THIS IS A SKINTERVENTION

There's something to be said for looking like a 'distinguished gentleman'. Be warned, though, as there's a fine line between 'distinguished' and 'derelict'. We've devised an inteactive map to highlight the five most common signs of an ageing and show you how to stop them dead in their tracks.

FROWN LINES

Both the horizontal lines across the forehead and the vertical ones between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) come hand in hand with having an expressive face. It is usually the constant contracting of facial muscles over many years that causes these lines. And while the occasional laughter line can be endearing, a permanent frown most certainly is not. Use a multi-tasking anti-ageing formula to help reduce (or even prevent) the appearance of frown lines.

CROWS FEET

These fine creases at the sides of the eyes are normal if you have tendency to squint or smile a lot. Smokers and those who spend too much time in the sun without adequate protection are also likely to suffer from crows feet, as the skin around the eyes is paper-thin and more susceptible to wear-and-tear than any other area on the face. A targeted anti-ageing eye gel, however, can help protect the sensitive skin around the eyes from environmental damage and ‘fill in’ any fine lines.

SAGGING JAW

A sharp, masculine jawline will soften and sometimes even droop with age. Weakened facial muscles, reduced elasticity, loss of volume and cruel gravity can all contribute to a jowly appearance. This unfortunate part of ageing usually accompanied by a pronounced nasolabial folds (see Smile Lines) but can be aided with basic facial exercises to keep muscles toned. Firming ingredients designed to restore skin elasticity – and therefore counteract gravity - can be found in high-tech anti-ageing formulas.

SMILE LINES

Everyone has a line that runs from their nose to the corner of their mouth. It just so happens that these lines get deeper and more pronounced with age. This is primarily due to the redistribution of excess cheek fat that comes with age. As the years go by, facial fat is prone to slide further south, making smile lines (or ‘nasolabial folds’, to use their technical name) more defined. While these lines are hard to erase, firming ingredients designed to restore skin elasticity can prevent them from worsening over time.