Once you find your favoured skincare regime it’s tempting to stay loyal for life, but switching up your products is the wise way to fight the signs of ageing.
You know the feeling, you find some skincare that makes your skin look and feel incredible and you never want to use anything else. But one day, you feel like you need a little more moisture, or it’s just not sitting on your skin the way it used to. That’s because, over time our skin changes. The products we use in our 20s won’t be right for our 35 year old skin, and the skincare we settle on in our 30s won’t make our 50 year old skin feel as good. It’s all about knowing what ingredients can maximise the health and look of your skin depending on your age. Read on, to learn what skincare you should be using depending on your age…
20s
Enjoy your skin because right now, it contains pretty much everything, naturally, that you’ll be trying to put back in in later years. In your 20s you won’t really see the effects of late nights, sun exposure and hard living, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t invisible damage being done that you’ll pay the price for later down the line. Be mindful to protect it from free radicals, so wear sunscreen and keep your skin hydrated. We know you know this, but cleansing your makeup off before bed is a beauty ‘law’ for a reason…
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that’s great to use at any age, but particularly in your 20s when, chances are, a few too many late nights are a solid part of your lifestyle. Antioxidants help to counteract any damage done and what’s more, they work a treat for diminishing dullness, warding off environmental stressors and diminishing the look of any fine lines that may be starting to appear as you edge towards the big three-o. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23%, £4.90, contains a high dosage of vitamin C (it’s only effective in concentrations over 20%), so you can be reassured that the antioxidant you’re applying can make a difference.
If you haven’t familiarised yourself with acid toners yet, now is the time. Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, £55, is great for providing a mild, gentle exfoliation. It has a high content of AHA, so not only will it slough away any dead skin but also help regulate oil production and main the pH level of your skin.
Protecting your skin now will pay dividends in the future, so try using products with SPF. Not only does Estee Lauder Daywear Anti Oxidant Beauty Benefit BB Creme SPF 35, £35, give you full spectrum protection, it also gives daily moisturisation and the BB adds a flattering veil to your complexion.
30s
This is the decade where things begin to change because it’s from your 30s that the amount of natural collagen your skin stores begins to diminish. That plump, fresh-looking skin that you’re so used to and take for granted now needs you to help it along. You’re more than likely going to see fine lines and wrinkles develop, and your skin may begin to feel less taut to the touch.
Again, look for products that contain Vitamin C because as well as being crucial for the formation of collagen, it can also help with skin brightening. Focus on exfoliation, to help skin stay radiant, and regeneration so you can keep uneven, dull skin at bay. Certified organic and filled with natural ingredients to support smooth, nourished skin, The Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate, £25, will keep your complexion bouncy and help keep skin healthy.
40s
As well as the other signs of ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and uneven skin tone, over time your skin will also lose its density and become thinner. This is why plumping your skin will become a crucial step in your skincare. Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid because it can hold 1000x its weight in water in your skin and is an acid that the body produces naturally.
This is the decade to think about textures and if you’re scared of oils, or find them fiddly, it might be time to rethink. Used at night they can help deliver active ingredients into your skin while nourishing and making skin soft, supple and glowing. Featuring patented Miracle Broth which sounds incredible before you even know what it does, Creme de la Mer The Renewal Oil, £160, is specially designed to support collagen production and tone the skin. Trilogy Rosehip Oil, £34.50, is rich in fatty acids and Omega 3, 6 and 9 to feed and nourish skin.
50+
Remember puberty? Well, in your 50s you go through some significant hormone changes that can upset your skin’s equilibrium. While acne may have characterised your teenage skin, this time around it’s dryness. Not only will this mean rethinking your skincare, but you may find that the make-up textures you’ve been loyal to for years start to look and feel wrong on your skin.
Your main objective is to hydrate and nurture your skin and look for skincare that’s rich in ceramides and glycerin that will feed your skin with much needed hydration, and will also protect the moisture barrier. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Time Complex Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, £82, provides little single-serving doses of enriched ceramide to replenish skin’s natural ceramide production and nourish skin deep down while Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Ageing 5% AHA Daily Treatment, £31, is designed to smooth, brighten and firm skin while stimulating skin’s natural collagen production.
