If you are in your 20s, you most likely have youthful, radiant skin. Skincare may be among the last things on your mind right now. But sometimes people ask us how to take care of your skin in your 20s to maintain a young look for as long as possible.
The following information is general advice, for best results, you may need more personalized guidance from a skilled professional who factors in your overall health, lifestyle, and skin type.
The Best Cure is Prevention
Everyone ages, and it is unavoidable. However, some people seem to age faster than others. If you want to be that 40-year-old with fresh-looking skin that still gets carded in bars, you need a combination of luck, genetics, and a healthy lifestyle that prevents premature aging.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the top preventable causes of premature aging to the skin include:
- Sun damage
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Habits like repetitive facial expressions lead to expression lines
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Poor nutrition
This list probably has already given you ideas about what practices you can adopt now to maintain youthful-looking skin for longer in your life.
First, aim to live a healthy lifestyle. Luckily, many of the same actions that positively impact your overall health also benefit the skin. For example:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats consistently
- Remain physically active and exercise regularly
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption
- See your doctor and dentist regularly for preventative health exams and to treat any issues early
- Aim for about eight hours of sleep most nights
- Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day
- Manage lifestyle stress, it’s unavoidable, but there are a variety of stress management techniques that can help mitigate some of the stress
- Try to avoid tugging at your skin, squeezing it (like popping a pimple,) and otherwise damaging it
In addition to overall lifestyle habits, you can make a few skin-specific techniques now that help prevent premature aging.
Consistent Skin Care Routine
If you don’t have any skin problems like chronic acne, your skin may be pretty forgiving right now, but that will likely change over the years. Taking care of your skin now pays off in the future.
As mentioned, UV damage, especially from the sun, is a leading cause of premature aging. These same steps also help prevent skin cancer. The solution is to protect your skin from damaging rays. More specifically, this means:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day throughout the year. Aim for an SPF over 30. Broad spectrum means it protects against UVA and UVB rays; not all sunscreen products do this so read the label. Even if it is cloudy or you are in a car your skin may still get damaged.
- Consider a morning face skin care routine
- Consider wearing clothing to block sun damage, like hats, scarves, a rash guard while swimming, etc. This isn’t to say you can’t enjoy being out wearing cute summer clothes, just be sure to wear sunscreen and have a coverup handy in case you are not able to reapply the sunscreen.
- Wear sunglasses that also protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The sun also damages the eyes, but since we are on the subject of your skin, a good pair of sunglasses can prevent squinting that may lead to early expression lines.
In addition to wearing sunglasses, some cosmetic treatments may also help prevent expression lines. For example, injectables like Botox® temporarily relax targeted muscles that cause some expression lines like 11s between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. Relaxing them early decreases how often these muscles contract and, as a result, may delay getting those expression lines. According to the New York Times, more and more people in their 20s and 30s are seeking smaller doses of Botox® as a preventative measure.
Depending on your skin type, other medispa treatments like microneedling can also help rejuvenate your skin, especially if you start in your 20s and 30s. This is highly individual, so it may be worth consulting with a skin care specialist first.
If you have any skin conditions like acne, seek treatment to bring it under control so it doesn’t cause preventable damage, stress, or scarring to your skin. It can be too tempting to try different products, some of which might be a little too harsh or irritating for your skin type.
Finally, using quality skin care products like a gentle cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer, serum, or treatment for your specific skin care issues help. By consistently caring for your skin, you help it remain in good condition. Quality skin care products do not always have to cost a fortune, but they may be more expensive than drugstore products. To find the right mix of products, consider booking a consultation with a dermatologist or a medispa professional.
If you are in your twenties and have neglected your skin, you may be worried about how to take care of your skin in your 20s. The good news is that you improve your odds whenever you make positive changes.
There is no time like the present to start taking care of yourself and your skin, whether you are 14 years old or 54 years old. Positive actions you take now are a gift to your future self.
Schedule a Consultation with a Cosmetic Medical Professional
If you want more personalized guidance on how to take care of your skin on our 20s, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our providers.
The Skin Center by CPS helps Charlotte, NC, area residents of all ages look their best and be comfortable in their own skin. We are part of the Charlotte Plastic Surgery family and share its commitment to excellence and high standards.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment today.
