Esquire India Weekly: Start Your Skincare Game Early to Age Like a Pro

It’s been a week of upheaval, with a restlessness in the air, a push for change and sense of anticipation about what comes next. In a way, that energy finds an echo in our October cover star, Varun Dhawan. In our cover story, he talks about pushing against expectations, taking on roles that challenge him, embracing new chapters in life, and, yes, even turning farmer.

Speaking of the long game, our Newsletter Exclusive this week is about skincare and the art of ageing well. If you think a man’s bathroom shelf holds little more than a face wash, think again: one mother told us her son now has more products than she does! Helping you navigate the maze that is skincare is our resident grooming expert, Saurav Bhanot.

Elsewhere, Manish Mishra makes a case for bringing back the cummerbund this festive season, Esquire Fashion Editor Komal Shetty offers a guide to party dressing and we answer a question you may have wondered about: does sweating more mean you’ve had a better workout?

And in a week defined by a sense of change, our guest writer Devraj Sanyal reminds us that some things are worth holding on to. For lifelong loyalists like him, Old Monk is more than just a rum.

Happy reading and have a good week ahead.

Sonal Nerurkar

Executive Editor, Esquire India

Guys, splashing water on your face won’t cut it anymore. Here’s how to protect your skin from ageing

By Saurav Bhanot

Ageing is a gift, but it comes with its own challenges. One of them being that your skin won't remain as taut or firm as it was at an age when you never really took care of it.

In an ideal world, we'd all be comfortable with how we look at every age. In the same world, Instagram filters wouldn't be a thing, and the beauty industry wouldn't profit from our insecurities. But our world isn't ideal—you don't need me to tell you that.

Washing your face with a cleanser might have been all you did by way of skincare. Sunscreen was something you reached for only when you were at the beach or in the mountains, mostly because it smelled horrible, left a massive white cast and almost always, a reaction after. But that’s not the case anymore; thankfully, we have better formulations today.

So, when should the whole anti-ageing routine begin? First things first, don’t wait until you reach a certain age to think about it. By then, some of the damage may have already been done. Anti-ageing skincare is largely preventative; you’re trying to not develop wrinkles, fine lines, crow's feet, etc. The idea is to protect your skin before signs of ageing appear, rather than undo them later.

The tricky part is knowing what to use, and when. Well, the answer is a bit layered.

A good age to start is somewhere between your mid-20s and early 30s, depending on your skin type, of course.

If you're 25 or younger, focus on building the habit of skincare. Sunscreen should be mandatory usage by now for you, if it isn't already. Then, add a good moisturiser. Anything simple should be okay—ideally with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and/or peptides. It'll nourish your skin after a day spent outside and that's all you need at that age.

If you’re older than 25 but not quite in your 30s yet, say hello to more than just the basics. Start by introducing one active into your routine and see how your skin responds before trying another.

For pigmentation and visible effects of sun damage: Vitamin C is a good ingredient, particularly for those of us living in tropical climates. Try Inde Wild’s Sunrise Glow 15% Vitamin C Complex Serum or Sunday Riley’s CEO 15% Vitamin-C Brightening Serum, which I love for its potency.

For excess oil: Niacinamide can help address it. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is extraordinary!

For exfoliation: Something with glycolic acid is your best bet to improve texture and tone. I’d recommend Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Glycolic Essence—use it as a toner before applying any serum or moisturiser.

For acne and clogged pores: A product with salicylic acid will help clear blockages in your skin. La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Salicylic Acid Face Serum is a good one to try.

For elasticity issues: You either need a serum packed with collagen, or one that helps boosts what your skin is making. AMINU’s Copper Peptide Serum helps boosts your skin’s collagen product while Medicube’s Triple Collagen Serum 4.0 comes packed with ample amounts of the same.

You probably won’t need to use all these ingredients, so figure out which one or two work best for your skin. Focus on building a simple routine of cleanser + serum + moisturiser + sunscreen. It'll help set up the base for everything that’s to follow as you enter your next decade.

Your 30s are when your anti-ageing skincare routine must become more targeted. Consider introducing retinol or tretinoin, starting a few nights a week, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Retinol is a wonderful active that even beginners can start with. It helps improve skin texture, reduce uneven pigmentation and soften fine lines, but it can cause a purge at first, so it’s important to start slow, not more than twice a week at first, before building it further. I love Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, and Medik8’s Crystal Retinal Serum is also a wonderful bet. You could also try tretinoin—it’s available over the counter, though I’d suggest getting a prescription from your dermatologist. It's more potent than retinol, so ensure you’re only using it once you’ve used retinoids for a few years prior.

And while you’re on retinol or tret, it’s important to nourish your skin barrier on the other days. What you’ll need is a serum or moisturiser designed to replenish. For instance, D’You’s In My Defence moisturiser or Kay Beauty’s Hydrabase Water Creme.

You could also experiment with lymphatic drainage, clay or sheet masks, red-light therapy and every other 'cool' new thing in town. Because skincare can become a full-time obsession and, apparently, there are always something new to try!

And for all of you in your 40s or beyond, it’s not too late to start. And if your concerns persist, there’s always cosmetic treatments to choose from.

Gosh, isn't it all a bit much? I'm exhausted just writing about it, and I do this every single day. Both writing and using my products, that is. Morning and evening, even on vacation or when I’m sick. My body might be unwell but my soul refuses to age.

As do the basics—cleanse, moisturise and wear sunscreen. Everything else depends on what your skin needs. You may not have to try everything, after all.

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