Skin care for your 20s – When should you start using anti-aging products?

6 min. read

It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin. While skin aging is inevitable, this article explains how positive lifestyle and skincare choices in your 20s help you to keep your skin healthy looking, prevent premature aging and delay and reduce the visible signs of skin aging.

What are the first signs of skin aging and when do they appear?

The first signs of skin aging tend to appear in our 20s

The most noticeable first signs of skin aging are fine lines and wrinkles, a lack of radiance and dull skin.

There are a number of internal and external factors that influence the age at which our skin starts to visibly age but, in general, fine lines and wrinkles can start to appear as early as our mid 20s and deepen with the passing of time. From your mid 20s you may also notice that your skin starts to dry out and lose radiance and can sometimes appear dull and tired.

You can read more about how skin changes over the years in skin in different ages.

An appropriate skincare routine, and positive lifestyle choices, will help you to keep your skin looking younger for longer.

What causes the first signs of skin aging?

As we get older, the body’s processes slow down. Substances that keep skin firm and smooth start to reduce and this leads to structural changes in the layers of skin which we start to notice on the surface.

Skin starts to lose hyaluronic acid, cell turnover slows down and sebum production reduces. These changes add up to increased sensitivity to the sun, dryness and roughness.

The blood supply to our skin also starts to reduce as we age. This, combined with various lifestyle factors, can result in a loss of radiance and skin that looks pale, dull and tired.

There are a number of factors – both internal and external – that influence the speed and severity of skin’s aging process.

What are the internal factors that influence the first signs of skin aging?

Fair skin is more prone to early signs of skin aging than darker skin

Our genetics determine our skin type and the rate at which biological skin aging occurs. Biological skin aging is a term used to describe the natural skin aging process.

Fair skin often shows signs of aging at an earlier stage than darker skin as it is less protected against UV rays. And sensitive skin is more prone to the early development of wrinkles than less sensitive skin types. You can read more about this in how does skin age and how should I care for it?, how skin differs between the major ethnic groups and how to recognize and protect sensitive facial skin.

What are the external factors that influence the first signs of skin aging?

Up to 90% of all premature skin aging is caused by UV exposure.1
Pollution triggers the free radicals that cause skin oxidative stress

External factors such as the sun, pollution, smoking, some medications, diet and lifestyle choices are known to trigger free radicals and cause oxidative stress to skin. Oxidative stress causes skin to age prematurely, which means that it develops signs of aging faster than one would expect.

While we can’t change our genes, we can influence the factors that determine premature skin aging.

You can read more about free radicals and oxidative stress in: free radicals: what are they and how do they affect skin? You can find out more about the external factors that trigger free radicals and oxidative stress in understanding skin: what are the factors that affect it? and how does skin age and how should I care for it?

1 Ramos-e-Silva et al., ‘Anti-aging cosmetics: Facts and controversies’. Clin Dermatol. 2013 Nov-Dec; 31(6): 750-8.

Skin care for your 20s: How can I keep my skin looking younger?

The sooner you start caring for your skin the better because it’s easier to delay the signs of aging than it is to treat them once they’ve arrived. Lifestyle and skincare choices in your 20s will help you to prevent premature aging and delay the signs of aging on your skin.

Optimal lifestyle choices

A diet rich in anti-oxidants will help your skin to fight free radical damage

Your skin reflects your overall health so try to get plenty of exercise, a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy balanced diet and give up smoking:

  • An anti-aging diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants to help neutralize the free radicals associated with premature skin aging. Try to limit your alcohol intake and drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
  • Stop smoking: The harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke and nicotine are responsible for increasing free radicals in the skin. As well as the risks of lung cancer and heart disease, smoking is proven to cause premature skin aging.

Anti-aging skincare products for your 20s

A good skincare routine for your 20s starts with gentle but effective cleansing.
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Moisture Booster gives skin an immediate boost of hydration and improves skin moisture levels for up to 24 hours
The Hyaluron Intensive Mask reduces fine lines and immediately moisturizes skin.
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Vitamin C Booster makes skin smoother, fresher and more radiant in just seven days.
Appropriate sun protection in your 20s will help to prevent premature skin aging.

Regular cleansing, moisturization, the use of powerful, proven anti-oxidant skincare ingredients such as Vitamin C and, most importantly, appropriate daily sun protection will help you to keep your skin healthy, prevent premature skin aging and delay the visible signs of skin aging.

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