Think wrinkles are all the same and caused by age alone? Think again! There are actually seven different types of wrinkles that fall into two categories (or root causes should we say).
And they call for their own plan of attack.
Read on for a look at the seven most common facial lines and the best ways to treat them – the natural way…
[And P.S. our biggest ever Black Friday Sale starts soon. Register here to get in on the best savings and more!]
Think wrinkles are all the same and caused by age alone? Think again! There are actually seven different types of wrinkles that fall into two categories (or root causes should we say).
And they call for their own plan of attack.
Read on for a look at the seven most common facial lines and the best ways to treat them – the natural way…
[And P.S. our biggest ever Black Friday Sale starts soon. Register here to get in on the best savings and more!]
Category 1: Dynamic Lines
Dynamic lines are temporary lines caused by repetitive facial movements. Take smiling, which causes tiny muscles around your eyes to contract, forcing the skin to stretch.
When you were younger, your skin was strong, plump and able to stretch without noticeably crinkling. However, as you get older and clock up years’ worth of smiling, the skin loses elasticity and temporarily folds up.
Take The Test: Try smiling in the mirror right now, then return your face to its typical resting position. Do you see small, shallow creases around your eyes that slowly disappear when you stop smiling? These are dynamic lines.
FACT: Wrinkles creep up as a result of many factors and occur when your skin loses strength, volume and suppleness due to a natural loss of muscle, fat and important proteins like collagen and elastin.
Category 2: Static Lines
Static lines are those that stay put, even when your face is resting. They’re often the result of dynamic wrinkles becoming etched in over time as your skin becomes thinner and less supple.
Things like UV exposure, dry skin, smoking, poor sleep, stress and an unhealthy lifestyle will speed up the formation of static wrinkles lightning fast.
Take The Test: Look in the mirror and keep your face in a resting, expressionless position. Do you see any creases or deep folds in the skin, regardless of muscle action? These are static lines.
The Seven Types of Wrinkles
1: Forehead Lines
What: These lines stretch horizontally across your forehead. They’re often the most noticeable of all fine lines.
Why: Forehead lines are thanks to the contraction of the frontalis muscle which occurs every time you lift up your eyebrows.
Plan Of Action: A great way to smooth your forehead is to massage it as you cleanse. Work Crystal Cleanser into damp skin then place both hands on your forehead with your fingers pointing towards each other. Spread your fingers wide then apply light pressure and smooth them out to the hairline. Repeat this 10 times every morning and every evening.
2: Elevens or Frown Lines
What: These common lines form between your eyebrows. They’re small vertical lines that look like the number ’11’.
Why: Squinting, frowning or furrowing your brows causes your forehead muscles – and the skin around them – to squeeze inward. These begin as dynamic lines but, over time, may eventually become permanent.
Plan Of Action: This area is often neglected during your skincare routine. So, don’t do that. Gently apply Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum after cleansing and toning, using your ring fingers to smooth it up between your eyebrows and out along your forehead.
3: Crow's Feet
What: These tiny lines appear at the outer corners of your eyes where the skin is very thin and fragile.
Why: Natural ageing, frequent squinting and laughing are the major causes of crow’s feet.
Plan Of Action: First up, wear sunglasses every day to prevent you from squinting. An effective eye formulation like Imperial Eye Gel is also a wise choice. Apply this twice daily after cleansing and toning, using gentle tapping motions to avoid dragging the skin and exacerbating those lines even further.
4: Bunny Lines
What: Less common than other wrinkles, bunny lines are tiny creases that appear diagonally between your eyes, on either side of the bridge of your nose.
Why: Bunny lines occur when you scrunch up your nose and stimulate the nasalis muscle – similar to when a rabbit lifts up its nose (hence the cute name!). Some people have a tendency to do this when smiling or laughing which is when bunny lines become more apparent.
Plan Of Action: Massage this area using Organic Age-Defying Facial Oil. Warm a little oil in your hands and fingers, then place the tips of your forefingers either side of the bridge of your nose. Make small circular motions with for 10-15 seconds, then use your middle fingers to smooth the skin up from both sides up of your nose to your eyebrows. Again, repeat for 10-15 seconds. Do this every evening before bed.
5: Lip Lines
What: Tiny, vertical lines and wrinkles that form on your lips as well as on the skin around them.
Why: Not just a result of smoking, lip lines can occur from years of pursing your lips, pouting or drinking from a straw. The lips are also particularly prone to dryness and sun damage which doesn’t help.
Plan Of Action: The obvious solution is don’t smoke, vape, pout for the camera or drink from a straw! You should also make sure you look after the skin around your lips by including it in your anti-ageing skincare routine. And moisturise your lips often with Orange Lip Butter.
6: Laughter Lines
What: These are the lines that form brackets on either side of your mouth. They can be deep and etched in or faint and almost non-existent, but the truth is, everyone has them to some degree.
Why: The usual… smiling, laughing, sun exposure, smoking, and of course, the natural ageing process. As you get older, the structure of your cheeks flattens as your skin loses fat and muscle. This, along with years of gravity pulling down your skin, causes your cheeks to droop and create creases.
Plan Of Action: Antioxidants are a great way to boost collagen production, so make sure you include the antioxidant-packed Imperial Moisturiser in your routine and focus on the area around your mouth. This youth-enhancing moisturiser contains vitamins C and E, plus collagen-boosting peptides and botanical extracts to strengthen and fortify the skin.
7: Marionette Lines
What: Similar to laughter lines but lower on the face, marionette lines frame the chin vertically from the edges of your lips – kind of like a marionette puppet or a ventriloquist’s dummy.
Why: The natural loss of collagen as you age causes your skin around your chin to sag. Couple this with pursing your lips frequently and/or smoking and it’s hello marionette lines, bye bye smooth chin.
Plan Of Action: As with all lines and wrinkles, smart skincare that incorporates retinol, antioxidants and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin are key. Our Night Elixir is an incredible overnight option that will kickstart collagen production and moisturise your skin as you sleep. Apply it to clean, damp skin to lock in moisture.
Finally, ageing is an honour. Your lines are precious; they're your life story and to be embraced.
Your skincare should be motivated by what you can do to help prevent premature signs of ageing. And this means making healthy lifestyle choices and smart skincare steps.
Tracey x
P.S. Looking to up your skincare game? Our biggest ever Black Friday Sale starts soon. Register here to get in on the best savings and more!
Perfect For Soft, Supple, Radiant Skin
Crystal Cleanser (100ml)
Imperial Eye Gel
Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum
Night Elixir
