While you won’t want to be slathering on retinol from your teens, there is merit in considering the powers of a preventative anti-ageing routine right after that. Your formative years are a good time to lay down the foundation with healthy skincare habits and once you touch your late 20s, you will want to consider a dedicated ritual that keeps the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin at bay in the future.
Upgrade their #FaceMaskFridays with this high-tech skincare essential. This LED mask uses red, orange and blue light therapy to target everything from fine lines to acne, making it the ultimate at-home facial. Think of it as self-care and science wrapped in one sleek gadget. If your Valentine swears by their skincare routine, this gift is guaranteed to earn you extra points.
For the best friend who never compromises on her skincare routine, the Protouch 3-in-1 LED face mask is a game-changer. It works overtime with red, blue and orange light therapy to treat, brighten and tone the skin with every use. Ideal for a self-care night in with face masks, wine and a rom-com—because radiant skin is always in.
If you don’t have time to sit in the dermat’s chair every week, at-home LED masks offer up the next best thing. The red light emitted from this Protouch buy helps stimulate cellular repair and boost collagen production to prevent wrinkles down the line.
Moisturisers are a dime a dozen in the skincare aisle, but Augustinus Bader’s The Cream is worth the splurge—a fact that you can personally attest to when you wake up to silky smooth skin in the morning. With its patented blend of amino acids, peptides and vitamins, the formula works on boosting collagen production for skin that appears firm and taut.
You don’t have to wait for the first signs of premature ageing to favour retinol in your skincare routine. Most dermats are in consensus that the period from your mid-20s to your 30s is ideal for introducing retinol into your skincare shelf—like this anti-ageing serum by The Ordinary that can set up a preventative barrier against fine lines and wrinkles.
Popularly dubbed as the “retinol serum for people who are scared of retinol” by the internet, Innisfree’s repairing ampoule makes for a beginner-friendly formula. When used on a cleansed face, it helps trigger the skin’s regeneration process and makes it appear plumper and firmer.
You may have heard of retinol’s reputation as a nocturnal creature—and with good reason. Given its propensity to make skin sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, retinol is favoured for nighttime use. Since the skin repairs itself over the course of the night, Re’equil’s Retinol Night Cream tags along for the ride to prevent any premature signs of ageing.
This sunscreen redefines sun protection with its lightweight, non-greasy formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. Enriched with rice extract and probiotics, it hydrates, nourishes, and brightens, making it more than just a sunscreen. With no white cast, it’s ideal for all skin tones and a dream under makeup.
Pro tip: Use a two-finger length for optimal coverage and reapply every two hours for maximum protection when outdoors.
Korean sunscreens have long had the game figured out: lightweight textures, skin-loving ingredients and absolutely zero white cast. Beauty of Joseon’s cult-favourite sunscreen checks every single box—and then some. If you’ve been on Instagram anytime recently, chances are you’ve seen your favourite skinfluencer casually slathering it on mid-routine. It’s become a go-to for a reason: packed with niacinamide, it keeps sebum and moisture levels in check, so you’re never greasy, just glowy. It’s also infused with rice bran and a fermented grain complex that gives it that creamy, hydrating feel without weighing you down. Pro tip: apply at least 15 minutes before heading out the door to let it do its thing.
Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen isn’t just about protection—it hydrates, too. Packed with rice and probiotics, it helps nourish your skin while keeping it safe from the UV rays. It’s a smooth, lightweight formula that will quickly become your everyday go-to. So restock in bulk to keep your skin covered all year round.
Sun protection is recommended from the age of six months onwards—so you really have no excuse for skipping SPF in your getting-ready routine in the AM. Clinical studies have proven that consistent usage of sunscreen can slow down signs of ageing and the easiest way to hop on the train is with a lightweight, non-greasy formula like this probiotic-enhanced cream by Beauty of Joseon.
Beyond stocking up on actives, you’ll also find a host of natural ingredients ready to help you fight the good fight against premature signs of ageing. Green tea assumes the lead role in this moisturising cleanser that helps dial up collagen production to prevent any loss of elasticity in the skin.
As much as we would like to check into a tranquil spa for the week, busy work schedules can often be less than cooperative. On such days, you’ll want to reach for this face massager tool that helps sculpt the contours of the face with 6000 micro-vibrations produced every minute. With better blood circulation and stimulated collagen production, you can say hello to a visage that appears firmer and more sculpted than ever before.