PROTECTING + PRESERVING AGING SKIN THROUGH THE DECADES

No matter which decade you are in, your skin is always aging. That can be a sobering thought, but the truth is that the better you take care of your aging skin now, the better it will look when you are older. And that is the case whether you are in your 20s or your 60s, and beyond! Read on for some tips on what you can do to help your aging skin pass gracefully through the decades.

YOUR 20S

Many people in their 20s are not worried about aging because they do not have any wrinkles, crow’s feet, or age spots yet. In your 20s, prevention is the name of the game. The most important thing you can do while in your 20s to prevent aging damage is to protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day of the year that you leave your house.

Yes, that means that you are working from home on days if you get the mail, take your dog for a walk, or drive to the bank or post office. Avoid being in the sun in the middle part of the day, and wear sunglasses outdoors (even in the winter) to protect that delicate skin around your eyes. You will want to get into good routines when it comes to your skincare.

Wash your face twice daily with a mild cleanser. You might still be battling adult acne, so use products like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide if you need to get that under control. Use a moisturizer formulated for your skin type. You can also start using serums, like retinol, which will help keep skin supple and stave off the signs of aging.

Finally, do your best to stay healthy, eat well, do not smoke, and not overindulge alcohol. All these behaviors will help you keep your skin looking great for the decades ahead of you.

YOUR 30S

As you go through your 30s, you will probably begin to see some fine lines and wrinkles starting around your eyes and perhaps around your mouth. There is a broad spectrum here; some will go into their 30s already seeing some signs of aging, while others will not see a crow’s foot until their age starts with the number 4; this is due to your lifestyle and genetics.

Either way, this is the decade to focus on getting into a good routine that will help you avoid getting wrinkles before your time. First, continue doing what you have been doing. That is, eat well, exercise, drink plenty of water, cleanse your skin twice daily, use moisturizer, and use sunscreen. If you have not added a serum yet, now’s the time to do that.

Consider an antioxidant serum or one that contains hyaluronic acid, as these will both keep wrinkles at bay. Pay special attention to the area around your eyes, which is now likely showing some aging process signs. An eye serum or cream before bed can help plump up the tissues and make the wrinkles less noticeable. If you are still struggling with acne, it will likely end with this decade.

An alcohol-free toner is a gentle way to keep oiliness under control. You can still use a salicylic acid cleanser if you would like, but you will want to avoid anything that unnecessarily dries out your skin. You might have some dry patches on your cheeks and chin that are new; treat those with a heavier moisturizer, particularly overnight.

YOUR 40S

By the time you are in your 40s, your acne will probably be under control (though you might still experience a blemish or two during certain times of the month if you are menstruating), and most 40-somethings do have some lines around their eyes by now. If you do not, you can thank not only your conscientious skincare routines but also genetics!

By now, your collagen production has slowed down, so you will want to boost that to cut down on wrinkles and sag. You can use products or take supplements to boost collagen. Talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your daily regimen, especially if you take prescription medications. Serums containing vitamin C or copper (not at the same time) will encourage your body to create more collagen.

A hyaluronic acid serum is also essential at this age, as it will keep skin supple and full. Of course, you should not neglect the rest of your skincare: Washing, moisturizing, using sunscreen, and keeping yourself in good health overall will go far in making you glow throughout the second half of your life. Be sure you are getting enough shut-eye, too, as this can affect how well your skin repairs itself.

YOUR 50S AND BEYOND

There is no need to settle for looking older because your age starts with a five or a 6… or even a seven or an 8! There is still a lot you can do to make yourself look younger. Remember, age is only a number, so do not neglect your skin now. If you are a woman in your 50s or beyond, you might have already gone through menopause; if not, you will soon. These hormonal changes can make your skin thinner and more prone to wrinkles.

You will also produce less oil (you can finally say goodbye to acne for good!) and will need to take care not to strip the natural oils you do have from your skin. So, start by checking your cleanser and making sure that it is not drying out your skin. If washing your face makes it feel tight and dry, you need something that contains more moisture. A cream or oil cleanser often makes sense for those who are in their 50s and beyond.

When you exfoliate (which can be done less frequently than when you were in your younger years), you should be extra gentle. Remember that your skin is a bit more fragile now, so proceed gently. You can try out different anti-aging serums, and you might enjoy some facial massage to increase blood flow and encourage cell turnover. Also, continue to keep up with the sunscreen and moisturizer.

Keeping your skin looking beautiful throughout your life is a matter of paying attention to your skin and modifying your routines as you enter new stages of life. Work with your clinician to come up with the skincare routine that works for you!