- Understanding the Ageing Process
- Ageing skincare routines for each skin type
- Lifestyle factors that influence skin ageing
- Professional treatments and when to consider them
- FAQS
Understanding the Ageing Process
Many people only start to worry about skin ageing when they see the first signs appear in their 30s or early 40s, often showing up as fine lines and wrinkles. But the causes actually begin years before and, depending on your lifestyle, genetics, and environment, can appear in varying degrees and at different stages.
UV radiation from the sun, for instance, plays a huge part in premature skin ageing. In fact, research shows that approximately 80% of skin ageing is caused by UV radiation in our environment. It also has a cumulative effect on the skin, so time spent cycling in the sunshine, enjoying a coffee in the garden, or simply sitting in the car on your morning commute all adds up over time, and exposes the skin to UV damage.
But what exactly does UV radiation do to the skin? When the skin isn’t protected from UV rays with broad-spectrum sunscreen, many changes in the skin occur such as inflammation, DNA damage, impaired wound healing, and immunity changes. This appears on the skin - often years later - by way of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark spots, and pigmentation. It also puts the skin at risk of serious illness such as melanoma.
Ageing skincare routines for each skin type
While your diet and lifestyle play a major role in skin health, your daily skincare regime is also essential to not only protecting the skin from environmental damage but improving the appearance of existing premature ageing signs. The products you use will depend on your skin type – oily, dry, normal or combination.
Ahead we share step-by-step routines for each individual skin type and our recommended La Roche-Posay skincare products.
Step-by-step skincare routine for oily skin
Step one: Cleanser
When cleansing oily skin, opt for a gentle oil-control formula that will remove makeup, debris and sebum from the skin. La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel, for instance, is formulated for the needs of oily skin, lifting dirt, grime and sebum away from the surface of the skin without disrupting its delicate balance.
Step two: Moisturiser
For your morning and evening skincare routine for oily skin, look for a lightweight moisturiser enriched with ingredients that will target your oily and ageing concerns, whilst keeping the skin barrier strong and sufficiently hydrating the skin. Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream delivers daily double efficacy, targeting both blemishes and first signs of ageing. Powered by a dermatological recommended acids trio: 10% azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and hyaluronic acid, this hydrating moisturiser gently exfoliates to reduce the appearance of adult blemishes and post-acne marks, while simultaneously addressing fine lines & early wrinkles. This formula is also suitable for sensitive skin and those who may be prone to acne.
Step three (AM): Sunscreen
Finally, you should always end your morning routine with a broad-spectrum SPF that’s suitable for oily skin, such as the Anthelios Oil Control SPF50+ . This will protect your skin from future damage caused by UV radiation while also preventing any existing concerns - such as wrinkles and dark spots - from becoming more pronounced.
Step four (PM): Serum
A serum is an excellent way to deliver active ingredients to the deeper layers of the skin and target specific ageing concerns such as lack of radiance or fine lines.
Once or twice per week in the evening, for concentrated exfoliation try the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Serum. This is specifically formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin types with key ingredients including salicylic and glycolic acid and niacinamide to help unclog the pores and stimulate skin cell renewal.
To target ageing signs, also consider adding retinol into your evening routine. La Roche-Posay’s Retinol and B3 Serum is clinically proven to firm, fill and smooth the appearance of the skin and address visible signs of ageing.
Step-by-step skincare routine for dry skin
Step one: Cleanser
Dry skin can become compromised easily, so it’s important to use a cleanser that will remove makeup and impurities without stripping the skin.
Opt for creamy formulas, like Toleriane Dermo Cleanser, over gels and foams. This wipe-off milk can be used by even the most compromised of skin as it features a minimal, soothing formula enriched with glycerin and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water.
Step two: Serum
The second step in your dry-skin routine should be a serum. This is a great opportunity to deliver very hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin to the deep layers of the skin, protecting the skin barrier and adding long-lasting moisture. Hyaluronic acid is also very effective at improving the look of ageing signs by plumping the skin and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
In your morning routine, if your skin is very dry and compromised, Cicaplast B5 Serum repairs and hydrates the skin with a barrier-like formula enriched with vitamin B5 serum (10%).
In your evening routine, consider the La Roche-Posay’s Retinol and B3 Serum , proven to firm, fill and smooth the skin. This formula contains vitamin B3 and glycerin to help keep skin soft, plump, hydrated, and supple by improving the moisture barrier and moisture retention.
Step three: Moisturiser
While serums deliver hydration to the deeper layers of the skin, a moisturiser helps to hydrate the surface layers of the dermis. Rich creams and emollients are essential for drier skin types that struggle to retain water in the skin. Not only will they offer immediate and long-lasting comfort and reduce water loss but they will help to strengthen the skin barrier and improve the skin’s resilience.
Hydraphase Rich is an intensely hydrating moisturiser for very dehydrated skin prone to dryness and sensitivity. Its formula with hyaluronic acid provides up to 72 hours skin hydration, whilst targeting signs of dehydration including dryness, fatigue and dehydration fine lines.
Step four (AM): Sunscreen
UV radiation can make dry skin types more sensitive and compromised, so protecting it from environmental damage each morning is essential.
Opt for a soothing and hydrating sunscreen such as Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50+. Super comforting and hydrating on the skin, it will leave your skin feeling protected but not oily or greasy.
Step-by-step skincare routine for combination skin
Step one: Cleanser
Combination skin types usually have areas of dryness and oiliness so a cleanser that purifies the skin without drying it out is essential.
Try a gentle cleanser such a Toleriane Foaming Gel Face Wash to gently remove impurities from the skin without disrupting the skin barrier. To target areas of oiliness and congestion, you can apply a micro-exfoliant treatment such as Effaclar Clarifying Lotion with a cotton pad. This will help to eliminate excess oil and unclog blocked pores.
Step two: Serum
In the morning, a vitamin C serum is a great option for combination skin types, as it allows you to tackle multiple concerns at once – including uneven skin texture, ageing signs, and pigmentation. La Roche-Posay’s Pure Vitamin C12 Serum is also suitable for sensitive skin.
In the evening, to target signs of ageing, consider the La Roche-Posay’s Retinol and B3 Serum, proven to firm, fill and smooth the appearance of the skin and address visible signs of ageing.
Step three: Moisturiser
As combination skin types have both oily and dry areas on the face, you should opt for a lightweight yet soothing moisturiser. La Roche-Posay’s Dermallegro Soothing Fluid reduces signs of sensitivity and redness, such as on the cheeks, while providing up to 48 hours of hydration without clogging the pores.
Step four (AM): Sunscreen
The final step in your morning routine should be a sunscreen. Combination skin types should opt for an oil-control formula as this will ensure the added layer of sunscreen won’t create excess shine on oilier areas such as the chin and forehead.
La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control has a lightweight mattifying texture thanks to an ingredient called Airlicium that absorbs sebum for a long-lasting mattifying effect.
Lifestyle factors that influence skin ageing
In addition to UV radiation, there are a number of lifestyle factors that also affect how our skin ages.
Diet
As the largest organ in the body, the foods we eat can have a big impact on our skin. You may notice that when you eat predominantly ultra-processed foods and consume lots of alcohol or soft drinks, your skin starts to suffer. This could be by way of a lack of radiance, increased redness and sensitivity and even skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Your skin may also become more dehydrated making ageing signs more prominent.
To help your skin stay healthy and radiant, try to eat a diet containing whole foods and fresh fruit and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants (think kale, broccoli, beans and dark berries) and drink plenty of water.
In need of a treat? Reach for healthier options such as pecans and dark chocolate as these are naturally rich in skin-boosting antioxidants.
Sleep
A good night’s sleep is integral to good skin health, as our rest time is when the skin carries out important repair and rejuvenation functions. That’s why when you aren’t sleeping well, you start to notice that your skin feels drier, duller, and ageing signs appear more prominent.
While a full eight hours isn’t always possible every night, try to prioritise sleep as much as possible and even go to bed a little earlier one or two nights a week. Trust us, your skin and body will thank you.
Stress Management
Stress can affect the body in many ways, and it impacts all aspects of our lives, from how well we sleep to the foods we eat (who hasn’t reached for the chocolate or wine after a particularly bad day?). For some, emotional stress can also exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. This is believed to be because skin healing is affected when our bodies are under stress. As stress also affects our sleep, this could also lead to the skin missing out on time to repair and renew too.
Exercise
Regular exercise has multiple physical and mental health benefits including improved circulation to the skin. This in turn helps the blood carry oxygen and nutrients to skin cells throughout the body, while flushing away toxins, such as free radicals that are responsible for premature skin ageing.
Professional treatments and when to consider them
While at-home skincare is a vital part of an anti-ageing skincare routine, they can only go so far in terms of results. For more dramatic results and to treat more pronounced signs of ageing, you can also consider professional treatments conducted in a clinic.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are used to deeply exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells and rejuvenating the complexion by revealing the fresh skin cells beneath. They’re particularly effective at treating concerns such as deep wrinkles, acne scars, and discoloration.
This liquid treatment is applied all over the face and contains ingredients such as glycolic and salicylic acid. The strength of such ingredients will be discussed with your practitioner, and is dependent on your skin type and concerns.
Laser Therapy
Described as beams of light that vaporise the outer surface of the skin, laser is one of the most popular anti-ageing treatments.
Laser treatments can be used to treat a number of ageing concerns such as uneven skin texture, fine lines and deeper wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. Laser can also help to promote new collagen on the skin, improving overall radiance.
Injectable Treatments
Injectable treatments like botox are used to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face. Botox is a toxin called botulinum that is injected into the face to stop the muscle from moving. As such, it’s typically applied in areas of prominent ageing such as the forehead, crow’s feet, and nasolabial folds.
Another type of injectable is dermal filler treatments that are used to create a smoother, fuller appearance to the skin and improve facial fat loss. They consist of gel-like substances such as hyaluronic acid that are injected beneath the skin.
Both treatments only last for a few months and have to be repeated for continued results. It’s vital that they are only performed by registered doctors and aestheticians and that you do your research on the best clinics in your area.
Embracing timeless beauty
The most effective and clinically proven treatment for ageing skin is retinol, a derivative of vitamin A. This can be bought over the counter in different strengths and is applied topically in the evening. Stronger potencies can also be prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist.
Retinol works by neutralising free radicals, accelerating skin cell rejuvenation and boosting the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
FAQS
What is the most effective skin treatment for ageing skin?
The most effective and clinically proven treatment for ageing skin is retinol, a derivative of vitamin A. This can be bought over the counter in different strengths and is applied topically in the evening. Stronger potencies can also be prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist.
Retinol works by neutralising free radicals, accelerating skin cell rejuvenation and boosting the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
Is there anything that really works for wrinkles?
The appearance of wrinkles can be improved by maintaining a good anti-ageing skincare routine that incorporates ingredients that increase skin-cell turnover such as glycolic acid and retinol.
It should also incorporate plenty of hydrators such as hyaluronic acid that plump up the texture of the skin, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen that prevents UV damage - one of the biggest causes of skin ageing. Together, these actions can effectively improve and smooth the look of wrinkles.
For a more dramatic result, professional treatments such as botox and dermal fillers can help.
When should you start using anti-ageing products?
When it comes to anti-ageing, the earlier you start to protect your skin from environmental aggressors, the better. For instance, broad-spectrum sunscreen should be part of a simple daily skincare regime from your early twenties, as this will prevent cumulative sun damage.
As you approach your late twenties and early thirties, you can start to introduce more active ingredients such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and retinol.
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