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Little wrinkles on your face that slowly set in are a sure sign you are getting older.
While most people want to get old, they do not want to look old. So many turn to creams, moisturisers and face masks, even injections or cosmetic surgery, for younger-looking skin.
Skin ageing is perfectly normal and begins in earnest around the age of 25. One reason is that skin cells are not as active as before that point, says Dr Christiane Bayerl, director of the department of dermatology and allergology – the study of allergies – at the Helios Dr Horst Schmidt Clinics in Germany.
As a result, the number of collagen and elastin fibres in the dermis – the middle section of your skin – decreases. Collagen is a protein that provides strength to your skin and helps it retain moisture, and elastin is a protein that gives it elasticity.

As you age, your skin becomes drier, less firm and wrinkles develop. The speed of this process depends on various factors.
Your genetic make-up plays a major role, according to Julian Nuechel, a principal investigator in the centre for biochemistry in the faculty of medicine at the University of Cologne in Germany.
Your lifestyle also plays a role in how soon you develop facial wrinkles and how deep they become.
“With a healthy lifestyle, some octogenarians still have very good skin, while others already have deep wrinkles,” Nuechel says.
Using ultraviolet, or UV, protection is the best measure, says Bayerl, since the sun’s UV radiation stresses the skin and can lead to the premature development of wrinkles and pigmentation marks, or “age spots”.

Over time, too much exposure to UV rays – for example, from sunbathing without using sunscreen – can damage skin cells and induce DNA damage. This can not only cause premature skin ageing, but lead to skin cancer as well.
You can protect yourself by staying in the shade or remaining indoors during the hours of most intense sunlight, around midday, and by covering your skin with clothing or applying sufficient sunscreen when you are outdoors.
“Especially during the sunniest months of the year,” Nuechel says, “the sunscreen should also protect against UVA radiation.” This is the wavelength of light that can penetrate to the deep layers of skin and is a key factor in skin ageing.
He also advises year-round protection, as “the sun emits radiation in winter too”.
Smoking is another major risk factor for the skin. It affects the blood vessels, constricting those near the skin’s surface and reducing blood flow. Studies show that the longer and more heavily you smoke, the older your skin will look. This applies to women more than men.

Other environmental influences can also adversely affect your complexion, Bayerl says.
Nitrogen oxides, found in motor vehicle emissions, are a cause of age spots, she says, adding that “studies have shown that people with skin spots are thought to be 10 years older than they actually are”.
It is not just your appearance that suffers when your skin shows signs of ageing. As the body’s largest organ, skin performs a number of important functions.
“It protects the body from germs and prevents the loss of excessive moisture,” Nuechel says. Weak skin can increase the frequency of inflammation and is easier for pathogens to pass through.
“This is why you should keep your skin healthy as long as possible,” says Nuechel. “The sooner you start, the better.”

Along with UV radiation protection, healthy skin is best served by a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and sufficient exercise.
Your diet should have plenty of fruit and vegetables, says Bayerl. They contain antioxidants, chemical substances that protect the body from free radicals – unstable molecules, made during normal cell metabolism, which can accelerate skin ageing.
“It’s also important to ingest collagen,” she says. Foods high in collagen include meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Vegans can eat foods that help the body produce collagen, such as legumes, nuts and avocados.
“Vitamins A and C have been scientifically proven to slow skin ageing too,” Nuechel points out. This goes for these vitamins in food and food supplements, as well as in face creams.
“The concentrations matter though,” he says. “A cream with under 10 per cent vitamin C won’t do much good.”

Another pointer: “Face creams only help to smooth fine skin creases,” Bayerl says.
Both Bayerl and Nuechel say facial care is important. “You’ve got to put some effort into working out a routine that suits you,” says Nuechel, noting that proper care depends not only on your skin type, but also on such factors as the time of year and stage of your life.
“Some anti-ageing creams are available only with a doctor’s prescription,” says Bayerl, who recommends them for menopausal and perimenopausal women in particular. They are affected by hormonal changes that, among other things, impact skin ageing.
Dry skin – a common symptom of menopause – can also hasten its ageing. “If your skin has a sensation of tightness or burning, you should give it what it’s calling for,” she says – namely plenty of moisturiser.
Like what you read? Follow SCMP Lifestyle on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter here.


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How to slow skin ageing? Expert tips, from using sunscreen to not smoking to eating well

With a healthy lifestyle, some octogenarians still have very good skin, while others already have deep wrinkles. Photo: Shutterstock

Skin ageing begins in earnest around the age of 25. Experts share tips on how to slow it down, and why you should do so. Photo: Shutterstock

Dr Christiane Bayerl, director of the department of dermatology and allergology at the Helios Dr Horst Schmidt Clinics in Germany. Photo: Helios

Over time, too much exposure to UV rays can damage skin cells and induce DNA damage. Photo: Shutterstock

Studies show that the longer and more heavily you smoke, the older your skin will look. Photo: Shutterstock

Julian Nuechel, a principal investigator in the centre for biochemistry in the faculty of medicine’ at the University of Cologne. Photo: University of Cologne

How to age well? Chinese influencer, 54, says be proud of your body, wrinkles, grey hair

After years of being self-conscious, it clicked: “This is my body, I want to respect it,” says Ting Ma, 54, a Chinese-American social media influencer who posts about ageing, health and self-love on social media. Photo: courtesy of Ting Ma 

When she was in her late forties, Ting Ma decided to embrace her natural appearance, including her grey hairs and fine lines. Photo: courtesy of Ting Ma 

Ma enjoys expressing herself through fashion, and often wears crop tops, a fashion item that some might view as “age-appropriate” only for younger women. Photo: courtesy of Ting Ma

Ma is dedicated to working out, and she has an Instagram fitness page with the handle @50plusdaily with 144,000 followers. Photo: instagram.com/50plusdaily

How eating added sugar speeds up biological ageing and makes skin look older

Eating foods with added sugar accelerates biological ageing, a new study finds. Photo: Shutterstock

A new study found eating foods with added sugar accelerates biological ageing, even when following an otherwise healthy diet, while a dietician explains how eating sugar makes skin look older. Photo: Shutterstock

After cutting down on sugar, Neelam Daswani lost weight and enjoyed better skin. Photo: Neelam Daswani

Eating too much processed sugar triggers changes in our cells that directly contribute to ageing and ageing-related diseases. Photo: Shutterstock

Karen Chong is a dietitian at Matilda International Hospital in Hong Kong. Photo: Matilda International Hospital

The natural sugar found in fresh fruit is fine, Chong says. Photo: Shutterstock

How to age well? We ask Singaporean photographer Chuando Tan, 58, who looks half his age

Lots of water, lots of protein, exercise, a positive attitude and a little sunshine: these are the secrets to looking young as you age, says Singaporean photographer and influencer Chuando Tan, 58. Photo: instagram.com/chuando_chuandoandfrey


Tan posted this photo of himself from 1989, aged 23. Photo: instagram.com/chuando_chuandoandfrey

Tan, having a mug of tea with ice cream, enjoys this dessert once in a while. Photo: instagram.com/ chuando_chuandoandfrey

Tan celebrated his 58th birthday in March. Having a positive outlook on life is a key to his age-defying looks, he says. Photo: facebook.com/chuando.official

Tan recommends spending enough time in the sun to allow vitamin D synthesis, but warns that too much sun exposure can accelerate the ageing process. Photo: instagram.com/chuando_chuandoandfrey

61-year-old influencer shows how to age well in viral Instagram dance videos

Mimi Ison shuffle dances in a still from one of her Instagram videos. Photo: Mimi Ison

Mimi Ison shuffle dances in a still from one of her Instagram videos. The 61-year-old Korean-American influencer posts what she calls “midlife pro-age motivation” content on her Instagram channel that shows that middle age is not something to be afraid of. Photo: Mimi Ison

In recent years, Ison has let her grey hair shine through. Photo: Mimi Ison

Ison does some shoulder taps on a California beach. Photo: Mimi Ison

Ison with her husband Bayani. Photo: Mimi Ison

Ison goes to a boxing gym twice a week. Photo: Mimi Ison

How do you age well? Ask this super fit Korean couple, 62 and 57, going viral on Instagram

Korean fitness couple Kang Changdong and Kim Sunok (right) are fit, toned, healthy – and in their 60s and 50s. Photo: Instagram/@okdong_fit

Fans love seeing happy moments the couple have with their son and daughter. Photo: courtesy of Kim Sunok

Three years ago, Kim (right) started to work at the company Kang (left) founded in 2008. Photo: courtesy of Kim Sunok

Keeping a strict diet was a non-negotiable for Kang when he was preparing for a “body profile” photo shoot. Photo: courtesy of Kim Sunok

Kim said lifting weights at the gym was the best way to get into the best shape of her life. Photo: courtesy of Kim Sunok

In an Instagram post of a tropical holiday, the couple tuck into rainbow-hued salads. Photo: Instagram/@okdong_fit

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Lines write the story of your life on your face, starting from about the age of 25. But there are steps you can take to limit their spread


Lines write the story of your life on your face, starting from about the age of 25. But there are steps you can take to limit their spread.


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Beauty

Skincare