Skin transitions: What to expect as you age

Changes in your skin as you age

Like it or not, unless you’re lucky enough to be a vampire, ageing is part of life. As we get older, our skin transitions. So what can you expect after you’ve survived the acne teen years and the terrific 20s?

The ugly truth about skin and ageing

No need to panic just yet! In your 30s your skin will still look young, healthy and vibrant, with maybe a few fine lines or wrinkles around the eyes (unless of course you have been a pack-a-day smoker or have spent far too much time sunbaking yourself to a crisp). Your skin still produces adequate collagen and elastin but, as you slide down the slippery slope to 40s, your metabolism becomes a little more sluggish, causing your muscle mass to degenerate and saggy bagginess can start to show.

What can you do?
Ultra-hydrating moisturiser is your best friend. Continue to exfoliate (and if you don’t exfoliate you better start NOW!) to get rid of the dead skin cells for more vibrant skin and invest in a hydrating eye cream or serum which can help reduce dark rings, puffiness and fine lines. Don’t go to bed with your make-up on; exercise, rest and make sure you get at least seven hours sleep each night.

If you've been exceptionally naughty leading into your 40s, you skin will start showing the telltale signs. Once you're on the wrong side of 40, you’ll start to battle with whacked-out hormones causing your skin to become dry and less estrogen can start to make your skin sag, bag and wrinkle around the neck and chest. And what’s worse? Fat deposits on your thighs, bum and hips can give your skin the look of orange peel. You're thinking "Kill me now!" right?!

What can you do?
Don’t throw yourself under a bus just yet. Regular moisturising with a heavy duty, age-defying moisturiser can help and ensure you are getting good nutrition, plenty of water and sleep.

Age spots, spider veins and the lack of collagen can cause sagging around the jawline. Wrinkles and creases are here to stay, unless of course you can afford cosmetic surgery. Remember, though, with any surgery there is a degree of risk involved. Menopause may be in full swing, causing your skin to dry and giving way to dreaded facial hair due to hormonal imbalances (eeek!) But wait, there’s more: Leg ulcers are also quite common in women at this age.

What can you do?
Cosmetic surgery is not an option unless you have oodles of money squirrelled away. Moisturiser is an absolute essential along with the use of a night cream to ensure you don’t develop snake skin.

It’s not good news, girls -- apart from the fact you probably don’t have to worry about hormone imbalance. More moles and pigmentation develop, wrinkles are more noticeable and nothing short of a facelift will help with sagging skin.

What can you do?
It's a sad fact of life, ageing is inevitable. Embrace your face -- it's the only one you have. If you are between 20 and 30 and don’t have a skincare routine, party all night and live on junk food, you need to start making changes now. If you’re in your twilight years, keep exercising regularly and continue to moisturise and eat healthy.

More about skin care

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The top three ways to have better looking skin
Easy ways to boost the appearance of your skin