We just get one skin to last a lifetime so taking care of it from your teens and adapting to changes as you age will keep your skin healthy and fit as long as you are! I wrote a previous post about how age is not a skin type to explain why you can’t purchase skincare according to classifications such as ‘mature’ skin and have since had lots of questions as to what you CAN use at any given age on ‘average’ skin.
There are no hard and fast rules, as skin can do anything at any age, but if you have no particular issues, here are some general guidelines for caring for your skin through every decade:
Teens:
This is the time to establish a good cleansing routine. Use a gentle cleanser every night and a mineral-based sunscreen daily. This will protect your skin from age-related damage showing up in years to come.
If acne-prone use a cleanser containing salicylic acid daily and see a specialist esthetician for acne clearing products and advice. Never try to treat acne yourself.
Key Skin Essentials Products: Salicylic Cleanser, SPF30.
Treatments: none unless acne is present
20’s
This is the time when your skin is at is most naturally beautiful. Protect it with daily SPF30 and cleanse well at night. Begin use of a hydrating/nourishing serum to keep your skin at it’s best. Prevention is always better than cure.
Key Skin Essentials Products: Daily Nutrient Serum, SPF30
Treatments: a customised facial every 3 months will keep skin at it’s best.
30’s
This is when lifestyle choices can start to catchup with you in fine lines and loss of tone. Begin an anti-ageing regime early to slow down further signs of ageing. Use a serum containing hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and include a retinol/vitamin A product at night. As always use a sunblock daily.
Key Skin Essentials Products: Hyaluronic Serum, Lipid Repair Concentrate
Treatments: a customised monthly facial will keep trouble at bay!
40’s
It is in your 40’s that sun damage from your childhood and teens starts to show in patches of hyperpigmentation and uneven texture. Supplement your homecare routine with clinical enzyme or acid peels to smooth and even skin tone and texture. Add a serum with Epidermal Growth Factor to your routine to boost cellular renewal.
Key Skin Essentials Products: Overnight Repair Cream, Collagen Serum.
Treatments: begin corrective treatments such as peels of any colour issues, serious anti-ageing such as micro needling introduced at this stage will benefit most in the long term.
50’s
In women, declining estrogen levels can play havoc with your skin once you reach peri-menopause/menopause. This will show as fine lines deepening, lip lines appearing and dryness. At the very first signs, add a phytoestrogen boosting product such as one containing soybean, wild yam or flax. Use facial oils such as rosehip seed oil to boost radiance.
Key Skin Essentials products: Youth Boost, Hyaluronic Serum.
Treatments: deep hydrating facias can be included with anti-ageing protocols.
60’s and beyond:
You now have the skin that you have earned! Hopefully you have been looking after your skin and have minimal damage to contend with. Anti-ageing serums and retinol products will keep your skin soft and bright and slow down wrinkle formation. If you need to address established signs of ageing consider a course of chemical peels.
Key Skin Essentials products: Overnight Repair Cream, Nourishing Oil.
Treatments: monthly stimulating and renewing facials to maintain radiance.
Cleansing: good cleansing is a must at any age! Use an oil cleanser to gently dissolve daily grime and makeup and keep pores clear.
Home exfoliation can be safely done once or twice per month on all skin types with an enzyme exfoliator.
Remember, these are general guidelines for normal skins with no issues, for personalised recommendations or to correct any conditions we recommend our skin analysis service.
Stay Updated