Ageing isn't something to fear- it's a privilege.
Yet for decades, the beauty industry encouraged us to believe otherwise. We were told to fight wrinkles, erase fine lines and wage war against the natural ageing process with products labelled "anti-ageing."
Thankfully, the conversation has changed.
Today's skincare is shifting away from trying to stop ageing and towards something far more positive: supporting skin longevity.
That means focusing on your skin barrier, microbiome, hydration and scientifically supported ingredients that work with your skin - not against it.
At the end of the day, we are all ageing and inevitably signs of ageing will appear on our skin. But you should still feel comfortable and confident in your skin, and AMPERNA® products can help you with your pro-ageing skincare regime.
So, what has Brought About This Change?
The attitude of "pro-age" has risen thanks to a number of factors:
Consumers wanted 'pro' language.
Consumer research informed the beauty industry that anti-ageing language no longer resonated with the public. In fact, a few years ago Datamonitor Consumer reported that pro-ageing was the new revolution in the personal care industry and consumers were interested in pro-age cosmetics.
Mintel research found that 69% of people agree that society is too focused on a youthful appearance, and 30% of women do not like being reminded of ageing when searching for beauty products.
With the global skincare market being valued at over US$130 billion, the industry needed to listen. In order to appeal to the growing number of older consumers a new "pro" language would need to be adopted.
Mass-marketing campaigns
A number of brands listened to consumers and lifted their game by celebrating women of all ages. In the last decade, we have seen advertising that talks to the beauty in being natural and some campaigns even celebrate our perceived flaws. The most famous of these campaigns is of course Dove’s "Campaign for Real Beauty". It started in London and Canada and asked the public to vote on whether the women featured in the advertising were "fat or fit?" and "wrinkled or wonderful?" and "Does beauty have an age limit". This ground-breaking advertising campaign started a conversation about society’s notions of female standards of beauty. The public embraced it and started to talk.
Beauty Publishers have Embraced Pro-age.
In 2017 Allure magazine - America's most popular beauty publication announced it would stop using the expression anti-ageing. "Whether we know it or not, we are subtly reinforcing the message that ageing is a condition we need to battle" explained Michelle Lee in her editor’s letter. "Changing the way we think about ageing starts with changing the way we talk about ageing".
They have also started featuring mature women such as Helen Mirren, who at the time was 72, on the front cover or within the magazine. These models are now often the face of brand campaigns.
What Is Pro-Ageing?
Pro-ageing is about embracing the natural ageing process while taking positive steps to care for your skin.
Rather than trying to reverse time, pro-ageing focuses on supporting skin health, maintaining hydration and helping skin look its best throughout every decade of life.
It acknowledges that:
- Fine lines are normal.
- Skin texture changes over time.
- Collagen naturally declines.
- Hormones influence our skin.
- Every face tells a story.
The goal isn't perfection.
It's healthy, resilient skin.
Why Skin Longevity Is Replacing Anti-Ageing
One of the biggest trends in skincare today is skin longevity.
Rather than asking:
"How do I look younger?"
Consumers are increasingly asking:
"How do I keep my skin healthy for longer?"
Skin longevity focuses on supporting the biological health of the skin over time through:
- Daily sun protection
- Supporting the skin barrier
- Maintaining hydration
- Antioxidant protection
- Consistent skincare habits
- Healthy lifestyle choices
It's a long-term approach rather than searching for quick fixes.
Caring for mature skin
Mature women (women aged 55+) have strong purchasing power and the beauty industry has started catering to their needs of the pro-aging movement to market their products. This language tends to be positive versus making ludicrous (and false) product claims such as "turn back the clock" or "stop the results of ageing".
Pro-age beauty products and pro-age skincare tend to be designed around the benefits relevant for ageing skin. As skin ages, cells do not turn over as quickly, skin can lose elasticity and cheeks can lose fat. Production of youth-boosting components like collagen and hyaluronic acid also drops dramatically from your mid-twenties, which results in the appearance of signs of ageing.
Some of the vocabulary used for pro-age products is:
- Regenerates
- Instantly plumps
- Deeply hydrates
- Firms
- Nourishing
- Enhancing
According to Dermatologists and beauty experts, tips on how best to care for mature skin are:
- Use sun protection all year-round. This can be a broad-spectrum sunscreen moisturiser with an SPF of 30 or higher, and ensuring you wear hats and long sleeve clothing where possible.
- Apply serums with antioxidants to help slow down collagen breakdown.
- Moisturise often to keep skin hydrated.
- Eat well to continue to nourish your skin.
- Use products with "active ingredients" as required.
- Ensure that you get enough sleep as this helps your body refresh and renew itself.
How Your Skin Changes With Age
Ageing affects everyone's skin differently, but several common changes occur over time.
Collagen Production Slows
From our twenties onwards, collagen production gradually declines.
This contributes to the appearance of:
- Fine lines
- Reduced firmness
- Changes in skin texture
Skin Becomes Drier
As we age, the skin naturally produces fewer lipids and moisture-retaining factors.
Many people notice:
- Dryness
- Tightness
- Increased sensitivity
Skin Cell Turnover Slows
New skin cells don't replace older cells as quickly.
This can contribute to:
- Dull-looking skin
- Uneven texture
- Roughness
Pigmentation Changes Become More Noticeable
Years of sun exposure may begin to appear as:
- Uneven skin tone
- Dark spots
- Sun spots
- Post-inflammatory pigmentation
When should you start your pro-age skincare regime?
Caring for your skin from a young age lays the foundations of ageing gracefully in your future. Many factors will determine the way your skin ages: genetics, lifestyle, skin type, sun damage etc. but learning to have a proactive approach to skincare rather than 'reactive' will help and prolong these visible factors for longer.
From your mid 20s is usually when dermatologists and beauty experts recommend starting a pro-ageing skincare routine. The preventative measures you take during your 20s will help delay the onset of visible signs of ageing skin and decrease of collagen production.
If not in your 20s, then definitely by the time you reach your early 30’s should you start incorporating a pro-age skincare mindset. Include pro-ageing ingredients such as retinol, niacinamide, glycolic acid, vitamin C and peptides in your products - which are ingredients included in the AMPERNA® range.
As skin ages, it also changes in both tone and texture. Being able to recognize these changes and adapt your routine accordingly is the key to beautiful healthy-looking skin at any age.
Maintaining a strong skin barrier throughout the changes of your skin is imperative. Healthy skin means that the skin’s natural wall of defense (a lipid barrier) locks in moisture and keeps out external enemies such as pollutants, irritants, allergens, and pathogens.
Healthy Skin Starts Beyond Your Skincare Routine
Skincare is only one part of supporting healthy-looking skin over time.
Other everyday habits also matter, including:
- Wearing sunscreen daily
- Eating a balanced diet
- Staying hydrated
- Prioritising sleep
- Managing stress
- Avoiding smoking
- Exercising regularly
Together, these lifestyle factors can help support your skin's long-term health and resilience.
As part of your approach to caring for mature skin, AMPERNA® helps by working with you to find suitable holistic solutions. The AMPERNA® range is suitable for all ages and all skin types and has been tested on eczema, perioral dermatitis, rosacea, acne prone skin and more. AMPERNA® is an Australian owned, ethical skincare brand, dedicated to creating revolutionary and unique formulas to help rebalance and transform the appearance of skin.
Could Histamines be Triggering Your Skin Condition? may be a great place to start for help eliminating foods if you have skin concerns.
How your Skin Changes with Age (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and Beyond) | AMPERNA® is also a great blog post with how our skin changes through the years.
Sources:
https://www.globaldata.com/industries-we-cover/consumer/
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/aug/17/is-it-time-to-ditch-the-term-anti-ageing
https://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/02/health/age-self-fulfilling-prophecy/index.html
https://www.premiumbeautynews.com/en/the-pro-aging-movement-the-beauty,7657
