How to Prevent Wrinkles and Improve Skin Health

• 22 April 2025
• Dr Zil Yassine

Last updated on April 22, 2025

Skin health is crucial for protection against infection, UV rays, environmental threats, and dehydration. Healthy skin is also key to a more youthful appearance. Fortunately, you don’t need a dozen products to keep your skin happy – you only need a gentle cleanser, a serum and/or exfoliator, and the right moisturiser. Look for peptides, vitamins C and E, and retinol on the ingredient lists. You also shouldn’t overlook sun protection and a healthy lifestyle.

 

How to prevent wrinkles: determine your skin type

Your skin type depends on your age, environment, genetics, and medications, as these factors influence how much sebum (oil) your skin naturally secretes. Knowing yours is the key to selecting the right products and diet to achieve healthy, hydrated, and younger-looking skin.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are 5 skin types: 

• oily
• dry 
• normal 
• combination
• sensitive 

If you’re not sure what your type is, start at the baseline. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, then pat the skin dry. Wait for 30 minutes and start examining your skin. 

• If your face is shiny everywhere, you likely have oily skin
• If the shine is just in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), you probably have combination skin
• If the skin feels tight and flaky, you likely have dry skin
• If you don’t notice any excess dryness or oiliness, you likely have normal skin
• If there’s redness or a burning or itching sensation, you may have sensitive skin

 

Pick the right cleanser

Use your cleanser at night to remove makeup, sunscreen, and any accumulated sweat, oil and dirt. Ideally, it should be unscented and suited to your skin type. Cleansing in the morning is only necessary if you haven’t cleansed at night. Using it too often will strip your skin of moisture and essential oils.

Generally, cream cleansers are best for dry skin, and oil-free ones are ideal for oily skin. You may need to use both types in patches if you have combination skin. If your skin is sensitive, meanwhile, try a cleanser without fragrance and common irritants like Sulphates, Petroleum, Fragrance, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Alcohol (or Ethanol). In some cases, you may not need to cut out the ingredient altogether, but check all your facial products for it. For example, your cleanser and exfoliator may both have salicylic acid. Hence, you may overload your skin with it, resulting in a reaction.

There are also some ingredients you want in your cleanser, including micellar water for easy removal of makeup and sunscreen, colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritation and dryness, and salicylic acid for oily or acne-prone skin.

 

Do you need an exfoliator?

If you already use a serum or cleanser with salicylic, glycolic, lactic, or malic acid, you may not need to exfoliate at all. These acids are designed to loosen dead skin cells and clean out pores – too much of them may be overkill. If your serum or cleanser doesn’t have these ingredients, exfoliate your face 1-3 times per week. We’d recommend fewer sessions if you have dry skin and more if you have oily skin.

 

Add retinol for anti-aging

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is a powerful skin firmer. As a result, it’s one of the key ingredients used in anti-aging creams and is also sold on its own in serum form. If you feel your skin is getting looser and you don’t currently use a product with retinol, it may be worth looking into it.

 

Use a moisturiser to plump and heal the skin

A good moisturiser is essential for hydrating the skin and giving it a youthful glow. Hydrated skin is plumper, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines. Ideally, your moisturiser should be unscented to lower the risk of irritation (especially for sensitive skin). It should also have peptides to stimulate fibroblasts and protect collagen structures, which will enhance skin healing and firmness.

Apply your moisturiser in the morning to lock in moisture that could otherwise be lost throughout the day. If you have dry skin, you can also use it after a shower and on certain problematic spots throughout the day. 

 

Wear sun protection to prevent collagen breakdown

As we age, the quality of the collagen in our skin drops, leading to a loss of elasticity and firmness. Sun damage can, unfortunately, hasten this process. So, sunscreen is a great defence against wrinkles! Ideally, you should wear one that’s at least SPF 30. If you’re outdoors for extended periods, reapply it every 2 hours. You should also look for a formula that’s comfortable on your skin – after all, if you hate how your sunscreen feels, you’ll be less likely to wear it.

 

A healthy lifestyle can reduce ageing

Diet for preventing wrinkles

Make sure to stay hydrated and eat the rainbow. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will improve circulation and skin hydration. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, meanwhile, will provide anti-aging vitamins and antioxidants that balance out free radicals and reduce cell ageing.

You should also reduce your consumption of sugars, saturated fats, and alcohol. You don’t need to cut them out completely, just eat them in moderation.

 

Exercise

Getting enough moderate-intensity physical activity reduces stress and inflammation, which can contribute to premature aging. It also boosts circulation and promotes the production of healthy cells.

 

How to prevent wrinkles and improve skin health: the takeaway

Ageing happens to the best of us, but luckily, there are steps you can take to slow the process. Living a healthy lifestyle, wearing sun protection, and assessing your skin type and routine can go a long way. You can also try our anti-wrinkle injections to reduce the appearance of stubborn lines. Learn more about our process here: Anti-Wrinkle Injections – Spider Veins Australia, or call us on 0483 948 908 to book in.