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Top Things You Should Be Doing for Your Skin in Your 20s

Are you still using the same skincare products you were using as a teen?  Chances are, whatever you have been using is not doing enough to protect your skin from the elements or keep it as healthy as possible as you begin to age. That’s OK. Your 20s are the time to start really taking care of your skin and trust me, your older self will thank you!

Adolescent skincare products may be great for adolescent skin, but as adults, we need to be investing in our skin to keep it in great condition for the decades to come. After all, skin shows signs of aging like no other organ in our body. A lot of changes come in our 20s, and a brand new skincare routine should be one of them!

I remind my patients every day that taking care of your skin isn’t only about looking good; it is also about staying healthy.  We all know overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer and early wrinkle onset, but did you know that in our mid-20s we begin to see a decline in the elasticity of our skin? Our once youthful appearance begins to fade as our skin begins to sag. It just doesn’t seem fair, but aging starts when we’re young! Fortunately, there are simple, easy things you can do to establish a routine that you can use to keep looking your best into your 30s, 40s and beyond.

First, establish a plan.  By this, I mean more than a trip to the beauty aisle or counter. Take the time for a consultation with a certified dermatologist to determine which products are right for you and your skin in this decade and to help you with a skincare routine now that will lay the foundation for lasting beautiful skin. I help young people like yourself establish a routine that is suited to your skin, easy to follow and is flexible for the different seasons, as your skin’s needs will fluctuate with your surroundings.

Second, protect your skin! I simply can’t say this enough. Whether it is summer or winter, sunny or cloudy, always protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. Make sunscreen part of your daily habit and apply it to your face, neck, chest, and hands. Wash your face every night, too. We are exposed daily to all kinds of pollutants that settle on our skin and can do harm. Simply washing your face every night will help minimize these effects, keep breakouts at bay and aid in the anti-aging process. You also want to be using the right products to keep your skin hydrated. Not all skin types are the same, as you know, but even oily skin needs to be moisturized. Periodic exfoliation will also help protect your skin. Sloughing off dead skin cells encourages collagen production which is vital to skin health as we age, plus it has the added benefit of brightening your skin.

Finally, prepare.  As you move closer to your 30s, you may start to notice fine lines or crow’s feet developing around your eyes, or the furrows between your eyes don’t smooth out as quickly as they used too. Well, you are not alone and it’s really no surprise as the eyes are the first part of the face to show signs of aging. The second half of your 20s is the time to start damage control to minimize the unwelcome changes to your skin that tend to show up after 30. I recommend adding an antioxidant to your skincare routine to help fight off free radicals which can lead to loss of volume, wrinkles and dry or dull skin.

As a board-certified dermatologist, I am here to guide you on your skincare journey. I want you to have beautiful, youthful skin as you age, so I invite you to schedule a consultation today to map out your lifelong plan for youthful, healthy skin.

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