Taking care of your skin shouldn’t begin at the first sight of aging. It should start years – ahem, decades – before. Of course, we recommend sipping on your Collagen Beauty Glow to help support a glowing complexion thanks to the presence of skin-saving ingredients hyaluronic acid, biotin, and vitamin C. But a detail-oriented skincare routine should always come first. And (surprise!) it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, it only requires a few key actions, like always removing your makeup before bed and lathering on sunscreen before leaving home.
Ahead, Eran Crothers, an esthetician with over 20 years of experience, shares the skincare products and must-dos to incorporate in your day, at every age.
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Skincare in Your 20s
“It’s such a crucial time to care for your skin!” Crothers tells Lively of your 20s. If you want to keep things low-maintenance, then you’re in luck. Remember to always remove your makeup and cleanse your skin before going to sleep; it’s key at any age. Why? “Sleeping with makeup on ages your skin 7x faster,” says Crothers.
Soaking up the sun (all that vitamin D is important!) should also be priority – but it should be done mindfully, i.e. slathering on UVA/UVB sunscreen protection before going outside.
You should also add eye cream to your shopping list because according to Crothers, it’s “hands down the best thing you can start using in your 20s.” Complement your eye cream usage by wearing sunglasses to lessen squinting, which may lead to fine lines.
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Skincare in Your 30s
On top of following every step that’s recommended for you to follow in your 20s, Crothers also suggests adding twice weekly exfoliation in your 30s. “You’ll want to shed those dead skin cells!” she tells Lively. “Buildup leads to dullness and clogged pores.” Follow up with a toner and moisturizer that contains retinol. “The ingredient can help to speed up your cell turnover process, leaving skin smoother.”
Hydration should also be given extra attention. And no, we’re not just talking about chugging your H20. Applying an active hydration serum locks in moisture from the air, a positive for your skin. Using lip balm that contains vitamin E helps to produce lips’ own natural moisturizer, too.
Skincare in Your 40s & 50s
Continuing your skincare routine from your 20s and 30s is essential. If you haven’t done so already, Crothers recommends adding in a gentle cleanser or hydrating cleanser to your morning and nighttime routine in your 40s and 50s. “And water!” she adds. “Hydration is always a huge help with the appearance of your skin.”