Do you ever wish that taking care of your skin was as simple as lather, rinse and repeat? Unfortunately, the needs of your skin change about as frequently as your favorite shade of lipstick — and, if you want to stay relevant, your beauty regimen has to keep up with the times.
Knowing what to expect as you age is the first step to staying beautiful. Here's a decade-by-decade beauty routine for luminous skin at every age.
Your 20s
In your 20s, prevention is key. If you’re staying up late partying or working, start on an anti-aging regimen that can fend off wrinkles and lines. Get enough sleep, wash your face regularly, and begin a skincare regimen. Also, try to prevent exposure to pollution, especially smog and particulates. Environmental damage can take a toll on your skin even if you’re young, causing redness and ruddiness from poor circulation and a network of broken capillaries. You should:
• Reach for retinoids
Choose a gentle retinoid formulation and use it two or three times a week to prevent breakouts, undo sun damage, and boost collagen production. Use it in the evening in conjunction with a daily moisturizer that has at least
• Start the day with a gentle cleanser
Cleansers should remove dirt and oil on the skin, but they shouldn’t be abrasive. A fragrance-free, moisturizing facial wash is ideal.
• Invest in a potent eye cream
Eyes tend to show signs of aging first. You can head them off by using an eye cream with caffeine and antioxidants to reduce morning puffiness.
• Exfoliate a few times a week
Doing so will slough off any dead skin cells leaving you with healthy, dewy skin.
Your 30s
In your 30s, stress can manifest itself on
• Exfoliate in the evenings rather than the daytime
Overnight skin is in renewal mode and removing
• Keep your skin well moisturized
Showers should be less than five minutes and water temperature lukewarm. Using a moisturizing body wash is important as well to preserve the protective moisture barrier of
• Drink plenty of water
Add lemon or lime juice for an extra boost. And eat well. A healthy, colorful high-fiber diet that increases internal alkalinity (think a Mediterranean-style diet) works wonders.
Your 40s
Once you’re in your 40s, you’re starting to deal with actual wrinkles: lines around your lips, nose, mouth, and lines between your eyebrows. A good diet, daily moisturizing and more advanced skincare products to repair environmental damage all can make a difference at this age. Consistency is key: If you take care of your skin,
• Use a lifter to improve skin’s elasticity
Over time, skin loses elasticity and can begin to sag. Anti-aging cosmetics that contain peptides help increase firmness and improve elasticity.
• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
As we age, skin tends to become drier because oil-producing glands become less active. You should choose an oil-based moisturizer that contains petrolatum as the base, along with antioxidants or alpha
• Focus on the eyes
Making your eyes the focal point of your face will detract attention from any fine lines or wrinkles. Avoid shimmer and glitter shades, which can age you.
• Continue to protect your skin from the sun
Sunscreen is still a very important part of your routine because continuous exposure to the sun over years can cause damage to your skin. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with
Your 50s
Moisture is your main concern once you reach your 50s. Sagging,
• Wash your face twice daily
Use a non-soap cleanser or a creamy, foaming wash.
• Use a moisturizer that contains an antioxidant like vitamin C while your face is still damp
Serums
Your 60s
Sagging skin is the main problem in your 60s. But a combination of good skincare and intense beauty treatments, such as deep-laser surfacing for wrinkles or a
• Use a gentle non-drying cleanser on your face and neck
Follow this with a daily moisturizer with SPF and an anti-aging night cream. Look for ingredients like soy isoflavones, which nourish and firm skin.
• Consider Botox and fillers
Both are helpful treatments for lines and wrinkles.
More intense treatments, such as deep-laser resurfacing, might also be needed. Skin-tightening treatments have a limited effect, so this may be the time to consider a facelift.
Your 70s ... and beyond
Once you
• Cleanse, moisturize, and hydrate
Use a gentle cleanser and follow it with a facial oil and
• Look for skincare products that contain these ingredients:
- Ceramides (moisturizes)
- Low-dose alpha-hydroxy acids
- Retin-A (promotes skin cell turnover)
- Physical and chemical sunscreens to protect extra delicate skin
• Avoid harsh treatments
At this stage in life, your skin is beyond fragile, so all of those potent anti-aging treatments you used in the past are going to damage your complexion. This includes peels, scrubs, and high-dose
• Try some med spa treatments
Deep-surface fractional lasers can revive deeper wrinkles and pigmentation. Dermal fillers also help you get your cheekbones back and take care of prominent nasal labial folds. Ultrasound treatments can have an additional lifting and toning effect.
Beauty for life
As you age, your skin begins to lose its elasticity, wrinkles appear, and lines begin to form around the eyes and mouth. That’s not to say that these hallmarks of natural aging don’t contain their own beauty — a certain sexiness that only comes with maturity attends them — but
References
- "3 Decades of Beautiful Skin," Prevention, November 3, 2011.
- "11 Tips for Beautiful Skin at Every Age," Spry Living, April 10, 2015.
- "Defy the Decades: Skin Care Tips for Every Age," Today, May 10, 2013.
- "Skincare by the Decade," Oprah.com, August 21, 2017.
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LBL Team
Team LA is comprised of a group of diverse and talented writers that offer unique viewpoints and expertise to help enrich readers’ lives. Whether it’s finding the perfect moisturizer for your skin type or figuring out how to navigate challenges in your life, we’ve got your back!