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As my 20s come to a close, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting. I can honestly say that it has been a long decade of learning, succeeding, failing, and growing. Thankfully, along this crazy journey, I’ve learned a lot about skin care. Today, I want to share with you 12 skin care tips that every woman in her 20s needs to live by!
1. Wear Sunscreen (Even In The Winter)
It is vital to wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. UV rays are everywhere ladies – even when you are inside working near a window, driving in a car, or sitting outside on a cloudy day. There is a common misconception that sunscreen should only be worn during warmer months or when you plan to spend time outside in the sun. What a misconception, indeed! Sunscreen should be applied all year round and even when you spend time indoors. Those of you who work from home should still apply sunscreen before hopping on that Zoom call!
Unfortunately, sun greatly contributes to skin aging and sun exposure should be carefully approached in moderation. It’s important to wear sunscreen to protect our skin from direct and indirect sun exposure, regardless of the season, to prevent premature skin aging. In addition to incorporating sunscreen into your skin care regimen, you should also consider wearing sun-protective clothing such as hats. For more information on this subject, check out Why Every Woman Needs A Sun Hat This Summer.
2. Wash Your Face, Girl!
During your 20s, you should take the time to wash your face every day. It is important to remove sunscreen, the day’s dirt and grime, and makeup each day. I’m sure we have all slept in our makeup at some point – life happens – but let’s not make a habit of it, okay? While we sleep, our skin takes time to repair. Failing to wash your face, especially in the evenings, can undermine your skin’s ability to repair itself. In addition, this can lead to bacteria buildup and cause or worsen acne.
The cleansers that you use on a daily basis can also greatly impact your skin’s overall health. Cleansing too often or using cleansers that are too harsh can dry out the skin, cause damage, and disrupt your skin’s microbiome. You should aim to use cleansers that cater to your skin’s needs – whether it be dryness, acne, oiliness, etc. In addition, be sure to pay attention to how your cleanser makes your skin feel during and post-cleansing. If your skin feels squeaky clean, that’s not a good sign!
3. Exfoliate But Don’t Go Overboard
Exfoliation is important when it comes to maintaining healthy skin. However, luckily for you, you can exfoliate sparingly in your 20s. Fortunately, your skin has more elasticity and renews itself better in your 20s than later on in life. In other words, your youthful skin during this time heals itself better and sheds dead skin cells faster.
While exfoliating shouldn’t be your main focus during your 20s, it is still important to incorporate it into your routine. Exfoliation is helpful when it comes to getting rid of dirt, cleansing clogged pores, and preparing your skin for additional skincare products and makeup application.
In your 20s, you should aim to exfoliate once or twice a week. Your skin will thank you now and later for it!
4. Drink Plenty of Water
Let’s be real, water is really important. Water is not only important for your overall health and well-being, but it also influences how your skin looks and feels. It is important that you drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Unfortunately, beverages such as alcohol can dry out our skin. Before a night out on the town, be sure to amp up your water consumption!
You should not only keep your skin hydrated by drinking water, but also by using products that contain hydrating ingredients. When purchasing hydrating skincare products, be sure to be on the lookout for products that contain humectants. Humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, are important in reducing the skin’s moisture loss. Products containing humectants will help seal in the moisture and help your skin look supple, energized, and healthy.
5. Get Your Sleep
Skin Care Tips Every Woman In Her 20s Needs To Live By
For many of us, our 20s have been filled with late nights studying, partying, and doing who knows what else. However, the amount of sleep you receive can greatly impact your health and your skin. When we sleep, there are hormones that are released that impact the way our skin regenerates. If you don’t get an adequate amount of sleep, your skin can release stress hormones that contribute to acne and undermine skin repair. In addition, forming poor sleep habits in your 20s can impact your sleep habits in the upcoming decades. It’s hard to go to sleep at 10:00 P.M. when you have grown accustomed to the night-owl lifestyle! I know we are busy, but let’s try our best to aim for a full 8 hours of sleep.
6. Don’t Rub When Removing Makeup
When removing makeup, especially eye makeup, it is best to not rub or roughly handle your skin. Rubbing can strip your skin of its natural oils, cause dryness, and sadly, encourage premature wrinkles. If you choose to use cotton pads in your skin care routine, don’t carelessly drag them over your face. Make sure that your cotton pad is thoroughly soaked in makeup remover or toner before applying it to your face. Moreover, when drying your face post-cleansing, pat your face instead of rub.
For additional information on cleansing and removing makeup, check out How To Master The Art Of Double Cleansing.
7. Maintain A Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
Your diet and lifestyle can greatly impact the appearance of your skin. Have you ever chowed down on pizza and ice cream only to wake up the next morning with pizza regret sprawled all over your face? During your 20s (and throughout your life), you should regularly consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado) to keep your skin healthy. In addition, avoid the temptation to overindulge in sugary processed foods. Sigh – I’m not going to lie though – the Oreos in the cupboard are calling my name right now.
Exercising, whether you like it or not, is really important for your overall health and well-being. Exercising regularly can help improve blood pressure circulation and encourage a healthy glow. Moreover, sweating from exercise contributes to the flushing of toxins from your body.
8. Don’t Pick At Your Zits
I know, I know. It’s hard to resist picking at the unwelcomed friend that has recently arrived on your chin. It’s even harder to resist when it looks like it wants to be picked or squeezed. I’m here to tell you – don’t do it – don’t you dare! Unfortunately, picking at your zits leads to temporary or permanent scarring and hyperpigmentation. Although there are over-the-counter and prescription treatments available to combat scarring, getting rid of acne scars is not fun! Next time you have an unwelcomed friend, leave it be and move on with your day.
9. Use An Antioxidant Serum
Skin Care Tips Every Woman In Her 20s Needs To Live By
Vitamin C is a definite must-have in your skin care routine. Vitamin C, when applied to the skin, has been shown to reduce aging and free radical damage from exposure to the environment. Regular application of Vitamin C serum can help you achieve brighter, tighter, and clearer skin in your 20s. In addition, using a Vitamin C serum can prevent the development of skin cancer and promote collagen production.
10. Try A Retinol
Retinol, also known as Vitamin A, is the Queen of anti-aging. Retinol is an important ingredient when it comes to slowing down the aging process and counteracting the decline of cell turnover as we age. In addition, Retinol is beneficial for the skin because it reduces acne, increases cell turnover production, exfoliates dead skin cells, and decreases fine lines and wrinkles.
While Retinol carries a lot of skin benefits, it’s also important to note that it’s pretty darn drying. When incorporating Retinol into your skin care routine, you should do so slowly. Start by using a pea-size amount of Retinol 1-2 times a week and slowly increase to nightly (if you think your skin can handle it). If you find that your skin is super dry or red, you are probably using it too often. When using Retinol, don’t forget to seal the deal with a rich moisturizer!
11. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Moisturizer is definitely a skin care essential for those in their 20s. It’s important to apply moisturizer to aid in skin care recovery, help restore the acid mantle and facilitate a healthy skin biome, and minimize the appearance of acne, rosacea, and eczema.
When using skincare products such as Retinol, you may find that your skin feels dryer than usual. Using a moisturizer can reduce the harsh side effects and help your skin yield better results.
12. Stay Consistent
In your 20s, you don’t have to be super extra and buy the most expensive skincare products on the market. However, it is important to find what works for your skin and establish a consistent skin care routine that revolves around your skin’s needs. Like with anything, consistency is key, ladies. You got this!
Regardless of whether you are in your early or late 20s, I hope these tips help you better care for your skin during this awesome time!
Love,
Miracle With Grace