are vital. Too much sun and skin dehydration will both age our skin before its time. Day wear creams with sunscreen will help protect from the premature skin ageing affects of the sun, while at night a cream with quality moisturizers and anti-aging ingredients will help revive and restore the skin.
RESCU: At what age should people start using anti-ageing creams?
Kerryn: The number one weapon in fighting skin aging is a good sunscreen. We should all be using sunscreen as part of our daily skin care program no matter how old or young we are. Specific anti-aging creams that also contain other ingredients to fight skin aging, such as vitamins and AHA’s, are worth looking at from about the age of 30-35: once we start to see our skin changing in the mirror.
Rescu. Booster Product: A serum is a must have anti-ageing product that delivers stronger ingredients and helps boost cellular turnover so skin remains youthful. We recommend a serum like Nutrimetics UltraCare+ Moisturising Serum, which pours moisture back into your skin and protects from free radical damage that causes premature wrinkles. RRP $59. Available from Nutrimetics consultants or online at www.nutrimetics.com.au.
For Fabulous Skin In Your 40’s
Skin Problems
This is the decade when your collagen production really starts to slow down and the loss of elasticity in your skin will be fairly obvious. The skin on your face and body will start to sag and lines and wrinkles will become more prominent. The top layer of dead skin cells becomes even thicker than in your thirties, so your skin will lose some of its brightness. Another issue to worry about is dryness. Oestrogen, which keeps the skin moist and supple, is declining, so creams and moisturisers become more important than ever!
Best Anti-Ageing Ingredients: Hydroxy acids are fantastic for removing the top layer of dead skin cells that are starting to build up, Vitamin A derived retinols to treat wrinkles, peptides and other antioxidants such as Green Tea and Vitamin C.
Rescu. Loves: Guinot Beaute Neuve Renewal Cream
The dry and dull layer of dead skin covering your complexion will be exfoliated thanks to the peeling effect of Vitamin C. Your skin will regain radiance while being hydrated, protected and smoothed by Vitamins A and E.
RRP $121. Stocklist Ph: 1300 300 954
Rescu. Booster Product: A weekly mask treatment is the best way to return the hydration and moisture you are losing to your complexion. For best results choose a mask which is specifically for hydrating and firming, like La Prairie’s Cellular Hydralift Firming Mask. RRP $220. Available from selected David Jones and beauty salons nationally
For Beautiful Skin In Your 50’s
Skin Problems
You’ve said goodbye to the wrinkle-free years of your youth and entered the skin of your fifties. The breakdown of collagen and elastin means your skin has literally become looser and you will start to notice sagging. Those of you on the thinner side of the scale may notice the fat over your cheekbones starting to slip, which may change the contours of your face. By this age deeper wrinkles have settled around your complexion and you may notice some pigmented age spots.
Best Anti-Ageing Ingredients: Much the same as your forties, continue to use ingredients with Vitamin A derived retinols and peptides but also look for stronger anti-ageing products that contain ingredients like Hydrochloric Acid, which will really tackle wrinkles.
Rescu. Loves: Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme SPF 15
Specifically designed to lift and sculpt skin that has sagged, plant extracts and minerals work to increase collagen production, resulting in more defined facial contours and the smoothing of lines and wrinkles.
RRP $140. Stocklists Ph: 1800 061 326
Rescu. Booster Product: Give you lines and wrinkles the ultimate boost with injectibles like Botox and Restalyn to defy gravity and damage.
