Regardless of your age, it’s always important to hydrate, exfoliate and protect your skin to slow the appearance of aging.

Beginning – ages 18 – 29

Fine lines can start to appear around your eyes and lips.  Skin will still produce oil, and will have a healthy cell turnover every 14-25 days.  Acne breakouts can still be an issue.  Lifestyle choices like sunbathing, smoking and alcohol will also impact skin health over the next decade.

Moderate – ages 30-49

Collagen production starts to decline by 1% every year, resulting in the appearance of more fine lines and wrinkles.  Cell turnover slows to 30 days, which can lead to dehydration and dryness.  Signs of previous sun damage, like brown or age spots, can start to form.  As collagen and elastin production continues to decline, skin loses resilience and the ability to ‘snap back’.  Repetitive moves, like frowning or squinting, form the first permanent wrinkles.  Hormonal changes can trigger dryness and sensitive skin.  Wrinkles, age spots, and uneven skin tone become more apparent as cell turnover slows down further to an average of 45 days.

Advanced – ages 50+

Menopause can trigger a 30% reduction in collagen and a dramatic increase in dryness and dehydration.  Gravity, along with a decrease in collagen and elastin production, causes skin to sag.  Exposed skin has ‘mottled hyperpigmentation’ (covered with patches of different colours) and age spots.  Oil-producing glands become less active and skin becomes drier, more fragile, and more sensitive to environmental stresses.

Where do you fit in?  What are you doing to “fight” the stage your in?

It goes without saying really that it’s important to properly care for your skin every day.  There are 4 major skin types:

1. Oily
2. Combination
3. Normal
4. Dry

Oily – oily skin produces an excessive amount of oil all over the face every day, all day long.  The skin looks shiny due to the presence of an oily film.  It also looks coarse and rough in texture.  Blackheads and blemishes may be present.  Pores generally look enlarged.

Combination – this skin type is like having two different skin types on the same face.  Say whaaaaat?!  Combination skin generally experiences an oily skin type in the T-zone and a dry skin type on the cheeks.  Both areas of oiliness and dryness are present every day, all year long.  The skin looks shiny in the T-zone due to the presence of an oily film.  It also looks dry and matte on the cheeks.  Blackheads and blemishes may be present, especially in the oilier T-zone area.  Pores generally look enlarged on the nose, forehead and chin.

Normal – normal skin is not too oily or too dry.  Blemishes are uncommon, as skin looks soft and supple.  Pores are generally small and not noticeable.  Skin looks healthy and smooth.

Dry – when skin loses its ability to produce oils and retain moisture, it feels dry.  Though it may look smooth with small pores, it may have a tight, leathery appearance.

As well as taking care of your skin according to your skin type, skincare conditions can arise that need special attention.

Acne – acne is generally experienced by those with an oily skin type or in an oily T-zone of a combination skin type.  Acne is characterised by blackheads and pimples, redness and inflammation due to the invasion of bacteria.  If neglected, these blemishes can scar the skin.

Sensitive Skin – sensitive skin should not be overstimulated.  Products gentle enough for a baby’s skin will help pamper sensitive skin.

Which are you?