How you care for your skin in your 20’s can drastically affect the condition of your skin in your 40’s and 50’s. While there are always going to be inevitable changes that are going to take place as we age, there are steps you can take to reduce or delay those telltale signs. Here we present your trusty guide to aging gracefully – AKA giving your skin the TLC it needs – at every stage of your life.
During your angsty teenage years, probably the last thing on your mind is the prospect of age wrinkles. While your skin isn’t declining on a cellular level yet, the most noticeable change is in the increased production of sebum caused by a surge in sex hormones. With your sweat glands and sebaceous glands working in overdrive, it’s important to prioritize a gentle facial cleansing routine. Regular cleansing will prevent the build-up of trapped oil and dead skin, which can lead to further inflammation and acne breakouts.
Tip: Find a gentle foaming cleanser with salicylic acid to help ward off acne.
Protecting your skin from sun damage is also just as important, so now’s the time invest in a good SPF30 broad-spectrum sunscreen – and yes, one that’s not mixed in with your makeup. Sunscreen should be the final step of your skincare routine, after a light and non-greasy moisturizer.
Ah, your darling 20’s – when the world really is your oyster. Anything is possible, and the idea of aging is perhaps still far from mind. Unfortunately, your body’s skin-healing mechanisms begin to slow by age 20, and even more drastically by your mid-20’s. While skin may look at its prime now, these are some of the most crucial years that will determine how your skin ages over the decades to come.
It’s time to amp up your skincare routine and build up some good lifestyle habits. Now with a cell turnover cycle of approximately 28 days, you can opt for a gentle cleanser, ph-balancing toner, light moisturizer, and SPF30 sunscreen for morning and night. Once you hit your mid-20’s, throw some retinol and gentle exfoliation into your skincare routine once a week to help speed up cell renewal.
It’s possible you’re still battling signs of acne from your teen years, so we recommend the popular skin-resurfacing treatment of microdermabrasion for a professional-level cleanse and exfoliation.
Tip: In addition to reversing sun damage and boosting collagen production, retinol is also useful for preventing and combating acne breakouts.
Related: What is Cell Turnover or Skin Cycle?
In your 30’s, it’s time to actively support your skin’s declining collagen and elastin production levels by hitting it with some potent antiaging skincare. Your cell renewal cycle has now slowed to 30 or more days, and it has become much more important to add serums that address specific skin concerns into your skincare routine. Toner is also increasingly important in your 30’s to prep your skin at the optimal ph level for incoming antioxidants in skincare products.
By now, you’ve had 30+ years of laughing, squinting at screens, and frowning. Now more than ever, the delicate skin around your eyes are more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. We recommend using a good daily eye cream preferably infused with retinol, our favorite collagen-stimulating skincare ingredient.
And of course, SPF30 broad-spectrum sunscreen is, and forever remains, the non-negotiable final step of your skincare routine at any age.
Tip: In your 30’s, begin supporting collagen regeneration internally. Regular Microneedling with a derma roller and energy facials such as HIFU, RF, and/or LED Light Therapy will go a long way!
In your 40’s and the years beyond, it’s time to dial up the defensive strategy in your skincare routine. Usually, this is the decade when signs of aging such as sagging jowls, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, and age spots begin to surface. It’s time to get rid of your oil-free moisturizers, and invest in a richer, thicker cream that both hydrates and locks in moisture. Skin-repairing night creams or facial oils are your new best friend, as skin can absorb antioxidants more effectively while you sleep without the interference from environmental pollutants.
Tip: Add facial oil to the last step of your night-time routine to lock in moisture for longer periods of time. This applies for all skin types, even those considered oily, because excess oil production in your 40’s is typically due to your body over-compensating in oil production for dry skin. Using a good facial oil overnight can cause a balancing effect!
Increase microneedling treatments to once every two weeks and schedule a skin tightening Ultherapy or Thermage appointment at the clinic every one to two years. Alternatively, perform HIFU and RF treatments more regularly with home-use devices.
In your 50’s, the outer layer of your skin becomes noticeably thinner, and the cell cycle slows down even further to 60-90 days. This means that the dead, oxidated cells remain on the topmost layer of your skin for longer, making your skin appear duller. Exfoliation now plays a huge role in retaining your skin’s glow – but also remember to be extra mindful of not tearing your delicate skin when you buff away at it.
Adding to the increased skin dullness, wrinkles, skin sagging, enlarged pores, and dark spots, this is also around the time when most women go through hormonal changes brought on by menopause. It’s now more important than ever to set up a good diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle regime that may include supplements such as bioidentical hormone replacements to alleviate the side-effects of menopause.
Tip: It’s time to step up your exfoliation to multi-depth peels. Consider alternating between microdermabrasion and chemical peels once every week, and make sure to continue your energy facials at home once a month. For your regular daily skincare routine, hyaluronic acid will help to plump the epidermis, while powerful antioxidants such as retinol works to neutralize free radicals and fight environmental aggressors in the skin.
Related: How to Care for Menopause Itchy Skin and other Skin Concerns?
Don’t let the telltale signs of aging get you down. Daily habits, lifestyle factors, and even genetics can affect the way you age over the decades – but ultimately, you can take control of how the years unfold. The secret? Understanding the best skincare routine at every age!