With each year, do you notice considerable differences in how your skin looks and feels?
As the human body naturally ages, so too does the skin. As you age, your skin will require new and different care in order to contend with declining collagen levels, diminishing elasticity, and the constant pull of gravity. Simply put: what your skin needs in your 20’s and 30’s is very different than what it needs in your 40’s or 50’s.
Here are some simple skin care tips to help keep your skin looking and feeling great at any age:
20’s
During your 20’s your main focus should revolve around prevention. The ideal skincare regimen should work to protect the skin, with secondary emphases on other issues like acne as needed.
- Make a habit of properly washing your face every night to remove dirt and makeup.
- Exfoliate your skin weekly to maintain a healthy cellular turnover rate.
- Minimize skin harming actions like smoking cigarettes or binge drinking.
- Make sleep a priority. Try to shoot for at least 8 hours each night.
- Use a high quality broad-spectrum sunscreen every day with a minimum SPF of 30
- Opt for a gentle foaming cleanser and a lightweight moisturizer.
- Anti-aging products can be used as long as they are not too harsh.
- Choose more mild acne products with lower concentrations of active ingredients (like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide).
- Select high quality skincare products from trusted brands.
30’s
Challenges most people face throughout their 30’s include the development of fine lines and shallow wrinkles, sun damage, and pigmentation issues (red and brown skin discolorations).
- Take your weekly exfoliation to a higher level by using AHA or BHA derived products.
- Start using an anti-aging eye cream daily to hydrate the skin around the eyes.
- Switch to an antioxidant-based moisturizer to shield the skin from further sun damage.
- Continue the proper use of sunscreen daily.
- Consider adding a retinol-based serum to your nightly routine to help maintain healthy skin tone and texture.
- Stay away from harsh acne products and instead opt for a spot treatment.
- Consider regular facials to keep your pores unclogged.
- Start undergoing preventative in-office treatments like chemical peels, Botox, and dermal fillers, if desired.
Note: The skin care choices you make in your 20’s and 30’s can have a major impact on the appearance of your skin and overall skin health in your 40’s and 50’s.
40’s
Most people in their 40’s will begin to notice deepening of lines that started to develop in their 30’s, along with new lines forming around the eyes, mouth, and between the brows. Other common issues during this age period can include dryness, increasing pigmentation issues, and overall dulling of the skin.
- Use the combination of a non-drying gentle cleanser and a soft face cleansing brush to exfoliate away dead skins while cleansing the skin.
- Select a high SPF sunscreen with added antioxidants to protect the skin (minimum SPF 30).
- Anti-aging serums can be used to help the skin look and feel plump and youthful.
- Vitamin C-based products can help brighten skin and address pigmentation.
- The décolletage area and hands begin to show signs of aging, make sure to address this area with your regimen.
- Talk to your dermatologist about in-office anti-aging treatments like medical facials, laser resurfacing, and microdermabrasion.
50’s and beyond
Many people who are age 50 or older deal with more advanced forms of facial aging including volume loss, sagging skin, and skin tone irregularities.
- Opt for a cream-based cleanser with added hydration.
- Use an SPF-containing moisturizer twice daily.
- Look for serums containing peptides and other growth factors.
- Consider laser resurfacing, a non-surgical procedure to fully rejuvenate the skin.
- Sagging skin and tissue loss can be addressed by using fillers or undergoing facial surgery.
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