Travel, explore, immerse yourself in new projects, meet new people. Try, fail and try again.
Your 20s are the years of self-discovery. In these exciting (and often frustrating) times, you have an open invitation to build a relationship with yourself and take time for yourself. And what better place to start than with your daily adventure partner? Your skin.
What happens to your skin in your 20s?
During this decade, your skin lives pretty much its best life. Adolescence is already a distant memory (thankfully) and as you begin to discover new preferences and self-care routines, youth is your ally. This is because right now, your skin doesn’t need to work very difficult to maintain its elasticity and firmness, naturally producing abundant collagen and elastin (fibers responsible for that smooth, taut appearance).
But, that doesn’t mean it’s without its challenges. Here are some factors to keep in mind at this age:
- Hydration: Although youthful skin usually leans less on the dry side, no one is immune to environmental effects such as the winter chill or changing humidity levels. Sense; Maintaining a targeted skincare routine can help maintain skin moisture and healthy barrier function.
- Sun damage: While the tan is tempting, the long-term results are not. Excessive sun exposure without proper protection can cause cumulative skin damage such as sun spots, early signs of skin aging, and even skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen is so important to prevent problems down the road and keep your skin safe and happy now.
- Hormonal changes: It’s not just adolescence or the later years — hormonal changes can occur at any time. Changes in skin texture and occasional breakouts are to be expected in your 20s, especially for women. But that’s okay—flaws don’t take away from your beauty.
- Stress: Here’s one more excuse to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. At this and any other age, stress and other lifestyle factors can take a toll on the skin, causing blemishes and inflammation or worsening existing conditions. So while yes, he is so young it is art — it’s normal for things to get a little hectic. For your skin and overall well-being, do your best to deal with it.
Please note, every person is as unique as their own skin — meaning that one routine doesn’t suit everyone. Take time to get to know yourself, adjusting your favorite self-care options as needed. Are you ready to continue your journey?
How to take care of your skin in your 20s
Maybe you’ve let your skin fly on its own or you’re regular Skintok with a 10-step nightly routine. Whatever your starting point, here are four critical questions to ask yourself (and answer honest), along with helpful tips from the experts.
The ideal 20-something skin care routine focuses on prevention: cleansing, moisturizing, sun protection and a healthy lifestyle. The star of this lawsuit? Hyaluronic acid: a humectant molecule vital to keeping your skin hydrated.
☑ Do you (gently) clean your face morning and night?
With a non-stop schedule, you’ve probably skipped washing your face once or twice. But here’s the tea: Cleansing is the fundamental step to keeping your skin healthy in your 20s and beyond.
In the morning, it helps remove the oil build-up your skin produces overnight. At night, it helps to remove impurities that accumulate during the day on your skin (have you ever thought about how many times you touch your face?). Plus, cleaning leaves a fresh canvas for the rest of your routine to get to work.
Tip: You may want to change your cleanser from morning to evening depending on your daily needs. Micellar Water is quick, easy and packable — perfect for early morning or post-workout. Then, turn to an antioxidant-rich cleansing oil at night to remove sunscreen and waterproof makeup, as well as boost your natural glow.
☑ Do you pay particular attention to your eyes?
Maybe this is the sign to add one to your routine, or maybe you’re already a loyal user. Either way, eye contour gels and creams can provide multiple benefits – decongesting, energizing, hydrating or even providing the perfect eye makeup base.
Why is it so important to start using eye care solutions at this age? THE the skin around your eyes is much thinner from the skin on the rest of your face, so it can start to show signs of aging and fatigue sooner than you’d like.
Overall, the key is choosing the right product for your lifestyle and current skin goals. To match the non-stop pace of your 20s, an invigorating eye gel with a cooling effect might be just what you need.
Whether your skin is oily, sensitive or dry, just right hydration is a fundamental pillar of healthy skin — and serum, the perfect source.
In younger skin, the water content in the outermost layer of skin, known as the stratum corneum, can be 10-20% higher than the total water content in the rest of the body. And if its water content drops below 10%, your skin can become brittle, rough and dull.
How to be proactive? Know your skin type and provide appropriate care. Serums are the ideal allies, as their textures are designed to easily sink into the skin and deliver moisturizing ingredients.
End: After cleaning, apply a hyaluronic acid serum to deeply hydrate your skin and boost radiance.
☑ Have you met your favorite moisturizer yet?
Every skin type (yes, even oily) needs a moisturizer. This is because every day, environmental stressors strip moisture from your skin. When your skin is deprived of moisture, it can start to overproduce its own oils to compensate or become irritated and sensitive. Don’t worry – from matte to soothing, there’s a moisturizer for every skin type. And now it’s time to do some research to find out who your type is.
Next? Consider texture and ingredients. A lightweight formula can feel more comfortable, giving your youthful skin some breathing room. And powerful antioxidants like vitamin E can help protect against harmful pollution damage. Last but not least – look for the power of hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate and evens out the early signs of skin aging.
Tip: Use your moisturizer to boost the action of your serum. Top off hydration by applying a moisturizer after your serum in your routine.
☑ Do you protect your skin from the sun every day?
Have you ever heard the phrase: prevention is always better than cure? While you may be used to protecting yourself from the summer sun, UV rays really affect your skin every day, regardless of the season.
UVB radiation causes sunburn on those sunny days. But UVA radiation is responsible for signs of skin aging and more harmful effects, such as cancer. In addition, UVA radiation is present all year round, indoors and outdoors.
The solution? Daily use of sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect both your present and your future.
End: Complete your daily routine with one broad spectrum sunscreen to block both types of UV rays. Choose a formula with at least SPF 30 and be sure to reapply at least every two hours during the day, every day.
Make it a lifestyle
It’s not all in the products (although they certainly help). Taking care of your skin also means working on building healthy habits. Why? Because looking good means feeling good.
Here are some ideas:
- Get moving. Exercise supports blood circulation, sending useful oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Walking, cleaning, dancing — it all counts! Staying active can boost your skin’s natural glow and overall well-being (plus, it’s the perfect excuse to spend more time with friends).
- Fuel up. What you eat has a direct impact on your skin. And with a decade full of long hours, meals out and a budget, it can be hard to find balance. A tip? Break the beige. Try to always add a pop of color to your dish (red tomatoes in pasta, orange bell pepper in a baked potato, or green onion to dress up ramen). Fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables can add many useful nutrients to your diet.
- Get some rest. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. This also means stopping and resting when necessary. Even if it doesn’t always happen, try to aim for 7 hours of sleep a night. You’ll see it reflected in your overall health — and your skin.
One last reminder: this is it your history. It’s never too early or too late to learn to love and appreciate yourself just the way you are. And loving the skin you’re in is a big part of that journey — so do your best to take care of it every day.
References:
Joseph Fowler et al (2012) Understanding the role of natural humectants in skin hydration. PRACTICAL DERMATOLOGY.
Farage MA, et al. Sensitive skin in China. 2012
Editorial team
Our namesake embodies the spirit of embracing life and all its wonder. As wellness journalists, we explore topics that stimulate the senses and keep curiosity alive. We believe that glowing skin is the result of a healthy body and mind. By connecting beauty with science, we aim to inspire you to live young at every age.
