Are YOU a sagger, sinker or wrinkler – take our interactive quiz to find out how your skin will age

WITH so many anti-ageing skincare treatments and products out there, it’s hard to know where to start.

But knowing which facial ageing category you fall into could help you understand how you will look in the future – and which treatments will work best for you.

4

Experts claim there are three categories: Sinkers, who lose volume in key areas, such as below the cheekbones, causing a hollowed-out appearance; saggers, where collagen loss causes the skin to drop, leading to looking jowly; wrinklers, who develop patches of lined skin.

Dr Daniel Hunt, from The Skin Investment Clinic, joins Lynsey Hope to help three women find their facial ageing type, and offers tips for turning back the clock.

Wrinkler (usually thin to medium skin)

FIONA WILSON, 49, from Godalming, Surrey, has a daughter of 12 and owns recruitment agency FJWilson Talent Services. She says:

AS a teen I had severe acne and then chronic psoriasis in my 20s and 30s. I had to take immunosuppressants and other treatments and though I’m in remission now, I think going through that encouraged me to take care of my skin.

4

I have a very thorough regime – I cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night. I also have around half a dozen facials a year. I have a healthy lifestyle, with a Mediterranean-style diet.

I have a few wrinkles around my eyes, but otherwise I’m quite happy with how my complexion is ageing.

Of all the skincare categories, I’m actually quite happy to be a wrinkler. I turn 50 next month, so accept that I’d have a few wrinkles by my age.

They’re mainly around my eyes and I think I’d rather wrinkles than saggy skin. Wrinkles and laughter lines are a sign of a happy life – they don’t bother me at all.

Dr Hunt says: Fiona is a natural beauty who falls into the wrinkler category. Long-term muscle contraction and loss of skin tone causes smooth skin to begin to wrinkle.

The lines that were once only visible when smiling or frowning become permanent, even at rest.

As Fiona says, wrinkles give our faces character and are expected with age.

There are treatments to minimise wrinkles, but take care not to look unnatural. The go-to treatment is Botox. Small, targeted amounts will relax muscles and reduce the formation of lines while still allowing facial expressions.

Less-invasive treatments include regular micro-needling, in addition to an effective skincare regime and a healthy lifestyle, which Fiona has found helps her.

HELP AT HOME: Vitamin A is the gold-standard anti-ageing skincare ingredient, and you can buy retinol – a derivative of Vitamin A – treatments over the counter.

We love CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, £11.75 from Amazon, as it won’t irritate sensitive skin.

To target specific areas, like the forehead, crows feet, jowls and smile lines, wear Skinremide Anti Wrinkle Patches, £17.95 for 160, amazon.co.uk, overnight to help smooth the skin surface.

To help prevent lines forming, wear an SPF 50 cream every day, such as Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50 Invisible, £12.99, Boots, to reduce sun-damage.

Sagger (usually on plump, dense skin)

OCTAVIA LONERGAN, 43, from Coulsdon, Surrey, is a graphic designer, children’s author and mum to twins aged five. She says:

4

I’VE been told that I look younger than I am and good genes run in my family.

My mum is 75 but doesn’t look her age and I haven’t got many wrinkles . . .  yet.

My skin is quite full and plump, which I think helps keep me looking young.

I stick to a pretty thorough skincare regime, though I did recently damage my skin barrier using a product with too high a dose of azelaic acid, so I’ve eased off on products for now. But I always use an SPF if I go outside.

I’ve been vegetarian my whole life and I rarely drink alcohol, so that probably helps my skin.

If I don’t get enough sleep I get puffiness under my eyes, so I try not to have too many late nights.

A “sagger” is definitely not the most flattering term, but my skin is quite thick, so it makes sense. But right now, I’m not too worried.

Apparently actress Drew Barrymore is also a sagger, so if I’m in the same category as her, I’m in good company.

Dr Hunt says: Octavia has beautiful, thick skin, but as we age, we lose collagen and elastin, which helps keep our skin plump and toned.

Gravity affects us all and this, combined with less collagen and elastin, means Octavia may see jowls appearing near her jaw area and more visible marionette lines (from the corners of her mouth to her chin) and nasolabial folds (from her nose to the corners of her mouth).

There are many options to help minimise this sagging effect.

Injectables, including skin booster Profhilo, help stimulate collagen and elastin production to better support the structure of the face.

They are great in our 30s, but once we hit 40, a combination injectable like HAromyCA, a dual-effect dermal filler containing hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite, or energy devices such as Tixel treatment will help boost collagen – but prices start at £350.

Chemical peels would also help, while supplements containing phytonutrients (the protective chemicals contained in plants) plus vitamins A and D will feed skin from the inside.

HELP AT HOME: Ex-Love Islander Molly-Mae is a fan of Wishful Chin Lift peptide and niacinamide sculpting sheet mask, £8, Boots, which help lift and tone the lower face, temporarily counteracting the effects of gravity.

A regular facial massage using a micro-current device or gua sha such as the Grace & Stella Gua Sha, £10, graceandstella.com, can help give skin a toned, lifted appearance.

Ingesting a collagen supplement such as Boots Skin Formula marine collagen 30 tablets, £10, Boots, will help replace natural collagen lost due to ageing.

Sinker (usually thin skin and defined features)

ANNA ROBERTS, 40, founder and CEO of self-storage marketplace explorage.com, lives in Anglesey, North Wales, with partner Al, 37, and son Eddie, three. She says:

4

AS long as I look the best I can do for me, then I’m happy. But I’d be lying if I said ageing didn’t bother me at all.

I don’t spend a fortune on skincare products. Once a week I’ll use a 99p cucumber face mask and sometimes a Garnier hydrating sheet.

They only cost about £1.99 and I don’t know how well they work, but they do make me feel better.

I moisturise morning and night. I’ve used expensive Clarins products but I can’t say I’ve noticed a big difference since I stopped buying them.

I’ve had Botox in the past but only small amounts. I don’t want to look like someone I’m not, so I only do it sparingly. It’s expensive, too, so not really a priority.

As Eddie often ends up in our bed at night, I get broken sleep and I worry that it isn’t great for my skin.

I wasn’t surprised to find out I’m a sinker. The minute I lose an ounce of weight, family and friends say I look gaunt, so it will definitely something I’ll be wary of as I grow older.

Dr Hunt says: Anna has more angular features and thinner skin, making her most likely to fall into the “sinker” category.

You can see the skin under her eyes has started to hollow out a bit.

With the depletion of collagen and elastin, people with thinner skin will see less sagging and more of a sinking effect.

Treatments that restore volume, such as dermal fillers, help prevent a hollow look.

Getting your treatment from a well-trained aesthetic surgeon is important if you want to prevent the overfilled look that many people are scared of.

Every decade over the age of 30, we lose the equivalent of 2ml of fat from our face. This means that by the age of 60, the average person could have lost up to 6ml.

I would also recommend the Nutricentials Pillow Glow sleeping mask (£38.44, nuskin.com), a gel cream face mask that supports your skin’s natural moisture barrier.”

HELP AT HOME: Hydration is key to plump skin, so make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and add a hyaluronic acid serum such as The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £9 at Boots, to your routine.

A light-reflecting base, such as E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £14, asos.com, will help disguise hollow areas and add luminosity without looking heavy on skin.

Healthy fats such as omega acids also offer skin-plumping benefits.

So add a supplement such as Holland & Barrett’s Triple Omega 3-6-9, £11.99 for 60 capsules, to support your skincare routine.