The Best Skincare Regimen Based on Your Age

Good skincare is good skincare regardless of your age, right? Well, that’s not exactly the case. As your skin ages, it starts thinning out and losing some elasticity. In addition, the pigment-containing cells called melanocytes increase in size. This is the reason why age spots start appearing.

Like many others, you’re probably dreaming about turning back the hands of time. Anti-aging products promise to completely eliminate the signs of skin aging. You are willing to invest a lot of money in all sorts of magical potions packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and other potent ingredients! But do they work? Is it possible to look young even though you're getting older?

The answer’s simple – the right routine is based on your age and the specific needs of your skin during that particular phase. There are no miracles when it comes to boosting skin elasticity or overcoming the issues stemming from hormonal shifts. Still, a core skin care regimen that starts early enough can accomplish a lot.

The One Thing That Doesn’t Change: Quality Sunscreen

Let’s start with one basic that’s always going to be important, regardless of your age.

Sunscreen is your most powerful ally when it comes to slowing down the aging process and preventing sun damage. The sooner you get started with its religious application, the better the results are going to be. Deeper lines and dark spots are both related to unprotected exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays… not to mention the fact you’re increasing your risk of developing skin cancer.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should wear sunscreen every single day (yes, even when it’s cloudy and rainy outside). Here’s how to choose the right kind of sunscreen:

• Look for a product that offers protection from both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays (usually labeled a broad-spectrum sunscreen).
• The SPF should be at least 30.
• If you have oily or acne-prone skin, choose mineral sunscreen or a product that features non-comedogenic ingredients (mineral sunscreens contain ultraviolet-blocking agents like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that work well on sensitive skin).
• Ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the formula are good choices for older or dry skin.
• Don’t count on sticks and sprays – they usually don’t give you the reliable coverage that a cream-based sunscreen can deliver.

Skincare in Your 20s: Build a Strong Foundation

This is the time when you should be developing healthy habits to last you a lifetime.

The biggest essentials of skincare in your 20s include:

• Regular cleansing: never ever sleep in your makeup. Use a gentle cleanser and try the double cleansing method – apply an oil-based cleanser first and use a water-based product afterward.
• Exfoliating: clean pores lead to a happy face. Exfoliating with a gentle product like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) increases cell turnover, giving you a fresher and more radiant appearance.
• In your mid-20s, you may start considering professional-strength skincare regimens like chemical peels.
• Moisturizing: apply a good moisturizer in the morning and before going to bed. The right product features hydrating ingredients, and its texture should correspond to your skin type.

Skincare in Your 30s: Focus on the Right Active Ingredients

Skin cell turnover starts to slow down in your 30s. This is the time when your skin may start looking a bit more lifeless. Apart from dull skin, you may also see the first signs of aging, like uneven texture and the appearance of fine lines around your eyes.

A good skincare routine in your 30s should focus on:

• Stick with the essentials you’ve mastered in your 20s – cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize the way you’ve done it over the past decade.
• Add a serum (or a few) to your routine: serums are a lot more concentrated than moisturizers, and they can be used to target different problems. A retinol serum is a great choice to address those fine lines. Hyaluronic acid serums deliver intense hydration. If you want to make your skin more radiant and eliminate imperfections, choose a niacinamide serum. Talking to a dermatologist is a good idea in order to pick the right serum for your needs.
• Try professional treatments: professional facials will add plenty of value to your routine in your 30s. Chemical peels will continue to be an excellent choice, but you may also want to consider microneedling and a bit of Botox to get rid of those fine lines.

Skincare in Your 40s: Address Hormone-Related Issues

Sun skin damage starts showing up in your 40s, especially if you haven’t been that careful with sunscreen. Hormone-related problems stemming from pre-menopausal fluctuations can also make skin look a bit dry and lifeless.

Here’s how to address these problems:

• Start using a prescription retinoid: adding this to your evening routine is great for increasing collagen production and gives your skin some much-needed brightness.
• Choose a good product to apply around your eyes: the under-eye area isn’t that easy to treat with a retinoid. Instead, choose eye creams that feature caffeine to reduce puffiness and amino acids to give the skin a plumper appearance.
• Try ultrasound skin tightening and other cosmetic procedures, but also continue having those chemical peels! You can also try ultrasound therapy and dermal fillers to treat various problem areas.

Skincare in Your 50s: Work to Counter Natural Processes

Stress, aging, and lifestyle choices can have a more pronounced effect than ever before in your 50s. Additionally, you’ll need to address normal physiological changes like skin thinning, fat loss, and sagging.

• Choose a creamy cleanser: aggressive cleansers will strip your skin from its protective barrier. Look for a creamy product that is very gentle and that doesn’t leave your face feeling extra dry and itchy.
• Deal with issues like rosacea and age spots: these two can be very prominent in your 50s and beyond. To reduce the prominence of such problems, protect your skin from the sun even more than before, moisturize effectively, and always test skincare products/makeup before going for a broader application.
• Try a non-surgical facelift: apart from the other cosmetic procedures we have already mentioned, your skin will definitely thank you if you decide to get a non-surgical facelift in your 50s.

Skincare in Your 60s+: Continue Investing in Skin Health

Continue doing all the amazing things you have embraced in your 40s and 50s. Aging gracefully and enjoying a youthful appearance is possible if you focus on the right rituals and products.

You may think that you’re no longer under the obligation to protect your face from the sun. That’s not the case. A good sunscreen application routine should last a lifetime. To make the task a bit easier, you may want to choose a combined product that hydrates and offers broad-spectrum protection at the same time.

Continue with the skin cleansing routine. Use hydrating creams and serums on a daily basis. And when you can, visit a medical spa for a bit of pampering and a more targeted treatment.

Many skin problems that become evident in your 60s can be addressed with the right cosmetic procedures. Consulting a dermatologist will give you a better idea about the things you need to address. You’ll also get a skincare routine recommendation that’s in line with your distinctive needs.

Cosmetic Procedures for Your Skin in Tampa Bay

Cosmetic procedures are a popular way to keep skin looking young and healthy. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. 

If you’re living in Tampa Bay, your choice is simple. Prime Aesthetica in Tampa provides a wide range of aesthetic procedures and non-surgical treatments meant to improve the appearance of your skin and help you look young and healthy for decades to come.

Our skincare experts in Tampa will help you choose the right cosmetic procedure according to your age and skin needs. We will evaluate your skin type and conditions and recommend the best course of action for you to achieve your aesthetic goals.