What to know: By the time we reach our mid-twenties, the level of collagen in the skin starts to drop because its rate of regeneration starts to slow down. Though this doesn’t necessarily reflect on the skin yet, it is important to amp up preventative measures. For example, ensure that your skin is adequately hydrated and that it is provided with potent antioxidants to help prevent free radical damage to preserve skin in the state of youth. Moreover, many of us have very active social lives when we are in our 20s, which means many late nights out with friends. That can also take a toll on our skin, as a lack of sleep can result in dry skin and a dull skin tone. And if you consume alcohol frequently, that can disrupt your body’s water levels which can result in puffiness. And since the skin around our eyes is the thinnest and most fragile, dryness, dark circles and puffiness are prone to show up first.

What to look out for: In order to keep premature ageing at bay, it is key to get the basics right. Cultivate good skincare habits, including building a skincare routine that is effective and easy to stick to. When shopping for skincare products, look out hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture to it so skin is kept supple and plump. Or keep a cooling eye product on hand to alleviate puffiness whenever you’ve had a late night. Ingredients like caffeine help decongest and depuff the eye area while products with a gel-like texture also provides an instantly cooling sensation to revive tired eyes.

What to buy: Try Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Eye Cream, $21.90 for 15g. It contains hyaluronic acid of varying molecular weights to ensure that all skin layers are thoroughly and adequately moisturised for denser and smoother skin. It also contains ACTIFLOW to help reduce the appearance of dark eye circles while jojoba oil helps plump fine lines. We also like that it is formulated free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colourants to minimise irritation.

To hide the signs of an awesome night out, smooth Avene Eau Thermale Avene PhysioLift Eye, $69.90 for 15ml, all over your eye contours before hitting the sack. Formulated to help reducing puffiness and dark circles, it has a unique “patch” texture which mimics the structure of skin so that active ingredients are absorbed efficiently while you snooze.

After pulling an all-nighter, the last thing you want to do is fuss over skincare and makeup while getting ready for work, which is why Vichy Aqualia Thermal Awakening Eye Balm, $48 for 15ml, is perfect for those constantly on the go. Featuring its Dynamic Hydration Technology and caffeine in its formula, it improves water distribution around the eye area so you look wide awake. And thanks to its fresh gel-like texture, it melts into skin like a dream and smooths skin surface, doubling up as an excellent makeup base.

What to know: As we enter our 30s, most of us start to notice early signs of ageing. And needless to say, they show up first around the fragile eye contours. In addition to dark circles and puffiness, fine lines start to show up as skin elasticity continues to drop. By the time we enter our 40s, due to a combination of the loss of skin firmness and repeated facial expressions, fine lines start to deepen to form crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes.

What to look out for: In your 30s, it’s time to get serious about anti-ageing ingredients. In addition to hydration and antioxidants, consider other ingredients like retinol, peptides and vitamin C, which are all proven to accelerate cellular turnover and stimulate collagen production for smoother, firmer skin.

What to buy: If you’re a retinol first-timer, try La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Eyes, $63.90 for 15ml. Formulated with 0.01% Pure Retinol, it effectively targets wrinkles by accelerating skin regeneration from inside out. It also contains an exclusive Retinol Booster Complex, which enhances the efficacy of retinol while reducing skin irritation that is usually associated with retinol, making it perfect if you’re just trying out the powerhouse ingredient for the first time. Plus, it also has a lightweight and velvety texture that doesn’t feel greasy or stick at all. Just be sure to always accompany retinol use with sunscreen.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream, $109 for 15ml, on the other hand, firms the eye area with peptides, thanks to its Quadruple Peptide Technology. It also contains Lime Pearl AHAs to gradually retexturise skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Diamond particles and skin brighteners also help reduce the look of dark circles and provide a soft-focus finish.

Or try 111Skin Space Defence Bright Eye Lift Gel NAC Y2, $220 for 15ml, which uses a revolutionary space technology to speed up cellular healing and diminish wrinkles. And that’s not all: the formula is also complemented with caffeine, argireline and niacinamide to depuff, brighten and protect against free radicals.

What to know: As we progress to our 50s and beyond, our body undergoes hormonal changes that can affect our skin. As a result of menopause, the level of collagen dips dramatically, leading to sagging skin at the nasolabial folds and jowls. In addition, pockets of fats on our face like under the eyes and the cheeks start to hollow out, and can make us look gaunt.

What to look out for: As skin loses volume and becomes thinner, the key is to focus on improving skin density and reinforcing its support matrix. In-clinic procedures like Thermage and Ultherapy can help trigger collagen synthesis beneath the skin’s dermis while injectables like fillers can restore plumpness for a plumper appearance. Yet, if you are not ready for such treatments, you can still achieve similar results to a certain extent with topical products. Look out for products that help firm skin by working on stimulating collagen production.

What to buy: Inspired by fillers, L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Eye Volume Redefiner, $42.90 for 15ml, is formulated with concentrated hyaluronic acid. Specially treated so they penetrate throughout skin’s various layers, the micro-sized hyaluronic acid plumps and smooths sunken eye contours and reduces eye bags.

For an instant lifting effect, try Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Renovating Eye Serum, $348 for 20ml. Harnessing the anti-wrinkle benefits of Red Pine extract, this lightweight serum smooths out crow’s feet and illuminates dark circles. It also comes with a uniquely designed applicator so you can easily perform drainage and acupressure massage to detoxify and lift droopy eye lids.

For accelerated skin regeneration like no other, try La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Eye & Expression Cream, $620 for 15ml. Featuring a blend of potent, line-smoothing ferments, this all-in-one eye cream combats all signs of ageing, even those caused by facial expressions. Its buttery texture melts into skin without any trace of greasiness to plump wrinkles, brighten dark circles and reduce puffiness.