Skincare Guide for the 20s: How to Take Care of Your Skin

In your 20s your skincare should focus on PREVENTION & MAINTENANCE.

Prevention of aging due to things that you are exposed to, like UVA or UVB rays, pollution, heat, environmental stressors, etc., and by maintenance it is meant, maintaining what you have.

WEAR A SUNSCREEN

The number one thing that matters the most at all ages but especially in your 20s that will make the biggest difference is wearing sunscreen. Most of the aging that starts to show up at an early age is due to exposure to UVA or UVB rays.

It is not due to not using some expensive serums or creams or applying 100 different things on your face or any kind of tool but due to not protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. When these rays penetrate deep into the layers of your skin it chews up the collagen. Therefore, protecting your skin from the sun is the first and best thing to do.

Even if it is not sunny or particularly cloudy, it’s not an excuse to not apply sunscreen. It has also been taught to us that there is no need to apply sunscreen if sitting indoors.

But In-fact the blue light that comes out of the phones or laptops are also sources that might be aging your skin (for such protection, sunscreen containing Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide must be used).

CLEANSE YOUR FACE IN THE RIGHT MANNER

It is very important to cleanse your face in the right manner. The skin on our face and neck is the most exposed part of our body to environmental stressors. One must cleanse at the end of the day.

The sunscreen must be thoroughly removed or if one has makeup on the face, then that also must be washed off to prevent breakouts, aging, and to maintain healthy skin in the long run.

When we sleep at night, our skin prepares to repair itself through all the damage it has gone through during the day. And if you have skin conditions like acne or eczema then such conditions can be worsened if not taken care of.

But make sure you opt for the right cleanser because using a too harsh cleanser or cleansing too frequently can strip off your natural oil in turn leading to irritated and damaged skin. So, washing your face twice a day with a good cleanser is more than enough.

There are two types of exfoliators: Physical and chemical. One must know the issue they are tackling and then choose the right exfoliant for yourself. If you plan on cleaning your pores then opt for BHAs i.e. Beta hydroxy acids. These include salicylic acid which when applied on the skin goes into the pore and then flushes out the gunk.

Whereas if your focus is on improving your skin texture or brightening the skin then opt for AHAs i.e. Alpha hydroxy acids. These include lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, etc. which when applied on the skin gently take off the dead layer of the skin in turn bringing out fresh skin.

Just make sure that you apply these at the right time and layer them in the correct order of your skincare to get the maximum benefit. Exfoliating twice or thrice a week usually during the night time is good for the skin. Make sure not to over-exfoliate the skin or else you might end up damaging the barrier of your skin.

USE A MOISTURIZER

Applying a good moisturizer after cleansing is very important as it aids in skin barrier recovery and also helps reduce trans epidermal water loss. It helps in achieving healthy skin.

INCLUDE VITAMIN-C IN YOUR ROUTINE

Incorporating a VITAMIN C serum into your skincare routine can be a game-changer. Vitamin C serum is an antioxidant serum which when applied topically on the skin improves collagen production and also may reduce the sign of photo-aging which happens due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

One thing about vitamin C is that it is difficult to get it into the skin and it oxidizes very easily. It also helps in improving hyperpigmentation.

START USING RETINOL

One of the ingredients that help in dealing with ultraviolet radiation better is . It has anti-aging benefits. If you have acne, then you may use adapalene in your routine. It has the same benefits as retinoic acid. One must be careful while using retinol because if it is used in the wrong order of your skincare routine it may lead to irritated skin.

WATCH YOUR DIET

Diet plays a huge role in the health of your skin. Drink loads of water. If you have a crappy diet and you expect good expensive serums and creams to do the work then you might be on the wrong page! What you eat, shows.

People who eat more fruits and vegetables have better functioning skin. Incorporate healthy fats in your diet like nuts, seeds, and avocado. Eating avocado helps with the lipid barrier. Stay away from sugary processed food. Eat a balanced diet!

EXERCISE FOR A RADIANT GLOW

Make sure you exercise a few times a week and try to move more. It leads to better skin health. There is better blood circulation in the body which will make your skin radiant. Exercise promotes sweating which in turn helps in flushing out toxins from your body.

TAKE YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

Getting 8 hours of sleep is the most basic thing which you can start by. At night time, when you sleep certain hormones have released that impact the skin to regenerate.

Our skin is healed during this time and it fights off free radical damage. If you don’t sleep properly then you are not giving your skin proper time to heal and your body will release more stress hormones which will impair your skin function.

USE FEWER PRODUCTS

Minimize the number of products you use! It is not necessary to use too many products to get good skin. Focus mainly on cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen. Stay consistent and notice the difference.

CREDITS: 4-Steps-For-Glowing-Skin

Originally published at https://lexablogs.com.