Let’s talk about skin aging. Because yes, it’s happening to all of us!

Navigating signs of aging including sun damage, dryness, skin sagging and smile lines is a normal part of being human and riding the highs and lows of life (and hormones!).

There are two types of skin aging – one is inevitable; the other is preventable. Both are manageable.

Read on for an expert guide to signs of aging, plus expert advice and practical tips.

Types of Skin Aging

Chronological or intrinsic aging:

• Caused by biological factors like genetics, hormonal changes (perimenopause included!) and getting older
• Occurs in the skin naturally because our bodies can’t repair damage as easily with age
• This process starts in our mid-20s, however you likely won’t see signs of chronological skin aging until later in life

Environmental or extrinsic  aging:

• Caused by environmental factors; largely unprotected UV exposure but smoking, stress and pollution contribute too
• At least 80% of visible aging can be attributed to these environmental factors*
• Magnifies chronological skin aging, and contributes to premature signs of aging (when skin ages earlier than it should)
• This type of aging is preventable!

Common Signs of Aging & What You Can Do About Them

Rather than the usual ‘anti-aging’ rhetoric (look younger, fight aging, turn back the clock etc.), we want to normalise striving for your best skin, regardless of age.

This looks like adopting healthy skin habits earlier in life and supporting the skin through its inevitable changes with a combination of professional skin treatments and a targeted at-home skincare routine.

On the latter, here are some expert recommendations to help you navigate the most commons signs of aging.

Sun damage from unprotected UV exposure can start with redness and dark spots and develop into hyperpigmentation and an uneven skin tone over time.

Applying and re-applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily alongside other sun safe practices like seeking shade and wearing a hat, sunnies and clothing with sleeves and collars when in the sun is the easiest way to prevent sun damage.

Try: Alpha-H Total Eclipse Priming Mineral SPF 40.

Layering a Vitamin C serum and Vitamin E serum under your morning SPF will further boost antioxidant protection against skin-damaging free radicals, as well as help repair existing damage.

Try: Alpha-H Vitamin C Serum and Alpha-H Vitamin E Serum.

Our skin’s natural exfoliation process slow down significantly with age. Built up dead cells on the surface results in skin that looks dull and feels rough and dry.

Collagen and elastin production also slows down (yay!) – think of them as the scaffolding and cushioning that gives skin its plump, firm structure.

Regular exfoliation with Glycolic Acid can help to reduce the look of sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles by ‘tricking’ the skin into behaving like a younger skin.

Exfoliating away dead skin cells immediately brightens and smooths skin, but also stimulates the skin to produce more Collagen – Peptides are a group of ingredients that do this too!

Try: Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment and Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream.

The next level up from exfoliation for targeting signs of aging like loss of volume and skin sagging is Vitamin A (also known as Retinol).

Combining Glycolic Acid and Vitamin A in your routine is a one-two punch. Clearing the way with exfoliation allows your Retinol serum to more effectively encourage cell turnover and Collagen and elastin production.

Try: Alpha-H Midnight Reboot Serum.

Finally, hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause can leave skin dry and flaky.

Use nourishing, non-stripping cleansers to remove makeup and wash your face.

Try: Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm and Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser.

Add a Hyaluronic Acid serum into your routine to attract and hold moisture in the skin and lock that hydration in with a rich cream moisturiser or face oil. 

Try: Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8 Super Serum, Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream and Alpha-H Golden Haze Face Oil.

* Friedman O. Changes associated with the aging face. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2005;13(3):371–380.