If there’s one universal experience, it’s aging. It’s pretty profound if you think about it: from the second you’re born, you’re always growing and changing, and our skin sticks with us through all of it, growing and changing along with us. It’s not surprising that what your skin needs today may be drastically different from what your skin needed a few years ago—but that doesn’t mean your skincare routines should get more complicated!
Just as in every other decade of life, this means you have to use sun protection. Choose a moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 30, and wear it every day — during rain or shine. Just make sure that it’s non-comedogenic (that it won’t clog pores) as some SPF lotions have a tendency to clog pores and, so, cause breakouts.
BIGGEST ISSUES
- Latent teenage acne
- Large pores
- Uneven skin tone
FACIAL SKIN CARE IN YOUR 20S
When you are in your 20s, your skin is gorgeous. Even if you get a few pimples or blackheads from time to time, savor these years, these times when you don’t have to worry about wrinkles and age spots. Still, you might be dealing with latent hormonal acne from your teen years, and you‘ve definitely got to prep for the future.
If you really want to be fastidious about preventing wrinkles (because they will come), look for a daily moisturizer that contains retinol. This ingredient is great for boosting cell turnover and collagen production. Retinol can also keep acne at bay and even out skin tone if you suffer from either of these problems.
BODY ROUTINE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 20S
Your body doesn’t need much upkeep in your 20s, but you will still want to exfoliate and moisturize. Use a salt-based natural skin care body scrub in the shower at least 2 to 3 times per week. In summer, or whenever your skin will be exposed to the sun, be sure to use a body lotion that contains sunscreen. For a sunscreen that is easy to use, you can always carry around a spray-on sunscreen for those unpredictable moments when you find yourself in the sun’s hot rays.
SKINCARE IN YOUR 30S
BIGGEST ISSUES
- Beginning of collagen loss
- The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
FACIAL SKIN CARE IN YOUR 30S
In your 30s, it’s all about regenerating collagen production. In your 20s, your body produces collagen quickly and efficiently, but its production slows down in your 30s, so you’ll need to rev it up with a daily dose of Vitamin C. This will spur fibroblasts (the cells that form collagen) to increase collagen production.
Once again, make sure that you’re still using an SPF of 30 or higher every day. By your 30s, you should be using a cream with retinoids every night as well. You’ll want to apply both of these products to your neck, chest, and face. In your 30s and 40s, these areas (that have long been exposed to the sun) will begin to show signs of aging. Once you’re finished applying either product to your face, neck, and chest, wipe the excess on the backs of your hands. Like your face, your hands are often one of the first places to show signs of aging.
SKIN CARE AFTER 40
BIGGEST ISSUES
- The appearance of lines and wrinkles
- The appearance of age spots
- Possible adult-onset acne
FACIAL SKIN CARE IN YOUR 40S
If you haven’t changed moisturizers already, it’s time to do so in your 40s. This is when fine lines and wrinkles really begin to make an appearance, and you may notice age spots making an appearance as well. Help dark spots disappear by looking for a facial lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acid. Used on a daily basis, this will even out your skin tone. Just make sure to use this only at night, or you can apply it during the day along with sunscreen. Alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) can make your skin especially sensitive to the sun.
You can boost the overall resiliency of your skin as well by looking for products that contain coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and peptides and collagen. These are both necessary for energizing cell and collagen production, respectively. If you struggle with adult-onset acne (which may be caused by menopause), apply dabs of acne-clearing medications, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide — and be sure to avoid irritating cleansers. To prevent the salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide from drying your skin, always be sure to apply a gentle moisturizer after the acne product has been fully absorbed.
REMEMBER: Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and there’s no uniform experience for each decade. The amazing biological changes we face over time play a big role in our ever-changing skin. We’re here to tell you what we know about keeping your skin happy for each of life’s big moments.