IT might seem too early to start thinking about aging in your 20s.
But dermatologists have shared that it’s never to early to start taking care of your skin.
Dermatologist Andrea Suarez said you probably only need to use three products in your 20s
You don’t need to break the bank doing it.
Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez – known as Dr Dray – said you can get away with using just three cheap products.
In your 20s, skincare should focus on prevention and maintaining what you have, Andrea said in a video uploaded to YouTube.
We’re especially trying to combat aging brought on by ultraviolet radiation, pollution, environmental stressors and heat, she explained.
1. Wear sun cream (always)
The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference – and this matters for all ages – is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed.
“The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation,” she continued, not because you’re “not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday”.
“If you’re not doing in your 20s, get on that now.”
But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn’t go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun.
Doing this over your lifetime – and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days – “will reduce the visible signs of photoaging”, Andrea said.
Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin.
If you’re not looking to break the bank on a decent SPF, try the Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hypoallergenic Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+, which retails for £6.49 at Boots.
2. Wash your face (but not too much)
The skin on our face and neck is “some of the most exposed real estate on our body to environmental stressors”, such as pollution and allergens, the dermatologist said.
So it’s important to wash all this off at the end of the day, as well as your sun cream and makeup.
“If those things stay on your skin, [they’re] more likely to cause damage throughout the night,” according to Andrea.
This is because your skin actually works to repair itself as you sleep, so leaving ‘garbage’ on it gives it more work, while also aggravating conditions such as acne and eczema.
But don’t go overboard with your cleanser, she warned – using one that is too harsh or doing it too frequently can strip your skin of its natural oils, causing dry skin and irritation.
If your cleanser is leaving your skin ‘squeaky clean’, then that’s a sign of a stripped skin barrier, Andrea warned.
CeraVe is a dermatologist-approved favourite in the skincare world and you can get their Hydrating Cleanser for £11.50.
3. Exfoliate (if you need to)
“If you are in your 20s, there’s a good chance you don’t need to focus on exfoliating,” Andrea said.
People with acne might benefit from consistent use of a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid, while those with keratosis pilaris might see results from an alpha-hydroxy acid moisturiser to soften their dry patches.
But don’t worry about exfoliating if you don’t have these conditions, as simply washing your face can slough off dead skin cells naturally.
4. Moisturise
Andrea said you should be applying moisturiser after cleansing to aid skin barrier recovery.
Doing this is especially important if you have acne, eczema or rosacea, she continued, as you’ll often be threating them with medications that cause skin dryness, burning and stinging.
The Inkey List Vitamin B C And E is a cult favourite and costs £7.99.
5. Incorporate an anti-oxidant serum (if you want)
Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant, which when applied to the skin has been shown in small studies to improve collagen production and reduce aging damage from UV exposure, Andrea explained.
But she said it’s a matter of personal preference if you use in your 20s or beyond.
6. Use a retinol
Compared to vitamin C, there’s a lot of evidence on how beneficial retinol can be for reducing signs of aging, according to Andrea.
While prescription strength retinoic acid – called tretinoin – will yield faster results, she said you can have some success with over the counter retinols too.
You can find The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 30ml for £5.80 at Boots.
7. Skincare only goes so far
Aside from sun protection, what will make the biggest difference on your skin is your diet, Andrea noted.
“People who eat fruits and vegetables have a better to handle the damaging effects of UV radiation in the skin,” she explained – it’ll take more sun to damage their skin than someone who has a ‘crappy diet’.
So, make sure you’re getting the recommended servings of fruit and veg and don’t fear them as ‘sugar rich’, the dermatologist said.
Also try incorporating healthy fats into your diet, such as nuts, seeds and avocados and stay away from sugary, processed foods as much as you can – these contribute to wrinkle formation and darkening of the skin with age.
8. Exercise
Andrea went on: “The other thing that matters a lot is exercise. No, you don’t have to be an athlete, no, you don’t have to be running marathons every day.”
But the dermatologist recommended you get some cardiovascular exercise a few times a week and try to move a little more.
“It really makes a difference in the health of your skin,” she said.
It can reduce inflammation and help circulation, all of which can give your complexion a boost.
9. Get your beauty sleep
“Getting eight hours of sleep is probably one of the best things that you can start doing – if you’re not already – for your skin long-term,” Andrea emphasised.
When we kip, certain hormones are released that help heal the skin.
“If you don’t sleep adequately, you don’t give your skin enough time to do that properly,” the dermatologist said.
10. Use fewer products
“No beauty editor is going to tell you guys this,” Andrea joked.
But she said she’s seen first hand as dermatologist how minimising the amount of products you use can yield better outcomes, as patients are more likely to use them consistently.
“Focus on cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen and do the best you can with staying consistent on those three things. That’s all you really need to be doing.”
It’s all about sticking with your routine, she explained.