From slacker to sinker: take our interactive quiz to see how your skin will age

WITH so many anti-aging treatments and products out there, it's hard to know where to start.

But knowing which facial aging category you fall into can help you better understand what you'll look like in the future—and which treatments will work best for you.

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Experts claim there are three categories: Sinkers, which lose volume in key areas, such as under the cheekbones, creating a hollowed-out appearance; sagging, where collagen loss causes the skin to sag, leading to a jagged appearance; wrinkles, which develop patches of lined skin.

Dr. Daniel Hunt, from The Skin Investment Clinic, joins Lynsey Hope to help three women find their type of facial aging, and offers tips on how to turn back the clock.

Wrinkle (usually thin to medium skin)

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

I developed severe acne as a teenager and then chronic psoriasis in my 20s and 30s. I had to take immunosuppressants and other treatments and although I am now in remission, I think going through it has encouraged me to take care of my skin.

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I have a very thorough regimen: I cleanse, tone and moisturize morning and night. I also have about half a dozen facials a year. I have a healthy lifestyle, with a Mediterranean diet.

I have a few wrinkles around my eyes, but other than that I'm pretty happy with how my skin is aging.

Of all the skincare categories, I'm actually quite happy to be a wrinkle maker. I'm turning 50 next month, so accept that at my age I would have a few wrinkles.

They are mainly around my eyes and I think I would rather have wrinkles than sagging skin. Wrinkles and laugh 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 wrinkle category. Prolonged muscle contraction and loss of skin tone causes smooth skin to begin to wrinkle.

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

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

There are treatments to minimize wrinkles, but be careful not to look unnatural. The standard treatment is Botox. Small, targeted amounts relax muscles and reduce the appearance of lines, while still allowing facial expressions.

Less invasive treatments include regular micro-needling, alongside an effective skin care regimen and healthy lifestyle, which Fiona has found helps her.

HOME HELP: Vitamin A is the gold standard anti-aging ingredient for skin care, and you can buy retinol – a derivative of vitamin A – over the counter.

We like CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, £11.75 from Amazon, because it doesn't irritate sensitive skin.

To target specific areas such as the forehead, crow's feet, cheeks and laugh lines, wear Skinremide Anti-Wrinkle Patches, £17.95 for 160, amazon.co.uk, at night to smooth the skin's surface.

To help prevent the formation of lines, wear a cream with SPF 50, such as Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50 Invisible, £12.99, Boots, every day to reduce sun damage.

Sagger (usually on thick, dense skin)

OCTAVIA LONERGAN, 43, from Coulsdon, Surrey, is a graphic designer, children's author and mother of five-year-old twins. She says:

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

My mother is 75, but she doesn't look that old and I don't have many wrinkles. . . yet.

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

I stick to a pretty thorough skin care regimen, although I recently damaged my skin barrier by using a product with too high a dose of azelaic acid, so I've been moving away from products for now. But I always use an SPF when I go outside.

I've been a lifelong vegetarian and rarely drink alcohol, so that probably helps my skin.

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

“Saggy” is definitely not the most flattering term, but my skin is pretty thick, so it makes sense. But right now I'm not too worried.

Apparently actress Drew Barrymore is also a slacker, so if I fall into the same category as her, I'm in good company.

says Doctor Hunt: Octavia has beautiful, plump skin, but as we age we lose collagen and elastin, which keep our skin firm and tight.

Gravity affects us all and this, combined with less collagen and elastin, means Octavia may see cheeks appear 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). from her mouth).

There are many options to help minimize this sagging effect.

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

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

Chemical peels are also said to help, while supplements with phytonutrients (the protective chemicals in plants) plus vitamins A and D will nourish the skin from within.

HOME HELP: 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 microcurrent device or gua sha such as the Grace & Stella Gua Sha, £10, graceandstella.com, can help give the skin a tighter, lifted appearance.

Taking a collagen supplement such as Boots Skin Formula marine collagen 30 tablets, £10, Boots, helps replace the natural collagen lost through aging.

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:

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As long as I look the best I can, I'm happy. But I'd be lying if I said getting older doesn't bother me at all.

I don't spend a fortune on skin care products. Once a week I use a 99p cucumber face mask and sometimes a Garnier hydration sheet.

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

I moisturize in the morning and evening. I've used expensive Clarins products but I can't say I've noticed a big difference since I stopped buying them.

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

Because Eddie often ends up in bed with us at night, I don't sleep well and I'm afraid it's not good for my skin.

I wasn't surprised when I found out I'm a sinker. As soon as I lose an ounce, family and friends say I look skinny, so it's definitely something I'll be wary of as I get older.

Dr Hunt says: Anna has more angular facial features and thinner skin, which most likely puts her in the “sinker” category.

You can see the skin under her eyes starting to hollow out a little.

Due to 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 fillers, help prevent a hollow appearance.

If you want to avoid the crowded look that many people fear, it is important that you seek treatment from a properly trained aesthetic surgeon.

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

I'd 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.

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

A light-reflecting base, such as Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £14, asos.com, helps camouflage hollow areas and add brightness without looking heavy on the skin.

Healthy fats like omega acids also provide skin plumping benefits.

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