WHAT DO WE INHERIT?

In time, our lines will become more deeply etched, we will lose that youthful volume and our skin will start to dry and thin. This natural ageing process is called intrinsic ageing and much of it – but not all – is thought to be determined by our genes. Just look at your mum!

One way we can gain a little insight into how our skin is predisposed to this sort of ageing is to have a simple test. In New Zealand, skincare company OCosmedics offers the internationally recognised SkinDNA Test. At a cost of around $299, a kit is provided to take a swab of DNA via the cheek.

The sample is tested for genetic markers in five categories: firmness and elasticity; glycation (when the sugars in your bloodstream attach to proteins and form harmful new molecules); pigmentation and sun damage; free radical damage; and sensitivity and inflammation. Clients will later receive a report on how they will age in each category, as well as the most suitable skincare and supplements to use – all based

on their DNA.