Remember when you were in your teens and you thought that once you hit your 20’s your skin was going to be acne-free and perfect? For most people, that doesn’t happen. Unfortunately more than 40% of people are still dealing with acne in their 20’s. (And unfortunately you’re not out of the woods in your 30’s either.) If you’re still breaking out, you’re in good company but a good skin care routine can help whip your skin into shape in no time.
Daily Care: Cleanser and Moisturizer
If you didn’t start a skin care routine in your teens, now is the time to start using a facial cleanser and moisturizer. A good rule of thumb is if you have oily or combination skin, a foaming cleanser is best and if you have normal to dry, a creamy cleanser is best. Applying a moisturizer after you wash is a must. Make sure it has SPF in it with a minimum of SPF 15.
Weekly Care: Exfoliator and Mask
You should be exfoliating your face twice a week. Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells at the surface of your skin. In doing so, fresh, healthy, young skin will be revealed. You will be exfoliating for the rest of your life as you chase the clock so it’s a good habit to get into now. You can purchase a facial exfoliator or if you want to go gentle, simply using a washcloth with your cleanser each morning will gently buff off dead skin cells. Don’t forget your body, too! Goodbye ashy legs.
Face masks are optional, but if you have issues with acne, you’ll want to consider using a mask once or twice a week. The most popular masks for oily and acne-prone skin have clay in them, which absorbs excess oil and reduces acne. Keep in mind that face masks for oily skin and acne can always be used as spot treatments if you have minimal acne.
The Secret to Staying Young: Sunscreen
Forget the thought that a good tan makes you look young. When you lay out in the sun for a tan, you’re adding years to your appearance. You might not notice it now, but you will in the years to come. The sun is the number one cause of premature aging. I know it’s hard to think about when you’re in your 20’s, but the reality is, the secret to staying young is sunscreen. Wear it every day. Reapply repeatedly. It takes seconds to swipe on some mineral sunscreen and go about your day. Trust me, when you show up at your 20 year reunion, you’ll see who used sunscreen and who didn’t. Just look for the crow’s feet.
Skin Still Out of Control: Visit a Dermatologist
Finding a good Dermatologist will be a wise investment of time. They can provide you with prescription acne treatments now and will still be around when you want to talk aging or other skin concerns.