Image courtesy of clinicavolpe.com.br

A little self-involved admission; tomorrow is my birthday! The reason I mention is not to try and score extra presents - (but hey, I’ll take them!) - my birthday this year marks my transition into my mid-twenties. Yes, I’m turning 25. As such, I decided it was time to get a little more serious about introducing appropriate anti-ageing skin care into my beauty routine. After all, it is a common misconception that this type of skin care is only for mature skin. The best wrinkle deterrent is prevention, rather than trying to take action once it’s too late, so read on for a practical guide to introducing great anti-ageing products to your daily and weekly ritual.

The most practical place to introduce anti ageing products into your routine is actually with your cleanser. It might sound strange, as usually when we think anti-ageing, we conjure images of rich creams and serums. These product presumptionsaren't wrong - but ask any beauty pro and they’ll tell you that cleansing is one of the corner stones of good beauty and great skin. Opting for a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of all its natural oils is a great place to start.

The Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Smoothing Daily Cleanser is a prime example of an anti-ageing cleanser. It's antioxidant-rich to help fight free radicals
 and contains natural AHAs to refresh and brighten skin. Yes to... designed the blueberry range specifically to target age rejuvenation, using natural ingredients so you know it’s doing your skin the greatest amount of good.

The next step is a power-packing moisturizer. Look for a daily number rich in antioxidants and vitamins. The PLANET EVE daily face moisturiser ticks these boxes! It contains potent açai berry and works to target fine lines, pigmentation, age spots and dry skin; it's also perfect for skin staring down a fast approaching cold and harsh winter!

Eye cream is another anti-ageing essential, especially considering how delicate our eye area is - it can be much more susceptible to early damage. To show this area some TLC try erborian GINSENG INFUSION TOTAL EYE cream, which has been winning skincare fanatics over in Korea and is now available here in Oz. For daily use, try mixing a small amount into your under eye concealer. The rich and creamy formula helps to spread it on the delicate skin under your eyes and also keeps it moist, stopping concealer from sinking into any fine lines you may be trying to hide.

For a more highly concentrated kick try The Eyelift Kit. But don’t worry, it doesn’t involve any scalpels! This ingenious kit comes with single use, under eye enhancing gel pods. The small spatula is used to spread a tiny amount under the eye and dramatically firms the area within minutes. No, really, it does! (Kate here at bb HQ is fanatical about it!). Preservative free, The Eyelift Kit is kind to skin and perfect to apply before a big event for tired looking eyes.

Next are the serums. Serums are so, so important when it comes to anti-ageing. They are designed to penetrate and treat various skin conditions, such as redness, dehydration or lack of firmness and work hard to do so with active ingredients such as vitamins and anti-oxidants. The KOSMEA eighth natural wonder revitalising facial serum does just this. This can be worn everyday under your moisturizer, otherwise smooth on skin before bedtime to combat signs of ageing in your sleep. Best of all, a little goes a long way so you don’t need to be heavy handed to get results.

Finally, using an anti-ageing mask once a week, or even every now and again to treat yourself, is a great way to round out your new routine as well as treat yourself. Biotherm’s SKIN VIVO Mask would have to be one of the best around. Infused with re-plumping hyaluronic acid, the Skin Vivo Mask uses the latest technology to shape and re-tighten facial contours. Every mask also contains the equivalent of one jar of cream's worth of Pure Thermal Plankton! One whole jar! I know what I’ll be using for immediate radiance!

Anti-ageing products aren’t necessarily designed for pre-existing wrinkles, but work to prevent the cheeky lines from getting the chance to become permanent fixtures on your face. Even implementing one or two of these tips will help prevent premature ageing of your skin. You have nothing to lose - except maybe a few future wrinkles!

Did you used to think anti-ageing products were only for mature skin? Have you incorporated them into your routine yet? Let me know! Lauren