It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young and when it comes to skin, that is probably true. If you’re in your 20s, your skin is probably at its absolute best, so enjoy it for all its worth; but remember, having great skin doesn’t mean you can just let it go.
In this article, we’re going to discuss how you can expect your skin to change in your 20s, lifestyle changes you should make in your 20s, things you should stop doing in your 20s, and the best skincare routine for your 20s.
Developing a good skin care routine in your 20s is sort of like taking care of your car before that little red “Check Engine” light goes on. If you start taking care of your skin now, you’ll have way fewer skin issues—like fine lines and wrinkles—later on!
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Skin care in your 20s is about maintaining healthy skin, as well as prevention. It’s crucial to begin a skin care routine to help prevent sun damage and common signs of aging.
Good to Know: Don’t go to sleep with your makeup on. The makeup and dirt and oil from the day can clog your pores if left on overnight.
Recommended Products: Starter Set and Deluxe Set.
Skin in Your 20s
In some ways, when you’re in your 20s, your skin is the most stable it will ever be, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes. Here’s a short list of some of the changes your skin might experience in your 20s.
You May Experience Breakouts
Thought you were over breakouts? Maybe not! Between stress, hormones, birth control, pregnancy, and increased sebum production, breakouts can definitely still happen.
You May Start Seeing the Effects of Sun Damage
You may find that those cute little freckles you used to get in the summer are now visible year-round, or that your skin has a bit of an uneven tone to it, thanks to some bad burns.
You Might Look More Tired Than You Used To
After pulling an all-nighter, you’ll probably see it on your face the next day in the form of dark, under eye circles or just a general dullness to your skin.
You May Start Seeing the First Signs of Aging
While things like fine lines may not show up until your late 20s, lifestyle choices can definitely contribute to premature signs of aging. Let’s talk about what you can do to keep your skin in its best shape for the decades to come.
Where to Start
Establish a Routine
Building any daily routine that you stick to is the first step to great skin health. At the minimum, a good skincare routine will include a cleanser, an eye cream, and a moisturizer (adding sunscreen during the day when you go outside) – and this only takes a handful of minutes each day to complete. If you have specific concerns to address, you may need to add other treatment products to your routine.
If you’re looking to begin with a quick and simple routine, our Starter Set includes the basics: cleanser, eye cream and moisturizer; and it lasts about 3 months.
However, if you have a bit more time to spare to invest in your future self, or if you have specific concerns you want to address now, a few extra (yet easy) steps will help you reach your skincare goals.
Adding treatment products such as a serum or mask will help you target any issues you may be experiencing. We also love using a toner to help balance and calm our skin. If you want to invest in your skin, our 5-Step Routine is for you. This routine includes using a cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream and moisturizer.
Below, we will outline the best basic skin care routine and the best full skin care routine for your 20s.
Find an Affordable Skin Care Line
Consider the ingredients you put on your skin. Look for clean beauty products, meaning they are safe, nontoxic and transparent with their ingredient labeling.
Because you’re presumably going to be using that skin care line for years to come, it’s best to find a skin care brand that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg every time you need to replenish. Using the same brand and line or skincare products is ideal, as they were created to work well together to give you the best results.
That’s one reason why we decided to create a line of clean beauty products that are vegan, cruelty free, and all under $80.
Best Basic Skin Care Routine for Your 20s
We get it. You’re busy conquering the world and have little time for a 7 step skin care routine. Not to worry– taking care of your skin does not have to be complicated.
Here’s where to start when you want to establish a simple and easy skin care routine:
1. Cleanser
Start with a gentle cleanser to rid of impurities like excess oil, dead skin and pollutants from the air around you. Our So Clean! facial cleanser will help remove makeup without drying out your skin. Cleanse your skin both morning and evening.
2. Eye Cream
Regular ol’ moisturizer just won’t cut it, as it isn’t formulated to treat the thinner, more delicate skin around your eyes. Gently apply a nourishing eye cream like Eyes Eyes Baby to help rid of the dark circles and puffiness that results from a long night out. Use AM & PM.
3. Moisturizer
Keep your skin hydrated and happy by applying a moisturizer like our H2 Oh Yeah all over your face and your neck, morning and evening. Face creams are full of ingredients to lock in much needed moisture throughout the day, keeping it smooth and nourished.
4. Sunscreen
To finish up, apply sunscreen all over your face and neck. Your skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, even if it’s cloudy outside. The sun can prematurely age your skin, causing dark spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Always. Wear. Sunscreen.
Best Full Skin Care Routine for Your 20s
Here are all the steps you can take to keep your skin looking and feeling its absolute best.
1. Cleanse
Our So Clean! facial cleanser is a perfect choice for those looking for an affordable clean beauty option. It will help remove your make-up and rid your skin of the dirt, excess oil and pollutants that it comes into contact with throughout the day. Cleanse morning and evening.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating a few times a week helps to unclog pores and restore a healthy glow to your complexion. It help other products—like your moisturizer— work more effectively. You can also use a detoxifying mask to help exfoliate and purify your skin. Our Prince Charcoal detox mask works to draw out dirt, oil and other impurities while nourishing your skin. Exfoliate 1-3 times a week.
3. Tone
It’s possible you’ve never used a toner before, so adding this step may be new to you. We suggest starting with a simple hydrating toner, such as our Rose and Shine rose water toner, to balance your skin after you cleanse your skin. This toner can also be spritzed on throughout the day to refresh your skin.
4. Treat
When you want to treat a specific concern, such as even skin tone or really dry skin, use a serum. Serums are highly concentrated products that deliver potent ingredients deep into your skin for the best possible results. For example, a vitamin C serum like our Nectar of the C will even and brighten your skin tone and even reduce the appearance of dark spots, if you have any.
But that’s not all serums do! If your skin is a little on the oily side—which is actually pretty common in your 20s—you can use a serum that exfoliates and balances excessive oils. If you find your skin is sensitive and easily irritated—also common at this stage of life—the emollient effect of serum will help soothe and calm the skin. Use serums twice a day for best results.
Many serums also contain antioxidants which help protect the skin. Our Just Dew It hydrating serum is full of naturally derived antioxidants to shield your skin from harmful environmental stressors.
Experiencing a break-out? There are some great anti-acne treatments out there that can just be applied to the affected area (as opposed to your whole face). Our advice is to experiment a bit with one or two, so if you happen to get a breakout before a big event, you know you have a product you can rely on! Look for products that both treat breakouts and calm your skin, allowing it to heal properly. Acne treatments only need to be applied when necessary.
5. Eye Cream
The skin around your eyes is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, and thus it needs a product specifically designed to treat it. Look for an eye cream that is moisturizing and includes ingredients like caffeine, which will help to perk up your skin after a late night out. Use AM and PM.
6. Moisturize
Even if you don’t have any signs of lines or wrinkles, you still need to make sure your skin is completely hydrated. Use a moisturizer like our H2 Oh Yeah all over your face and your neck to restore hydration and moisture to the skin. It’s best to use a moisturizer both morning and evening.
7. Protect
Before applying make-up, be sure to apply a layer of sunscreen to your face, neck, and any exposed skin. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see the sun, you need sunscreen.
Things You Should Stop Doing To Protect Your Skin in Your 20s
Now that you’re in your 20s, bad lifestyle habits really start to show on your face. Luckily, just a few little adjustments to your daily routine will make a huge difference to your skin.
Stop Eating Junk
We hate to tell you this, but if it hasn’t already, your skin will suffer from a lack of nutrients in your diet , resulting in general dullness or even break outs. Cutting out processed foods and introducing nutrient-rich, whole foods to your diet will make a world of difference.
Stop Sunbathing
There is almost nothing you could do that’s worse for your skin than to spend time baking in the sun. If you really want great skin later on in life, kiss your sunbathing days goodbye.
Stop Smoking
Clearly, there are a lot of reasons we could give on why you should stop. But when it comes to your skin, smoking is one of the best ways to ensure you will have wrinkles prematurely.
Stop Drinking Soda
We know—it doesn’t seem like soda is that big a deal, but in fact, it is. Soda is often full of caffeine, which can seriously dehydrate your skin. It’s also full of processed sugar, which puts you at greater risk of breakouts. Try drinking sparkling water instead; you’ll keep your skin hydrated and still get your bubbly-fix.
Stop Experimenting With Products
It’s time to settle down and commit to a real program with products that work together to keep your skin looking its best. If you’re still using a few products from here and a few products from there, they may actually be working at cross purposes. Find a comprehensive skin care routine that’s easy to maintain, sticking to products that work in harmony with each other.
Stop Going To Sleep With Your Make-Up On
Most make-up is full of unwanted oils and other junk that can clog your pores and make your skin break out. Keep your skin healthy by removing the day’s makeup and completing the rest of your routine at the end of every day.
Alright– we are all done telling you what not to do. If you are ready to invest in your skin, start with our Deluxe Skincare Set – it contains 5 steps for the price of 4!
