Why is skincare so important when you’re in your 20s? As you grow older, you realize that your prime time was in your 20s when your skin was at its peak. Some say that the vibrant and glowy skin is wasted on the young because they don’t know what they have until they lose it, which is why it is essential to take care of your skin.
A daily skincare routine is necessary to maintain the health of your skin due to all the changes in your skin as you age. As expected, your skin will not remain the same look as it did when you were younger and it is your responsibility to adjust to any lifestyle changes.
The first step is to obtain an amazing and effective skincare routine that will reduce the signs of aging and it is never too early to start. Start managing your skin now to prevent future skin issues!
What Happens to Your Skin in Your 20s
Breakouts
Many factors come into play when breakouts occur. Whether it’s the stress, insufficient sleep, your diet or hormones, it is normal for breakouts to happen.
You might find that your breakouts are a bit different now. Does the same pimple just keep coming back? Is your skin more likely to “scar” temporarily–especially after popping a pimple? Does your acne feel more cyclical or seasonal? Welcome to adult-acne. More on that later.
Sun Damage Effects
What most people do not know is how serious sun exposure effects have on the skin. Your skin is constantly replenishing new cells in order to repair the damage and as you age, it gets more difficult for your skin to repair itself.
“The time to really start sun protective behavior is not when you reach adulthood, but years before,” says Dr. Kramer, a cancer prevention expert at News in Health.
Limiting sun exposure, avoiding direct sunlight, and using sunscreen are all prevention factors to reduce skin damage. We recommend using at least 30 SPF on your facial skin regardless of the season or the amount of time you spend outside. Don’t forget to reapply often throughout the day. Damage from the sun is a leading cause of wrinkles and premature aging, so make sure protecting your skin is a big part of your routine now and going forward into your 30s and beyond.
Looking Tired?
Does staying up late watching movies or going out with friends affect your skin the next day? When you are young, you might not see the effects of it and will continue to do so, but as you age, your skin will surely not look as refreshed after a night out.
Aging Effects
The effects of aging are not evident until your late 20s, however, it is expected to see some signs here and there. Your collagen production starts to slow down in your mid 20s, but the lifestyle choices you make will make or break your skin and having an established skincare routine will do good for your skin health.
It is important to remember that aging isn’t a bad thing. As we get older, our skin thins, we get wrinkles, and we show signs of aging. Newsflash: that’s okay! Your skincare routine in your 20s is about keeping your skin healthy and preventing damage and premature aging.
Where to Begin
So we’ve covered some of the general changes that you may be seeing in your skin in your 20s, but what should you do with that information?
We’ve got you covered. Here are the basics you need to create a skincare routine that you will be thankful for in your 30s.
Create a Routine
A daily skincare routine should be a priority when it comes to maintaining skin health. It might be daunting to beginners, but a skincare routine does not have to be a difficult one! A quick and simple routine can go a long way.
According to a Manhattan dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Dr. Rachel Nazarian says, “Results are only seen through consistent use.”
A basic daily routine would include a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer and this should only take a couple of minutes out of your day. Consistently taking care of your skin can help you get to your skincare goals.
So don’t worry about a 7-step skincare routine and which order to apply essences and serums. (We have a guide on that too if you’re interested.) If you’re not already doing a 45-minute skincare routine, now probably isn’t the time to start. Instead, invest in an easy to follow, low effort skincare routine.
Need a place to start? Try a gentle cleanser, an eye cream, a retinol-based moisturizer, and SPF. (More on these later on!)
Affordable Skin Care
When deciding between skincare products, it is best to purchase from the same brand to build your skincare line. With an effective skincare line, you would use it for upcoming years, but will you be able to afford it every time you run out?
Skincare products can get a little pricey, but knowing exactly what your skin needs is very beneficial. Taking a look at the ingredients of products will help you distinguish between the affordable and the expensive, so your wallet does not hurt every time you need a replacement.
The Best Basic Skin Care Routines for the 20’s
Clean Water
When it comes to washing your face, you normally do not think about the water you’re using, but little do you know, there could be various toxic chemicals floating around. Filtered water is definitely the way to go!
Your facial skin will always be more sensitive, meaning you have to be careful with what you use on your skin. With a Filterbaby PROdermis Water Filter, regular tap water is stripped of its harmful chemicals, hydrating and improving your skin more.
Filterbaby can reduce dryness and irritation. Our ultrafiltration system with PROdermis technology dissolves chlorine and byproducts of chlorination and can trap common tap water contaminants as small as 0.2 microns.
Cleanser
Properly cleansing your skin helps it absorb other skincare products better and removes all the impurities, bacteria, and dirt from your skin.
According to Dr. Charles Zugerman, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Northwestern University, “It’s not just makeup you want to wash off.”
Everyone needs a clean base before using other skincare products and it is true that you are not only removing makeup, but all the other bacteria and pollutants stuck to your skin, which is why cleansing day and night is so important!
For normal to dry skin, try an oil cleanser or a non-foaming gentle cleanser. For oily skin, look for cleansers with salicylic acid, vitamin C, or tea tree oil.
Eye Cream
The simple cleanser, toner and moisturizer is just not enough to maintain your skin. If you want to prevent obvious eye bags and dark circles, you would need eye cream too and it should be applied both day and night.
Look for ingredients like peptides, retinoids, ceramides, and CoQ10. Vitamins C, E, and K are also great to find.
Gently apply your eye cream with your ring finger. Don’t be too rough! The skin around your eyes is thin and easily damaged.
Moisturizer
Whether you have dry or oily skin, a moisturizer is still necessary in your daily skincare routine. Not only does it keep your skin hydrated, but it is used to treat medical issues as well.
“You can really moisturize anytime, as long as you do it regularly. In the long run, your skin will look younger and feel better. Just remember that anytime is better than next time!” Says Dr. Neil Shear, a leading dermatologist at Sunnybrook.
Your moisturizer can do a lot of heavy lifting. Look for moisturizers that treat your skin concerns. As a rule of thumb, we recommend looking for anti-aging ingredients like retinol to encourage collagen production in your 20s.
Sunscreen
SPF is a NEED when it comes to protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Not only should it be applied on your face, but your neck too. You should always be wearing sunscreen no matter the weather because the sun can cause skin cancer and age your skin.
Look for SPF 30 or above for your facial skin and don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your ears, neck, and upper body.
The Best Full Skin Care Routine for the 20’s
Filtered Water
What is the real difference between using tap water and filtered water? If we do not consume tap water from our own faucets, why is our skin?
Filtered water allows the removal of unknown, toxic chemicals absorbed into our faces as we wash them and with quick and easy installation, a Filterbaby filter does exactly what we need it to do.
Adding the Filterbaby to your sink is just an extra simple step in the bathroom that will ultimately make you and your skin feel better!
Cleanse
Cleansing should be a morning and night routine that everyone lives by. It removes all the dirt and bacteria from your environment, allowing your skin to breathe freely and look more radiant. Your skin will definitely thank you as you get older for taking care of it!
Exfoliate
After cleansing, you should exfoliate your skin because it allows other products used on your skin to work more effectively. Exfoliation is not a daily task and over-exfoliating is not good for the skin either, but finding a balance in between can present glowy, moisturized skin.
Tone
There are so many different toners out there and it can get difficult to choose one that is just right for you. If you’ve never used toner before, you might want to start out with a simple, gentle, and hydrating toner to refresh and balance your skin without taking away the natural moisture.
Treat
Not everyone’s skin will be the same, some may be blessed and others may have more concerns, but either way, our skin should be treated properly.
“Over time, as we age, our skin is less capable of drawing in and locking in moisture—so these skin habits are useful in the short-term seasonally and long-term because as we age, our skin weakens" says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York City dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group.
Serums are great products to use due to its potency and the hydration it brings into the skin. Locking in moisture using serums can ensure amazing results for your skin.
Eye Cream
People will always ask “do we really need eye cream?” And the answer is yes. The skin around the eyes is more prone to dehydration because it is so fragile, therefore, eye creams are designed to help your skin combat it!
Moisturize
Moisturizing day and night should be a priority, even if your skin looks like it does not need it. Your skin should always remain hydrated and with a good moisturizer in your daily routine, your skin will look and feel refreshed.
Protect
It is essential to always protect your skin even when the sun isn’t out! That means applying sunscreen on your neck and face in order to protect it from any damaging UV rays.
The Things You Should Stop to Protect Your Skin for Your 20s
Junk Food
We all love junk food, but do we understand the consequences of it? People in their 20s are still very young and obtaining a balanced diet is probably not on the top of their priority list.
However, this is the time when your lifestyle choices will begin to appear on your face. Your skin will need the nutrients you consume and processed foods are not going to help.
Sunbathing
It is obvious that many people love to tan when the weather starts getting warmer, but doing so comes with many detrimental effects for your skin. If you want to keep that complexion, just simply do not sunbathe.
Now is the time to reconsider going to the tanning bed. That golden tan is definitely not worth it long term.
Smoking
Are there really any benefits to smoking? Not only can it cause lung cancer, but it severely breaks down your skin, specifically your collagen and elastin. It doesn’t matter if it’s firsthand or secondhand smoke, both still have harmful effects for your skin.
“It degrades the building blocks of the skin,” says Jonette Keri, MD, a dermatologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Soda
Consuming soda might not be a huge deal to most people since they enjoy it, but it contains an insane amount of caffeine. The caffeine found in the soda is what dries out your skin, creating wrinkles and causing you to age quicker.
When you want to drink soda, try to think of a healthier alternative, for the sake of your skin!
Experimenting With Products
Stop using so many different products at once! What you might not know is that the products could be working against each other, rather than in harmony. It is time to establish a simple, daily skincare routine that you can rely on everyday to maintain your skin.
Sleeping with Make-Up On
This should not be made a habit as sleeping with makeup on comes with so many consequences. Coming home each day from being outside, there will always be bacteria or pollutants stuck onto your skin and makeup and you need to get rid of it.
By cleansing your skin everyday, you can prevent breakouts and irritation from clogged pores and dirt found on your skin.