So your skin is getting thinner, drier, more fragile.... You are noticing fine lines and wrinkles, and maybe the elasticity is not the same as it used to be in you skin. It's that day you realise your skin is maturing & maybe what used to work for your skin now doesn't cut it!
Here I give a quick introduction to mature skin and what we can do to slow down the skin ageing process.
So you have mature/ageing skin! When & why does this happen?
Our skin actually starts the ageing process in our late teens/early 20’s - although we often don’t start to see the visible indicators until around 25- 30 years old. The older we get the more signs we will see, such as the skin becoming dryer and more dehydrated. This is caused by the skin getting thinner, so the barrier protection starts to weaken.
We will start to see more lines and wrinkles due to less collagen and elastin being produced, which will also cause the skin to look saggy and slackened.
Hormonal imbalances, such as menopause, can also affect the skin as we age. These imbalances can cause hot flushes, redness and sensitivity as well as pigmentation patches. As we age our skin doesn’t function the same as it once did.
There can also be contributing factors that accelerate the process, such as; stress, illness, diet, lack of sleep, smoking, sun damage, pollution and poor skincare to name a few.
"You can't stop the ageing process, but we can out smart it!"
What happens when our skin ages?
Not only does collagen and elastin not produce as quickly, neither do our skin cells. We generally re-produce new skin cells every 28 days, but as we age this process can take up to 6 weeks, making the skin appear dull and devitalised.
The skin also doesn’t produce as much Hyaluronic Acid and so fine lines and wrinkles can appear deeper and the skin less plump.
What can we do, I hear you ask?
My No. 1 tip - Remember to use sunscreen daily from your late teens and limit your exposure to the harmful rays, especially during peak times. UVA is present all year round, and even able to penetrate through clouds and is a leading cause of premature ageing.
It is helpful to use age-appropriate products as they will give the skin what it needs, however be mindful to look at the visible signs on your skin and select a product based on this. My 2nd top tip is to ‘Treat your skin’s age not your own age’... This can be done within a consultation and you will receive a personalised skincare plan and advice at the end of the session.
I would also suggest the following:
Look for a day and night routine - it is so important to protect and nourish the skin as well as repair and rejuvenate it.
Consider adding some supplements to an already established routine - such as Collagen, Retinol, Glycolic acid or Hyaluronic acid. These are great at absorbing moisture and locking it into the skin.
Better lifestyle choices will also help. If you do, try to smoke less as this causes the skin to look dull and drink less alcohol as this can restrict the blood flow, resulting in less nutrients coming into the skin.
There are many steps you can take to support and protect your skin throughout its ageing process. As always, having a targeted skincare routine specific to your skin’s concerns will help you reach your skin goals.
To find out more about skin regimes and skin types feel free to read my other blogs.
Alternatively, for more information, help or advice on your skin please get in touch –
Your skin will thank you!