Antiaging And Skincare For Every Generation

When it comes to skincare, the products that worked in your teenage years won’t do you any favors in your 30s and certainly not in your 40s. For radiant, healthy skin well into retirement, it’s important to tailor your regimen as your skin matures. Here, a few tips and tricks for every decade of beauty.

Sail into your golden years with a perfect complexion. It's more than just buying good products, it's about finding a beauty regimen that works for you and the stages of your skin.

Photo: Street Peeper

Teens

Teen years can be filled with angst and we know the last thing you need is troubled skin. From random breakouts to an oily complexion, these years are all about clearing and protecting.

Cleanse: Stop new zits from forming by starting your day off with a benzoyl peroxide wash. This kills bacteria before it has had a chance to settle in your skin.

Eliminate Oils: Take care of your T-zone; this is where oil lives. Swipe this area with a toner that includes salicylic acid to control oil and unclog pores.

Smooth: All the treating you are doing to your acne will dry out your face. Slather on an oil-free moisturizer with SPF to keep your skin soft and protected.

Treat: Sulfur in skincare products will be a game-changer for you. Dab a sulfur treatment on problem areas morning and night to reduce swelling and redness.

Photo: Caroline's Mode

Your New Skincare Routine

Twenties

In your 20s, many skin issues come from pulling all-nighters, stress in your new career and basking in the sun on weekends. As if we don’t have enough to worry about, fine lines can start to sneak up in your mid 20s. It’s important to start a consistent skin care routine that involves SPF and fighting off the early stages of wrinkles.

Cleanse: Use a gentle foaming cleanser that will remove makeup and excess oil, but won't dry out your skin.

Protect: For day, and we mean everyday, use a light moisturizer that contains sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection.

Prevent: If you are one to stay up all hours of the night, apply a serum before bed that contains pomegranate extract, vitamin C or grapefruit extract. Antioxidants eliminate fine lines, changes in pigment and irregularities in texture.

Treat: From time to time, breakouts will occur. Cleanse and spot treat with a treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Hydrate: Before bed, reach for hydrating ingredients like ceramides, amino acids and essential fatty acids to protect against dryness and fine lines.

Photo: Street Peeper

Your New Skincare Routine

Thirties

In your 30s, the two biggest skin challenges you are most likely facing are sunspots and fine lines. You are at the age where you should be exfoliating regularly. Skin naturally exfoliates itself every 35 days, which sounds great but this is a step down from every 14 days you experience in your 20s.

Exfoliate: Remove makeup and lightly exfoliate using products that contain gluconolactone (to remove dead skin cells) and maltobionic acid (to promote collagen production).

Prevent: Use an SPF eye cream for day and a hydrating eye cream at night to diminish any lines that may be appearing around your eyes.

Moisturize: Before applying sunscreen in the morning, use an antioxidant-rich moisturizer or serum and toner. Ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid will boost moisture.

Tone: Adding a retinoid to your regimen will help improve the overall texture and tone of your skin. Sunlight deactivates retinol, so be sure to apply retinoids at night and avoid putting them on your very delicate upper eyelids.

Photo: Street Peeper

Your New Skincare Routine

Forties

In your 40s, expression lines around your eyes, forehead and mouth won’t disappear like they did in your 30s. Your estrogen level has decreased so your skin will become dryer. Add moisture and collagen-building ingredients like peptides to your face and neck.

Cleanse: Cleanse using a basic non-foaming, non-drying cleanser in combination with a gentle cleansing sponge to help remove dead skin cells.

Rebuild: Retinoids and peptides are two ingredients that you should add into your routine, if you haven't done so already. Peptides can help rebuild collagen, especially when used with texture-improving retinol.

Anti-age: Use anti-aging products specifically formulated for the neck that include phytoestrogens to smooth, retinols to plump and licorice root to correct discoloration.

Moisturize: Use a moisturizer that has a high level of glycerin or peptides to help skin retain the moisture it needs.

Photo: Vanessa Jackman

Your New Skincare Routine

Fifties And Above

Moisturizing should be your main concern in your 50s and beyond. Skin is not as toned, which can cause sinking and wrinkles. In addition to using powerful products that contain peptides, retinoids, or amino acids, consider investing in laser treatments and other non-invasive skin rejuvenation options.

Cleanse: Use a cream cleanser that hydrates skin while it purifies.

Protect: Ingredients like retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun. A moisturizing cream that contains SPF is vital for keeping skin hydrated and protected.

Rebuild: For day, apply a peptide-rich serum under your daily SPF to help build collagen. Look for one that also contains antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which will lock in moisture.

Anti-age: At night, apply a retinoid before your moisturizer. Your moisturizer should contain phytoestrogens to help with hormonal aging. For extra anti-aging benefits, try an at-home laser treatment.

Photo: Vanessa Jackman

Your New Skincare Routine