For many men, skincare often takes a back seat to work, family and daily responsibilities. A splash of water in the morning, the occasional facial wash, and perhaps sunscreen only on beach holidays—it's a routine that feels sufficient until one day, the mirror tells a different story.

Around the age of 35, many men begin to notice subtle but unmistakable changes. The skin looks duller. Fine lines become permanent. Pigmentation that once faded lingers, while acne scars and enlarged pores appear more prominent. It's not that ageing suddenly begins at 35—it has been happening gradually all along. This is simply the age when years of accumulated damage start to become visible.

Why Skin Changes Become More Noticeable After 35

From the mid-30s onwards, the skin naturally produces less collagen—the structural protein responsible for keeping skin firm, smooth and resilient. At the same time, skin cell turnover slows, hydration levels decline, and the dermal support network begins to weaken.

These biological changes are often accelerated by lifestyle habits accumulated over the years. Late nights, smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, chronic stress and unprotected sun exposure gradually deplete collagen reserves, making signs of ageing appear earlier and more prominently.

The result is skin that feels less firm, appears duller, develops deeper wrinkles and shows increased pigmentation, particularly from years of sun exposure or previous acne.

Why Men's Skin Ages Differently

Men generally have thicker skin with higher collagen density and more active oil glands than women. While this gives them an advantage during their younger years, it also means ageing tends to follow a different pattern.

Rather than experiencing gradual facial laxity, men often notice deeper expression lines once collagen loss begins. Their naturally oilier skin can also make enlarged pores more obvious and increase the likelihood of acne, post-inflammatory pigmentation and acne scarring.

For men who have never maintained a consistent skincare routine, these concerns often emerge simultaneously—rough texture, uneven skin tone and deeper wrinkles—creating the impression that ageing has happened "overnight."

The Most Common Concerns Men Bring to the Clinic

By their mid-30s, the three concerns doctors most commonly see in male patients are:

• Hyperpigmentation caused by acne or long-term UV exposure
• Rough skin texture from acne scars and enlarged pores
• Deepening wrinkles and early signs of skin ageing

The encouraging news is that many of these concerns are largely preventable.

Simple lifestyle habits such as getting adequate sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake all contribute to healthier skin. Just as importantly, protecting the skin from daily sun exposure and adopting a consistent skincare routine early helps preserve collagen and minimise cumulative damage.

For those looking to stay ahead of ageing, preventative treatments such as wrinkle-relaxing injections and collagen-stimulating procedures can also slow the formation of permanent lines while maintaining skin firmness.

Is It Too Late to Start?

Not at all.

However, expectations should be realistic.

Once wrinkles, pigmentation and skin texture changes have developed, basic over-the-counter skincare products are often insufficient to produce noticeable improvements.

Clinical-strength skincare formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients can effectively improve milder pigmentation, uneven skin tone and enlarged pores while complementing professional treatments. For more advanced concerns, such as significant skin laxity or acne scarring, in-clinic procedures generally produce more meaningful results.

Rather than replacing treatments, quality skincare enhances and prolongs their effects while supporting healthier skin daily.

A Simple Morning Routine That Actually Works

One of the biggest barriers preventing men from maintaining skincare is the perception that it takes too much time.

In reality, an effective morning routine can be completed in just a few minutes.

Start with a cleanser and toner suited to your skin type to remove overnight oil and dead skin cells.

Next, apply a high-potency vitamin C serum. Vitamin C helps brighten the complexion, reduce pigmentation and provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage throughout the day. Try IDS C-Plus (C+) serum, which contains a higher potency form of vitamin C along with fullerenes and tocopheryl.

Finally—and perhaps most importantly—finish with sunscreen.

Daily sunscreen is the single most effective anti-ageing product available. Apply generously across the face and pay extra attention to areas with existing pigmentation. Choosing a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that feels comfortable in Singapore's humid climate greatly improves long-term compliance. Try IDS sunscreen - tinted (S3) and non-tinted (S2), which provide the same lightweight, non-greasy finish with extra blue-light protection, ideal for use in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. 

An Easy Night Routine for Healthier Skin

Evening skincare should focus on repair and recovery.

After cleansing away oil, sunscreen and environmental impurities accumulated during the day, apply a vitamin A-based serum to encourage healthy skin cell turnover. Try IDS A-Plus (A+), which contains a patented vitamin A molecule and niacinamide to stimulate cellular turnover without the irritation that is common in retinoid skincare. This helps improve skin texture, reduce blemishes and soften fine lines over time.

Follow with a collagen-supporting serum like IDS PepBlu (PB), containing ingredients such as bio-identical growth factors and copper peptides to promote skin repair, improve elasticity and restore hydration.

Finish with a moisturiser that reinforces the skin barrier and prevents moisture loss overnight—particularly important for those who sleep in air-conditioned environments.

Skincare and Aesthetic Treatments Are Not Either-Or

Many men still believe aesthetic treatments are purely cosmetic or unnecessary.

In reality, skin ages just like every other organ in the body. As life expectancy continues to increase, maintaining healthy skin becomes part of maintaining overall well-being.

Skincare and aesthetic treatments should be viewed much like exercise. Exercise not only improves appearance but also supports long-term health. Similarly, skincare protects against environmental damage while helping the skin remain healthier and more resilient with age.

Another common misconception is that professional treatments eliminate the need for skincare.

The opposite is true.

Clinical skincare and aesthetic procedures work best together. Professional treatments can stimulate collagen production, improve pigmentation or tighten skin, while consistent daily skincare preserves and extends those results. Relying solely on occasional treatments without maintaining skincare is much like washing a car only to immediately drive it through mud again.

Which Treatments Are Worth Considering?

For men entering their 30s, treatments can be tailored according to their primary concerns.

Those bothered by acne scars, enlarged pores, or rough texture may benefit from laser skin resurfacing or radiofrequency microneedling. Uneven pigmentation often responds well to picosecond laser treatments. Dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions can be softened with botulinum toxin injections before they become permanently etched into the skin.

For men experiencing early skin laxity, collagen-stimulating energy-based devices and collagen-stimulating injectable treatments can help restore firmness and maintain youthful skin quality over time.

The Best Middle Ground for Busy Men

Not every man wants frequent clinic visits, yet many still want visible improvements.

A practical approach combines a consistent clinical-strength skincare routine with occasional preventative treatments. Wrinkle-relaxing injections every four to six months can soften expression lines before they become permanent. Annual collagen-stimulating treatments help maintain facial firmness and contour, while an initial series of skin booster injections can improve hydration and overall skin quality from within.

This balanced strategy allows men to age naturally while slowing the visible effects of time, maintaining healthier, stronger skin without an intensive treatment schedule.

Ultimately, skincare isn't about chasing perfection or looking younger than your age. It's about investing in the long-term health of your skin. Much like exercise and a balanced diet, the habits you build today determine how well your skin will age tomorrow. And for many men, there is no better time to start than 35.