Introduction
It shouldn’t come as a surprise when products that used to work in your 20’s no longer do it for you in your 30’s. Our bodies change as we age and so does our skin given it’s the largest organ in the body. This means we need to constantly adjust our skincare routine to match our skin’s needs. In fact, skincare experts highly recommend taking care of your skin depending on the decade of your life to prevent premature ageing.
Here are 9 Factors That Affect the Skin as We Age
- Hormones
- Genetics
- Medication
- Diet
- Exercise
- Gender
- Sun damage
- Sleeping habits
- Stress
Skincare In Your 20s
The tricky thing about the skin in your 20s is that it’s changing without you even noticing it. Collagen decreases by 1% each year once you hit your 20s – BUMMER right? The result? Fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. The key is to get a decent routine to prepare your skin for the times ahead.
A basic 3-step routine consisting of a cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen should be your starting point always. Exposure to UV rays from the sun speed up collagen loss making sunscreen crucial. Check out our sunscreen guide and the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen here to make informed skincare choices.
We recommend levelling up your skincare beyond the basics once you hit your mid and late 20s even if just to prevent premature ageing. This right here is a major self-love tip in itself with sheet masks (easy to use) and toner pads (killer makeup hack) being at the forefront of your potential personal revolution. Adding the right serums and toners to your routine and layering them well if you have adult acne, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, stressed or irritated skin, and dry skin, for instance, will also help you keep these issues under control. Read on AHA’s and BHA’s and exfoliation for more.
PS – You can read on one of our co-founder’s journeys with adult acne here and see if you relate.
Skincare In Your 30s
The first effects of sun damage in teenage years and your 20s are likely to start showing at this time (yikes). Just do your homework if you can y’all! Collagen continues to degrade at 1% every year as well so you may see fine lines and wrinkles forming. Skin barrier function also weakens, metabolic processes of the cell begin to slow down making skin appear dull, and the skin starts losing moisture due to less production of hyaluronic acid.
The key to skincare in your 30s is antioxidants to brighten dull skin, repair some of the sun damage that may have accumulated over the years, and rejuvenate collagen production. A peptide-based serum will accelerate skin healing, increase skin renewal, slow down ageing, reduce wrinkles, boost collagen and elastin synthesis, and promote skin rejuvenation. A vitamin c serum, particularly one blended with other antioxidants will also get the job done – protect the skin from environmental damage, hydrate, and brighten the skin.
Pro tip – Look for plant-based products as these have high concentrations of antioxidants and make relevant skincare supplements a must-have while at it.
Skincare In Your 40s to Late 50s
The structure of the skin gradually changes at this stage and major changes to its firmness occurs. Loss of volume, increased roughness and dryness, increase in fine lines, age spots, development of deep wrinkles, impaired healing of wounds, and loss of elasticity are common issues. One major contributing factor is degeneration of the skin’s building blocks, that is, thinning of the epidermis and the dermis losing its water-binding ability and nutrients. Reduced blood flow to the skin also causes it to appear dull on the outside.
Being extremely diligent with your routine and intentional with the ingredients you use is the key to navigating skincare in this stage. High moisture ingredients such as ectoin, soothing ingredients such as cica, regenerating ingredients such as peptides, brightening ingredients such as niacinamide, anti-ageing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, and gentle products in general are your best bet.
Pro tip – Moisturise is your friend.
Skincare In Your 60s, 70s, and Above
It’s never too late to start and maintain a healthy skincare routine. Anti-aging, hydration, and moisture need to be your main focus at this stage. Ingredients to look out for in this regard include squalane, retinol, niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Keep your routine simple and gentle, and remember to embrace the skin you’re in.
Which stage are you currently in and what will you be adding to your routine? 🙂
