While National No Make-Up Day this Friday may leave some people filled with horror, it turns out that more of us are starting to ditch cosmetics, with a Kantar survey revealing that 71 per cent of British women prefer wearing little make-up for a more natural look. Instead, skincare gets a starring role, with products geared to boosting our complexions in the long term.
Our needs evolve as we age, though, so to get the most out of your routine, here’s what you need to know in each decade.
Feed your face
What you put into your body gets reflected on the outside. Those with a sweet tooth may not appreciate finding out that excess sugar can contribute to a breakdown of collagen, the very stuff that helps build our skin. So what’s on the good list? It’ll come as no surprise, but fruit and veg rich in antioxidants will help towards counteracting the damage inflicted by pollution and general ageing. Tuck into strawberries, leafy green veg, blueberries and cranberries. Essential fatty acids will boost moisture, too, and good sources of this include almonds, avocado and oily fish.
It’s all down to the sk incare...
40s
WHAT’S HAPPENING: It’s a hormonal roller coaster as many of us face perimenopausal symptoms. ‘Many women notice their skin starts to become drier from their mid-to-late 40s,’ explains Kirsti Shuba, skin specialist and co-founder of Katherine Daniels. And a key factor in this, she says, is the change in hormones. ‘The decrease in oestrogen levels affect the skin’s ability to stay hydrated.’ This combination ultimately risks the skin barrier – the shield between our epidermis and the outside world – being unable to work effectively, leading to higher chances of breakouts and sensitivity.
INGREDIENTS TO COVET: Hyaluronic acid is the gold standard in hydrating a thirsty complexion. Then there’s niacinamide, a suits-all ingredient that helps all manner of symptoms, from enlarged pores and pigmentation to inflammation.
SHOPPING LIST:
● Q+A Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, £6.95, sinks in without any sticky residue, giving your moisturiser a good base.
● L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot UV Fluid SPF50+, £19.99, contains 2 per cent niacinamide to treat and protect in one.
50s
WHAT’S HAPPENING: While our collagen levels start to decline as early as our 30s, by the time we hit our 50s, we’ve lost on average about 50 per cent. Our skin cell turnover continues to slow down, too, which means we need to resort to exfoliating products to encourage this process. These factors present themselves as dull skin lacking in elasticity, particularly around the jawline. Pigmentation and dryness also contin
