Forever young

At the tender age of twenty three I am noticing a few fine lines creeping their way onto my previously flawless complexion. Despite my best efforts to preserve my youthful appearance, it seems that even those of us with the most diligent skincare regimes aren't immune to the ravages of time......

So the question on every womans (perfectly painted) lips is - what DOES work? IS there a miracle product out there that will actually deliver on its promises and turn back the clock? Given all the cosmetic marketing we are exposed to it would seem that there are a multitude of products that will work miracles. I believe a healthy dose of skepticism is required when shopping for skincare, and that as consumers of such products we should have realistic expectations. In saying that however, there are some beautiful products available that can help prevent further aging and protect the dermis. The one product that can truly make a difference is a good sunscreen. The majority of skin aging is caused by sun exposure, so by protecting the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays we have a better chance at preserving it for the future. Applying sunscreen is the single most important step in your skincare regime, so don't forget it!

Top tips to prevent aging

• Always wear a good sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and avoid sun beds and tanning.

• Don't smoke.

• Treat your skin gently, never pull, tug or over stress the skin. Pat or press products into the face, and let cleanser and water glide over the face.

• Consider using a product with AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids) to gently exfoliate surface skin cells, and help cell renewal. Neo Strata do a great range of specialist products. Topical vitamin A products such as Retin A are also excellent to keep skin smooth, and can help erase surface lines.

• Wear big sunglasses when outside to avoid squinting (which can cause crows feet and wrinkles around the eye area). This has the added bonus of making you look rather glamourous!

• A good skincare regime is essential, at the very least, gentle cleansing, moisturiser and sunscreen.

• Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help prevent lines on the face, my dear grandmother has done this her whole life and she swears by it (silk pillowcases are also great for the hair).

• Remember, prevention is better than cure.

So what to do if you already have skin aging? Well luckily for us, the latest breakthroughs in cosmetic procedures mean that we have a wide range of solutions for erasing lines, plumping lips and sculpting the face, so for those of us prepared to brave needles or the surgeons knife, years of damage can be reversed in a matter of hours. Of course there are risks to consider, and such procedures often come with a hefty price tag. Botox and injectable fillers have become extremely popular, widely used tools in the fight against time, in the right hands they can wield beautiful, natural results, far more advanced and effective than any skincare product or regime can acheive.

Realistically however, most of us will be seduced by the promises of miracle creams and serums at some point. Be aware that no cream can turn back time, and often the "exclusive" active ingredients in these super creams have molecules far too big to actually be absorbed properly into the deeper layers of the skin.

Despite all this talk of Botox and reversing aging, I still believe there is something to be said for aging gracefully. A totally line free face is undesirable to me, subtle lines show a face and soul that has laughed, loved, and lived. So remember that amongst a generation of smoothed foreheads, plumped lips and perfectly arched brows, retaining some character and expression can actually render us more attractive. My favourite beauty tip at present? Frown less, smile more. I may just put off my Botox plans a little longer.....

Steph x