Why Your Anti-Aging Beauty Routine Should Start Now

Last updated on : June 14 2021

Wear Sunscreen Every Day, Starting Yesterday

Wearing sunscreen is an anti-aging skincare practice that should start right at birth.

Of course, you can't go back in time and slather your tiny self in sunscreen. But, you can get into the habit of doing it now, and you can teach your children to make smart choices.

Not only should you start wearing sunscreen at a young age, but you should also wear it during the winter and even on cloudy days.

For young children, go for a natural, physical sunscreen, such as zinc oxide.

Physical sunscreens form a protective barrier on top of the skin that harmful rays can't penetrate. They're less irritating than chemical sunscreens, but they also leave a visible white cast.

Chemical sunscreens are a better option for the teenage years and older. They get absorbed into the skin, so there's no white cast.

The drawback is that they can cause breakouts or allergic reactions in some people. If you have issues with chemical sunscreens, look for an oil-free formula made for sensitive skin.

If you want to streamline your daily routine, choose a primer, moisturizer, foundation, or BB/CC cream that has built-in SPF protection.

Read more: Sunburn Guide: Home Remedies And How To Prevent It.

Start Exfoliating Your Face Before You Get Your First Pimple

Don't make the mistake of waiting until you hit your late teens or 20s to start exfoliating your face.

It's much better to begin exfoliating in your teen years to keep your pores clear, prevent acne, and clear away dead skin cells that can make skin look older. 

All skin types should begin exfoliating in their mid-teens to minimize pores, keep skin looking smooth, and prevent fine lines.

When dead skin is left to build upon the skin's surface, it can cause a dull, aged appearance to the complexion and may even contribute to some types of skin cancer.

Choose exfoliators made from fruit and botanical extracts. They are a better choice than physical exfoliators, which can scratch and damage delicate facial skin.

Bonus Read: Remember to match your hair color to your revitalized skin tone. 

Exfoliate Your Body Starting in Your Late Teens and Early 20s

The skin on your body needs help shedding away dead skin cells, just like the skin on your face does.

When you reach your late teens or early 20s, it's time to start exfoliating your arms, legs, chest, and the rest of your body.

Exfoliating will keep your skin looking smooth and get rid of rough patches. It will also help your moisturizers absorb better, keeping your skin looking glowy and youthful.

Body scrubs made of sugar, sea salt, or coffee grounds are too rough for the face, but they are perfect for the body. You can also use a dry brush to exfoliate your skin while improving your circulation.

Just don't overdo it. There's no reason to exfoliate the skin on your body more than once a week.

Moisturize Your Hands Starting in Your Early 20s

Hand cream does more for your hands than make them smell and feel good- it's essential for protecting the delicate, thin skin on your hands.

Your hands get more sun exposure than almost any other part of your body, and their skin gets thinner as you age, so it's more prone to damage. If your skin is lighter, your hands will be more inclined to show age spots and crinkle. 

You should begin using hand cream every night, starting in your early 20s.

Seek out an ultra-moisturizing hand cream that contains glycolic acid to exfoliate your skin each day gently. The gentle exfoliation will help to thicken and firm your skin while preventing discoloration.

As you get older and begin to see age spots or wrinkled skin, switch to a higher strength of glycolic acid and moisturize more often to keep your hands looking as young as possible.

Start Using Chemical Peels in Your Early 20s

Chemical peels used to have a bad rap for causing irritation and redness, but today's peels are gently, especially the ones made by Korean skincare brands. Their job is to loosen dead skin cells so they can be shed away more quickly, revealing young, fresh skin. It's like using an exfoliator on steroids.

Begin using a fruit acid peel in your early 20s. Fruit acid peels are gentle, and they can help with everything from redness and hyperpigmentation to clogged and enlarged pores.

They'll leave you with a glowing complexion that's smooth and pore-free, whether you have makeup on or not. Glycolic acid is often included in these powerful but gentle products to stimulate cell renewal.

Look for one that includes rosewater and other ingredients that provide hydration.

The Mid 20s? Bring on the Anti-Aging Eye Serums

Don't wait until the delicate skin around your eyes begins to sag and wrinkle to introduce an anti-aging eye serum into your routine.

Although moisturizing the area is essential, it's not enough. You should look for an eye serum that includes antioxidants and Vitamin C to help prevent fine lines and assist the skin in building collagen. 

Add Anti-Wrinkle Products in Your Mid to Late 20s.

If you are in your mid or late 20s, it's time to think about adding anti-wrinkle products to your anti-aging beauty regimen. Think of it as preventative skincare at this point.

Retinol is an excellent ingredient to start with because it encourages cell turnover and keeps the skin looking plump and fresh, giving you a youthful glow. Retinol also combats acne, so it's a win-win if you have issues with hormonal acne once a month.

Cutting edge ingredients like Cha-7 es complex are also fantastic for preventative skincare. "The Cha-7 es complex doesn't fight the effects of age - it preserves youth," says Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon. "It's like hitting the pause button on skin aging." 

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant to use in conjunction with retinol for better results. You should also look for products that have peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. These ingredients are all good for preventing wrinkles and plumping up the skin by providing extra hydration. 

Begin Using a Neck Cream When You Reach Your 30s

The skin on your neck can age you if you don't take care of it. One of your top anti-aging priorities should be using a neck cream starting in your early 30s.

Be sure to apply sunscreen on your neck every day as well. The skin on your neck is more susceptible to sun damage, especially fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and, eventually, sagging.

A good neck cream that contains antioxidants will help keep your neck smooth and youthful.

Begin Using Body Oil at Any Age

Hydration is essential for youthful skin at any age. Body oil is a beneficial and enjoyable way to moisturize your skin.

If your skin is dry, you can use body oil every day. Otherwise, use it when you need extra hydration, such as after you've been out in the sun or during the winter when the air is dry.

Focus on dry areas like knees and elbows that can get rough as you age. Body oil may even help to keep your skin tighter as you head into your 40s and 50s.

Don't Be Afraid of Laser Treatments.

Many people think of laser treatments as a last resort before a full-on facelift, but they shouldn't. This technique directs pulsated bursts of concentrated light at your skin and removes the top layer to eliminate specific skin issues.

You can start getting laser treatments as early as your 20s if you need to deal with scarring from acne leftover from your teenage years. 

Some dermatologists even recommend laser treatments for late teens with breakout issues.

As you get older, you can use laser treatments to treat age spots, crow's feet, fine lines and wrinkles, and even sagging skin. They can also help to even out your skin tone and shrink enlarged pores and oil glands.

Don't Forget About Skincare Supplements.

You can start taking skincare supplements any time after you reach your 20s.

Although it is better to get your nutrients from food, nobody's diet is perfect. Skincare supplements can help fill in the gaps.

For anti-aging, look for products that contain collagen peptides and antioxidants like Coenzyme Q10 to keep your skin looking youthful and improve its texture as you age. Vitamin C is another good antioxidant to take because it stimulates your body's ability to produce its collagen.

It's never too early to start an anti-aging beauty regimen! Remember, you have one skin to last your entire lifetime. Investing time in taking care of it is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. 

Read More - How To Stay On Top Of Your Beauty Routine While On The Road

This article is guest posted by Donna Maurer.

As an experienced content creator, Donna has covered numerous topics related to the beauty industry. She is a former writer for an esthetician and skin spa, and can always be found researching the latest skincare products and tutorials. Donna loves sharing new routines and treatments that worked for her, in the hopes that others will find similar, positive results.

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