The visible signs of ageing, like dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone, are all symptoms of what’s happening beneath the surface - in the dermal layer - of your skin.

Dermatologists believe that up to 90% of skin ageing is caused by external factors – environment, lifestyle and UV damage. Stress, smoking, alcohol and UV light all produce free radicals, which are the skin’s main enemy. Free radicals attack the skin in a process known as oxidation. The body has its own anti-oxidant defence system that helps neutralize free radical damage, but as we age, the efficiency of this system declines and our need for additional anti-oxidants increases.

Over time the skin’s essential supportive structure starts to break down. Collagen fibres bundle together, elastin begins to lose its spring and this causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear on the skin’s surface. The dermis gradually loses density and pigmentation become visible as skin becomes thinner. In short, the older we get and the more exposed our skin has been, the more we need extra help to keep our skin supple and smooth.