A good skincare regimen is one that addresses skin concerns that are unique to YOU. Your skin’s needs at 22 are very different from its needs at 45 years of age, and your skincare regimen should be tailored accordingly. As we age, our skin can also benefit from certain in-office procedures designed to boost the skin’s collagen and fibroblast production. We’re going to go over these in our blog today!

There’s really no such thing as an “anti-aging” skincare routine, because no skincare product can stop the natural aging process or make you age backwards. Instead, your skincare routine can be customized for different periods in your life to help your skin retain its smooth, supple quality even as you age. We repeat: there’s nothing wrong with aging, but if you’d like to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and keep the overall integrity of your skin intact even as you grow older, then that can be done through tailoring your skincare regimen accordingly. We teamed up with Dr Maleeha, dermatologist for her top tips on how to build an effective skincare routine for your twenties, thirties and forties, and we also got her to tell us about her recommended in-office treatments that help boost collagen and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, maintaining the structure and integrity of the skin.

In your twenties

1. Sunscreen

Whether you’re a teenager, in your twenties, or a 60 year old, sunscreen is something that you should always wear during the daytime if you’re going to be exposed to sunlight. “ALWAYS ALWAYS wear sunscreen - regardless of your age. But most importantly in your 20’s because chances are you’re outdoors quite a lot,” Dr Maleeha says.

2. Removing makeup before bed

“ALWAYS remove your makeup ; no matter how late your Saturday night has been!” Says Dr Maleeha. “You always want to make sure you double cleanse and remove all the makeup before sleeping.” Sleeping in makeup can lead to clogged pores, irritated skin and dull skin when you wake up in the morning. Use an oil cleanser to remove all traces of makeup in order to let your skin breathe and repair itself while you sleep at night.

3. Exfoliate

We love chemical exfoliation, and it’s also something Dr Maleeha recommends if you’re in your twenties. “Opt for chemical exfoliants wherever you can. They are gentler yet more effective. They’ll make sure you’re targeting your post acne marks, combating dryness, retaining moisture and of course anti-ageing too!” AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid, in addition to exfoliating the skin, also act as humectants, drawing moisture into the skin and preventing dryness.

4, Prevention through retinoids

Retinoids prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting cellular turnover and stimulating the production of collagen. It’s a good idea to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine in your late twenties, which is when our body’s rate of collagen production starts slowing down. “Start using your retinoids by your late 20’s. This will help reverse sun damage as well as prevent further from happening. But always remember if you’re not wearing sunscreen you’re not really doing any benefit by using retinoids.”

5. Sleep on a silk pillowcase

Swapping out your cotton pillowcases for silk ones will benefit your skin and hair as silk absorbs less moisture from the skin and prevents friction on the skin. According to Dr Maleeha, “Silk pillowcases are gentle on the skin and will prevent excessive friction on the skin. Sleeping also allows your skin to rest and help it function better.”

6. A balanced diet

It really is true that we are what we eat. Eating a balanced diet allows your skin to get its required intake of nutrients and allows you to feel full for longer, staving off hunger pangs that make you binge on carbohydrate-rich foods. “Make sure you eat a balanced diet, you don’t want to OD on those chips and Diet Coke during your lunch break, it’ll give you bad health and bad skin.” Dr Maleeha explains. “Look for healthier alternatives, make sure to have fruits and vegetables with every meal!”

In your thirties

1. Sunscreen

There’s no skipping sunscreen, no matter how old you are! “Always remember to put it on your neck and ears too.” Dr Maleeha advises.2. 

2. Antioxidants

Antioxidants prevent oxidative damage to the skin, which contributes to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Layering an antioxidant product, like a vitamin C serum underneath your sunscreen gives you extra protection against free radicals. Since your thirties are all about preserving the youthfulness of your skin and preventing wrinkles, Dr Maleeha recommends using an antioxidant in the morning underneath your sunscreen. “Always remember to use a vitamin C serum with your sunscreen, it helps in boosting the effect of the vitamin C and of course gives your fantastic skin!”

3. Retinoids

According to Dr Maleeha, retinoids are your skin’s BFFs after you’ve crossed the 30 mark. If you’re an experienced user of retinoids, use them at least 3-4 nights per week to prevent wrinkles and keep your skin glowing and looking supple.

4. Eye Cream

The skin on our under-eye area is the thinnest and most prone to wrinkling. “A thick creamy eye cream will ensure there is little to no dryness around your eye area, this will prevent premature wrinkling.” Dr Maleeha recommends.

5. Moisturize

Hear it from the good dermatologist herself: “As we grow older our bodies ability to retain moisture decreases and it is essential that a good quality moisturizer be used on a daily basis.” We recommend Cerapair, our barrier-repairing moisturizer that’s crammed with ceramides, niacinamide, vitamin E, sodium PCA, glycerin, panthenol, jojoba oil, argan oil and shea butter! It’s also a favourite of Dr Maleeha’s.

6. In-office treatments:

Your thirties are the time to invest in in-office procedures that will boost your skin’s elasticity and tighten skin. These procedures are minimally invasive and non-surgical procedures and have minimal to no downtime! “Don’t shy away from getting microneedling, PRP, radio frequency etc. These help in boosting your collagen and keep your skin nice and tight!”

7. Botox

“Botox if done at the onset of wrinkles helps in preventing them for becoming deeper and more intense. Think of it as prevention rather than cure!”

In your forties

1. Sunscreen!

No surprises here!

2. Moisturize

Ageing skin needs to be moisturized more than ever! Make sure you use a nourishing moisturizer at the end of your skincare routine to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. Using a facial oil in conjunction with your moisturizer makes it more occlusive, preventing trans-epidermal water loss.

3. Exfoliate

“You want to make sure you’re using a chemical exfoliant at least once a week to prevent dry and dead skin from accumulating on the surface. The skin's turnover ability becomes less efficient with time.”

4. Botox and fillers

“Now you don’t need to prevent anything, now you NEED them!” Dr Maleeha tell us. “Don’t let anyone or anything come your way. Get the ‘tox when and where you want! Get a mini neck lift with just a few Botox injections!”

5. Retinoids:

Make sure you don’t stop using them!

Whatever stage of life you’re in, a skincare routine that caters to your skin’s unique needs is something that will not only help you look better, but is also an act of self-care that you do for your physical and emotional well-being. A skincare routine is the part of our day when we give ourselves the attention we deserve. It's truly an investment that has a great pay-off as you grow older!