20 best preventive ageing products to start using when you hit your 20s

1. Bio-essence Bio-Gold Rose Gold Ampoule, $32.90, from Watsons and Guardian stores.

1/19

When skin looks dull and feels rough to the touch, it is in dire need of hydration and this 14-day treatment program is just what you need. The lightweight, serum-like ampoules boast Damask rose essential oil that effectively moisturises skin, plus the brand’s 24k Bio-Gold flakes that strengthens skin to quickly restore its softness and natural radiance.

2. IDS Skincare Rejuvenating Complex, $245, from IDS

2/19

Once you notice crepey skin and loss of firmness to your skin tone, reach for this cream. It has zinc and magnesium chloride to boost the production of elastin and also helps to relax facial muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines; hydrolyzed elastin and sodium hyaluronate also keep skin firm and hydrated. Furthermore, the cream has IDS’ patented and proprietary NEULASTIN formulation and delivery system to ensure effective absorption of active ingredients so you know this is one cream that delivers what it promises.

3. Thann Shiso Facial Serum, $115 for 30ml, from Thann.

3/19

To treat sensitive skin


Go easy if you have sensitive skin, even though you are desperate to keep signs of ageing at bay. This gentle, naturally formulated serum is your best bet, thanks to Centella Asiatica and banana flower extracts that soothe skin and encourages its natural collagen production to keep it looking youthful. For a dose of hydration, the serum also has the brand’s signature Nano Shiso Extract which deeply moisturises the skin.

4. Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte™ Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen SPF 30, $52 for 60ml, from Sephora.

4/19

To prevent sun damage

If you’re in the sun a lot, make this multitasking sunscreen your skincare BFF. It is tinted so you get a better complexion instantly, plus it is loaded with skin-loving antioxidants like grape and sunflower shoot extracts to curb free radical damage and raspberry and marula oils to deliver moisture and nourish skin. What’s more, it is formulated without any chemical sunscreens or silicones so it won’t irritate skin or cause clogged pores.

5. Gallinee Youthful Serum, $95 for 30ml, from Sephora.

5/19

To treat imbalanced skin

When your skin feels out of whack and nothing you apply on it seems to work, you just might need skincare with prebiotics and probiotics to bring it back to equilibrium. How? The prebiotics and probiotics in this gentle serum support the skin’s microbiome and stimulate natural cell renewal to return skin to its healthy, youthful state.

6. Bybi Beauty Supercharge Serum, $61 for 30ml, from Sephora

6/19

For tired complexions

Like a quick charge for an almost-flat battery, this powerful serum jumpstarts skin by boosting its energy, feeding it all the nourishment it needs with a lightweight blend of 18 natural oils. It won’t turn your skin into an oil slick, but it will restore its plumpness and glow so you look less sallow and more energised. We love that the formula is naturally derived and is certified cruelty-free and vegan to boot, even the packaging is sustainable.

7. Natasha Denona Lifting Primer Anti-Aging Serum, $89 for 30ml, from Sephora

7/19

If you love multitasking products


This serum does double duty. On one hand, it is a nourishing formulation to fight signs of ageing and on the other hand, it also perfectly primes your skin for foundation application. It smoothes on silkily with ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate that hydrate, reduce fine lines and boost the radiance of your complexion. It also has a semi-matte finish that allows foundation to go on seamlessly with minimal blending, and helps it to last longer throughout the day.

8. Tatcha The Indigo Cream, $150 for 50ml, from Sephora

8/19

To soothe dehydrated skin


Dryness and dehydration is the trigger for the ageing process as it means that skin’s barrier function is compromised. Chocked full of green tea extracts and soothing colloidal oatmeal, this lush cream instantly calms skin that feels tight, dry or itchy skin. On top of that, squalene, rice germ and coconut oil replenishes skin eliminating all signs of dehydration so that your complexion regains the smooth, plump and naturally dewy appearance that makes you look fresh-faced.

9. Dear Dahlia Skin Paradise Pure Moisture Sun Lotion, $46 for 35ml, from Sephora

9/19

To prevent dark spots


Why settle for plain old sunscreen when this silky, sheer textured sun lotion not only provides broad-spectrum sun protection, but also has a potent antioxidant ingredient — Dahlia Variabilis Flower Extract — that protects skin from oxidation stress and DNA damage? It effectively curbs dark spots and hyperpigmentation from forming and stalls the breakdown of collagen to keep fine lines and sagging well at bay.

10. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, from $110 for 30ml, from Shiseido

10/19

To build skin’s resilience

We all know how important our body’s immune system is; and this is the first skincare serum that targets skin’s immunity, launched in 2014. The unique formulation centres on the brand’s ImuGeneration Technology that harnesses potent natural extracts to encourage skin’s ability to defend and preserve itself. This is so that even under extreme stress and aggression, skin remains resilient and remains clear, problem-free, healthy and youthful.

11. Belif Youth Creator-Age Knockdown Bomb, $90 for 50ml, from Tangs

11/19

Treats enlarged pores

Did you know that pores can look more obvious when skin starts to age because with sagging, pores get stretched downwards and in fact become bigger. That’s what this serum aims to prevent. It boasts a herbal formula that boosts skin’s elasticity so that it is firmer and lifted and pores are minimised and skin texture looks more refined. This brand’s products are also free from mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, synthetic preservatives, and animal-derived ingredients.

12. The Body Shop Drops of Youth™ Gentle Foam Wash, $27 for 150ml, from The Body Shop

12/19

To cleanse without stripping skin


The gentlest wash that’s even suitable for sensitive skin, this facial cleanser is dispensed as a soft foam that gives you a satisfyingly rich lather. Skin feels refreshed and clean after using it but with none of that tight, uncomfortable sensation thanks to added botanical stem cells and community trade moringa seed oil that pampers and cares for skin.

13. AHC Premium Hydra B5 Cream, $61.90, from AHC

13/19

To counter skin stress

What stresses out your skin? Environmental aggressors like UV exposure and pollution, as well as intrinsic factors like lack of sleep and an improper diet can adversely affect skin making it succumb to signs of ageing. Well, not if this cream can help it. It contains botanical skincare ingredients like portulaca oleracea and edelweiss extracts to promote healthy, calm and well-balanced skin, nipping signs of ageing in the bud.

14. Albion Flora Drip, from $98 for 80ml, at Albion

14/19

For watery, lightweight anti-ageing action

If you’re not keen on slathering on serums and creams, pick up this skincare essence. It is a watery lotion that is packed with active ingredients made from pure white koji combined with five medicinal herbs grown specially for the brand. The formula promises anti-ageing benefits like clearer, translucent, glowy, firmer and refined skin.

15. Chantecaille Bio Lifting Oil Free Fluid+, $471 for 50ml, from Chantecaille

15/19

For smoother, lifted skin

Noticing that your skin has lost its firmness? You need this fluid moisturiser stat. It can be used as a moisturiser, works great as a makeup base and apply a slightly thicker layer at night for more intense hydration and anti-ageing action. It boasts a vegan-friendly formula with plant stem cells for replumping skin, peptides to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles, and raspberry extract for antioxidant benefits.

17. Pixi Collagen Tonic, £10.00 (Approx. S$18) for 100 ml, from Pixi International

16/19

To tone and treat skin

Apply this like you would a toner, patting it onto skin with a cotton pad. But it is much more than a toner. It is infused with fruit extracts and botanical ingredients that work to protect, balance and treat skin. Rich in antioxidants to prevent free radical damage, this tonic also nourishes skin so that fine lines are less visible and skin’s texture looks more even too.

18. FRESH Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturizer, from $32 for 15ml, from Fresh

17/19

For all-rounded skin wellness

A holistic approach to preventing signs of skin ageing, this nourishing yet lightweight moisturiser is just what stressed, tired and lacklustre skin needs. It contains the brand’s new star ingredient, Super Lotus, harvested from the whole lotus plant while it’s still alive so as to keep the ingredient potent for greater skincare benefits. This protects skin from lifestyle stressors, pollution, blue light and free radical damage so that the complexion can remain healthy and looking fresh and youthful.

19. Sisley SISLEYOUTH, S245 for 40ml, from Sisley

18/19

To strengthen skin’s barrier function

‘Barrier function’ basically refers to skin’s defences. If it is strong, skin is able to resist damage and in turn keep signs of ageing at bay. That is exactly what this emulsion does for your skin, it bolsters its barrier function with antioxidant organic buckwheat seed extract and also has vitamin E, organic ginkgo biloba leaf extract and pea extract that neutralises damage and enhances skin’s resistance. A lovely bonus: We love the emulsions’s zesty, energising notes of lavender and Litsea cubeba essential oils.

20. Chanel Le Lift Eye Creme, $140 for 15ml, from Chanel

19/19

The eye area is one of the first to show signs of ageing simply because the skin around the eyes are the thinnest and the most delicate. Give it some TLC with this eye cream that has botanical alfalfa concentrate in a specially formulated Phyto-Active Complex to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. The cream is a powerful age-fighter but is gentle on skin and it makes eyelids look visibly lifted, smoothes wrinkles and creases.