(Sk)inspirations

AGE: 18-25
YOUR SKIN’S CHARACTERISTICS:
Because your oil glands are working at full speed, your skin is supple and naturally well moisturised. Your cells regenerate regularly, giving your skin an even texture and a rosy, pretty glow. The downside is that excess oil production sometimes causes break-outs and can leave skin looking shiny.

YOUR BEST SKIN STRATEGY:

* Use a mild cleanser to remove make-up, oil and dirt without stripping skin.If you have greasy skin, use a foaming, oil-free face wash.
* Avoid pore-clogging heavy creams. Choose an oil-free moisturiser (with an SPF for the sun) that has antioxidants such as vitamin C or E.
* Keep blemishes at bay by exfoliating a couple of times a week with a gentle scrub.

AGE 26-30
YOUR SKIN’S CHARACTERISTICS:
Finally! Your skin’s oil production is under control. Except for the occasional zit, you should be in the clear, so to speak. The bad news is that your collagen production and cell renewal are slowing down, which means environmental pollutants are more damaging.

YOUR BEST SKIN STRATEGY:
* Switch to a cleanser with salicylic acid and gentle sloughers. It will prevent sporadic break-outs and get rid of the dead skin cells that cause dullness.
* Throw in a weekly deeper exfoliating treatment. Glycolic peel and microdermabrasion kits remove damaged surface skin, revealing a fresher layer underneath, and stimulate collagen production.
* Use an antioxidant-laced oil-free lotion with an SPF in the morning but at night use one containing retinol, which encourages cell renewal and teaches your skin to exfoliate more efficiently on its own. Use retinol at night – sunlight reduces its effectiveness.

AGE 31-35
YOUR SKIN’S CHARACTERISTICS:
Since you’re a smart cookie and have always avoided smoking and sunbathing (right?!), you should be looking pretty good. Still, your cheeks may appear just a little less plump, and you might have some fine lines, discolouration and dryness. There are plenty of products for dealing with this.

YOUR BEST SKIN STRATEGY:
* Make sure you apply a serum twice a day. Most brands can deliver more potent levels of age-fighting active ingredients (including antioxidants) than a regular lotion does.
* A new antioxidant in skincare is idebenone. Dermatologists report that it’s extremely powerful and has anti-ageing properties.
* Follow your morning serum application with an SPF lotion that will also treat pigmentation problems

Author: Saskia Jackson