10 years younger: Women can drop a decade by remembering crucial step in night-time routine, says anti-ageing expert

Nina Prisk, a skin, aesthetics, anti-ageing expert and independent nurse prescriber from Update Aesthetics, provided her top tips for a youthful complexion.

She first told women to always remove their makeup before bed. The expert stated: "I would never wear makeup overnight, as this is the equivalent of suffocating the skin.

"When we sleep, our skin repairs itself - something that is crucial for skin healing and optimum health.

"Wearing makeup overnight can lead to pores becoming clogged, which increases the likelihood of breakouts and can restrict the skin’s natural sebum production.

"Sebum is important for keeping the skin hydrated and flexible, so if its production is negatively impacted it can result in dry skin and speed up the ageing process."

Taking off your makeup doesn't mean reaching for a makeup wipe though. Nina told women: "Although makeup remover wipes are marketed as a quick and easy way to remove makeup, I would never use them.

"Most face wipes contain strong chemicals and preservatives that can strip the skin of its natural oils and negatively impact the skin’s natural pH levels. This can result in dry, irritated and sensitive skin.

"And the fact you’re not washing away these often abrasive chemicals after using the wipe also means that they remain on the skin and can continue to negatively impact it long after use."

The expert also shared her go-to product for protecting against ageing. SPF is imperative - whatever the weather.

According to Nina, skipping SPF is an absolute no-no. She explained a high factor, broad spectrum SPF is "vital" for protecting the skin against dangerous UV rays which can cause premature ageing as well as skin cancer.

She warned: "If skin is exposed to the sun over prolonged periods, it can result in sagging, wrinkled skin, as well as pigmentation and an uneven skin tone."

And while some may believe that sunscreen is just for summer, the anti-ageing expert was quick to dispel this: "It’s important to wear SPF all year round, even if it’s cloudy."

The expert also advised ditching physical scrubs in favour of chemical exfoliants, explaining that physical scrubs can "damage the skin barrier".

"Physical scrubs can lead to over-drying of the skin too," she said, "which can result in cracked, peeling skin, irritation and sensitivity."

Instead, ladies should use a chemical exfoliant such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, which "benefit skin texture and unblock pores, leading to cleaner, healthier skin."

Finally, for skin that's 10 years younger, Nina advised women to curb a bad habit: squeezing their spots.

Although it's tempting to pop the occasional pimple, the expert warned ladies that this is bad practice. She said: "Spots usually occur when debris such as skin cells, sebum and bacteria block the pores of the skin.

"Popping a spot damages the skin barrier, making skin more prone to infection. It can also pose the risk of pushing the bacteria and dirt further into the pore and into the dermis which can cause a deeper infection.

"Popping spots can also cause a scab to form which can result in skin discolouration and scarring."

The best way to combat spots is through the use of bespoke topical cosmetics that contain "active ingredients". This, combined with a healthy, balanced diet and adequate hydration should do the trick.

Aesthetics practitioner and skin care expert Amish Patel, from Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, also weighed in on how women can drop a decade by transforming their skin.

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Amish said: "First and foremost, you need to invest in your skin care routine. Products you might have gotten away with in your 20s and early 30s probably won't be helping your skin now.

"Choose professional skin care products over the high street: they are more potent, will have been clinically tested and will get give you more noticeable results."

Amish also advocated for a healthy lifestyle, daily SPF use, and "drinking plenty of water", explaining that staying hydrated "helps flush out toxins".

The expert continued: "Keep an eye on your sugar levels, as excessive sugar creates a chemical reaction called glycation, which effectively damages your collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and skin elasticity loss."

Microneedling

Amish said: "I'm also a big advocate of microneedling. It's an excellent treatment for tackling fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, mild scarring and pigmentation. There are lots of microneedling kits and tools out there for all budgets, from manual rollers to automated tools, but the most crucial aspect is how often you microneedle and what serums you are partnering with your microneedling.

"During microneedling, the serum you use penetrates deeper into the dermis. It's crucial to use a professional-grade serum that is free of fragrances, retinoids, vitamin C and acids, as these can irritate your skin. A high-quality hyaluronic acid serum with just over 2 per cent concentration is recommended for best results.

"The frequency of your microneedling sessions should be determined by how your skin reacts to the treatment and the length of your needles. Shorter needles (less than 1mm) allow for more frequent treatments, while longer needles require a longer healing period. It's important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and monitor your skin's reaction. As a general rule, spacing treatments every six weeks allows your skin's cell regeneration to fully benefit from the treatment."

The skin rejuvenation experts at Dermapen World described microneedling as a "minimally invasive derma (skin) procedure that makes use of a micro-fine needle or dermaroller to create microscopic injuries on the uppermost layer of the skin". The experts said: "Doing so stimulates the production of collagen, which results in younger-looking skin."

Before trying microneedling, you must consult a professional.

Top tips for skin that looks "10 years younger"

• Remove makeup before going to sleep - but not with a makeup wipe
• Apply SPF daily
• Use chemical exfoliants over physical scrubs
• Never squeeze your spots
• Enjoy a healthy diet
• Drink plenty of water
• Choose professional skin care products