When should you start using anti-ageing skincare? Spoiler: sooner than you think
Published: 15/01/2026
Gen Z are ageing faster than Millennials, but it doesn't need to stay that way – think proactive care to keep skin looking younger for longer. Prejuvenation enters the chat…
Why it pays to start anti-ageing skincare early
If you’ve ever wondered when to start using anti-ageing skincare, you’re not alone – it’s one of the most-searched beauty questions out there. And the truth is, younger skin is under more pressure than ever.
While Millennials often discovered skincare through hydration trends and gentle routines, Gen Z has grown up with everything at their speedy digital fingertips – 10-step routines, a constant stream of product drops and skincare hacks, and the pressure of turning to aesthetic treatments long before they’re needed. Combine that with late-night doomscrolling, blue-light exposure and rising stress levels, and it’s no wonder younger skin is showing signs of fatigue – many are noticing dehydration, dullness and fine lines earlier than expected.
That’s why the conversation is shifting – from fixing damage to supporting skin well before ageing signs even appear. Ageing well isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what’s right for your skin, consistently. Ladies and gentlemen, meet prejuvenation.
What is the goal of early anti-ageing care?
Early anti-ageing care – also known as prejuvenation today – is still anti-ageing, but not in the traditional sense. It’s about future-proofing your skin as soon as the first signs of ageing like fine lines appear – and ideally, before. The focus is on building a stronger skin barrier that is balanced, hydrated and protected to stay resilient for longer, with the support of ingredients that help to boost and maintain the skin’s structural proteins like collagen and elastin. Think of it like risk management instead of damage control. Cleansing is non-negotiable, moisturising is so much more than hydration and SPF definitely isn’t optional.
How to build a simple and effective anti-ageing routine
Taking a proactive approach to skincare doesn't need to involve many steps – just the right ones. The [Optimals Age Revive] (brands/optimals/age-revive)
lineup makes it effortless:
lineup makes it effortless:
**Morning: ** Cleanse, moisturise, fill wrinkles, protect
**Evening: ** Cleanse, boost, moisturise
**Evening: ** Cleanse, boost, moisturise
**Cleanse: ** Optimals cleansers are formulated with a skin-loving lipid-like complex, and effectively lift away dirt and makeup without stripping skin. Choose between [Foaming Gel Cleanser] (products/product?code=46543) for oily/combination skin or [Soft Creamy Cleanser] (products/product?code=46900) for dry skin.
**Boost: **[ Age Revive Serum] (products/product?code=47685) is your routine superstar, designed to target 8 signs of ageing and boost results. It helps improve cellular renewal and the look of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and dullness, and leaves skin feeling hydrated for 24 hours. It's packed with collagen-boosting polypeptides from Pea Extract, is ultra-light, oil-free and suitable for all skin types.
**Moisturise: **Optimals Age Revive moisturisers are formulated with O-Multi Renewal, a plant extract, which works to strengthen the skin barrier and help preserve the balance of the skin microbiome. Choose[ Age Revive Rich Cream] (products/product?code=45285) for dry skin or [Age Revive Light Cream] (products/product?code=47682) for oily/combination skin. You can use the same cream morning and evening, which helps keep things simple.
**Fill wrinkles: ** Meet your new BFF for lines and wrinkles. [ Wrinkle Fill & Re-plump Cream] (products/product?code=47684)is a targeted anti-wrinkle treatment, packed with Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid. It plumps fine lines and wrinkles like a pro, with an instant, filler-like effect on crow's feet, clinically proven. Simply apply it directly wherever you need an extra wrinkle-plumping boost.
**Protect: **your essential final layer of prejuvenation in the morning! Sun and pollution exposure really accelerate skin ageing by damaging the skin barrier and increasing collagen breakdown – so this is a step no-one should skip! [ Optimals Daily Glow Multi-Protector SPF 50] (products/product?code= 45292). protects against UVA and UVB, helps protect against pollution, and helps reduce dullness for a radiant glow. It's oil-free, lightweight, leaves no white cast and is suitable for all skin types.
The best time to start? As soon as the first signs appear
Ageing skin isn’t something to fear – it’s simply something to prepare for. Starting early with gentle, effective prejuvenating care will help keep skin looking balanced and radiant for years to come. And when your skin’s ready for more targeted results, that’s when stronger actives can play their part – if you can remember a world without Instagram Stories, it might be time for retinol. It’s about doing the right things at the right time. Great skin doesn’t happen overnight, it happens with consistency. And the best time to start is as soon as the first fine lines appear.
