20s

“In your twenties you have lovely plump skin with lots of collagen, and the subcutaneous (under the skin) fat pads that support the face are firm and perky, giving a youthful, fresh look to the face,” says Dr Catherine Stone of The Face Place. A huge amount of our lifelong UV damage happens in our twenties, which is why it’s vital to begin your preventative regime now, before the collagen production slows and the damage really begins to show. “Looking after your skin in your twenties will pay dividends as you age,” says Catherine. Your biggest concern at this time is most likely to be hormonal acne and irregular oil production.

Sunscreen: The single most important anti-ageing trick, and all it takes is a simple slap of cream. “You want to prevent that sun damage occurring because it’s the number one cause of ageing,” says Marianna Glucina of About Face. “Get the best broad spectrum sunblock you can buy and wear it 365 days a year.” Whether you use a chemical or physical (mineral) sunscreen is up to you, however many skincare experts prefer physical sunscreens (containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) over chemical. “When you wear a chemical block you’re preventing burning, but you’re still absorbing the sun’s rays, which cause free radical damage, therefore still age the skin,” says Marianna.

Coola Daydream mineral primer and SPF30 sunscreen, $65 Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) or LED light treatments: Hormonal spots are a common concern in your twenties, and among vitamin B3’s many benefits (improving the epidermis, reducing pigmentation and boosting collagen production) it’s also brilliant for regulating oil flow, which in turn reduces acne. Medical LED light treatments, such as Omnilux, destroy the bacteria that cause acne, ease inflammation and aid the body’s natural healing process. asap B Super Complex Serum, $115

Gentle vitamin A: The only ingredient that’s capable of actually reprogramming cells, vitamin A not only slows down the breakdown of collagen and elastin, it also increases cell turnover (natural exfoliation) and repairs existing UV damage. There are a number of different types of vitamin A, but in your twenties, sources such as betacarotene (also found in carrots) or retinyl palmitate are recommended, as they’re gentler on your skin than the more potent retinol.

Osmosis Correct Treatment A Serum 30ml, $141

Antioxidants: We’ve all been told about the benefits antioxidant-rich foods have for our general health, but antioxidants are also imperative for skin health. Antioxidants protect the skin from environmental damage by working from the inside out, which in turn can help reduce the development of fine lines and wrinkles. There are many effective antioxidants for the skin, from green tea and grape extract to vitamin C and others you’ll have trouble pronouncing. Research shows that skin does better with a range of antioxidants rather than just one, so go ahead and load up on them.

Estée Lauder DayWear Matte, $78. Antipodes Worship Antioxidant Skin Defence Serum, $59

Baby Botox: We use more than thirty facial muscles to express ourselves each day. Some of this muscle use bashes the skin together, which over time breaks down the collagen fibres, creating wrinkles. Catherine uses Botox differently from most practitioners, strategically placing incredibly small doses of it into certain muscles that she observes bashing together where wrinkles are likely to form. Turning the muscles down, without turning them off, Baby Botox stops new wrinkles from forming and also gives the skin space to repair its existing damage. “The person still has significant movement and expression, but not so much expression that the muscles bang the skin together and break down the collagen fibres,” explains Catherine.