Hollywood hottie Cameron Diaz, who is stunning as ever at 47, once revealed in an interview that she started devoting time to self-care from her early 20s itself. She claimed that the earlier you start keeping fit and taking care of your skin, the longer you can maintain its youthfulness. And since ageing is inevitable, the idea of delaying it, rather than dreading it is more likely to help you age gracefully. Now we get it; Cameron is no licensed professional, but her personal experience does have some truth to it - an anti-ageing skincare routine works best when started early!
To help you understand this better, we had a quick chat with a skin expert who was able to give us details on exactly how and when to start an anti-ageing skincare routine. Dr Anupriya Goel, MBBS, MD, DPD (UK) Dermatologist and Medical Director Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinics, reveals, “Anti-ageing is a big concern for people who want to look their best irrespective of their age. People of all ages visit aesthetic clinics nowadays and the one question which usually pops up is “what is the right age to start anti-ageing skincare.”
What is the ideal time to start an anti-ageing skincare routine?
Putting a number to the claim, Dr Goel explains, “Before the age of 25, our skin makes a lot of collagen and elastin tissues, and degradation is less. Post that, collagen and elastin start going down and lines and wrinkles start appearing. So, 25 years is the ideal age to incorporate anti-ageing skincare. FYI: after the age of 35, the collagen and elastin synthesis decelerates further and sagging sets in.” So, if you are above 25 and haven’t started with your anti-ageing skin routine yet, it is time to catch up!
The ideal anti-ageing skincare routine
To prevent early appearance dryness, dark spots, wrinkles and sagging on your face, it is very important to follow a skincare routine every single day--day and night. Dr Goel recommends:
Step 01: Cleanse In the morning, wash your face with a mild cleanser or a face wash, which does not strip off the moisture from your skin.
Step 02: Serum Follow the cleanser up with the application of Vitamin C serum, which helps fight free radical injury.
Step 03: Moisturiser + SPF! Next step is moisturiser and sunscreen! After you’ve slathered on moisturiser, don’t forget your sunscreen every single day, even if you are at home. Make sure to use a minimum of SPF 30. Take 2.5 fingertip units and with a dot technique apply it on your face and neck
. At night...
“Before you go to bed, follow a nightly ritual, if you want to enjoy the luxury of good skin. Wash your face, apply a serum containing retinol and apply a moisturising cream rich in ceramides, glycerine and hyaluronic acid which can lock-in the moisture,” elaborates Dr Goel.
Pro tips for starting an anti-ageing skincare routine
But how to start with an anti-ageing skincare routine? We’ve got some tips for that too! Dr Goel recommends, “The first step to anti-ageing skincare is to moisturise your skin as much as you can.” When that basic necessity is taken care of, the following pointers should be kept in mind while starting an anti-ageing skincare routine:
- An ideal anti-ageing routine should include collagen-boosting products containing retinoid, AHAs, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants like Vitamin C, glutathione, peptides and stem cell extracts. These additives also aid in exfoliation and moisturisation and increase cell renewal.
- Sun exposure is one of the main factors responsible for ageing so sunscreen application with a minimum of SPF 30 should be a priority.
- One can also go for collagen-boosting in-clinic treatments like photo facials, microdermabrasion, collagen induction therapy and PRP treatments at regular intervals. So advancing age never becomes a reason for not looking great!
Written by Sumona Bose on Aug 14, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!