20-22 UNPDF

bella feature

ageless

We watch celebrities do it with

apparent ease, so how do we

keep ourselves looking as good

as the stars? Words by Elise Eggleton

In your 20s

30-somethings

40s and up

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! According to derma-

tologists, 80 percent of all ageing can be directly related to

exposure to sunlight. Even sun damage acquired in your 20s

will show up later in life as wrinkles and age spots.

By the time you reach your 30s, skin cell turnover is slower.

Environmental damage from pollution, smoke and sunlight

begins to take its toll on the dermis, causing collagen fibres

to loosen and the skin start to lose its tone. Fine lines and

wrinkles develop.

By now you should have established a daily skincare

regime that involves exfoliating (two or three times a week),

cleansing, moisturising and sun protection for your skin.

It’s important to maintain a balanced diet consisting of

fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fish, which are high in

antioxidants such as Vitamins A, B, C and E. These vitamins

counteract free radicals in your body and help the skin to

repair itself, produce the enzymes that stabilise collagen

production, and stay moist and healthy.

In your 40s, collagen fibres decrease in number, stiffen and

break apart. Elastic fibres lose some of their elasticity, thicken

into clumps and fray. This results in the skin forming deeper

furrows known as lines and wrinkles. In addition, loss of

fat in the skin’s subcutaneous layer leaves your skin more

fragile, whereas the dermis will continue to lose its elasticity.

A rich, nourishing moisturiser is important.

During this time the stratum corneum (the outer layer

of the epidermis) starts to grow even thicker, as dead skin

cells hang around for longer. If you are not already using an

exfoliant regularly, now is a good time to get into the habit.

Thankfully, anti-ageing creams have come a long way

over recent years. ‘Consumers are well educated and they

demand better products. Today we have new active skincare

ingredients with proven efficacy, and varied delivery

systems that further enhance the product’s performance.

We also have better knowledge about skin, its physiology

and its needs. The market requires some proof of what the

product can do, so clinical tests are very common for anti-

ageing products to confirm their ability to deliver on their

promises,’sa ys Hryniewiecka.

Spot-apply foundation to cover redness and even out

skin tone and try eyeliner and mascara to add definition

to eyes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with hair colour. A

few highlights or all-over color to cover gray can brighten

your face.

Loren visited Sydney in June as part

of the Italian Film Festival, many of us

were left wondering how, at the age of

72, she remains one of the world’s most

celebrated beauty icons. Loren, who was once described

as the the world’s eighth natural wonder says, ‘Ageing is a

problem only when you stop liking yourself as a person.’ In

order to stay slender and flexible, she exercises every day,

including stretches and a walk. Loren eats a light breakfast, a

hearty lunch and a small dinner. She avoids butter, red meat,

dairy and fried foods. Early to bed, early to rise is her motto,

and she uses baby shampoo for her silky locks.

And, while we are not all blessed with Loren’s genes

(nor perhaps pampering at hand’s reach), there are several

steps we can take to prevent, reduce and even reverse the

ageing process.

‘It’s never too early to start using

anti-ageing products’

Apart from sunscreen, Dr LeWinn’s Product Manager

Teresa Hryniewiecka says it’s never too early to start using

anti-ageing products. ‘These days the description “anti-

ageing” has been extended from repair to also include

prevention and protection. We all know that prevention

is better, easier and usually less expensive than repairing

damage already done.

‘It is believed that anti-ageing products should enter our

skin care routine around the age of 25. With proper products

focusing on maintaining skin’s youthfulness and preventing

damage caused by exposure to the sun and free radicals in

the environment, we can effectively delay the appearance of

the signs of ageing.’

A good cleanser is also an essential part of your daily

routine. Concealers can be used to disguise dark circles

the morning after a night out, and a lightweight, tinted

moisturiser can even out skin tone.

‘Environmental damage from

pollution, smoke and sunlight

begins to take its toll on

the dermis’

You might want to consider adopting two blushes – one

that blends effortlessly into your skin and a brighter shade to

wake up your face. Keep a neutral lip colour handy that you

can apply at a moment’s notice.

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beauty

W hen legendary Italian actress Sophia

bella feature

Age fashionably

‘Camouflage dressing’, or dressing to

minimise your worst assets can really enhance

your appearance. For example, to disguise the

effects of gravity, avoid round or scoop

necks, which repeat the curve of a drooping

bust. Instead, try v-necks to direct the eye

upward. To hide a sagging neck, avoid the

classic turtleneck as it pinches loose skin.

Go for a scrunch-neck or loose-fitting

mock turtleneck.

In regards to jewellery, avoid chokers,

which tend to draw attention to crepey neck

skin. Instead, try a pendant necklace with a

flattering v-line. Don’t be tempted by dangly

earrings that accentuate jowls. Rather, opt for

delicate studs or classic earrings that will not

overpower your face.

Ageing gracefully

– 50 and over

Makeup:

‘less is more’

As you reach your 50s and beyond, your hair and nails

grow more slowly. Langerhans cells (involved in the

immune response) dwindle in number, decreasing the

immune responsiveness of older skin. The decreased size of

sebaceous (oil) glands leads to dry and broken skin that is

more susceptible to infection.

In post-menopausal women, decreased oestrogen levels

mean that skin loses its plumpness and tone, and it may be

left dry, itchy and more sensitive to allergens. At this stage

in your life it is important to take extra care of your skin’s

health. Mature skin is more fragile, prone to injury and

infection and bruises easily.

Taking care of your skin will reduce the ageing effect;

keeping it healthier as well as more resistant to injury and

infections. Take your moisturiser up a notch, and use an

extra-rich formula to make skin look fresher and lines less

noticeable. Definition is key at this stage of your life, so use

a lip pencil to keep lipstick from feathering and eyeliner to

make eyes stand out.

Remember, prevention is better than cure.‘The emphasis

is on prevention and protection,’ says Hryniewiecka. ‘Even

with the extensive knowledge we have today, we still can’t

stop ageing, but we can delay the signs of ageing or at least

partially repair them.’ bella

It’s easy to take the ‘more is better’ approach

to cosmetics when your complexion starts

showing signs of ageing. However, once your

skin starts to lose its firmness, less is actually

better, because makeup tends to slide into and

accentuate lines and furrows.

Instead of applying an all-over foundation,

dab a stick foundation over brown spots

and broken capillaries. Follow with a sheer

concealer to eliminate under-eye shadows

and in and around skin folds.

Avoid glossy lipsticks, which can slide

into vertical lip lines. Stick to matte or

pencils instead.

For cheeks, try a soft cream-to-powder

blush with staying power and won’t get

caught in nearby crow’s-feet. Outline eyes

with a brown powder liner, applied with a

dampened brush, for softer definition. Harsh

lines will exaggerate wrinkles and sagging.

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