Your twenty-something skin has something to tell you: Baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Because once your thirties roll around, you can say hello to visible signs of aging such as fine lines, dark spots – and possibly even some new adult acne! How you treat your skin today decides whether you’ll want to thank yourself for it later or wish you could turn back time to do it better. Your 20s is the time to seriously nurture the complexion, rethink your routine, and give it a serious makeover – but where do you even start?
If you’re unsure of the first steps, don’t sweat it. We’ve got you covered by rounding up the skincare products you should start using before you enter the third decade. So whether you want to ensure wrinkle-free skin is in the future or you simply want to maintain its long-term health, implementing these products into your skincare stash is crucial.
8 Skincare Products Every Woman Should Use Before Her 30s
A Gentle Cleanser
So if you’re turning the big 3-0 this year, you might be thinking about how you can spend a little cash on yourself, and our first choice is always on some good old-fashioned self-care – namely updating your skincare routine. It’s always nice to have a gentle cleanser on hand, especially in the morning when you really only have natural oils and the product from the night before to clean off.
C For Yourself
Vitamin C serums packed with anti-oxidants are a must for an added layer of sun protection. Everyone should know that sunscreen is not a complete block. UV rays to still penetrate, so it’s nicer to wear something underneath the SPF to neutralise the free radicals that are released. Some sunscreen formulas claim to have antioxidants in them, but it’s better to use them separately.
SPF Is Your BFF
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of any skincare routine. There are many formulations to choose from, but you should pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher. It’s best to look for ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which create a nice even finish and can cause fewer breakouts in 20-something.
Retinol Treatment FTW!
Retinols are still gold-standard. They have been proven to build collagen, treat the skin, and also to recover photoaging. Pick a mild, over-the-counter retinol product that’s not too exfoliating or irritating, and start by using it every other night. You can mix a little moisturiser with your retinol to make it more tolerable. It’s best to start using a retinol product in your late 20s so you can work yourself up to prescription-strength retinol by your late 30s or 40s.
Eye Spy
The skin around our eyes is thin and fragile, and, as such, requires a little extra TLC. By increasing collagen production, an eye cream can help thicken this thin skin and improve fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. The key here is to look out for retinol-based eye creams that are specifically formulated to be extra hydrating and minimise the likelihood of irritation.
A Chemical Exfoliant
Once you hit your second decade, some people might start to see early signs of smoking or sun damage and want to be more aggressive in treating it. There are a lot of amazing chemical exfoliants to use at home once a week or every two weeks to exfoliate the skin.
Body Polish
Always pair exfoliation with hydration. When one exfoliates, it also removes your natural oils along with dead skin cells. Too much exfoliation can dry out your skin. This is why a gentle exfoliating body polish that moisturises while exfoliating is the way to glow.
Hyaluronic-Acid Infused Products
Meet the skincare ingredient that needs no introduction. Enter: Hyaluronic acids. NGL, the beauty world has been obsessed with the skin-boosting powers of this clever sugar molecule for quite some time now. From boosting skin’s natural protection to being a glow-inducing and anti-aging elixir – Hyaluronic acid has infinite beauty benefits.
You need to start using these RTFN!
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