Early Skin Ageing – Skincare Tips, Treatments & Advice

Early ageing will depend upon your skin type and degree of chronic sun exposure. The first signs of ageing can appear in one’s mid-20s and usually present with fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes. The skin often starts to become drier with the appearance of sun freckles (solar lentigines).

People with very pale skin may even develop pre-cancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) and/or skin cancer in their early 20s.

Around 20% of ageing is due to your genetic background, however, roughly 80% is due to external environmental factors (UV rays & pollution) and lifestyle (stress, lack of sleep, diet, excessive alcohol intake & smoking). 

Key features of early ageing include

• Fine lines around the eyes
• Expression lines and wrinkles around the mouth & forehead
• Sunspots & uneven skin tone
• Skin starts to become drier
• The early stages of “broken” blood vessels around the nose & cheeks

Treatment tips that can help with early ageing

Prescription:

• Tretinoin was the original retinoid developed by Albert Kligman to treat acne. However, in the clinical studies performed it was discovered by chance that tretinoin also had anti-ageing benefits. It is still known as the gold standard for anti-ageing. Unfortunately, tretinoin can often be quite irritating on the skin causing redness and flaking and it is not tolerated by people with sensitive skin. It can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

• Adapalene is registered for use in acne but also has anti-ageing benefits.

Non-prescription:

• Daily sun protection with a high factor broad spectrum SPF
• Use topical antioxidants as a prevention of ageing
• One should strongly consider starting a non-prescription (cosmeceutical) retinoid at nighttime
• Practice sun avoidance and sun protection with the appropriate broad-brimmed hat and clothing
• Go for regular check-ups with a dermatologist especially if you have a paler complexion and/or a family history of skin cancer

Skincare ingredients that may help with early ageing

• Retinoids such as Retinol, Retinyl palmitate, Retinaldehyde 
• Vitamin C
• Bakuchiol
• Niacinamide
• Peptides
• Glycolic Acid 
• PolyHydroxy Acid
• Hyaluronic Acid
• UV Filters
• Green Tea
• Ceramides

Skincare products that can help with early ageing

• MartiDerm Photo-Age HA+ ampoules (10 units)
• Dermaceutic Activ Retinol Serum 0.5%
• pHformula AGE Serum
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50
• SkinCeuticals Serum 10