Skin ConsultationWhat happens to men's skin after 35? Here's what dermatologists want you to know
Turning 35 doesn't mean you'll suddenly wake up looking older. But it is around this age that your body starts changing in ways that become harder to ignore.
Your metabolism may slow down, making it easier to gain weight. Testosterone levels also begin to decline gradually, which can affect your energy levels and libido.
Your skin often shows these changes first.
Collagen is the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth. From your mid-30s, your body naturally produces less of it, while existing collagen breaks down more quickly. That's why dark eye circles, dullness, dryness, and fine lines become more noticeable, and your skin may not recover as quickly from late nights or too much sun.
Men usually get away with neglecting their skin in their twenties and early thirties because their skin is naturally thicker, oilier, and more resilient. By the mid-to-late thirties, however, the skin's natural repair process slows down, making pigmentation, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and sagging skin more obvious.
Dr Roy Soo, medical practitioner at IDS Clinic, says lifestyle habits from your younger years also start catching up with you. "Late nights, smoking, frequent drinking, and spending time in the sun without sunscreen all speed up collagen loss," he said.
In other words, what feels like sudden ageing is often the result of years of accumulated damage finally becoming visible. It is now that skincare really matters.
WHAT A GOOD SKINCARE ROUTINE LOOKS LIKE
Forget complicated 10-step routines. The best skincare routine is one you'll actually stick to.
Men usually prefer something simple and want to see noticeable results. These three ingredients are what dermatologists recommend for healthier-looking skin after 35:
- Retinoids help skin behave more like younger skin by improving cell renewal and reducing signs of ageing.
- Vitamin C protects skin from everyday environmental damage and helps fade uneven pigmentation that becomes more common with age.
- Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture and keeps skin hydrated, making it look plumper and healthier.
Not sure how to fit these ingredients into your daily routine? Here are easy-to-follow skincare routines for different situations.
A SIMPLE MORNING ROUTINE
Dr Soo recommends keeping your morning routine straightforward. Start with a gentle cleanser to wash away the oil your skin naturally produces overnight. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a foaming cleanser works well.
After cleansing, nourish skin with a serum. A serum delivers concentrated ingredients that target concerns like dullness, pigmentation, or fine lines. Dr Soo recommends adding a Vitamin C serum to brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation. Dull, tired skin gets a boost of brightness from this non-irritating Vitamin C serum. Its water-light texture absorbs quickly, helping even tone and defend against free radical damage.
IDS Skincare C-Plus, S$163.50
Available at IDS.
Sunscreen prevents UV damage, which is one of the biggest causes of premature skin ageing. Dr Soo recommends applying a generous amount across the entire face and adding an extra layer over areas with pigmentation.
A SIMPLE NIGHT ROUTINE
At night, wash your face again to remove sunscreen, dirt, and oil that have built up throughout the day, and then apply a serum.
Lock in the goodness from the serum with a moisturiser, especially if you sleep in an air-conditioned room.
FOR POST-GYM SPRUCE UP
Post-gym skincare is about clearing sweat before it settles. As skin becomes slower to recover with age, leaving sweat and oil on the skin for hours can increase irritation and breakouts. You’ll need to clean up the sweat, quell post-gym redness, and then top up with sunscreen if you are heading out.
BEFORE DATE NIGHT
The goal before a date night is to look polished without looking like you tried too hard, so look towards a fresher face courtesy of exfoliation and hydration.
WHEN YOU’RE HEADING SOMEWHERE DRY
Dry climates are where the skin starts feeling like it’s shrink-wrapped, so keep your routine gentler than usual with moisture-friendly cleansers and barrier-supporting products.
FOR DAYS BY THE BEACH
(Photo: iStock)
Beach days call for skincare that can handle sweat and sun exposure, then help the face find its balance again once the sunscreen comes off.
IDS Skincare S3 Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++, S$75.21
This mattifying physical sunscreen uses SPF50 zinc oxide and patented zinc technology for antioxidant and anti-pollution benefits – serious protection, minus the lunchtime glaze.
Available at IDS.
WHAT TO AVOID
One thing to remember: More products don't always mean better skin.
Avoid:
- Harsh facial scrubs with beads can create tiny tears in the skin, making irritation and sensitivity worse.
- Alcohol-based toners and aftershaves can strip away natural moisture, weaken the skin’s protective barrier, and cause dryness and irritation
- Piling on active ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids can damage your skin barrier, trigger breakouts, and make skin dry and itchy.
WHEN SKINCARE PRODUCTS AREN'T ENOUGH
Even the best skincare products have their limits.
If you've already developed significant collagen loss, sagging skin, deep wrinkles, acne scars, or stubborn pigmentation, skincare alone is unlikely to produce major improvements.
Dr Soo agrees that concerns like loose skin and acne scarring may require in-clinic treatments.
Depending on your skin concerns, your doctor may recommend:
- Laser resurfacing to improve skin texture and reduce acne scars.
- Picosecond lasers to lighten pigmentation and even out skin tone.
- Collagen-stimulating treatments to improve skin firmness and reduce sagging.
AGEING IS NORMAL
While many treatments can improve the appearance of ageing skin, it's important to keep expectations realistic.
Ageing is a normal process. Facial lines and wrinkles are part of a person's character. Whether you choose to treat them is ultimately a personal choice – not a necessity.
Read the full story on CNA Lifestyle.
