Skin care in your twenties is one of those things that’s going to change. Like, all the time.
Thankfully, we spoke with Elisa Osmo, Dermal Therapist and Founder of Glow Medispa to get all her wise thoughts on how best to care for your twenties skin.
“Skin care in your twenties should be centred around prevention and creating good habits with a few simple and well-placed products to support the skin for optimal health,” says Osmo.
But it’s not a one size fits all approach.
While some people are leaving the excess oil and blemishes in their teens, other’s are experiencing hormonal pimples for the very first time. So, before you go copying your besties skin care routine, it’s best you sit down with an expert and actually figure out what’s best for your skin.
Your 20s are a time for learning about who you are, and this extends to finding out more about your skin type; what it needs and what it responds best to.
What should your skin care routine look like in your twenties?
Morning Skin Care Routine
Much like your skin care routine in your teens, keeping things simple in the morning is key, plus, who wants to wake up any earlier? This is expert edit of what your AM skin care routine should look like.
Pick a gentle cleanser
You know those times when you cleanse your face and it feels tight? Turns out that’s bad.
“Avoid cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight and squeaky clean, as this indicates they are too harsh and stripping away your natural oils,” advises Osmo. In saying that though, it’s still important to cleanse in the morning to remove oils that have accumulated on the skin over night and prep the skin for the next steps in your routine.
Try: The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($23.99 at Priceline).
Try an antioxidant serum
Let us introduce you to vitamin C. The skin-brightening, free radical-fighting skin care ingredient is a total game changer.
Osmo suggests the Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum ($86 at Adore Beauty) for it’s hydrating, skin-boosting benefits.
Girlfriend also rates the almost always sold out, viral, vitamin C alternative: Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum ($113 at Sephora).
Don’t forget sun protection
It’s no great surprise that we should be wearing our sunscreen each and every single day (along with wearing protective clothing and avoiding peak UV times). We know that sun damage is cumulative, so, protect your skin now, and reap the benefits later. Always opt for the highest strength of SPF possible (50+ is a must) and be sure to reapply often.
However, we also know that you’re unlikely to appl sunscreen if the texture doesn’t agree with your skin or you makeup, which is why we tend to reach for fluid formulas that work well under makeup like the Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+ ($52 at Adore Beauty) and the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($37.95 at Adore Beauty).
Evening Skin Care Routine
Double cleanse to remove makeup and SPF
This should go without saying (and probably should already be apart of your routine TBH), but double cleansing is a must for removing all the build up from your face.
Start with a balm or oil cleanser and make sure to massage it into your skin to breakdown all the makeup, excess oil and dirt on your face, and then follow with the same cleanser you use in the morning.
Hot tip: Be sure to pick a cleanser that works well for your skin type (AKA, if you’ve got dry skin, look for something that enhances hydration).
Try: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil ($30.47 at Beauty Amora) and CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($23.99 at Priceline).
Use a treatment serum to address specific skin issues
You know that retinol you’ve been dying to use since you were a teen? Well, once you hit your twenties, you can use it. Just don’t over do it. Applying Synergie Skin Ultimate A($139 at Synergie Skin) in the evening once a week is all you need to maintain a youthful-looking complexion throughout your twenties.
Osmo recommends looking for hydrating (or corrective) products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or vitamin B5 in them too.
Try: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($17 at Adore Beauty).
Reap the benefits of a night cream
Your skin naturally goes through a lot of reparative and regenerative processes while you sleep — using a dedicated night cream can be an excellent way to enhance these processes.
Osmo suggests looking for creams that contain ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or glycerin to strengthen your skin barrier.
Try: Medik8 Advanced Night Restore ($138 at Adore Beauty) and Bali Body BB Skin Ceramide Cream ($34.99 at Priceline).
Weekly Nourishing Additions
Slough away dead skin cells with an exfoliating treatment
Exfoliating is a must for skin cell turn over, but we’re not suggesting you go and pick up any harsh, physical exfoliants. Instead, opt for chemical exfoliants that work to slough away the dead skin, while improving the quality of the skin beneath.
If you’re new to exfoliating (welcome), start by doing it once a week. When your skin has become accustomed to the process you can increase the frequency of application to two times a week.
Try: Alpha-H Liquid Gold ($74.95 at Alpha-H)
Select a face mask that addresses your specific skin concerns
Face masks are a skin-loving ritual that help out our skin, but given their ability to draw out impurities, resurface, and even peel skin, they’re firmly reserved in the ‘once a week’ category of skin care.
Face masks give your skin a boost of antioxidants, nutrients, and minerals, but you should select a mask that addresses your specific skin concerns, advises Osmo.
Go To Skin Care’s The Removalist ($48 at Go To) uses balances skin-loving ingredients, which make it a great option for oily skin. The Skinstitut Hydrating Mask ($49 at Sephora) is rich in antioxidants and hydrates dry skin. While, BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask ($25.99 at Amazon Australia) is intended to be worn for at least four hours for best results, which means you can apply it before bed.
Handy tips to remember:
Main Image Credit: @milliebobbybrown
Not quite there yet? This is how to care for teen skin.
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