The look of fine lines and wrinkles becomes more pronounced with age; repeated sun exposure brings this process forward. Whether a routine works depends more on the order of the steps than on the number of products.
In short: For the look of fine lines, the order of priority in a routine is: sun protection, hydration and barrier support, then targeted actives. In the morning: Glow Me Like You Do (7% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid), a moisturiser and, as the last step, sunscreen. In the evening: Love In Blue This Time (2% ceramide complex, 2% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid), followed by Firm Baby Firm (4% Argireline™, 3% Matrixyl™ 3000). This routine helps reduce the look of fine lines; it does not correct deep wrinkles.
Why do fine lines and wrinkles appear, and what is photoageing?
The look of wrinkles is the cumulative result of long-term sun exposure as well as age; this sun-induced ageing is called photoageing. A recent review of photoageing summarises that the effects of UV, visible light and infrared light build up over time and lead to wrinkles, uneven tone, changes in texture and loss of elasticity, and can make the skin look older than its chronological age. We cover the findings on how visible light affects the skin separately under blue light (HEV) and the skin.
According to the same review, the signs vary with skin type: on darker skin tones, uneven tone and loss of volume may be more noticeable; on lighter skin tones, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
Which step matters most in a fine-lines routine?
Sun protection. A review of sunscreens and photoageing summarises the evidence on how effective sunscreens are at preventing photoageing and discolouration, in addition to sunburn; the photoageing review also stresses that this process is largely preventable. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that sunscreen can slow skin ageing and recommends applying it every day before going outdoors.
That is why the order of priority in the routine is set like this:
- Sun protection: every morning, as the last layer of the routine.
- Hydration and barrier: a moisturiser and, in the evening, a ceramide complex. Comfortable skin that is not irritated makes it possible to use targeted actives regularly.
- Targeted actives: a vitamin C derivative and peptides. These are the main steps aimed at the look of fine lines, but they do not replace the first two steps.
Our guide to how much sunscreen you should apply explains the right amount and how often to reapply during the day. The routine builder sets out the morning and evening order for your skin type step by step.
How do you build a morning and evening routine for fine lines?
The morning routine focuses on protection and the evening routine on care; move on to the next product once each one has absorbed. For the evening steps, you can choose from our products for the look of fine lines.
| Step | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | Gentle cleanser | Gentle cleanser |
| 2. Serum | Glow Me Like You Do, 3–4 drops | Love In Blue This Time, 3–4 drops |
| 3. Cream | Moisturiser | Firm Baby Firm, last step |
| 4. Protect | Sunscreen, last step | — |
Each product in the table has a different job in the routine:
- Glow Me Like You Do Vitamin C Serum contains 7% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid). It adds an antioxidant step to the morning routine; its focus is radiance and dullness, it makes no fine-line promise and it does not replace sunscreen.
- Love In Blue This Time Ceramide and Copper Peptide Serum contains 2% ceramide complex and 2% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid; copper peptide plays a supporting role. It is the barrier and fine-lines step of the evening; how the two ingredients fit into the routine is covered under how to use a copper peptide and ceramide serum.
- Firm Baby Firm Firming Peptide Cream contains 4% Argireline™ (acetyl hexapeptide-8) and 3% Matrixyl™ 3000; it is aimed at the look of expression lines and firmness and is designed for dry and normal skin. How to apply the cream and how much to use are explained in the steps for applying a peptide cream. Why the look of lines on the neck and décolleté is considered separately is explained in the neck and décolleté care guide.
For the last step of the morning, Just Protected From Sun SPF 50+ Hybrid Sunscreen is a product with a fluid texture; it contains 8D hyaluronic acid and is designed for sensitive, combination, dry and normal skin.
At what age should you start anti-wrinkle care?
There is no set age to start; the decision depends more on need than on age. Sun protection is the exception: because photoageing is a cumulative and largely preventable process, it belongs in the daily routine without waiting for fine lines to appear. The AAD also lists daily sunscreen use among its general skincare recommendations for almost everyone.
Targeted steps such as a peptide cream and a vitamin C derivative, on the other hand, are added when the look of fine lines becomes more noticeable or starts to bother you.
What a routine focuses on in your 20s, 30s and 40s is covered in our article on skincare by age.
How do you build a fine-lines routine for sensitive skin?
On sensitive skin the same steps apply, but products are added one at a time and used less often:
- Before first use, do a patch test on the inner forearm. Do not add the next product until your skin has got used to the previous one.
- Introduce the vitamin C derivative through one product only. Glow Me Like You Do and Love In Blue This Time both contain Ethyl Ascorbic Acid; use only one of them at first. The skin types recommended on the label of Love In Blue This Time include sensitive skin; in the first few weeks, keep it to a few evenings a week.
- Firm Baby Firm is designed for dry and normal skin; on sensitive skin, add it at a low frequency and after a patch test.
- If stinging persists, or comes with burning or redness, stop using that product.
What can this routine not do?
- A cosmetic cream or serum does not correct deep wrinkles, age-related loss of volume or sagging.
- A recent review of Argireline™ stresses that the permeation of this peptide through the skin surface is limited and that the biological mechanism behind its effect has not yet been fully clarified; expectations stay at the level of appearance.
- It cannot be judged after a single application or occasional use; because skin type, age and sun habits change the outcome, giving a timeframe would not be accurate.
When should you see a doctor?
- If you notice a mole or lesion on your skin that looks different from the others, or that changes, itches or bleeds. The AAD recommends checking your skin yourself and seeing a dermatologist about such a mole or lesion.
- If the look of deep wrinkles or loss of volume bothers you. The AAD recommends seeing a dermatologist when something about your skin bothers you.
- If irritation does not go away even though you have stopped using a product you recently added.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, consult your doctor before use. In that conversation, mention the active you want to add, such as a vitamin C derivative serum or a peptide cream.
Frequently asked questions
Can a peptide cream and vitamin C be used together?
Yes. The simplest arrangement is to use the vitamin C serum in the morning and the peptide cream in the evening. Love In Blue This Time already combines a vitamin C derivative and copper peptide in the same formula; when Firm Baby Firm is applied on top in the evening, copper peptide, Argireline™ and Matrixyl™ 3000 are all part of the same routine.
Cream or serum for the look of wrinkles?
One does not replace the other; the two steps do different jobs. A serum is the fluid step that carries the targeted active, while a cream is the final layer on top that holds in moisture, and in this routine it also carries the peptides. In the s'hevec range, the evening routine uses both together: first Love In Blue This Time, then, once it has absorbed, Firm Baby Firm. The difference in texture and role is explained in our article serum or cream.
If I use sunscreen, do I need a vitamin C serum?
The two do not do the same job: a vitamin C derivative is an antioxidant step, while protection comes from the sun filters. The priority is sunscreen; the serum is an extra layer underneath it.
Can an AHA toner or peel be added to this routine?
It can, but not on the same evening as Love In Blue This Time. Put the product containing AHA or BHA on separate evenings and keep the routine simple on those evenings.
Can these products be applied to fine lines around the eyes?
Glow Me Like You Do and Love In Blue This Time are kept away from the eye area; Firm Baby Firm should not come into contact with the eyes either.
Do smoking and tanning affect the look of wrinkles?
Yes. According to the AAD, smoking speeds up skin ageing, and tanning outdoors or on a sunbed also ages the skin prematurely. If you want a tanned look, the AAD recommends a self-tanner and reminds you to keep protecting your skin from the sun while using it.
Can Firm Baby Firm be used on oily skin?
Firm Baby Firm is designed for dry and normal skin; oily skin is not among the skin types the product is aimed at. In the formula, Argireline™ and Matrixyl™ 3000 are accompanied by baobab extract, 8D hyaluronic acid and panthenol.
Sources
- Guan LL et al. Sunscreens and Photoaging: A Review of Current Literature. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021.
- Kaltchenko MV et al. Photoaging: Current Concepts on Molecular Mechanisms, Prevention, and Treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2025.
- Zdrada-Nowak J et al. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in Cosmeceuticals-A Review of Skin Permeability and Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci. 2025.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Healthier-looking skin.
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. s'hevec products are cosmetic products and are not intended for medical treatment. It was prepared by the s'hevec Team on the basis of the s'hevec product data library and the sources listed above.
