Skin care at every decade: How to 'tighten your skin' and fight 'signs of sagging'

In your 20s

During these years, think of preventative skin care. Taking care of your face will help slow down the signs of ageing.

Clinic Lead at Face the Future Kimberley Medd said: "During your 20s, skin care is all about protection and maintenance. Through our younger years, collagen levels are still high leaving the skin plump and youthful, with the average age of depletion beginning from 25.

"The main concerns are controlling sebum levels due to hormonal changes, resulting in acne, as well as skin irritation from experimenting with different ingredients and skin care routines that keep your skin calm and happy.

"You might also start noticing towards the latter end of your 20s that your skin appears more dull and you're starting to see longer-lasting expression lines and fine wrinkles due to collagen levels dropping.

"The preventive steps you take now can help counter the impact of ageing as you enter your 30s. Choose an SPF for daily wear, a hydrating cleanser, serum or mask and a moisturiser in your skin care routine."

In your 30s

At this age, your collagen supply starts to drop, which means you have less elasticity in the skin.

Kimberley continued: "In your 30s, our skin metabolism takes more of a noticeable change. Collagen depletes at an average of one per cent each year - that's 10 per cent collagen loss in this new decade.

"In addition, moisture levels decrease as sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Hero ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and retinol provide extra support for skin tightening, texture, brightening, hydration and volume loss."

In your 40s

Your skin needs will change once again at this age. Women, in particular, might start to see the effects of menopause on their faces.

The expert advised: "The fighting 40s are a new generation of skin concerns. Gradually building up to the menopause with new hormonal fluctations, skin cells shrink leading to loss of skin elastin, heightened dryness with further moisture loss and fine lines and wrinkles become more of a concern.

"The effects of sun damage if not preventatively cared for are more apparent with deeper set wrinkles, pigmentation and the skin can appear more loose with signs of sagging."

In your 50s

Choosing the right products is critical at this age, and this can include supplements.

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At this age, the expert recommended products such as Medik8 Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream, NeoStrata Skin Active Matrix Support SPF 30 and Proto-col Pure Collagen.

Kimberley added: "The onset of menopause plays a big role in skin's appearance. The average age women reach menopause in the UK is 51. Reduced blood flow causes your skin to lose its radiance and oestrogen drops which is an antioxidant, meaning the skin is not as protected from external aggressors.

"Further, collagen depletion is at two per cent per year - losing up to 20 per cent of collagen in your 50s, the skin's natural cell regeneration and recovery is slower, and hyperpigmentation/age spots can become more of a concern with cumulative UV damage.

"Taking your skin care routine with a 360 approach by using day and night products, as well as supplements will help to retain and rejuvenate the skin."