In Asia, women and now more and more men look after their skin from the age of 18 in order to prevent the ageing process – not 35, as is often the case in the West. By that time, the obsession is with correction. Like all good things in life, the earlier you start, the longer and better the benefits. If you want youthful, healthy, beautiful-looking skin, skincare should be a ritual and not a routine.

Why does it happen?

In essence, fine lines appear the older you get because your cells produce less collagen (the structural protein of the skin), causing your skin to appear thinner and looser. The less collagen your skin has, the less water it can retain, causing structural folds (wrinkles/lines).

Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid this. In fact, smoking, not getting enough sleep, not keeping up with basic grooming, or being in the sun without sunscreen can accelerate this.

The great thing about being a guy (well, one of the many) is that your skin is naturally 25% thicker than a woman’s. This means your underlying skin structure is better, meaning you’ll age better and can more easily turn back the years of neglect.

Early signs

Lets assume you are in your early-twenties, how worried are you about the signs of ageing?

Take a look at your parents and see if you think they’ve aged faster than most people their age. If so, you may be genetically disposed to ageing faster and should start using these products earlier.

The logic behind this is simple: if you start incorporating anti-aging products into your daily routine at an earlier age, such as in your early 20s, less damage will be done to the skin as opposed to if you begin using these products in your late 30s. It doesn’t matter whether or not “age spots” have begun to form — taking preventative steps by using anti-aging products at a younger age can help in the long run.

However, using a face moisturiser, face and eye masks can do wonders (it’s actually one of the reason we add them quite often to our Gay Packs) and prevent the very first signs of ageing in the easiest way.

Time for the big 3-0

Fmost people the first signs of ageing appear in their early 30s. Skin tends to dull around this period. Cell turnover has slowed and the dead cells on your skin do not wear off as frequently as they used to. Exfoliating treatments are best around this age. Couple of times a week of exfoliating is good enough. Also, pigment lighteners may help you fight brown spots by blocking enzymes that cause cells to pump out extra melanin.

In your 40s, lines and wrinkles will become a genuine problem around this time for most men. Retinoids are essential during this period as they stimulate fresh collagen. Pumping collagen is a natural way to plump wrinkles from the inside. Also try moisturiser with humectants. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin will naturally moisturise your skin and keep it looking fresh.

In your 50s and beyond your skin is already damaged to a certain degree and the effects of gravity have been unkind. Skin is less than firm. Use barrier repair cream to plump up the skin’s surface temporarily. Pimrose oil, shea butter and ceramide containing creams are best. To tighten the skin use growth factors such as peptides and retinoids which can stimulate collagen production. Just be careful to use products that do not irritate the skin as it is more sensitive around this time.

To recap:

• Age 18-25: Prevention through sun protectors with a medium to high SPF, a healthy lifestyle and tailored skincare routine with lighter products and antioxidants.

• Age 25-35: Light signs of ageing repair through hydration, stimulation of collagen production and sun protection to prevent liver spots. Active anti-aging ingredients such as Retinol face cream can be introduced to revive skin and regular exfoliation will ensure a quicker renewal of the skin.

• Age 35-45: Intense hydration and collagen stimulation together with active use of Retinol cream and dark spot correctors to firm skin, frown lines and wrinkles while adding radiance. Sun protection with a high SPF is a must.

• Age 45-55: Stick to non-drying cleansers and a gentle cleansing brush to remove dead skin cells – especially when using Retinol. Remember to keep using sunblock and don’t forget to treat your neck and chest area to your anti-aging routine as well.

• Age 55+: Keep hydrated, sun protected and don’t stop your anti-aging routine. Skin can still be improved and protected. Peptides and pure Retinol face cream should be used, and dark spot correctors will keep liver spots in check.

Anti-ageing strategy for every age

Now that we know what causes the signs of ageing and when they happen, we can create a plan to prevent and even reverse the signs of ageing. Adopt the following easy, strategic routine and as time goes on, you will see noticeable results:

1. Wash your face twice a day (morning and night)

This removes oil, dirt, and dead skin which can prevent your skin from looking its best. Don’t wash your face much more than this though, as it will remove moisture from your skin, which causes ageing. Make sure to use a men’s face wash that is formulated with organic, natural ingredients because synthetic chemicals irritate and dehydrate the face. You can also use a cleaning face mask, e.g. Barber Pro’s Foaming Cleansing Mask.

Want even better results? Before moving on to Step 2, use a face serum for men or an anti-ageing serum for men. These are highly concentrated anti-ageing products that are designed to be layered beneath your face moisturiser. They absorb fast and treat the deepest layers of your skin, leading to a significant boost in collagen production.

2. Moisturise

At least once a day, make sure to rub men’s moisturiser gently on your face, especially around your eyes and forehead. These are the areas where wrinkles more commonly appear on guys. The best men’s face moisturisers use powerful natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Jojoba.

3. Anti-ageing cream

Use an all natural men’s anti-ageing cream every night after you have washed your face. Be sure to add ample amounts to your forehead and around your eyes, where you are most susceptible to wrinkles. For even better anti-ageing results around the eyes, use an eye cream for men. Not only will it reduce and prevent future wrinkles, it will reduce bags and puffiness. We really love Madara’s Total Night Renewal Cream which you can also try out in our shop!

4. Use sun screen

If you’re going to spend more than 30 minutes outdoors, use a face moisturiser for men with natural SPF. That will protect your skin from the sun’s damage using zinc based SPF. Avoid chemical sunscreens that soak into your skin.

5. Exfoliate Twice a Week

It’s easier for men as we sort of exfoliate daily by shaving. However, even if you shave daily, you should still use a scrub twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells and even out the skin’s surface. If you want to bring out the big guns, a glycolic-acid peel at the dermatologist’s office will take off the top layer of skin (yep—not going to feel good) and smooth out fine lines.

6. Eat Less Sugar

Research shows that sugar makes you look old, so try to cut back on bad carbs (white bread, processed foods) and eat more fruits and veggies. You are what you eat – check out our article of food!

So, remember – the earlier you start the better, just try to pick the best products for your skin. If you’re still trying to find them, get a Gay Pack to try out a few (+ designer underwear!).