Change is inevitable. Changes to the skin as we age are inevitable.

Skin damage needn’t be inevitable, however.

By understanding what we can control, we can support skin as it changes throughout the different stages of life.

We spoke to our resident skin specialist, Maria, to explain some of the causes behind skin ageing and how we can draw more goodness into our largest organ.

Holistically, there are a number of contributors to ageing – and how this presents in the appearance of our skin – including lifestyle, diet, sun exposure, heredity and self-care practices.

Skin is the largest organ in the body, yet the cells don’t prioritise it as such. When the body is under stress from external aggressors, it works to protect and support vital organs. Which in turn, leaves skin on the back burner, and why signs of ageing present in the way we look.

Why Today is the Day to Start

We often don’t see the effects of our actions until years down the line, and our future selves will either reap (or regret) the huge benefits of starting our skincare journey now. Generally speaking, collagen doesn’t start to deplete until our late 20s / early 30s. However, it does start to plateau.

The earlier we start to look after our skin, the healthier and stronger it is when we start to experience age-related skin changes. Our 20s present the greatest opportunity to establish good habits and maintain a healthy skin function as we age.

Hydration is, and will always be, top of mind here. Hydrated skin gives that youthful glow that makes you look healthy and awake – no matter what age. We can create the appearance of more plump, supple and smooth skin by using the right serums and moisturisers for our skin type. 

Proactive Ageing to Protect Our Skin

While changes can be subtle, into our 30s / 40s is when we start focusing on proactive ingredients and continue in the good practices we learnt in our 20s.

We may start to notice the appearance of fine lines and enhanced pigmentation. The main exasperator of aged skin is sun exposure, and the effects of sun damage can become more prominent at this stage. Here’s why:

Pigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin in our skin, as an attempt to defend itself from the sun. With age, and having enjoyed our daily lives, we are exposed to more and more UVA/UVB rays.

These constant external aggressors make it harder for our melanin to function, and essentially it becomes tired. We can see melanin sites that have been damaged as pigmentation starts to present in clusters and patches.

We all know the measures that need to be taken here. Slip, slop, slap and wrap, always. It’s never too late to start protecting our skin from the sun.

Maintaining That Youthful Glow

Well, those subtle fine lines we had before are now likely presenting as wrinkles. Hormonal changes around our 50s + create a significant shift in our collagen depletion and accelerate the appearance of ageing.

The loss of elasticity and volume can make our skin appear tired and dull, even if we don’t feel it. Hydration is the key to a more vibrant appearance, helping to create a youthful glow and plump skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

While we can battle collagen loss with supplements, remember this is not a magic pill. It’s in conjunction with other strategies that we can create a smoother transition into our golden years and slow signs of ageing.

Last Tips From Our Skin Specialist

By taking control of how we live, the products we use and the food we eat, we can proactively support the way our cells function, our body’s natural coping abilities and the way we age.

But we can only do as much as we know – making specialists like Maria and other skincare professionals our go-to for support with our skin type and skin goals.

Maria recommends combining a healthy, balanced lifestyle with products that work in synergy to nourish and protect the skin.

Aleph skincare-infused makeup supports skin to function at its best, with a myriad of ingredients chosen for their high antioxidant, vitamin and mineral properties.