When Should You Start Using Anti-Ageing Products?

Ageing is an inevitable part of life, but who doesn't want to age gracefully?

For some, signs of ageing can begin in their twenties or even earlier, for others (a.k.a the lucky ones) it begins much later. So when exactly do we need to get serious about targeting wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation? In our late 20s? Only when the crow's feet have begun to show? Let break down the answer!

Is there an age that is too early for someone to start using anti-ageing products?

The short answer is: No. We know anti-ageing may sound like it’s something for older people, but did you know that wrinkles form waaaay long before you start seeing them?

Our skin starts accumulating damages the moment it gets exposed to environmental aggressors (like UV rays and pollution), as well as internal ones (like hormonal changes and the side effects of stress and anxiety). Ageing by itself already makes our skin repair slower than before, and after being constantly exposed to these additional aggressors, it begins to lose its ability to retain moisture and repair itself from damages.

Like all other aspects of health, it’s easier to prevent skin damage than it is to undo it later, so if you start incorporating anti-ageing products into your daily routine at an earlier age, less damage will be done to the skin as opposed to if you begin using these products in your late 30s. Younger skin is also more responsive than an older one, so the sooner you start using these products, the better the results!

So what anti-ageing products should I use when I'm in my teens/ 20s?

Before reaching out for your mum's expensive night creams, remember that the most important thing is to use anti-ageing products that are appropriate for your skin type and specific skin concerns. Strong retinol products and heavy night creams are not the only anti-ageing products out there!

While it's true that the most effective anti-ageing formulas are those containing vitamin A (like retinol), there are plenty of other more gentle alternative ingredients in Korean skin care, such as ginseng, vitamin C, peptides, niacinamide and snail mucin, which can also help target other skin woes you might have currently, such as acne, dark spots or dullness.

Related article: 5 Best Anti-Ageing Ingredients in Korean Beauty

If you think your skin is not ready for targeted treatments yet, remember that the easiest way to start your anti-ageing routine early is to simply apply SPF daily. Damage from UV light is the number one preventable cause of skin ageing, so sunscreen is the definitely the best anti-ageing product you can invest in regardless of your age.

Another easy way to start your anti-ageing routine is to look out for antioxidant-rich products, which helps delay the ageing process by preventing skin damage and countering the breakdown of collagen fibers in the skin. You can easily find antioxidants in your serums, moisturisers or even your cleansers! Check out Blithe's and Huxley's products, which are all jam packed with the best antioxidant-rich ingredients.

But if I start using strong retinols/ anti-ageing products early, will they lose their effectiveness over time?

While you might assume that your skin care product isn’t working any longer when you stop seeing changes from it, in reality, this just means that it’s working really, really well. So let’s say, for example, you’re using a retinoid product. Since your skin might build up a tolerance to the retinoid, it might seem to become less effective over time, but your skin is just becoming more tolerant of the ingredient (think: no more redness, tingling or peeling!) However, if you stop using a product for a period of time and then return to it, you might see that it will begin to “work” again.

One good tip you can follow is to start using active ingredients with a lower potency first, then bumping it up as you go. For example, for vitamin c, you can start with the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop which contains 5% vitamin c, then move on to the more powerful By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum. As a little surprise to your bored skin, you can also try subtly different ingredients by branching out into the ingredient family tree, like switching from your usual glycolic acid exfoliator for something with lactic acid, like the Blithe Patting Splash Mask Rejuvenating Purple Berry.

As long as you keep in mind your specific skin type and concerns while shopping for your next skin care goodies, don’t wait—slather that sunscreen all over your face, grab that vitamin c serum, and do what millions of people probably wish they had done when they were younger!

When do you think is the best time to start using anti-ageing products? Share your thoughts below!