A question I get a lot is about “when to start anti aging skincare”. Before I jump into this, I honestly hate the term anti-aging. Aging is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience. A lot of brands advertise and sell an anti aging skincare product but the reality is that aging isn’t truly “preventable” and it’s a very normal part of life.
I want to encourage people to love their skin – acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and all. However, I do understand the want to ~age gracefully~, so here are my tips on building an anti aging skincare routine.
The best anti aging product
A lot of brands will say you need an eye cream, expensive skincare product, or a monthly chemical peel to prevent signs of aging. But if there’s one “anti aging cream” that you need to include in your routine, it’s sunscreen.
Trust me on this one – using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ is the most important part of an anti aging skin care regime.
Sunscreen helps to protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays. And did you know that sun damage is the #1 reason for aging? If you’re wondering whether you should be using a chemical vs mineral sunscreen, I’ve got a full blog post here.
When to start anti aging skincare for each decade
Depending on your age, I may recommend a different anti aging ingredient or skin care product. Let’s break down what my top recommendations are for each decade:
Youth & Teens
In your youth and teen years, daily sun protection is all you truly “need”.
Did you know? The sun spots or age spots that appear in your 20s and 30s are actually from your teenage years. Using sunscreen daily when you’re young will pay off! It’s much easier to prevent sun damage vs correcting it later.
If you’re wondering how to get started on a skincare routine, I’d recommend a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. The only time I’d add something additional is if you’re acne-prone.
If you’re dealing with acne in your teens, try using beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid) a few times a week to help combat mild breakouts.
In your 20’s
In your late 20’s, your skin’s collagen production can start to slow down. Everyone’s skin produces collagen, but the rate in which it’s produced slows down over time.
There’s no need to be alarmed, but taking care of your skin can help minimize signs of aging. Here are my three routine recommendations:
☀️ Sunscreen, daily! Again, sunscreen is a key part of an anti aging regimen. Use it every single day!
🌟 Retinoids. One of my favorite ingredients to include in an anti aging routine is a retinoid. There are many types of retinoids, including retinyl palmitate, retinol, tretinoin, and more. If you’re wondering what the difference is between a retinol vs retinoid, read my full blog post!
Retinoids are vitamin a derivatives that have great anti aging benefits. I’d recommend incorporating them into your routine a few times a week to help improve cell turnover and collagen production.
🍊 Antioxidants! Antioxidants help to protect your skin from free radicals and sun damage. Vitamin c is one of my favorite antioxidants, and there are so many different kinds of vitamin c. It’s not a necessity, vitamin c products are a nice anti aging serum option.
In your 30’s
In your 30’s, you may start to notice a bit of dullness in your skin. Signs of aging may also begin to look a bit more noticeable. Again, not the end of the world, but you may notice more of an uneven skin tone.
Typically my recommendations are pretty universal:
☀️ Sunscreen again. I’ll talk your ear off but there is no “anti wrinkle cream” that’s more effective than good old SPF.
🌟 Continue using retinoids and antioxidant serums to treat signs of aging and protect the skin. These are truly
✨ For a little extra glow, you might consider adding an exfoliating acid like glycolic acid to your skin care routine. A chemical exfoliator can help treat uneven skin texture and brighten the skin by removing dead skin cell at the surface of the skin.
In your 40’s
In your 40’s, wrinkles start to appear deeper and your skin starts producing less oil, so your skin may feel drier than before.
Again, my anti aging recommendations are pretty universal:
☀️ Sunscreen is and always will be a core part of an anti aging skin care routine.
🌟 Retinoids and antioxidants will continue to improve collagen production. If you’re using a retinol serum, you could consider graduating to tretinoin or a dermatologist-prescribed retinoid for increased strength.
✨ An alpha hydroxy acid can continue to help brighten the skin.
💦 Lots of moisturizer. Consider switching to a richer cream with glycerin or hyaluronic acid to help combat dryness! I also love facial oils to add a little extra nourishment.
In your 50’s and beyond
In your 50’s, your skin continues to lose collagen and can start to droop. Sun damage may appear more prominent than before. As you continue to age, wrinkles and loss of firmness will continue to change over time. This is completely normal and no anti aging treatment can take it away completely.
Here, I’d keep most of my recommendations the same:
☀️ Continue wearing your SPF. This will help prevent sun spots and hyperpigmentation from worsening.
🌟 Continue retinoids and antioxidants. These are two proven anti aging ingredients that will help keep your skin healthy.
✨ AHA’s are still an option if you’d like to wake up with brighter skin.
💦 Continue moisturizing your skin well. Dry skin becomes more often as you age, so proper moisturizer is key.
Overall anti aging recommendations
If you’ve wondered when to start anti aging skincare, I’d recommend starting with sunscreen ASAP, and try incorporating a retinoid in your 20s or 30s. Don’t stress too much, aging truly is a privilege and signs of aging are signs of life!
If you’d like to get filler, botox, or other cosmetic procedures to help you feel confident in your skin, I’m all for doing what makes you feel your best.
At the end of the day, a lot of how your skin ages depends on how you take care of it, along with genetics! Remember to love your natural skin as it is – wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and all.
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