20s Skincare Routine to Kickstart Early and Glow Later

Your 20s are the decade to throw caution to the wind, to go out and have those crazy nights out and dance till the sun comes up. And I’m willing to bet my credit card debt that you have your fair share of crazy stories (or plan on having them. Damn you Covid!)

But this is also the decade to start rethinking about your skincare routine – yes, I’m sorry (not) that you have to do away with your mom’s cousin’s neighbour’s cauldron brewed concoction of pastes that your skin has been subject to since the third grade.

And in case you don’t know, collagen and elastin – two crucial proteins for skin health – start decreasing as early as when you’re 25. Yikes! That’s like…tomorrow!

This is clearly the time to give your skincare routine a serious overhaul, but where do you even start? And is there something such as an affordable skin care routine? Don’t sweat it, we’ve come up with a list of the best 20s skincare routine steps and affordable skin care remedies to get you started on a journey to dermatological health!

Let’s jump right in….

Slumber sans Make-up

Yeah, I know, most of us are guilty of this. I know it can get annoying to go through the cumbersome process of washing it all off after an exhausting day but honestly, if you want to have the best skin care routine possible, this one is a no brainer.

The make-up, often antiperspirant, can block your pores and prevent your skin from “breathing” and sweating at night, two very important bodily functions to maintain natural skin health. Wash it off with gentle cleanser. Add a Face brush to your routine.

Your skin needs rest just as much as you do, so don’t burden it with multiple layers before calling it a night. Talk about a stressful sleep! 

Stay Sun-ready

A Sunscreen when you’re out and about on a July afternoon is a no-brainer, but studies show that even if you’re cooped up with your kitty cat in the park on a cloudy November evening, you should still be under the protection of SPF.

UVs tend to penetrate even the thickest of skies, and indirect exposure to this radiation is just as bad as direct exposure.

So even on cloudy days, protect your skin by wearing a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen (rather than chemical) with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Dabble in Retinoids

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, retinol is a MUST if you haven’t tried it yet. Vitamin A is considered an inhibitor of the decrease in cellular turnover – helping your skin cells in continuing to regenerate as the years keep stacking up.

But be careful, less is more when it comes to retinol so start out slowly, using it three times a week and increase to nightly if your skin can handle it.

Like two evil cousins, the reduced cellular regeneration is exacerbated by unbridled UV radiation.

So pick up a great SPF and use retinoids on the side to make sure that you hit back on aging with a double sucker-punch.

Exfoliate!

Exfoliation is the one thing your delicate skin will thank you for the most – IF you do it properly. With the dearth of chemical peels, microabrasion face washes and the like out there, it’s no wonder that most of us are lost about where to start or what to pick (damn you FOMO).

But times are changing and if you ask me, the peels and washes were always too rough on our skins anyways. There are new, more effective ways to exfoliate the skin without putting it through the grinder.

One of these is the advent of ultrasonic waves to clear out pores.

New Age Exfoliation

Commonly called skin shovels or spatulas, they are metallic tools that are being used to clear pores and detoxify the skin, resulting in what many people consider to be the clearest visage conceivable.

The ultrasound wave treatment technology at the root of these devices is safe and non-invasive. Here, ultrasound frequency is used to encourage the production of collagen, which is necessary for skin. What’s more is that it can also be used to treat malignancies and soften wrinkling.

The deep-reaching frequencies coax your pores into opening up wider, unclogging them as the debris gets dislodged. And that’s not all, because they reach the skin cells deeper than any other remedy, they also leave your skin with a better overall texture and tone.

They are such lifesavers, especially for those with skin types that don’t respond well to other means of exfoliation like scrubs and chemical peels. So ANYONE can use these!

SWEET!

But because they are soooo good and easy to use, along with being easy on the skin, you might end up overdoing it. Be careful because even though they may be the most gentle exfoliating option on the market, they aren’t gentle enough to be used after each meal.

Don’t Rush It

It’s fantastic to prioritize protection and skin health, but it’s also vital to realize that doing too much can create irritation and damage. We tend to overcompensate and go beyond with some items because we are so focused on prevention. Some of us are utilizing products that are excessively harsh or unpleasant for our skin, such as intense retinoids or excessive exfoliation.

 If your skin care routine isn’t producing the results you want, try switching out one product at a time. But let your skin get used to the changes, and turn over new pages in your skin care routine gradually.