"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," as the saying goes. This is especially true when it comes to the first signs of aging. While skin aging is a completely normal and natural process, it is possible to slow it down and lessen its effects on our faces.

What are the first signs of aging?

The first signs of aging generally appear between the ages of 25 and 30. They most often appear around the eyes, in the form of more visible dark circles, more pronounced puffiness, dehydration lines, and slight expression lines. The first signs of aging can also be observed between the eyebrows (the frown line) and on the forehead via fine horizontal lines. In fact, it is during this period that our hyaluronic acid reserves begin to diminish and the production of elastin and collagen slows down. Without this winning trio at its peak, the skin becomes less smooth and loses its bounce. In addition, the cells of our epidermis regenerate less quickly, further marking the signs of stress and fatigue on our face.

Over time, fine lines deepen into deeper wrinkles, gradually leading to overall skin sagging and a loss of volume. The skin becomes thinner and more fragile, and pigmentation spots may appear.

The right actions to prevent the first signs of aging

Age isn't the only factor responsible for skin aging; our lifestyle also plays a significant role in the appearance of the first signs of aging. Fortunately, adopting certain habits can help you maximize your chances of maintaining youthful skin for longer.

A meticulous cleansing of the skin

We can't stress it enough: cleansing is THE essential beauty routine. It helps eliminate impurities that accumulate on the skin's surface throughout the day. Pollution particles, dust, excess sebum, and even dead skin cells clog pores and prevent the skin from regenerating properly. By giving it a meticulous cleansing, we make the epidermis once again capable of defending itself against external aggressions while preparing it to receive targeted skincare active ingredients.

Our latest favorite: Herbier Face and Eye Makeup Remover Oil with organic Provence olive oil. Certified Cosmos Organic by Ecocert and made from 100% natural ingredients with only 8 ingredients, this melting oil gently cleanses the skin and respects the skin barrier. Its melting texture dissolves makeup, even waterproof, as well as impurities, then transforms into a milk upon contact with water.

You can add a gentle facial scrub to your cleansing routine once a week. When your skin is properly cleansed, it's ready for treatment.

Intense hydration

The skin is an organ in permanent contact with the outside world, forming a true bulwark against potential aggressions. When it is weakened, its barrier function is impaired and, then exposed to external attacks, its aging accelerates. To prevent the skin from finding itself in a vulnerable situation, we take care of its hydrolipidic film and retain water in its upper layer thanks to a moisturizing treatment. This provides the epidermis with the water it needs combined with a fatty substance to retain this liquid supply. In addition to preserving the skin's shielding action, water is also necessary for skin cell renewal.

Targeted care

To maximize the results of proper cleansing and hydration, add specific, targeted treatments to your beauty routine, tailored to your skin's needs. Since the first visible signs of aging often initially appear around the eyes, treat yourself to an express, fatigue-relieving lifting treatment with Roselift Collagen Eye Patch. This duo of hydrogel patches with an ultra-fresh texture smooths out wrinkles around the eyes in the blink of an eye. Its added bonus: a convenient format that can be taken anywhere!

Disruptions to our internal biological clock also show up on our faces over time. Overexposure to blue light from our screens, lack of sleep, and a lack of natural light are all factors that cause premature skin aging. Blue Techni Liss Concentrated Chrono-Plumping Serum fights the effects of digital pollution with its anti-blue light shield. Day after day, its formula enriched with hyaluronic acid softens and smooths the skin. You can combine it with Blue Techni Liss Jour every morning to enhance its action.

Special attention paid to UV rays

It's proven that sun exposure significantly promotes skin aging. By penetrating the skin, ultraviolet rays can alter the DNA of cells and damage them, deteriorating elastin and collagen fibers. The body is capable of creating enzymes to heal these damaged skin cells, but during prolonged unprotected exposure, the scale of the task becomes too great for these enzymes, and the damage to the epidermis is then long-lasting. Fortunately, there is a solution to mitigate this danger: limit your skin's exposure to the sun or apply a protective SPF.

Some good habits to put in place

Unsurprisingly, a healthy lifestyle, good hygiene, a little exercise, a balanced diet, and limited stress are crucial allies for maintaining the health of your skin. Excessive sun, anxiety, and pollution, to name a few, weaken skin cells. Also, be careful, as much as possible, about tobacco, alcohol, and sugar consumption, which are all disruptive to your skin. Our favorite activity at Payot to feel good in our skin while preventing the first signs of aging: the PAYOT® Gesture. Tried and tested!