Skincare in Your 20s
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What’s the difference between skincare for teenagers and skincare for those in their 20s? If you already have a good routine that works for you, feel free to keep it going! However, there are some products you might want to add to prevent premature aging of your skin.
Exfoliation
How important is it to exfoliate your skin? In your 20s, your skin’s natural cell turnover is at its peak and doesn’t need as much help as it does when your skin matures. Exfoliating 2-3 times a week with either AHA or BHA acids can be beneficial, but it's not a must—especially if you're using retinol (retinoids), which significantly boosts cell renewal. While exfoliation can help many, it’s not essential in your 20s, particularly if you're using retinol.
Keep in mind that over-exfoliating can lead to dryness, irritation, and worsened acne, so remember to take it easy.
Tip:
A slightly stronger exfoliation once a week can also work well. This way, it becomes easier to incorporate exfoliation into your routine.
Do you want to exfoliate?
Sensitive/Less Tolerant Skin - lactic acid From The Ordinary. Available at Kicks (it both exfoliates and moisturizes).
For glow and exfoliation: beautyact 7% AHA peeling pads 25 pcs kicks
Vitamin C Serum
When it comes to vitamin C, serums containing ascorbic acid are the best choice—they boost collagen production, protect against free radicals that can break down skin collagen, and even out skin tone.
Tip: Use a separate vitamin C serum for the best results. While antioxidants are often found in SPFs, they are rarely sufficient on their own.
Recommended Vitamin C Serum: Right now, there's only C-Glow. Never has a skincare product evened out skin tone so effectively and quickly. Likely the best skincare product of 2021 across all categories. You can buy it here.
Can’t Tolerate Vitamin C?
Niacinamide is another excellent antioxidant that works well during the day. Here’s a really good niacinamide serum available for around 100 SEK.
SPF
Did you think this post would skip mentioning SPF? That almost never happens. Regardless of age, SPF is your best friend every day.
Important! Sun damage you accumulate in your 20s won't show up immediately; it will emerge in your 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Tip: There’s a significant difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50, as SPF 50 provides almost double the protection. During fall and winter, SPF 30 is sufficient, but in spring and summer, SPF 50 is preferable.
Recommended SPFs:
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EVY Daily Defence Mousse: A primer and SPF in one, works as a day cream in spring and summer if you don’t have very dry skin. Available for purchase here.
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LRP Anthelios Ultra SPF: Creamy, great under makeup; available here.
Another Thing to Consider!
TITTT - "Take it to the tits," as Caroline Hirons often says. This means to cleanse, moisturize, and protect the skin on your neck and décolletage. Be cautious with acids, retinol, and vitamin C, as the skin on the neck is thinner and more sensitive than that on your face.
Retinol (Retinoids)
Before the age of 25, using retinol isn't always necessary, but if you have pigmentation issues or uneven skin texture (like comedones), a retinol serum can be beneficial. It boosts collagen production, smooths fine lines, reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, and much more.
Tip: A higher percentage does not equal better results. While a higher concentration may deliver faster results, over the long term (more than a year), the difference in results will be minimal. Start with a lower concentration and gradually work your way up if needed.
Important! Once you find a retinol (or retinoid) that works for you, there's no need to switch to something stronger. The risk of irritation exists, and the results in the long term will be very similar.
Beginners
Budget-Friendly Options for Beginners:
If you’re new to retinol (or retinoids) or have used them before, you can either stick with the same beginner products or try the ones mentioned here.
There are no products specifically designed for people in their 20s; that’s just marketing. Anyone can use anti-aging products. "Anti-aging" doesn’t mean much in a practical sense because, technically, all skincare has some anti-aging properties. The only way to truly avoid aging is, unfortunately, to die—which is not a great alternative.
Therefore, the focus should be on keeping your skin healthy, using SPF and antioxidants, and avoiding the temptation to use a multitude of products that can lead to issues like disrupted skin barrier, increased acne, and perioral dermatitis in the short or long term.
