Skincare in Focus: What to do in your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond
Think back to your grooming habits as a teenager. Likely a pretty minimal effort, right? Hopefully you’ve since graduated from washing your face with bar soap and picked up positive lifestyle habits that contribute to healthy skin. But beyond healthy lifestyle habits, sometimes our skin needs an extra nudge, particularly as we progress in age. That’s where the right mix of homecare products come into play.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, and like our internal organs, its needs change and fluctuate in response to things like age, illness, stress, dietary choices, etc. Since age is one of the primary contributors to these changing needs, it only makes sense that what worked in our 20s is not going to cut when we reach our 40s. So, how do you know if you’re doing enough to address your skin’s current and future needs?
For starters, stop borrowing your girlfriend’s cleanser and start delivering exactly what your skin needs right now. But let’s further breakdown how to look your best as you age:
In your 20’s
The memories of teen acne may be in your rearview mirror, but your skin’s oil production may still be in overdrive thanks to heightened testosterone levels. Choose a refreshing cleanser with ingredients like zeolite to remove toxins, and an exfoliator to slough away dead skin and remove excess sebaceous oil. It may seem counterintuitive, but moisturizing is also key. Look for a lightweight moisturizer with ingredients like glycine soja (soybean) protein for collagen support, and D-boldine and superoxide dismutase for antioxidant support. This will keep your 20-something skin well balanced. And don’t skip the sunscreen. We may be partial, but we dig the EnviroProtect, a hydrator that doubles as a fast-absorbing sunblock (its light citrus scent is a bonus). SPF is seriously important to protect your skin all year long, not just after a day at the beach.
Remember the habits you create in your 20s will impact your skin in the long run. Your regimen moving forward should include a daily cleanser, regular exfoliation (which helps give you a great shave, too) and a moisturizer to lock in hydration. Tackle and prevent your occasional breakouts with CTRL.HALT.DEL which is especially convenient for swiping away oil and bacteria after the gym or when you’re on the go.
In your 30’s
You may feel like you’re still in your 20s but your face will begin to tell a different story. You might notice your skin feels drier and the texture may have changed. Those pesky developments are due to damage from UV rays, and declining oil and collagen production. In addition to wrinkles beginning to set in around your eyes and mouth, the rebound of the skin is changing from the 20’s. (ahem: puffy eyes after a night on the town).
Continue the habits you began implementing in your 20’s, but step up your pro-youth efforts by adding a serum into the mix to penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin. We’re big fans of Firming Peptide, which uses dipeptide and tetrapeptide complexes along with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, rich in vitamin C, to strengthen, tone and smooth while also reducing wrinkles.
Since eyes are the first to show your years, check out REDMethod’s Wrinkle Diminisher. It’s a light hydrating cream with fast absorption that gives eyes a youthful and more rested appearance. And again, don’t slack on the SPF. Sun protection is the best form of anti-aging you can get.
In your 40’s and beyond
Would you rather be a George Clooney or a Gary Busey? Because here’s the thing - there’s a big difference between rugged and distinguished versus burned out and worn out. There’s no escaping the passage of time, but you can avoid dull, lifeless skin by focusing on pro-youth products and prevention that keeps skin firm and smooth.
At this point you’ll want to introduce a skin corrective containing retinol combined with powerful antioxidants to penetrate the skin and tone, reduce lines and smooth the texture. And SPF is more important than ever to avoid skin cancer. Studies show melanoma is also on the rise with 39,000 new cases each year in men, and is the most common type of cancer for men over 50. Continue playing defense with REDMethod’s Ultimate Age Control for younger, healthier and more refined looking skin.
Daily skincare is a must because as we get older sporadic maintenance isn’t going to cut it. Armed with the right habits and products, no matter your decade, you’ll feel confident in your skin.