A geing is not a bad thing. It is an aspect of being alive, and it cannot be prevented. The concept of anti-ageing skincare irritates me wildly.

No woman believes she can be 25 forever. She wants to be her best self, and to prevent premature damage to her skin which will make her look older, or more tired, than she is. We all know that creams and unguents cannot reverse time.

You can do several things to age gracefully and in your own good time; or rather there are things you can avoid doing that will preserve your skin at its best.

Sun exposure is the number one cause of damage to the skin, followed by smoking. If you smoke, it will show through your skin. Smoking robs the skin of clarity as well as desiccating it from within, giving it a muddy, lined appearance.

Alcohol also dehydrates the skin, so imbibing sensible volumes with a glass of water between drinks will help to keep the skin from getting the shock of its life. Sugar breaks down collagen, which can’t be applied topically. It robs the skin of volume from within, so trying to minimise consumption is a good idea, if difficult.

Ageing is by no means a bad thing; damaging your skin at a young age is.

Still, products can do a certain amount to help, and it’s always better to use them as preventatives rather than cures.

Fillume

(€39.99 from Boots) is the latest offering from cult skincare brand

Indeed Labs

. This moisturiser, which aims to plump skin and help restore facial contour, does a nice job.

Anything applied topically can only go so far in the fight against skin damage, but this plumps the appearance of the skin and helps to prevent it from becoming dehydrated. Keeping skin as balanced as possible is the best way to ensure it behaves itself.

A proper cleansing routine is essential for healthy skin. If you use face wipes, find the nearest window and fling them from it.

They are loaded with alcohol which dehydrates the skin, and encourages it to produce more sebum, causing congestion. A great cleansing oil will cleanse away all makeup without stripping or upsetting the skin.

L'Occitane Immortelle Oil Makeup Remover (€26) is gentle and emulsifies to wash away without any oily residue. It also has a comfortingly medicinal aroma.

When wearing makeup, always cleanse twice to ensure that all traces are removed and the skin can breathe.

For those who like their makeup to work as hard for the skin as their skincare, there’s

Crème De La Mer The Reparative Skintint

(€90, available from May). They’ve dispensed with the annoying letter monikers.

There’s no BB or CC here, just lovely hydration and SPF 30. This is not a budget product, but a separate SPF will protect your skin regardless of which base you use.

lkennedy@irishtimes.com