You should always wear SPF to protect your skin from the sun, even in cloudy weather. Repeated exposure to UVB and UVA rays can break down the elastin in the skin, meaning you’re more likely to develop lines and wrinkles as the skin isn’t as plump. In order to protect against this, we recommend using a minimum of SPF 30 every day. A lot of skincare and make-up products now come with SPF built in so you may be guarding against harmful rays without even knowing, but if not, pick one up as soon as possible and work it into your daily routine.

Just like our personalities, our skin type is individual to ourselves. What we need to keep our skin smooth and supple may differ from the next person, so purchasing products without the help of a professional may not be the most effective route to preventing anti-ageing. Invest some time and money into a custom skincare routine, and make sure you are giving your skin what it specifically needs. The products needn’t be expensive - there are numerous counters in your local Boots with a range of available price points - but having a professional cast their eye over your complexion concerns means you’ll be getting the right products for the job, plus the correct order to apply them in.

Oftentimes we’re so concerned with ensuring our face looks youthful, that we forget our neck is on display too. Ensure you’re giving just as much TLC to the skin on your neck by routinely exfoliating, moisturising and applying SPF as part of your routine. It’s not just for show, either; an ageing neck will pull down on the facial muscles, causing your face to drop and appear less youthful, so it’s in your best interests to cover all bases when you’re next in front of the mirror.

If you’re looking for more noticeable results in a shorter period of time, you may want to consider a chemical skin peel. A chemical solution will be applied to the face in order to remove the top layers of skin, allowing what grows back to be smoother and young looker. By removing those initial layers of skin, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be considerably reduced. Not only that, but chemical peels also stimulate collagen growth, helping to prevent ageing in the long run too.

It’s the oldest tip in the book, but ensuring you drink enough water is crucial for the health of your skin. Like the rest of your body, your skin is made up of cells, and these cells are made up of water. If you aren’t drinking enough H2O, the lack of hydration will show in your complexion, leaving it dry, flaky, and more susceptible to wrinkles. It really is that important.

Blog contribution by Dr Rupert Critchley BM MRCGP - GP and founder of VIVA Skin Clinics www.vivaskinclinics.com and VIVA Medi Clinics www.vivamediclinics.com