What is the ideal skin care routine? The skin is the largest organ of the human body and constantly changing with age. With so many factors contributing to the overall health of your skin – skin type, age, and environment included – it can be difficult to know what the right regimen is for the health of your skin. Today, let’s talk about the ideal skin care routine in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.
First, it is important to remember that behavioral factors such as repeated sun exposure, smoking, having a tendency to touch your face a lot, and stress can age skin more quickly. Diets rich in Vitamins C & E and application of antioxidant- and vitamin-rich products help to boost skin health. Beyond these basics, what else can you incorporate into your skin care routine at different ages to keep your skin looking young, healthy, and beautiful?
The 20s
This is an important time to develop good habits that can impact the health of your skin long-term. Three of the key factors during this decade are reducing sun damage to your skin, staying hydrated, and treating acne.
Wearing sunscreen is a part of the regular regimen for good health. Although sun damage in the Pacific Northwest may not seem to be a big factor in some months of the year, even ten minutes of sun exposure can make a difference each day. It also helps to stay hydrated throughout the day – which is not only a good idea for the health of your skin but also for your general well-being.
For those suffering from acne, you may also notice that you are experiencing some facial dryness, so finding the right balance with a good moisturizer can be helpful.
If you’re in your 20s, aim to wash your face twice daily, especially making sure to do so at night to remove any makeup you wore plus any toxins or dirt you may have picked up during the day. Use a gentle cleanser that won’t dry your skin too much. It might not be a bad idea to wipe off your cell phone too. If you have acne forming around your jaw line it could be stemming from the oils that collect on your phone.
Exfoliating helps to remove the buildup of dead skin and clear out your pores. However, at this age, be sure not to over-exfoliate. During the day, you’ll want to apply a light moisturizer suited for your skin type, ideally with sun protection. At night, you might want to apply spot treatment for acne.
The 30s
You could be at a point when you are starting to see some sun damage and/or brown spots/sunspots on your skin. Probably the bigger factor at this stage is that your skin cells are turning over more slowly, making regular exfoliation a higher priority.
You’ll want to make sure that you are using a non-drying, gentle cleanser in the morning and evening if you were not already. This will remove sweat, oil, and dirt that has collected on your skin. Then, you can use a toner to remove remaining residue from the cleanser and other oils, which will help your skin absorb moisturizer. Next, exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. We recommend SkinMedica Exfoliating Cleanser.
Lastly, apply a moisturizer to protect the skin. During the day, use a moisturizer with sun protection. For nighttime, use one without sun protection.
This could also be a time to start using products such as a serum to boost antioxidants. By the mid 30s, we recommend everyone use a retinoid to increase collagen production and increase the speed of cell turnover.
The 40s
Increased wrinkles around your eyes and mouth tends to be a factor during this time. Hyperpigmentation (patches of darker skin) from prior sun damage will become more apparent. Also, hormone-related problems may creep in such as acne or premenopausal dryness. Starting your routine with a gentle cleanser, then a toner, then exfoliating to remove the dead skin cells (which are likely building up more quickly if you are regularly using retinoids). Remember that some exfoliating products can be harsh on the skin so it’s important to read labels and make sure you aren’t hurting yourself. The routine should also include a serum that boosts antioxidant levels and vitamin C. Lastly, apply a moisturizer. At night, we recommend regular use of a retinoid to rebuild collagen and help prevent sagging. Talk to us at buzz@visitbewell.com about suggestions for a non-prescription retinoid.
The 50s
In your 50s, you may notice thinner skin, more sagging, a deepening of wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Your main goal in this decade is to keep your skin moisturized, as it now may be noticeably drier. Start with a cleanser, perhaps focusing on one that is creamy and designed for sensitive skin, then use toner and exfoliate as necessary. If you weren’t already using a serum, this is a great time to add an antioxidant-rich serum to your routine, boosting your vitamin C or E levels. End with a moisturizer. At night you may benefit from applying a cream with peptides or a retinoid before the moisturizer.
The ideal skin care routine is individual to each person based on your daily habits, environmental factors, skin type, and so many other details. Your skin care routine should be tailored to what works best for your skin at each age.
This is a general guideline for what to consider. When in doubt, ask a professional for guidance to craft the skin care routine that will lead you to the your healthiest, most beautiful skin. Talk to us at buzz@visitbewell.com for more information or ask us about our SkinMedica chemical peels!
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