We know that life in your 20s can be pretty full-on when you spend so much time on social media and so little time for diligent skin care. But by your mid-20s, it’s really important to create good habits and start incorporating preventative products in your beauty routine. Whether you’re a bare minimum kind of girl or have a 5-step regime, we asked Skinstitut expert, Zoe Devine, to provide us with some helpful tips that will set you up for better skin, for the rest of your life.
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According to Zoe, “the major focus in our 20s should consist of protection and prevention.” This common practice still applies if you’re blessed with fairly decent skin and aren’t bothered by common skin concerns such as acne and pigmentation.
Protection:
1. Never underestimate the power of SPF
“Majority of our skin damage that we experience in our lifetime is actually a result of daily incidental sun exposure –like driving in the car, walking the dog or shopping at the markets,” tells Zoe. This change in the skin can initially appear as pigmentation or uneven blotchy skin. Long term effects include age spots, loss of elasticity, collagen breakdown, lines, and wrinkles. Thus, sunscreen is a non-negotiable step in our daily routine.
TRY:
1. Skinstitut Age Defence SPF 50+, $49 at Adore Beauty.
2. Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen, $40 at Mecca.
2. Start using protective antioxidants and anti-pollution products
“Pollution is becoming more of an issue as it exposes the skin (and body) to higher levels of Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) contributing to free radical damage,” tells Zoe. Skin changes that can occur as a result of air pollution include dryness, acne and inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis, rashes, eczema, psoriasis and premature ageing. “The best way to protect your skin against free radicals is through the inclusion of a correcting serum and a healthy dose of antioxidants,” she adds.
TRY:
1. Skinstitut Rejuvenate 15 Serum, $32 at Look Fantastic.
2. Bybi Supercharge Serum, $50 at Sephora.
Prevention:
According to Zoe, the most common skin concerns that 20-year old’s face are adult acne and hormonal pigmentation (melasma). Acne is referred to as adult acne if you’re experiencing it after the age of 25. “When you experience adult acne, you’ll notice that it looks and feels different compared to teenage acne,” tells Zoe. “Usually, acne experienced as a teen can be seen widespread over the face (eg. cheeks, forehead, etc) and is more common through the T-zone”. Whereas adult acne is more localised to the lower part of the face (i.e. chin, jawline),” she continues.
These differences highlight why treatment options would vary for adult acne vs teen acne. “For adults, the focus needs to be on bringing down inflammation (to prevent scarring) using an approach that won’t dry out or sensitise the skin too much,” suggests Zoe. “Many sufferers believe their breakouts are due to too much oil (which isn’t always the case), so in a vain attempt to reduce their oil flow, they unknowingly strip their skin’s natural barrier function (which we very much need),” tells Zoe.
If you are unsure of what to use for your skin, always seek advice from a qualified skin specialist.
TRY:
1. Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12%, $34.30 at Adore Beauty.
Active ingredients such as Vitamin B5 and tea tree oil deliver anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits, especially for breakout-prone skin.
2. Pixi Peel & Polish, $38 at Adore Beauty.
This gentle yet highly effective enzyme resurfacing peel is loaded with active ingredients to help improve skin cell turnover.
3. Bybi Bakuchiol Booster, $23 at Sephora.
This natural alternative to retinol offers the same benefits as retinol, which helps to improve the skin’s texture without the added dryness or inflammation.
Now let’s discuss hormonal pigmentation, otherwise known as, Melasma. This common skin concern may first appear in your 20s but can stick around until your 40s. “Melasma displays as symmetrical, blotchy or brownish facial pigmentation and is commonly seen on the forehead, upper lip or around the jawline,” tells Zoe. Common causes of melasma include hormonal changes, sun exposure, genetic predisposition, and some medications.
TRY:
1. Edible Beauty Glowing Skin Smoothie Serum, $54 at Sephora.
This correcting serum works to strengthen and protect the skin against cellular damage whilst, apple and banana extracts work to even skin texture and tone.
2. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream, $119 at Mecca.
Packed with nourishing, superfood-rich ingredients to repair the appearance of skin damage, including pigmentation, to reveal a brighter, more even complexion.
3. Sunday Riley UFO Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, $128 at Mecca.
A wonder treatment that provides nourishment and improves skin radiance and tone.
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