Stay on top of your skin type. Your skin type as a teenager is not what you'll have for the rest of your life. Weather, hormones, medication and age affect it; as you grow older, skin gets thinner and drier. Do a blot test to check. (First thing in the morning, place a tissue on your face; if it comes away greasy on nose, chin and forehead, you have combination skin. If a larger area of your cheeks is oily, that's your skin type too. Not a spot on the tissue means you have dry skin. "Sensitive" is not a skin type.)
Delay ageing - use sunscreen. Effects of sun exposure include loss of elasticity, thinner skin, wrinkles and spots. Slather on a broad spectrum sunscreen (that protects against UVA and UVB rays) with SPF 25 or more all year round on your body (not just your face). Don't forget the ears, the neck and your lips. Reapply during the day.
The eyes suffer from the first signs of ageing. The eye contour area has the thinnest skin and this is where lines show up first. Invest in a targeted antiageing product. Your other big buy - movie star sunglasses. Get maximum coverage with oversize shades; ensure they have UV protection.
Don't forget your neck and chest as this area is most prone to sun damage. If you're stepping out in the summer, especially between noon and 4pm, wear clothes that cover more.
Night creams are a must - research shows that skin-cell regeneration is faster at night. Choose products with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), linoleic acid, ceramides, Vitamin B6, retinol or Retin A.
Step it up:
Take your skin care regime to the next level with clinical intervention
Peels: With summer upon us, a tan cannot be far behind. Peels, such as glycolic, Vitamin C, Retin A or a combination of them can give you a fresh, fair glow. Peels exfoliate the top layer clinically, removing dead skin as well as clumped melanin, so skin is brighter.
Frequency: Once every 15 days (six sittings for three months).
Recovery time: None to five days. They must be done by a professional. Prices start at 2,000.
An at-home option: Make your own exfoliating mask at home with yoghurt and honey. Curd is rich in lactic acid and honey is a soothing anti-bacterial.
Hair removal: For most of us, facial hair is a big concern. You can use laser technology to ensure permanent hair reduction of up to 90 percent. Recommended: Q-Switched Laser means you won't have to bleach or thread your face again. It bleaches fine hair and after repeated sittings, reduces hair on the face. The process tightens your skin because it stimulates collagen and lightens skin as it targets pigment cells.
Frequency: four sittings in three months. Prices start at 5,000. Always go to a laser specialist - otherwise you might end up with white spots or scars, or the treatment may not be as effective.
Ingredients SOS
Look for these in your anti-ageing products-
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA): These are naturally occurring plant acids that help in getting rid of dead skin. They promote younger-looking complexion by helping skin renewal, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, spots and blemishes.
Hyaluronic acid and ceramides: These hydrate your skin and keep it looking plump. Hyaluronic acid is a superhumectant, drawing its moisture from the air and holding 1,000 times its weight in water. Ceramides are natural fats that aid skin in retaining moisture, helping it remain plump.
Linoleic acid: It's an omega-6 fatty acid, one of the important things found in evening primrose oil - which is an antioxidant that aids cell regulation, stops dryness, prevents thinning and works on acne-prone skin too.
Retinol: Derived from Vitamin A, retinol was first used to treat acne before its wonder qualities - stimulating cell and collagen production, strengthening skin and reducing fine lines and sun spots - were discovered. But it's not all wonderful. It also makes your skin sensitive to the sun and can be drying. It should only be used at night.
Vitamins C and E: These are always used together to maximise their properties. They work as potent anti-ageing ingredients with Vitamin C maintaining skin elasticity and collagen production and Vitamin E doing the soothing and protecting.
Vitamin B6: Another anti-ageing agent, it improves elasticity, stimulates collagen production, diminishes appearance of fine lines, blemishes and signs of dryness.
Skin food
Speak to a doctor and chart out whether you should be supplementing what you eat with vitamins, calcium, evening primrose oil and omega-3 oil capsules.
Drink plenty of fluids (8-9 glasses a day).
"Eat" your hydration through raw fruits and vegetables - pomegranates are an excellent source - when you eat this fruit, you hydrate and
give your body antioxidants.
Use olive oil to reduce cellulite and stop your skin from sagging. Healthy fats such as these not only attract water to the dehydrated cells but also prevent future water loss. Cells that are watertight will lead to tauter skin.
To deal with dry skin, up your intake of good oils, and those found in walnuts and eggs. Add in omega-3 to your diet.
Choose a diet rich in whole grains, pulses, lowfat dairy, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, fatty fish and cold pressed oils. Include functional foods such as soya, aloe and haldi (turmeric).
New research says eating fruit and veggies rich in carotenoid makes you more attractive. Carotenoid is the red colouring antioxidant found in tomatoes, peppers, plums and carrots. When you eat them, it's stored as healthy fat under your skin, giving it a healthy flush.
Limit sugar, and we don't mean just the teaspoon that goes in your coffee. Foods that rise the blood sugar include processed foods, pasta, baked goods, and snacks such as rice products, chips and colas. Sugar and starchy foods accelerate ageing and make the body store fat.