Fight lines

You smoke, drink socially and generally forget to apply some sun screen before you leave the house. Then you take a train/taxi to work in the hot, hot sun. By the end of your work week your skin looks uneven and dull. You're probably in your mid-20s, but the stranger in the mirror looks (shudder) 30-something!

How? And why, you wonder?

The truth is, you may not be treating your skin right. "Think of skin damage as an unwanted savings account," says David Khoo, Scientific Communications Manager with Olay. "This damage accumulates over time. The more damage there is the sooner the signs of skin ageing show up."

Matter of choice

For a woman, her looks are her most valued possession, especially as she grows older. And it's the lifestyle choices she makes that help determine how fast her first wrinkles appear.

That's why, dermatologists and beauty experts say, alcohol and cigarette smoke, coupled with the car fumes, UV exposure (UV exposure alone can account for 85% of premature skin ageing), late nights and I-don't-have-time-for-lunch-today days accelerate skin aging.

Khoo explains that lifestyle choices like spending long hours in the sun can end up damaging the naturally occurring collagen that keeps skin wrinkle-free. "Collagen is arranged in orderly bundles of fibre that help to keep the skin taut. When collagen is damaged by UV rays, it becomes broken and disorderly, so skin structure is weakened. That's when wrinkles and sagging skin start to happen."

Watch out 

In a global survey spanning 6,000 women of all ages and ethnicities, scientists at skin care giant Olay, discovered seven common signs of aging.

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Rough/uneven skin texture
• Age/dark spots 
• Uneven skin tone
• Sagging skin
• Dry/dull skin
• Increased pore size

The skin does have an early warning system of sorts. Women should keep their eyes open for fine lines and dark spots.

Prevent and protect

Cleanse, moisturise and use sunscreen, recommends Khoo. It's the basic skin care regime you need to follow, ASAP. Get a good moisturiser with anti-aging properties. Those like Olay Total Effects contain vitamins like B3, pro-B5, C and E. Perfect for Indian skin, the cream helps boost the skin's renewal process.

Youthful skin naturally follows a 28-day renewal process, but it takes longer if you're older. Moisturisers like Olay Total Effects help restore the skin renewal "to a more youthful rate," explains Khoo.

Busting one beauty myth, he adds, "The earlier you start using such creams, the better. In fact, the mid-20s is a good age to start."

What's more, a healthy diet and a good night's sleep also help fight wrinkles and fine lines. It's as simple as that.